Tree Gear Equipment

Tree climbing apparel is often taken for granted even among climbers themselves. Any old t-shirt and denims will work. There are, however, plenty of available clothing in the market that are intended to offer superior strength, flexibility, and functionality than regular everyday clothes. Among these is the Arborwear Original Tree Climbers’ Pants.

The Arborwear Original is sewn from pre-shrunk washed canvas of cotton twill. Thus, even at first wear it will feel like it has already been broken in and that you can expect no residual shrinkage.

The signature feature of these pants is the Rugged Gusset™ at the seams of the crotch. It strengthens the nether areas but at the same time provides freedom of movement. A generous seat and thigh area also contributes to unhampered movements. This is necessary because climbers often have to position their legs at extreme and awkward angles to get a solid footing on the tree branches.

Stitching is strengthened for durability. The area from the mid-thigh down to the knee has a double-layered panel since this place is often the most used and abused. The cuffs are tapered thus minimizing if not eliminating bunching that could get snagged on the tree branches and twigs.

The Arborwear Original Tree Climbers’ Pants comes in waist sizes from 28 to 40 inches so that whether you are slim or huge, there is one for you. Lengths are in 30, 32, and 34 inches. There are four colors available –moss, diesel or dark blue, driftwood, and chestnut.

As there are ropes and other hardware that are specifically intended to meet the special needs and requirements of climbers, it should not be too surprising that there are clothing also meant for climbing. One of these is the Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants.

Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants are soft shell pants that are stretch woven. They resist wind and water coming from the outside, although as far as water is concerned, it is blocked only partially. At the same time, the pants are also breathable. Moisture coming from the inside, such as sweat or water that found its way inside, is allowed to pass outside for a dry and comfortable wear.

The fabric stretches four ways providing the wearer complete freedom of movement. This is necessary because climbers assume all kinds of distorted and even grotesque body positions when endeavoring to reach greater heights.

The pants are constructed out of the proprietary Fortius Fabric of Arc’teryx. This is a plain weave fabric that is stretch-woven. It consists of 84% continuous textured nylon and 16% spandex filaments, providing durability, elasticity, and light weight.

The waistband and front fly are lined with soft chamois that helps wick moisture. The crotch is gusseted for extra strength and unhampered movement, while a webbing belt and snap closure assure a secure and comfortable fit.

There are two hand pockets with a third on the thigh that remains unobstructed when wearing a climbing harness. These are closed with laminated zippers so whatever is in them will not fall even when the climber is hanging upside down.

Climbers often pay extra attention to their climbing ropes, harnesses, and other devices but do not give a second thought to what they wear during a climb. T-shirts and denim pants or shorts are common, with perhaps a sweatshirt or jacket in the colder months. There are, however, pants that are specifically intended for climbing.

A fine example is the Stretch Air Climbing Pants. While it costs as much as four times more than your normal denims, it is more than four times tough, comfortable, functional, and durable. It was designed using the latest discoveries and innovations in nanotechnology with the result that it extremely tough. Indeed, it is often compared to sharkskin. Further, its near microscopic finish approximates the scaly surface of a leaf that you can merely brush off dirt, water, and oil from it.

The Stretch Air Pants are made of Lycra. This stretchable spandex guarantees free and smooth climbing movements even in the most difficult positions. The crotch is provided with gussets and reinforcements to keep it from ripping. Since the pockets of regular pants are often inaccessible once a sit harness is worn, the Air Pant’s pockets are placed on the thighs. These are provided with Velcro flaps so whatever is in them won’t fall off. There is also a zippered hip pocket. For added protection from abrasion, the knees and ankles are patched with Kevlar. And for a perfect fit over your climbing boots, the ankles are equipped with zippers and Velcro adjusters.

Tree climbing requires plenty of tools and devices to assure safety. There are ascenders, descenders, carabiners, pulleys, throw lines and weights, helmets, eyeglasses, gloves, shoulder and sit harnesses and so on. If you are a tree professional you will also need to carry your tools, such as saws or pruners. And of course, your climbing ropes.

You will need a strong and heavy duty bag to carry and protect all these gear especially if you like to travel to far places in search of the tallest trees. A great bag for this purpose is the RopeBoss Deluxe Rope and Tool Bag.

Constructed out of 1,000 deniers of Cordura®, a high performance nylon from Invista, this RopeBoss bag is almost a hundred percent thicker than other bags. A vertical support system is built into the bag to keep it standing upright regardless of whether it is full or empty. This helps when loading and organizing gear in it. It will also stand even when wet.

On the bag are two long pockets for tools and other gear. There are two handle positions which allow users to choose whichever is more comfortable to them. There are four reinforced attachment points for the RopeBoss Comfort Backpack System. This converts the bag into a backpack for hands-free carrying or climbing. The attachment points can also be hooked to carabiners for hauling the bag.

At the top of the bag are two holes through which the rope in it can be drawn. As these are only 25 cm in diameter, they are small enough to keep off dirt or rain. Air enters the bag for ventilation through ventilation doors. These also allow users to have a quick look inside the bag without having to open it from its main access at the top. This access is sealed shut by a durable #10 zipper.

These bags are available in Extra Large with a capacity of approximately 150 meters of 1.25 cm ropes, and Large which carries half of that amount.

Tree climbing is a very safe sport. Plenty of techniques have been developed over the years to improve safety while hanging from a tree limb. On top of these, there are equally plenty of safety devices and equipment that have been invented and improved for the sole purpose of keeping climbers out of harm’s way.

Still, accidents happen. A tree branch may break. A rope may slip. A carabiner may open. In events such as these, it pays to be ready with a medical kit that can help a climber who has been hurt until professional medical personnel arrive.

Adventure Medical Kits offers a kit containing a set of medical supplies that mountain and tree climbers are likely to need in the event of an accident. These are packed and organized in a tough nylon bag with vinyl windows so you can clearly see what is in them. The supplies themselves are grouped according to injury sustained.

Included in the kit is a book titled Wilderness and Travel Medicine. This is a comprehensive guide that includes plenty of illustrations about what to do in the different kinds of emergency situations.

The kit includes bandages, gauze, and trauma pads of different sizes. There is also a SAM splint. Medications include Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Antihistamine, and Ibuprofen. There are also anesthetic and antiseptic wipes for cuts and abrasions. Povidone Iodine, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, and Tincture of Benzoin Adhesive are available for wound care. For burns it has Aloe Vera Gel with Lidocaine and GlacierGel.

Instruments include shears, safety pins, splinter picker, thermometer, 20 cc syringe for irrigation, and plastic vials.

An Adventure Medical Kit is something that is better to have and not need it, rather than need it and not have it. If you climb, include one in your gear.