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Old Trophyline Saddle Thoughts

D

DLP7637

New Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
2
I recently discovered an old trophyline saddle that I had bought put in a closet and never used. It’s the one with leather and has the Realtree Roadtrips sticker on it. Like I said never used it and was forgotten about. I have been thinking of getting into saddle hunting and would like to know anyone’s thoughts on if it would be functional compared to more modern saddles. I checked it out and everything is in perfect condition. Thanks for any ideas.
 
Personally that’s my favorite of the old style trophylines. Major differences then and now.
1 - much heavier
2- fixed leg loops
3- fixed webbing bridge.
4- webbing tether and lineman
At least once a season I break it out and spend a weekend in that saddle. I love it. lol


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I have neoprene from 2007. Took many naps in that saddle. Check over the stitching with a fine tooth comb. They were overbuilt, but it’s still a 15 plus year old saddle.
 
Climbing gear has a shelf life. Its up to you if you think it is safe to climb with it. No one should tell you to use equipment that is out of date. I'm sure plenty of guys would use a saddle pasts its expiration date. but there are also guys that climb without being tethered to the tree and you see how that plays out.
 
Mine was made in 07 I think. I think they are only rated for five years from date of manufacture. It was one last saddles made before they stopped producing them. I used for a tree stand safety harness as well a saddle.

I wouldn’t really recommend using a saddle that old either. My Venatic is light as a feather.
 
If stored properly, there is nothing wrong with it. As mentioned, check it over good, but there is no "expiration" date. The dates on the saddle were to protect against liability somehow I assume. I have one hanging in the basement. Still works fine.
 
kbetts said:
If stored properly, there is nothing wrong with it. As mentioned, check it over good, but there is no "expiration" date. The dates on the saddle were to protect against liability somehow I assume. I have one hanging in the basement. Still works fine.
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Most saddle manufactures do actually have an Expiration date, Its usually 5 years from the date printed on your saddle. This is due to the materials degrading over time. Just because something looks good visually doesnt mean that old sewn thread isn't going to let go when you are 20ft up a tree. Why take a chance?
 
Yeah, mine was built in 06. Dug it out to look at it. 5 years is standard for climbing/safety equipment. Not really worth messing with. Yes, it could be safe. Or not. New saddles are lighter and way more comfy to deal with the chance of it failing.
 
WISCO said:
Climbing gear has a shelf life. Its up to you if you think it is safe to climb with it. No one should tell you to use equipment that is out of date. I'm sure plenty of guys would use a saddle pasts its expiration date. but there are also guys that climb without being tethered to the tree and you see how that plays out.
Click to expand...

The saddle companies recommended a 5 year life of saddles…but… How often do you replace the seatbelts in your car that sit in the hot UV beaten interior of an automobile.?
 
enkriss said:
The saddle companies recommended a 5 year life of saddles…but… How often do you replace the seatbelts in your car that sit in the hot UV beaten interior of an automobile.?
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I feel like that's an appeal to hypocrisy, and the correct thing to do to minimize risk would be to replace fall protection gear and replace seat belts.

"Do as I say, not as I do," for sure.
 
enkriss said:
The saddle companies recommended a 5 year life of saddles…but… How often do you replace the seatbelts in your car that sit in the hot UV beaten interior of an automobile.?
Click to expand...
Comparing oranges to apples a bit here. One is sewn together with thread, one is a one piece strap. One you have the choice of replacing per the manufactures specs to stay safe while doing your hobby, the other most people dont have the money to replace. The percentage of seat belt failures is so low that I wasn't able to find and statistics on it. Plus there is not a lot you can control when getting involved in a motor vehicle accident, you can control weather or not your climbing gear is safe.
 
WISCO said:
Comparing oranges to apples a bit here. One is sewn together with thread, one is a one piece strap. One you have the choice of replacing per the manufactures specs to stay safe while doing your hobby, the other most people dont have the money to replace. The percentage of seat belt failures is so low that I wasn't able to find and statistics on it. Plus there is not a lot you can control when getting involved in a motor vehicle accident, you can control weather or not your climbing gear is safe.
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People are still using Anderson slings. The last one was made in 1982.
 
WISCO said:
Comparing oranges to apples a bit here. One is sewn together with thread, one is a one piece strap. One you have the choice of replacing per the manufactures specs to stay safe while doing your hobby, the other most people dont have the money to replace. The percentage of seat belt failures is so low that I wasn't able to find and statistics on it. Plus there is not a lot you can control when getting involved in a motor vehicle accident, you can control weather or not your climbing gear is safe.
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Any stats on saddle failures?
I've never heard of one.
Your seat belt is indeed sewn.

Check your equipment yourself, for yourself. A new saddle could be pulling threads the first year you have it.
Buy quality, check it every sit. Treat your equipment well and it will treat well.
If your the asshat that leaves your stuff sitting in the hot sun in your backseat half the year. Yeah I'd be replacing that.
YMMV
 
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Swingin' Free said:
Any stats on saddle failures?
I've never heard of one.
Your seat belt is indeed sewn.

Check your equipment yourself, for yourself. A new saddle could be pulling threads the first year you have it.
Buy quality, check it every sit. Treat your equipment well and it will treat well.
If your the asshat that leaves your stuff sitting in the hot sun in your backseat half the year. Yeah I'd be replacing that.
YMMV
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to force you to take my opinion on it. You're a grownup you can make your own decisions in life. I just stated a fact the saddle manufactures do indeed put an expiration on their climbing equipment and telling someone to ignore that isn't good advice.
 
The fact is there is a exp date on the saddle for liability reasons. For the mouth breathers that would stick their hand under the mower deck. Not because it disintegrates in 5 years.

Do you throw your canned food out after the exp date?
 
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