Most people don't think twice about the gear they use when climbing a tree. That's a mistake. Choosing the right gear is essential to having a safe and enjoyable tree-climbing experience. In this blog post, we'll break down why it's so important to choose the right gear and what you need to look for when making your selection.
The first and most important reason to choose the right gear is safety. Tree climbing can be a dangerous activity if you don't have the proper equipment. That's why it's so important to invest in high-quality gear that has been designed specifically for tree climbing. Ropes, for example, are an essential piece of gear for any climber. But not all ropes are created equal. When choosing a rope, you need to make sure that it's made from strong and durable material that can support your weight and needs, also make sure you are picking the right Rope with the right climbing system you are using such as Petzl Zig Zag, Rock Exotica Akimbo, Notch Rope Runner Pro or Classic Rope Runner. Your everyday climbing ropes should vary between 11.2mm to 12.5mm. Lately the most popular Climbing Ropes we are seeing is 11.5mm and 11.7mm. (Few of our favorite ropes: 11.7mm Yale Bluemoon, 11.5mm Arbo Space Huracan, 11.8mm Teufelberger Drenaline)
Another important piece of gear is your personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes items like helmets, gloves, chainsaw pants or chaps and eye protection. Again, it's important to choose gear that is designed specifically for tree climbing. Climbing helmets, for example, should be lightweight and comfortable to wear while still providing ample protection. And gloves should be tough enough to protect your hands from scrapes and cuts but also flexible enough to allow you to grip the rope or branches easily. Chainsaw pants or chaps has to be certified and cut resistant Obviously when it comes to our recommendations; Protos Helmet, Kask Super Plasma, Kask Zenith Air or Petzl Vertex Vent are the most demanded helmets out there. For Gloves we are proud to be a distributor or Armor Guys, best price value in the market!
The final reason to choose the right gear is your comfort and longevity. Tree climbing can be taxing on your body, especially if you're not used to it. That's why it's important to have gear that is comfortable to wear and use. A good pair of climbing boots, for example, will help support your feet and ankles while you're climbing. And a comfortable harness will help distribute your weight evenly so that you don't get tired too quickly. If we were to choose a "go to" boot that would be Arbpro Evo 2 , never heard a complain, and my harness selection would be between a Petzl Sequoia SRT or Notch Sentinel. These harnesses both give you best value for your hard earned money.
As you can see, there are many reasons why it's so important to choose the right gear when tree climbing. Safety, comfort, and convenience are all important factors to consider when making your selection. So next time you're gearing up for a climb, make sure you take the time to choose wisely! Your body—and your brain—will thank you for it later.
