"Saddle" Hunting with a Rock Climbing Harness

[Marmuzz]

Yes, but since the OP stated he is going to stand hunt and only needs a saddle or RCH for his one stick ascent, this harness would serve both purposes. People seem to miss the functionality point that a RCH is only able to safely arrest a fall when used in conjunction with long long dynamic lead lines. Saddle hunters do not use long dynamic lead lines, we tend to use short static lanyards or short static lead rope in which case an RCH is no safer than a normal saddle and way more uncomfortable. This is why I suggested the XOP is because it could serve both purposes the post asked about where a RCH would not.

Yeah that’s fair. I’ll admit my question is a digression from the OP concern. I think XOP’s claim on the Renegade irks me slightly. It’s not false and it’s not inaccurate if used correctly. But for the casual consumer, especially if new to saddle concepts, that claim could easily be misinterpreted as the Renegade being a superior model to other saddles when in fact no safer than anything else. Like most things in life you need to read the fine print (or think it through).

 

[Marmuzz]

I hunted some with a full body harness hooked over my shoulder and into my tether it was fine. I paired it with a fleece saddle. I think you could use it with a hang on for a hybrid set up, for sitting, standing or leaning.

Thanks for the feedback. I stand corrected!

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Keep in mind I have zero affiliation with XOP. In fact they would be a “competitor” in the saddle market however many times I have seen guys who are stand hunting and want to use their saddle either for ease of ascending or so they can turn and take shots their normal stand harness would not safely allow. In those instances the XOP renegade would allow a safe full body stand harness attached behind the back, while still allowing a quick turn around to use like a saddle for hard to get shots. Keep in mind though that most climbing and hang on stands are not excellent at side pressure so you would still be using the stand in an unintended method if you are side pressuring to shoot the back side of the tree. It’s for that reason that saddle hunting is a “commitment” for me. I like to use my gear in the manner in which it was intended for.

 

[GeoFish]

It is a full body harness that has a saddle and bridge loops sewn into it. It has the same rear connect style lanyard point as most full body harnesses. The leg straps are built into the main harness and are full weight load bearing. The saddle portion functions as a saddle (although admittedly it does look uncomfortable to me, however I have not tried it). It is currently the only saddle/hybrid on the market that is approved to be used in a fall arrest but even then it’s only a fall arrest if you are hooked to the rear lanyard attachment not using it as a saddle

What I am trying to say, I have a old seat of the pants safety harness. If I hang in the harness, all my weight is transferred to the leg straps. The shoulder portion does nothing. The waist belt does nothing. It does nothing my Dryad dosent do except the rear tether connector has a screamer built in.
Is it the shoulder straps the feature that makes it a fall arrest harness or is it the rear connection?

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Yeah that’s fair. I’ll admit my question is a digression from the OP concern. I think XOP’s claim on the Renegade irks me slightly. It’s not false and it’s not inaccurate if used correctly. But for the casual consumer, especially if new to saddle concepts, that claim could easily be misinterpreted as the Renegade being a superior model to other saddles when in fact no safer than anything else. Like most things in life you need to read the fine print (or think it through).

^^^^^^ I cannot stress how much I agree with this post! Stuff like that irks me too, that and someone trying to patent stuff aerohunter had on their saddles nearly a decade ago. Lol but all of that are posts for another day

 

[Brocky]

The XOP’s attachment point being at the waist could cause undue stress on your back if you fell backward, not much better than a belt, which isn’t allowed by osha anymore. The shoulder straps are only suspenders when used like this. The anchor point on the harness should be at the sternum if in front.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

What I am trying to say, I have a old seat of the pants safety harness. If I hangin the harness, all my weight is transferred to the leg straps. The shoulder portion does nothing. The waist belt does nothing. It does nothing my Dryad dosent do except the rear tether connector has a screamer built in.
Is it the shoulder straps the feature that makes it a fall arrest harness or is it the rear connection?

Shoulder straps keep you from going inverted and when things are worn properly, the riggers belt and chest strap would take some of the tension. You are correct the bulk of the force is applied to your legs though. Your Drey doesn’t have the shock lanyard, it also does not keep you from going inverted which is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in a fall.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

The XOP’s attachment point being at the waist could cause undue stress on your back if you fell backward, not much better than a belt, which isn’t allowed by osha anymore. The shoulder straps are only suspenders when used like this. The anchor point on the harness should be at the sternum if in front.

The anchor point for the FBH is between the shoulder blades on the back. Attachments at the sternum are only tolerable in falls of 18” or less hence the work positioning aspect of it. Last I checked osha doesn’t approve sternum attachments either without proper deceleration device built in and attachments must be higher point than your sternum. Aka you can’t climb higher than your tie off point. Or has that changed?