I just had my 302 pound buddy load test 3/8 carbon rods. All good....
I hate to poopoo on anyone's parade. But I would like you guys to consider some information...
I posted the results of some calculations I had an engineer run on the 3/8" pultruded carbon rods. I won't get into all of the details of what we found, but I'll give you the skinny - pun intended.
In a perfect world, with your weight evenly distributed across the entire rod, and your foot snug against the tree, and the rod perfectly perpendicular to the tree, a 250lb fellow, NOT MOVING, would have around a 3x safety factor. This assumes no damage to the rod from cutting, handling, moisture absorption, etc. and that the load is just sitting there, evenly distributed. I did not run the calculation for anything above 250, because I wouldn't even consider the tool without the 3x safety factor.
My recommendation to folks considering the carbon rods was to do research, really consider what you want to accomplish in going to carbon bolts, what risk you're willing to accept, and then make decisions based on all of that combined. Flat out, I wouldn't recommend even considering 3/8" carbon rods for anyone over 200lbs.
When you factor in many of the variables our calculations didn't take into consideration, the odds of something bad happening are way higher. Remember this - nothing is black and white - yes, your 300lb buddy can jump on one and you can say "everything is fine". But it is not that simple.
Please don't take offense to the next part of this, but I don't want to mince words....
Telling someone you don't know that its "all good" is not only wrong, but it goes against the entire point of this site - hunters helping hunters.
The desire to get light, compact climbing methods is perfectly normal. However, it creates a space on the cutting edge that is incredibly risky. You're entering a space where there is absolutely ZERO solid data supporting your claim. Telling someone that they are perfectly fine doing this is inconsiderate and reckless. Again - don't take offense, but this type of behavior is going to get someone killed. The power of words is hard to wrap your head around, especially sitting behind a computer screen.
I know you don't mean any harm - but consider that a person with little climbing experience, and no experience with this specific climbing method might take your words to heart and think nothing can go wrong. And that person might not live to regret it.
There is some support for the use of carbon rods on this site. I am not against the idea. I actually use them sometimes. But it is much more involved, and requires much more thought and consideration to do so safely.
Please, to any new users browsing this post - go through all of the information available throughout this site on the topic of carbon rods for climbing if you are considering using them. Do not assume because one person says "all good" that there is no risk.
I am sorry if i come across harsh. You guys are awesome and I don't want to see someone get hurt. Use your noggins!