New climbing saddle 'Glide'

**Frans** · 10-27-2003, 12:52 PM

Just heard about a new saddle buckingham/sherrills has come out with.
From what I can see from the pics it seems to incorporate advances that the Komet and the Austrian Duo have. and from the picts at least none of the problems.

The Austrian Duo (which I've used for maybe a year now has flimsey hooks to attach stuff too. It has 'D' rings that flop back and forth. It has a great back support. The suspenders attach by rectangular rings attached to the saddle. These rings get in the way of the main buckle and when rapelling or walking a limb seem to interfere somehow.
The Glide seems to have these problems covered; the 'D' rings click back and forth (at least it seems so from the pics) cant see the gear attachment points but for a tiny side bit that looks like a metal ring which is good IMO.
The Komet I bought in Milwaukee is a great saddle except for having to instantly modify the suspension bridge. I've gone from strapping to ropes and now to the ART bridge which works o.k. I guess. I had to sew the adjustable strap on the main belt cause it always loosened.
The Glide seems to have all this worked out. I look forward to input from other climbers as this saddle gets into the climbers arena
Frans

**TREETX** · 10-27-2003, 02:49 PM

That saddle looks good. Plus is saves us the bi-tri-annual ANSI/CE/TUV/22kn/23kn approved argument.

This saddle excites me so much that I am a little disturbed by my own interest in climbing gear.

I have a butterfly, so I don't need another one now. My only complaint about the Komet Butterfly is that it seems to be wearing faster than I expected.

Does the glide have the bra-straps on the back?

$270 seems like a lot but I looked online at another dealer who is frequently cheaper than others, and it was listed for $282.00

**NickfromWI** · 10-27-2003, 02:58 PM

I like the idea that you can change out parts. I also like that you can easily put on a new strap across the front without having bulky knots there. You could use a webbing sling girth hitched on there. That'd be pretty clean.

Spendy, though.

love
nick

**Gord** · 10-27-2003, 09:56 PM

Looks like a fine saddle. I have to say tho, i've never been able to reconcile myself with sliding attacchment points. Just can't work with them. Borrowed my buddies b'ham with sliding D's the other day to re-reduce/hack a butternut. Hated it, every time i thought i was balanced to make a cut the D's would slide a little and throw me off. And I can't say that I found the sliding attachment advantageous very often, more of a pain than anything. I've tried a few different sliding attachment saddles in different situations and never have found any setup that made me want to spend the time to get used to it. Maybe it's partly cause I'm a fairly big fellow, don't like hanging sideways I dunno. Anyone else feel the same way?

**MasterBlaster** · 10-28-2003, 03:44 AM

Nope. Floating dees RULE.

**Tom Dunlap** · 10-28-2003, 05:41 AM

Rocky,

If you wanted a single tie in, you could make the bridge longer and tie a bowline or two.

Another idea is to make a round turn on your biner. This would lock it into place anywhere along the bridge that you want.

Sliders are the way to go. It takes some getting used to. Sliders allow the climber to twist themselves without twisting their back out of alignment.

Tom

**John Paul Sanborn** · 10-28-2003, 08:24 AM

I'll have to wait a while for the feild trials, I'm looking at the B-ham master with suspenders for my next saddle, maybe a Blair. Don said he could make one for me with suspenders.

**MasterBlaster** · 10-28-2003, 02:36 PM

Where is a pic of this new saddle? I haven't gotten anything new from Sherrill, so if its in there I ain't seen it.

**NickfromWI** · 10-28-2003, 02:48 PM

You have to go the the sherrill web site and do a search on "Glide."

While you at it, click here and look at the second one down:

http://www.wtsherrill.com/SHTML/hndsaws.shtml

love
nick

**MasterBlaster** · 10-28-2003, 03:08 PM

Har! Thanks, Nick!

**John Paul Sanborn** · 10-29-2003, 05:18 AM

Just to annoy Her Fresk

**monkeypuzzle** · 10-29-2003, 05:43 AM

I am thinking that the two alloy motion rings on the thigh area would get uncomfortable laying(pushing) against your leg while making long(high) steps. Why not a D-shaped ring enclosed(sandwiched) in the webbing with some padding.

**Kneejerk Bombas** · 10-29-2003, 06:38 AM

That's one obvious advantage the butterfly has, monkey. It uses a metal ring that's shaped like the strap, and then folds and sews the strap to fit perfectly.
It looks kinda tacky just shoving a square strap through a round hole. The Glide designers took the time to make the strap that goes from the lower ring to the upper ring ergonomic, then they have the mess Monkey pointed out, twisting the straps all kitty wampus.

**TREETX** · 10-29-2003, 08:51 AM

Got my winter mailer and things are much more clear.

I love the way that thing comes apart and you can replace pieces.

I like seeing saddles headed in this direction.

How much does it weigh? I'm sure it is more than the 1.5 Kilos that the Butterfly weighs. But it can't be that much more?

I would take a little extra weight for some extra durability.

Thumbs up to Sherrill!!

**seanlarkin** · 10-29-2003, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by TREETX
How much does it weigh? I'm sure it is more than the 1.5 Kilos that the Butterfly weighs. But it can't be that much more?

It does weigh more than the Butterfly, though not much more like you said. I forget what the exact weights were, and I don't want to guess, so I'll weigh one and let you know.

-Sean