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The Wraptor

Kelvin lives close enough to me I may need to ask to try that Wraptor out


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A few questions for you guys (and I apologize if I missed them somewhere in the thread):

1. I have a 30-inch waist, should I anticipate needing to adjust the size/length of the build, or will the sizes discussed earlier in the thread work well universally?
2. Are you guys still running an RC with this or is the belt that you are attaching also acting as your safety harness?

Thanks for doing the brain work on this build! I have wanted to try this style along with my ripstop sling and the fleece (yet to be made) saddles.
 
Kyle Hey said:
A few questions for you guys (and I apologize if I missed them somewhere in the thread):

1. I have a 30-inch waist, should I anticipate needing to adjust the size/length of the build, or will the sizes discussed earlier in the thread work well universally?
2. Are you guys still running an RC with this or is the belt that you are attaching also acting as your safety harness?

Thanks for doing the brain work on this build! I have wanted to try this style along with my ripstop sling and the fleece (yet to be made) saddles.
Click to expand...

These were made pretty close to the original slings measurements. The smaller the waist size, the closer together the rings will be, so you may want to tweak it a bit, but should work as is. No rch needed, but we will be putting them through lots of low level testing before we get height to be sure they are completely safe. We intentionally put more stitching in these than the original, plus overlaps of webbing, so they are built to be bullet proof. The belt is not load bearing and only there to hold it in place while walking in and while using the lineman rope during climbing. We have already talked about using this webbing with some fleece or ripstop cordura as well, would love to see you make one!

Today was the first time we've used the lineman rope with it and there was zero issue with the rings. Even using a caribiner directly on the ring was dead quiet and I could hunt with it as is with no tape needed.
 
Thanks! I bought more than enough seat belt webbing locally with the intent to test some of the material strength... just to put my mind at ease if I don't wear an RCH. My RCH is so light that I don't mind wearing it in the tree but that just means more to pack in.
 
For reference, the rings I used are 25kn rated and the webbing is even stronger. The stitching is the weakest component, but when applied correctly, the webbing or rings will fail before the sewing does. I have no worries about this one being safe, just taking the extra time and caution due to any DIY project.
 
I discovered Keen's about 12 years ago. I have been wearing them almost everyday since. I was wearing my sandals year round (in WI) because they were so comfy. I bought some of their shoes and will have to try the boots.

Great build and I may look into making one of these once I get all my other projects finished.

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Bwhana said:
@KelvinM12 got his Wraptor this morning and gave it a test run. Cut his Heliums and put on amsteel and versas too! I will let him give his full assessment of it.
Click to expand...

Bwhana said:
79e6a67b813a1d0ba3c46541654bab1e.jpg
Click to expand...


Yep, that's me hang'n in the homemade Wraptor that @Bwhana made for me. It is so light weight! It was just as comfortable as the Anderson sling I sat in down at Saddlepalooza! Having some time to use it in the tree in different positions was eye opening. I absolutely love being able to adjust the two webbed sections of the sling to a personal fit for me while leaning, sitting, or almost standing. The versatility and options of being able to move those sections higher or lower on your back or butt, or even doubling them up to sit, allowed me to be comfortable no matter what position I was in. So nice! @Bwhana has a pic of me in an awkward tree position he is welcome to post (lol).

Let me put it this way, I've been considering all kinds of saddles, including the commercial ones (which I think are very well made and safe), but I like this one so much it's the only one I'm going to have for this upcoming season. I'll save my money and consider a commercial model in the future, but this more than serves my purpose, and you can't beat the price of the materials.
 
Bwhana said:
Congrats on that treesuit! I saw it as soon as he put it up and almost sent a PM 10x to buy it! I had this project underway so I held off, but that was a great deal. If you use my measurements, you will notice the 10" overlaps. It was not on the original Anderson's, but I thought it added more stitching area and made it even safer. The other thing is that if I make another, I may make the top loop an inch or half inch shorter than the bottom so it would fit even better up higher on the lower back, but not a problem as is. Post pics!

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Click to expand...

Got the materials and started putting it together. Tacked it together and gave it a test fit. Think I’m going to like it.


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I'm a fan of this idea for its simplicity and weight. I ordered the rings & webbing to make my own, but the "tan" webbing that arrived is actually a very shiny gold color, and supposedly nylon fabric doesn't dye well, so I'll either order black for a 2nd version OR go into the woods looking fabulous(!). This means I'll have the option to experiment - but I have some questions for those who've done this already anyway, maybe it'll save me some effort...

I'm a size 42 waist +more if I layer. I held up the spec'd 36" loop around my rear and it puts the rings near my hip pockets, not much out in front of me at all. Did y'all get any sense of "the rings really need to be out in front vs right up against my sides" for avoiding hip pinch, better fit/feel/function, etc? If you're skinnier than me and the rings come together in front of you, do you feel like that's better, or would you like a "wider" bridge as if they were closer to your hips instead of coming more in front of you?

If I could make the length of the loop adjustable but still lock down without slipping, that's what I'd do. Been contemplating tri-glides on the bottom side of the loop ("outside" of the spacers), but I figure they'll slip really easily on a seat belt. Anyone put any thought to this or have a better idea for a reliable belt adjuster? If the belt-adjuster idea doesn't work I'll just make bigger loops to get the ends more away from my body in front of my hips.

The wraptor/anderson design has 2 loops with 6-inch spacers. Has anyone played with longer spacers - maybe 8-10 inches, and just 1 loop? The pictures posted all kind of show the top & bottom of each loop pinched together & overlapping anyway, not spaced out when around a body, so I'm wondering about just 1 bigger loop instead of two smaller ones. I suspect the 6" spacers are more of a "don't let it spread too wide" stopper than a "keep it open" thing. True/false?

Makes me wonder about mesh instead of spacers - which would make a single loop more like a 2xl mantis design. Anyone who's played with this have any feelings on why one version is better than the other? I wonder if the mesh is just more comfortable than a vertical bit of seatbelt running up the side of your butt.

I was more of a leaner than a sitter with my Kestrel, and this looks similar in pics. Anyone who's sat in it have a feeling to share about which position is more comfortable with this design? How about vs a kestrel or mantis for either position?

Thanks. I'll post some pictures with whatever I try out.
 
JBDaddy said:
I ordered the rings & webbing to make my own, but the "tan" webbing that arrived is actually a very shiny gold color, and supposedly nylon fabric doesn't dye well, so I'll either order black for a 2nd version OR go into the woods looking fabulous(!).
Click to expand...

Haha. You're not the only one. I have my own gold version of this at home. The webbing looked a lot more 'tan' then 'gold' on the Ebay listing.
 
JBDaddy said:
I'm a fan of this idea for its simplicity and weight. I ordered the rings & webbing to make my own, but the "tan" webbing that arrived is actually a very shiny gold color, and supposedly nylon fabric doesn't dye well, so I'll either order black for a 2nd version OR go into the woods looking fabulous(!). This means I'll have the option to experiment - but I have some questions for those who've done this already anyway, maybe it'll save me some effort...

I'm a size 42 waist +more if I layer. I held up the spec'd 36" loop around my rear and it puts the rings near my hip pockets, not much out in front of me at all. Did y'all get any sense of "the rings really need to be out in front vs right up against my sides" for avoiding hip pinch, better fit/feel/function, etc? If you're skinnier than me and the rings come together in front of you, do you feel like that's better, or would you like a "wider" bridge as if they were closer to your hips instead of coming more in front of you?

If I could make the length of the loop adjustable but still lock down without slipping, that's what I'd do. Been contemplating tri-glides on the bottom side of the loop ("outside" of the spacers), but I figure they'll slip really easily on a seat belt. Anyone put any thought to this or have a better idea for a reliable belt adjuster? If the belt-adjuster idea doesn't work I'll just make bigger loops to get the ends more away from my body in front of my hips.

The wraptor/anderson design has 2 loops with 6-inch spacers. Has anyone played with longer spacers - maybe 8-10 inches, and just 1 loop? The pictures posted all kind of show the top & bottom of each loop pinched together & overlapping anyway, not spaced out when around a body, so I'm wondering about just 1 bigger loop instead of two smaller ones. I suspect the 6" spacers are more of a "don't let it spread too wide" stopper than a "keep it open" thing. True/false?

Makes me wonder about mesh instead of spacers - which would make a single loop more like a 2xl mantis design. Anyone who's played with this have any feelings on why one version is better than the other? I wonder if the mesh is just more comfortable than a vertical bit of seatbelt running up the side of your butt.

I was more of a leaner than a sitter with my Kestrel, and this looks similar in pics. Anyone who's sat in it have a feeling to share about which position is more comfortable with this design? How about vs a kestrel or mantis for either position?

Thanks. I'll post some pictures with whatever I try out.
Click to expand...

Even the webbing I ordered was a lighter green than expected but looks fine in the tree. We talked about the spacing of 36" and going wider for someone bigger. I think it would be a good move and keep your bridge shorter that way. Some may like the rings back further than ours for lineman loop use too. It works equally well for leaning and sitting because you can move the two loops independently and perfectly position them for either situation. I thought the same as you about the spacers until I made it. For me, they serve to keep them spread more than together. Once I position the loops, they stay put very well, even when moving around and they do not ride up like other saddles (Kestrel, Kite, Mantis) I've tested and so far it is more comfortable than them (but diy fleece and leather Trophyline still rules the comfort world!). We also thought about making ours wider than 6" on the bottom loop only and sewing another piece parallel to the main loops across the center between the cross pieces too. Also talked about putting fleece or mesh in between. Would love to see you take it up a notch there and with the tri glides too!
 
Swampfox said:
A soft shackle could have potential to replace the rings. I would probably still prefer the rings but add a soft shackle to it to avoid the metal on metal.
Click to expand...
I did a little playing with this today and it bunches the webbing too much on each side without a structure there. The large rings I used are about the smallest you can go and keep them semi spread out. The factory oval was perfect from that standpoint but didn't offer lineman loops as is.
 
JBDaddy said:
I'm a fan of this idea for its simplicity and weight. I ordered the rings & webbing to make my own, but the "tan" webbing that arrived is actually a very shiny gold color, and supposedly nylon fabric doesn't dye well, so I'll either order black for a 2nd version OR go into the woods looking fabulous(!). This means I'll have the option to experiment - but I have some questions for those who've done this already anyway, maybe it'll save me some effort...

I'm a size 42 waist +more if I layer. I held up the spec'd 36" loop around my rear and it puts the rings near my hip pockets, not much out in front of me at all. Did y'all get any sense of "the rings really need to be out in front vs right up against my sides" for avoiding hip pinch, better fit/feel/function, etc? If you're skinnier than me and the rings come together in front of you, do you feel like that's better, or would you like a "wider" bridge as if they were closer to your hips instead of coming more in front of you?

If I could make the length of the loop adjustable but still lock down without slipping, that's what I'd do. Been contemplating tri-glides on the bottom side of the loop ("outside" of the spacers), but I figure they'll slip really easily on a seat belt. Anyone put any thought to this or have a better idea for a reliable belt adjuster? If the belt-adjuster idea doesn't work I'll just make bigger loops to get the ends more away from my body in front of my hips.

The wraptor/anderson design has 2 loops with 6-inch spacers. Has anyone played with longer spacers - maybe 8-10 inches, and just 1 loop? The pictures posted all kind of show the top & bottom of each loop pinched together & overlapping anyway, not spaced out when around a body, so I'm wondering about just 1 bigger loop instead of two smaller ones. I suspect the 6" spacers are more of a "don't let it spread too wide" stopper than a "keep it open" thing. True/false?

Makes me wonder about mesh instead of spacers - which would make a single loop more like a 2xl mantis design. Anyone who's played with this have any feelings on why one version is better than the other? I wonder if the mesh is just more comfortable than a vertical bit of seatbelt running up the side of your butt.

I was more of a leaner than a sitter with my Kestrel, and this looks similar in pics. Anyone who's sat in it have a feeling to share about which position is more comfortable with this design? How about vs a kestrel or mantis for either position?

Thanks. I'll post some pictures with whatever I try out.
Click to expand...

I just finished one built to 36”. My waist runs around 38” with the standard issue fat overlap. For me it is comfortable but I am “right on the edge”. If you look at the pics above, it appears to me, and based on my experience that the rings will turn in a bit. This leads to a little discomfort for me but can easily be adjusted where it doesn’t bother me. All said I am looking to build another will likely be an inch or two longer on the bottom and see what happens. Also looking at putting a pack cloth panel in the webbing to keep my fat from oozing out. Really do like the design. The problem for me is my design not the saddles


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