Buckingham ErgoVation H-Style Retrofit Harness

The Buckingham ErgoVation H-style retrofit harness adds an H-style set of shoulder straps to an ErgoVation saddle. It helps with weight from a heavy tool load and gives a place to attach a chest ascender or connection for SRS.

Why add shoulder straps

A saddle loaded with a top-handle saw, hand saw, lanyard and hardware gets heavy, and that weight drags on the waist belt over a long day. Shoulder straps share the load across your shoulders and help keep the saddle in place.

For single-rope ascent, they also give you a way to hold a chest ascender or chest connection up, so you stay upright and the rope stays close.

Retrofit straps are a good way to upgrade a saddle you already like rather than buying a new one with straps built in. If you are moving into SRS climbing, adding shoulder straps is often the first change that makes a chest ascender practical. Make sure the H-style layout sits comfortably with your saw lanyard and gear loops before you commit to wearing it for full days. Try it on a short climb first to get the adjustment right.

Fitting and inspection

Attach the straps as Buckingham shows for the ErgoVation, and adjust them so they are snug without pulling the saddle up. Test the setup on the ground before you climb.

Inspect the straps, stitching and connection points before every climb. Saddles are life support, so use one within the maker's instructions and ANSI Z133 practice, inspect it before every climb and get trained. Find more saddle parts and shoulder harnesses.