Among other protective equipment, a climbing harness is essential for arborists and other outdoor professionals. However, the market is huge, so it can be difficult to keep track of which products are actually good and meet your needs.
In the following, we will be doing comparison the Petzl Sequoia climbing harness and the Teufelberger treeMOTION climbing harness. This will help you decide which harness is best suited to your needs. If you want to know more about some best harness of all time, then check out this article.
Petzl Sequoia
Petzl is a German company specializing in designing products for working in vertical terrain, and they have just released the Sequoia* sit and hold harness. The harness is designed specifically for arboriculture and can be used with a double rope for ascending.
Sequoia belt general information
Petzl’s Sequoia comes in three sizes, so everyone with different body types can wear it. Users with a waist circumference of 65-80 cm should select size 0, users with a waist circumference of 70-93 cm should select size 1, and people with a waist circumference of 83-120 cm should select size 3.
This is a lightweight harness that weighs between 1480 and 1600 grams, depending on the size. With the Sequoia, you can choose from the colors black or yellow and your warranty is three years. The Sequoia is also available with numerous additional materials and extensions from Petzl.
Comfort
The Sequoia’s belt and leg loops are extra wide and semi-rigid for maximum comfort. This allows them to grip well. Loops and hip belt are padded with pre-shaped foam and breathable. This makes hanging freely comfortable. There is a FAST buckle on the hip belt that allows automatic opening and closing.
An unlocking system on the leg loops prevents you from accidentally opening the harness while working.
The two screws on the eyelets enable you to attach various lanyards (such as Zillon or Microflip) or even fixed or adjustable rope bridges. The rope bridge can also be used for other accessories. Rope bridges themselves and mobile lateral retention lugs allow you to move easily to the side when working.
A double-back buckle allows you to easily adjust the rope bridge’s height so that you can take a comfortable stance while you work. Moreover, a plastic cover prevents buckles from being accidentally opened. Additionally, the seat board can be attached to enhance working comfort.
Material handling and transportation
In order to always have your materials and tools within reach, the Sequoia from Petzl has numerous attachments for your materials and tools. A total of nine preformed gear loops, as well as five tool holders are attached to the harness. On the harness you can also transport handsaws or chainsaws using the two carabiners. You can also attach an emergency bag to the elastic strap.
Teufelberger treeMOTION
TreeMotion* from the German family-run company Teufelberger was also specially developed for tree care and offers high levels of comfort and safety. The production has already been going on for a decade.
Teufelberger treeMOTION
Specifications:
| Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Color | Black |
| Brand | Teufelberger |
| Item Weight | 5 Pounds |
| Item Display Dimensions | 14 x 14 x 10 inches |
General data on the treeMOTION
Teufelberger’s tree care harness treeMotion is available in one size and is suitable for people weighing up to 150kg with hip circumferences between 76 and 91cm. The harness is black with red and green details and weighs 2.3kg. The manufacturer offers matching belt accessories as well. One such accessory is the chest strap that matches the harness.
Comfort
A wide comfort back pad is standard on the treeMotion. As a result, the heat is transported away and the upholstery of the belt does not wrinkle when it is worn. In addition, the harness provides additional supportive padding for your lumbar area due to its special middle section and the treeMOTION processing ensures that you have a high level of freedom of movement and that you can work in a comfortable position.
In the treeMOTION harness, you will see that all the loads are distributed very well, as you can adjust the load-bearing webbing so that it is not too heavy on your hips or legs. Additionally, the leg loops on this model are padded, so they won’t cut you while you’re in the air. Leg and waist strap buckles can be opened easily and even with gloves on thanks to quick-release buckles. If necessary, treeMOTION wear parts can be replaced.
Transport and handling of working materials
With the treeMOTION tree care harness from Teufelberger, you can easily carry and transport your work materials. There are individual material loops and a holder for a rescue kit on the harness. You can arrange the loops however you wish. On both sides, there are rings you can attach a chainsaw to. We chose different colors for the loops of the PPE and material so that you will not be confused. The rope bridge also has safety seams at both ends to keep you safe.
Comparison of the two belts
In terms of quality, workmanship and safety mechanisms, both the Sequoia* and the treeMotion from Petzl and Teufelberger provide excellent solutions. As well as carrying (work) materials, both models feature padded hip and leg loops that provide a high level of comfort while working.
Both Sequoia and treeMotion can be adjusted individually and provide good mobility. The prices of the harnesses differ quite a bit. TreeMotion is considerably more expensive than the Sequoia. Conversely, the treeMotion appears to be more robust and to offer a longer service life, since all wear parts are replaceable.
Find out more
The Sequoia and the treeMotion were both developed specifically for tree care by their manufacturers. Therefore, these harnesses should be used exclusively for these activities. A harness used for other purposes is not as safe. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions as well. A Teufelberger representative, for instance, suggests rinsing the buckle of the treeMotion after use and then using a care product such as WD-40.
