Top Picks
Buyer's Guide
Arborist Climbing Harness Buyer's Guide
From professional arborist saddles and SRT chest harnesses to EN 813 and EN 358 rated accessories from Petzl, Courant, DMM and Teufelberger, this guide covers everything you need to choose, fit and maintain the right climbing harness system for professional tree surgery in the UK.
Arborist Saddles vs Full Body Harnesses
Arborist saddles - also called sit harnesses or tree surgeon harnesses - are the standard choice for canopy climbing. They support the hips and thighs during sustained aerial work. Full body harnesses add a chest component, typically required for SRT climbing, fall-arrest situations or where EN 361 compliance is mandated. Most professional arborists use a saddle for climbing and add a chest harness for SRT or rescue.
SRT Chest Harnesses
An SRT chest harness connects to the saddle to create a full body system for single rope technique climbing. Key models include the Petzl Sequoia SRT and the Courant Koala chest harness. Chest harnesses must be compatible with your saddle attachment system - check bridge positioning and sternal connection points before combining brands.
EN 813 and EN 358 - What the Standards Mean
EN 813 covers sit harnesses for suspension and work positioning. EN 358 covers belts and lanyards for work positioning and restraint. A compliant arborist saddle will be rated to EN 813 as a minimum. For work positioning systems the connecting lanyard must also meet EN 358. Both standards are mandatory for professional arborist harness setups in the UK under LOLER and PUWER regulations.
Petzl Climbing Harnesses
Petzl is a French manufacturer and global leader in rope access and arborist climbing equipment. The Petzl Sequoia is the most widely used arborist saddle in the UK, available in standard and SRT configurations. The Petzl Sequoia SRT adds a sternal connection point for single rope technique. All Petzl arborist harnesses are stocked at Gustharts in multiple sizes.
Courant and DMM Harnesses
Courant is a French arborist equipment specialist producing the Koala saddle range - a popular choice among UK tree surgeons for its ergonomic design and compatibility with the Koala chest harness. DMM is a Welsh manufacturer known for precision hardware; the DMM Kinisi and Kinisi Max are highly rated professional arborist saddles offering excellent adjustability for long days in the canopy.
Treemotion and Notch Harnesses
The Treemotion harness from Teufelberger is a premium full-body arborist system combining saddle and chest harness in one unit, widely used by professional tree surgeons across the UK. The Notch Catalyst is a modular saddle system allowing custom configuration of leg loops and bridge attachments for different climbing styles and body types.
Harness Fitting, Sizing and Inspection
Always fit a harness to the manufacturer's instructions before first use - leg loops, hip belt and chest components must be snug with no slack. Inspect before every use for cuts, abrasion, stitching damage and UV degradation. Retire any harness that has taken a fall load, shows visible damage, or has reached its service life - typically 10 years from manufacture, subject to usage and condition.
Pairs Well With
- Tree Climbing Ropes — SRT and DRT lines from Teufelberger and Courant
- Climbing Lanyards — positioning lanyards and work positioning systems
- Friction Devices — Prusik cords and mechanical friction hitches
- Chainsaw Climbing Helmets — certified helmets with visor and ear protection
- Harness Clips & Tool Attachments — saw and tool holders for arborist harnesses








