Looking for Harness Recommendations

I am involved in banding peregrine falcons, which nest (among other places), on cliffs. We use SRT to descend and ascend. I am currently using a Mammut harness, but I want something better and more comfortable for working in. The Mammut is great for sport climbing, but it isn't made to work in.

Do you guys have any suggestions? The Eclipse rope access harness looks pretty nice, but I don't know anyone who has used one.

Check out the New Tribe harnesses at www.newtribe.com . They are VERY comfortable, and reasonably priced as well. New Tribe is also a really great company to deal with. They can customize any of their harnesses to be exactly how you want it and they are really helpful folks.

I'll second that. THe NT harnesses are very comfortable for SRT work climbing. For what you're describing I'd look at the either the Tengu or the VI Special saddles.
-moss

Thanks! I'll check them out.

Hey Treeboy
For example if you ask them to put an extra loop or an extra ring or larger/smaller side D'S, or something special that is not included in a basic saddle they will work with you ( for a price ) for sure, but they are reasonable.
In other cases they have custom made special saddles for handicap people that are not commonly used by regular able bodied climbers. That is what we mean by "customizing a NT saddle" Contact them (Barbara or Viola) directly with your specific questions since they do not regularly post on this webline.

Got this harness about 2 months ago. Did maybe 20 rec climbs and also some paying jobs where real work is involved. It is probably twice as comfortable as the Buckingham Mobility I used before, which I think is "pretty" comfortable.

The ultra-cushy leg pads and lack of waist pinch are two notable improvements over any of my other harnesses. (also have Weaver and French Creek)

Disadvantages -
*It's pricey.
*It's a little cumbersome to get logger boots in and out of closed-loop leg pads. You really have to loosen the leg pads to get out, then re-cinch them after getting in.
*The top elastic straps (that hold the leg pads in position) actually pull the pads in the wrong direction, out to the sides, when you start climbing. But you can remedy this simply by stepping thru so the elastics come over the TOP of your thigh. (Kind of hard to describe without a picture.)
*Black threads are already coming unraveled from one of the leg pads at the bottom edge. But nothing is falling apart. (Yet.)

Advantages -
Light.
Way, way, crazy comfortable.
Great back support, very high-tech waist strap and buckle, infinitely variable.
Legs don't fall asleep when performing extended, tough manuevers or positions.

All in all, if I have to have American Arborist in West Chester,PA take it back and have it sewn for the thread issue, I don't care. I love it. Maybe someday I'll try a TREEmotion, but man, if it's nicer than this I might end up falling asleep up there!

Personally i prefer the Elevation, from sherril. Compared to my old rock climbing harness its like sitting in an arm chair up in the trees. I love having all the attachment points to clip into. and the nice wide back pad make life a lil nicer.

Just my thoughts.
Matt

Are you looking for a rock climbing harness or a tree climbing harness?

The tree climbing harness will be more comfortable in both situations (extra Leg padding) "but I want something better and more comfortable for working in."mrsfalcon said.

The tree climbing harness works great in rock climbing and rapelling from rocks
( I do that once per year with the scouts) Looks like the researcher hangs along the wall for long periods of time collecting data and gathering stuff and the New Tribe Harness is definitely more comfortable. I have a rock climbing harness that I use to sleep in the trees (because it is less bulky and without loops in the back) and that is te reason why I have used both. I started originally hanging from rocks rapelling on very uncomfortable "swiss seats" we made out of webbing. Those pull and pinch you in all the wrong places. They work thou!

I bought the New Tribe Tengu Saddle. I think all of their work saddles are comfortable but I liked the adjustible leg stap and the quick release leg strap buckles. I had the chance to tour their facility and they do really nice work. I have know whereof I speak on this as I have operated a sewing shop for ten years. Their website has a handy sizing chart as well.

Hello all. Have to agree with R.Boreal about the Kolibri saddle pros and cons. I have the 3D multi-slide and it has to be the most thought out harness I have worn. I have been an arborist for 31 years and have tried and owned many different types. I also climb buildings, bridges and towers for a living as a high rigger and am an intern facilitator in Md. While the Kolibri has a few shortcomings, overall it is far more comfortable and cheaper than the Treemotion. It is a sliding D setup which is very adjustable in length. I run my bridge rather close to my body. I also did away with their D ring and simply use 2 biners in its place. I prefer the Petzl Gecko and the DMM Boa because they are colored red and green and they both have a rather wide bottom which mates up very well to the 2" wide webbing used as bridge material. My saddle also came from American arborist and I just visited them to try out the suspenders made by Kolibri. Will follow up on thoughts about them after giving them some proper break-in climbing. As a side note: Dave at Amer.arborist is great to deal with and very well versed in all the gear he carries. I also own several variations of Newtribe saddles for students and find them to be quite comfortable for a wide range of body types. Before I owned the Kolibri I wore a CMM/Yates towerclimbers harness. Nice to count on your gear when you spend your day hanging on the side of a 1000 ft. microwave tower above the clouds. Thanks for letting me add in here. Love this site and the community. Climb safe.