Tree Climbers International - New Tribe "Work Saddle"/"Vi Special"

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New Tribe "Work Saddle"/"Vi Special" Hot

Image courtesy New Tribe

User reviews

Average user rating from: 6 user(s)


Overall rating (weighted)		4.4
Type of Use		2.8
Frequency of Use		3.5
Durability		4.8
Comfort		4.7
Ease of Use		4.3
Portability		3.8

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Ahhhh...., Monday, 18 August 2008

Written by Franklin Klock - View all my reviews - Top 10 Reviewer


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Type of Use		3.0
Frequency of Use		3.0
Durability		5.0
Comfort		5.0
Ease of Use		5.0
Portability		4.0

This saddle was originally purchased for my wife so we could climb together. She loved my Tengu and now she loves the VI. After months of using my rescue harness, she now knows what real comfort is.

I plan on using this saddle as a guest/demo saddle for programs at our nature center ( www.carboneec.org ) as well. For ease of use, I purchased the pear screw link and quick release leg loop options - good choice on both counts. The metal leg loop connection makes breaking down and reassembling the the screw link on the Vi easier than with the nylon bridge on the Tengu. This is nice when working with multiple users in succession.

As with all NT saddles the craftsmanship is first rate, the saddle is super comfy and the customer service you get from New Tribe is absolutely fantastic. How often can you call a company with a question about a specific product and get to speak directly with the designer, Viola herself?

Very soon, ALL of the saddles we use will be New Tribe saddles and nothing but New Tribe Saddles

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Last updated: Monday, 18 August 2008

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

New Tribe Vi special, Thursday, 20 December 2007

Written by Justin Scott - View all my reviews - Top 10 Reviewer


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Type of Use		5.0
Frequency of Use		5.0
Durability		5.0
Comfort		5.0
Ease of Use		4.0
Portability		4.0

The New Tribe saddles are the most comfortable that I have ever used. Having tried using both a Delta and Pear link I highly reccomend spending the $ for the stainless steel Pear. their are applications where I prefer other deigns for work aloft-double crotching pretty well fills up a New Tribe's attachment points. Seldom is a attachment of a third line needed buta Vi Special or work saddle gets a bi tight and cluttered with more than 2. Also, saddles with a "floating bridge" can be helpful for certain limbwalking scenarios. The bottom line is that NO saddle that I have tried surpasses a New Tribe for comfort and it is my first choice for most working climbs. For recreational use I can not imagine a superior saddle.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Vi Special my favorite, Wednesday, 12 December 2007

Written by Andrew Joslin - View all my reviews - Top 10 Reviewer


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Type of Use		1.0
Frequency of Use		4.0
Durability		5.0
Comfort		5.0
Ease of Use		4.0
Portability		4.0

This is my favorite harness. I climbed on a Butterfly II for a few months and then went back to my Vi. It is a the king (or queen) of comfort and utility. It is especially good for long SRT ascents and all the hang time that happens in rec tree climbing.

I use a pear link instead of the stock delta screwlink. I also tie down the bottom of the link with a sort length of narrow webbing to prevent rotation, I don't like having the pear rotate while I'm climbing.

It can be a struggle to get into if you don't have the leg strap release option especially if you're standing in mud or water. I don't have the leg strap releases because I don't like the additional clanking pieces of metal on my harness so I got used to getting into and out of the harness as is.

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Last updated: Wednesday, 12 December 2007

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

I like New Tribe, Friday, 30 November 2007

Written by Avery Wynings - View all my reviews - Top 10 Reviewer


Overall rating (weighted)		4.0
Type of Use		4.0
Frequency of Use		3.0
Durability		4.0
Comfort		4.0
Ease of Use		4.0
Portability		4.0

I like new tribe and most of their saddle designs. I do a lot of hanging in trees and this is the saddle I use. It's light, durables and comfortable. I like the front screw link it's one of few saddles that easily allows me to use Petzl swivel. I can't give it a perfect score, because I would like the following options with it. The ability to attach suspenders or a sash. Also, for a work saddle it's not the easiest to attach a chainsaw. But I choose it for cost and lightness of weight.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

My main saddle for research and play, Tuesday, 20 November 2007

Written by Mark Fulton - View all my reviews - Top 10 Reviewer


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Type of Use		3.0
Frequency of Use		3.0
Durability		5.0
Comfort		5.0
Ease of Use		5.0
Portability		4.0

This has been my main climbing saddle for work (canopy research) and play since I started climbing 2 1/2 years ago (I use a Petzl Navaho as a supplemental/guest saddle).

I like having lots of loops to hang gear from, and I like having the side-D's for attaching a positioning lanyard. The saddle is comfortable for long hang times, either when chilling-out or taking samples; the oversize leg pads and wide belt are well worth the extra expense and weight.

Minor quibbles: It's a tiny bit more "fiddly" to set up than the Petzl saddle to set up (the latter doesn't require a screw link to hold the supports together). It's somewhat heavier than some other saddles I've used (the extra hardware and padding add up).

None of the quibbles has ever made me regret the purchase, and given that the saddle is showing no visible wear at this point, I expect to be climbing on it for a long time.

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