Has anyone else checked out the Ness work saddle? I ordered one a while back and it's the most comfortable, light-weight saddle I've used. It's a leg-strap saddle with wide, padded leg supporters, and a padded, six-inch wide waist band that gives me the best back support I've found in a saddle. And you can choose the different rings, hooks, etc., you want and specify their configuration. I ordered mine with two optional pouches sewn in on either side, one open, one zippered at the top. I use the open one for stashing gloves, extra webbing, cabling hardware and hand tools and the dangling end of a long lanyard I use. I lined the zippered pouch with a nest of soft foam padding that allows me to climb with my cell phone without banging it up. I also use it for collecting leaves, cones, etc., needed for sampling. What has been the experience of other people who have tried one? It's made, by the way, by New Tribe, the company that manufactures recreational tree climbing equipment and the TreeBoat hammock used for camping in trees. Tom

Reply to post by Tom Watson, on February 09, 2000 at 12:27:41:

Tom,

I have several New Tribe recreational saddles. I like them a lot. Jim Harris climbed in a NT work saddle a few yearsa ago at the Tree Climbing Championships. The saddle looks really nice.

Does the wasit belt stay up on your hips when you hang a chainsaw from the side? That is my biggest concern.

Tom

Reply to post by Tom Dunlap, on February 09, 2000 at 12:27:41:

Tom, the weight of my climbing saw did cause some discomfort until I adjusted the fit a bit and pulled the saddle higher up on my hips. The wide, padded waist band should be worn high enough on the hips so that tightening the belt pulls it snuggly into the small of your back. Now I can hang a Sthil O26 off of the saddle without compromising comfort and back support. But I fortunately don't have to do that very often, given the smaller sort of pruning jobs I do. Tom