Tree Climbing Gear Kits

Buying guide

What a climbing kit includes

A typical arborist rope climbing kit includes a climbing rope, a hitch cord or friction device, a micro pulley, connectors, and often a friction saver and throw line. Some kits add a saddle, lanyard and helmet. Check exactly what is in a kit before buying so you know what you still need to add.

The value of a kit is compatibility. The rope diameter, hitch cord, pulley and connectors are chosen to work together, which matters a lot when you are new and do not yet know which combinations behave well.

Rope length is another thing to check. Climbing rope comes in lengths that suit different tree heights, and a kit rope should be long enough for the trees you work in with some extra for tying off.

Check whether connectors in the kit are auto-locking and rated for climbing, and that the rope and hitch cord come with terminations finished by a qualified maker.

Kit vs building your own

Experienced climbers often build their own setup piece by piece. For a newer climber or a crew outfitting a new hire, a kit gets reliable arborist tree climbing gear into service quickly. As you climb more, you will find preferences, maybe a different hitch, a mechanical device or a lighter rope, and you can swap parts as long as each new component is compatible.

Kits are also a good way to stock a backup set on the truck, so a damaged rope or device does not end the day.

Some climbers buy a kit as a starting point and keep the parts that work for them, then replace the rest over time. That is a perfectly good way to learn what you like without buying every option on its own.

Fit the saddle separately

If a kit does not include a saddle, choose one separately based on fit. If it does include one, check sizing carefully. A poorly fitting saddle is the one thing in a kit that is hard to live with, so make sure you can adjust or exchange it.

Sizing for helmets and lanyards matters too. A helmet should fit snugly with the chinstrap adjusted, and a lanyard should be long enough to wrap the stems you climb.

Hang in the saddle with the rest of the kit attached to check that everything sits where you expect it.

Training and safety

A kit is only as safe as the person climbing on it. Get hands-on training from a qualified instructor, read every component's instructions, and inspect your gear before every climb. All life-support components should meet ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's ratings for your use.

Keep the instruction sheets that come with each component in your gear bag or a binder on the truck. They contain the approved configurations and inspection criteria for each device.

Plan regular practice of aerial rescue with the kit, too. Knowing your own system well is part of being able to help a climber in trouble.