Exploring the TreeAustria Pro

For the tree climbing arborists and enthusiasts who regularly scale the heights of trees, the choice of climbing harness is of supreme importance! It needs to be comfortable, durable, and equipped with features that enhance both safety and efficiency. Enter the Tree Austria Pro Climbing Harness – a piece of equipment designed by professionals with professional climbers in mind. Follow along with us in this blog and discover the features, benefits, and my experience of this top-tier harness, providing you with an in-depth understanding of why it stands out and is highly regarded in the world of tree climbing gear.

Overview of the Tree Austria Pro Climbing Harness

The TreeAustria tree climbing harness is the brainchild of Franz Kreuzeder and in 1998, in Austria, the first TreeAustria harness was developed. From what I gather, Franz’s idea stemmed from Don Blair’s harness and developed it further. He replaced the heavy leather with textile material and the result – one of the first lightweight and effective tree climbing harnesses! Since 1998, there have been a total of seven TreeAustria harnesses with the seventh, TreeAustria Pro, containing the best of twenty-two years of experience jam packed into it.

The Tree Austria Pro Climbing Harness is renowned for its ergonomic design and robust construction. It is a product that embodies the meticulous craftsmanship and innovation associated with Austrian engineering, offering climbers a reliable and comfortable solution for their tree care endeavors.

Key Features:

1. Ergonomic Design:
   
• This tree care harness is designed to distribute weight evenly across the hips and legs, reducing pressure points and enhancing comfort during prolonged use.
  
• Adjustable leg pads and waist belt ensure a custom fit, accommodating climbers of various sizes.
  
2. Durability:
   
• Constructed from high-quality materials that withstand the rigors of tree climbing, including abrasion-resistant fabrics and strong stitching.
  
• Reinforced anchor points and attachment loops for added security and longevity.
  
3. Functionality:
   
• Multiple gear loops and attachment points allow for easy organization and access to climbing tools and accessories.
  
• Quick-release buckles facilitate swift adjustments and removal, enhancing efficiency on the job.
  
4. Safety:
   
• Certified to meet international safety standards, providing climbers with confidence in the harness’s reliability.

Benefits of Using the Tree Austria Pro Climbing Harness

1. Enhanced Comfort: One of the standout features of the Tree Austria Pro is the exceptional comfort. The padding on the back is wide enough, without being excessive, that it provides a smooth ride while traversing through the canopy. The ergonomic design minimizes discomfort even during extended climbs, allowing tree climbers to focus on their work without being distracted by pain or pinch points. The adjustable waist belt ensures the harness fits snugly yet comfortably, preventing chafing and discomfort. 
2. Superior Durability: Durability is a critical factor in any tree climbing harness, and the Tree Austria Pro excels in this regard. The use of high-quality textiles and reinforced stitching means this harness can withstand a plethora of the harsh conditions we encounter during our tree climbing adventures. Tree climbers can rely on the Tree Austria Pro to last through many seasons of intensive use.
3. Optimal Functionality: The harness’s design includes several gear loops strategically placed, making it easy to carry and organize the essential tree gear, not to mention you wouldn’t have to buy aftermarket tool holders. This feature is particularly beneficial for the tree climbing arborists who need to have quick access to various instruments while working at height. The quick-release buckles further enhance functionality by allowing for rapid adjustments and transitions.

My Experiences

I have climbed in a number of harnesses throughout my career in tree care, ranging from classic Weaver Arborist harnesses, Buckingham Ergovation, Petzl Sequoia, Teufelberger TreeMotion, and the latest and greatest – DMM Kinisi Max. With that being said, I classify the TreeAustria Pro amongst the top tier harnesses, yet it offers minimalist features that plenty of tree climbers enjoy; after all, it saves us from having to individually purchase components! I still add my own carry tools, DMM Lock Vaults to be specific, and it’s simple to install but the carry tool will have slop in the webbing. To prevent the tool holder from shifting, the harness has a row of loops on the bottom of the harness, the tool hook must also pass through to prevent the unwanted slop. It’s a unique feature I had not seen before.

The riser webbing on this specific harness is not adjusted by pulling or releasing the webbing straps, the existing riser has two webbing loops to which is fed onto the “forward” rings. You might be thinking it’s cumbersome but it’s quite the opposite, the riser webbing never slacks out like other harnesses do. While we’re on risers, the webbing bridge threw me for a quick loop as all my other tree climbing saddles have rope bridges, it was a visual thing not functional. I was still able to add a second bridge, but it did prove to be a bit clunky; one bridge is the way to go here. This harness doesn’t have true forward D-rings, there is a heavy-duty mini webbing loop attached to the existing rings that are considered soft D-rings. These are nice in terms of keeping weight down to a minimum. I did have a small quarrel with the soft D-rings at the beginning, in the event of me switching my work positioning lanyard to forwards; when loaded, it would shift my tending action inward towards the stem rather than outward. It threw me for a wild one! To fix this issue, I attached my lanyard upside down and when loaded, the tending action reverts back to normal.

The greatest feature, to me, is stepping into the harness without having to go through each individual leg pads-AMAZING! It has been quite a while since I had a step through harness and when I slipped into this thing, it took me back. I had forgotten how nice that was, especially after a long climb in the summer and you hit the ground racing to take the harness off, and rush to get a drink of water; once again, AMAZING!

The Tree Austria Pro Climbing Harness is a top choice for anyone serious about tree climbing, whether you’re a professional arborist or a recreational climber. Its blend of comfort, durability, functionality, and safety makes it a standout in the market. Investing in this harness means investing in your safety and efficiency, ensuring that you can tackle even the most challenging climbs with confidence and ease.

If you’re looking to elevate your tree climbing experience, the Tree Austria Pro Climbing Harness is undoubtedly worth considering. Its thoughtful design and proven performance make it a valuable addition to any climber’s gear collection.