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Do you wear your leg straps

Leg straps or no leg straps

  • Yes

    Votes: 88 75.9%

  • No

    Votes: 28 24.1%
  • Total voters
    116
I bought an ESS used and had the leg straps cut off, so that’s how I roll. But as far as I know, I think the OG kestrel is the only saddle made with load bearing buckles?

To each their own. Is there any research out there that says leg straps increase safety?
 
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Chandler96 said:
what data and testing is done to say that leg straps are safe and needed? Some saddle companies attached their straps with a g-hook or plastic clip you feed your straps through. you know those aren't holding up someone.
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How you, and everyone else look at this circumstance, and draw the conclusion that leg straps must not be needed is mind boggling to me.

That said, enough people view this the way you do, that it means we need to include the viewpoint in the conversation.

I would much prefer folks look at the glaringly obvious problem with the current situation - that no institution involved with professional and recreational climbing BESIDES saddle hunters, condone leaving the ground without “rated” leg straps(define rated as you wish - they’re part of the load bearing of the harness).

Why anyone would give an ounce to credibility to any vendor in the saddle hunting space in regards to safety testing, qualification, testing, inspection - basically any aspect related to the risk of leaving the ground, is beyond me.

I’m not saying don’t play in saddles. I’m just saying the amount of credibility baked in to this space is crazy to me.
 
neonomad said:
“I’ve never had an issue”, yeah almost anybody injured never had an issue with given method prior. “I’ve climbed 45 old rusty ladder stands with no tie off, but hey I’ve never had any problems.”

Once set up and my legs have some bend in em and the panel is set down a bit I have more faith in the saddle cupping and catching me, but during the climb up and down I have zero confidence that the panel is consistently in a position to catch me without sliding to ribs or armpits.
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your bridge is connected to the bottom and the top. Your leg straps are not whats cupping it to your bottom
 
kyler1945 said:
How you, and everyone else look at this circumstance, and draw the conclusion that leg straps must not be needed is mind boggling to me.

That said, enough people view this the way you do, that it means we need to include the viewpoint in the conversation.

I would much prefer folks look at the glaringly obvious problem with the current situation - that no institution involved with professional and recreational climbing BESIDES saddle hunters, condone leaving the ground without “rated” leg straps(define rated as you wish - they’re part of the load bearing of the harness).

Why anyone would give an ounce to credibility to any vendor in the saddle hunting space in regards to safety testing, qualification, testing, inspection - basically any aspect related to the risk of leaving the ground, is beyond me.

I’m not saying don’t play in saddles. I’m just saying the amount of credibility baked in to this space is crazy to me.
Click to expand...
but you yourself can judge if things are load bearing...is a plastic clip or g hook something you think is going to save your life?
 
Chandler96 said:
your bridge is connected to the bottom and the top. Your leg straps are not whats cupping it to your bottom
Click to expand...

No one is saying that leg straps cup your bottom.

I think the issue is that you can’t rely on a saddle cupping your bottom - every time - without being held in place to cup your bottom when said circumstance arises.

You seem to be discounting all the different ways you can fall climbing or sitting in a tree, and how those forces may render your leg strap less saddle completely useless in arresting a fall, or you not incurring serious injury during said fall.
 
kyler1945 said:
How you, and everyone else look at this circumstance, and draw the conclusion that leg straps must not be needed is mind boggling to me.

That said, enough people view this the way you do, that it means we need to include the viewpoint in the conversation.

I would much prefer folks look at the glaringly obvious problem with the current situation - that no institution involved with professional and recreational climbing BESIDES saddle hunters, condone leaving the ground without “rated” leg straps(define rated as you wish - they’re part of the load bearing of the harness).

Why anyone would give an ounce to credibility to any vendor in the saddle hunting space in regards to safety testing, qualification, testing, inspection - basically any aspect related to the risk of leaving the ground, is beyond me.

I’m not saying don’t play in saddles. I’m just saying the amount of credibility baked in to this space is crazy to me.
Click to expand...
Saddles aren't harnesses. A saddles leg straps should not take your weight if the saddle is worn properly. If they have taken your weight, it means your saddle is now above your waist line. Which would mean you weren't using the leg straps or left them so loose that they weren't doing anything.
 
Chandler96 said:
but you yourself can judge if things are load bearing...is a plastic clip or g hook something you think is going to save your life?
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No. That’s why I chose the Transformer saddle. People sometimes complain it’s too loud and heavy for them. But the hardware, Raptor buckles, and webbing on those leg straps are all rated; not that I want to take a slip or fall but if ever I do I’d prefer that system to some little G-hook just slipped into a webbing loop where it’s very prone to falling out unnoticed in the course of moving.
 
SNIPERBBB said:
Saddles aren't harnesses. A saddles leg straps should not take your weight if the saddle is worn properly. If they have taken your weight, it means your saddle is now above your waist line. Which would mean you weren't using the leg straps or left them so loose that they weren't doing anything.
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That's all good and well when you're already leaning/sitting on the saddle. But the saddle also acts as a harness while climbing the tree. In fully upright position a sudden fall will easily lead into situation where most of the load is carried by leg straps even when saddle was properly worn.
 
Marmuzz said:
No. That’s why I chose the Transformer saddle. People sometimes complain it’s too loud and heavy for them. But the hardware, Raptor buckles, and webbing on those leg straps are all rated; not that I want to take a slip or fall but if ever I do I’d prefer that system to some little G-hook just slipped into a webbing loop where it’s very prone to falling out unnoticed in the course of moving.
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I think that's half the complaints about comfort.

The G hooks have to be under tension to not slip, so you have to pull the leg straps tight. With Cobra or Raptor buckles, you can loosen your leg straps a bit and the leg straps don't fall off the connector
 
samu said:
That's all good and well when you're already leaning/sitting on the saddle. But the saddle also acts as a harness while climbing the tree. In fully upright position a sudden fall will easily lead into situation where most of the load is carried by leg straps even when saddle was properly worn.
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I can't think how that would be possible unless your saddle was out of position and bridge too long before the fall..
 
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