New Avanti leg loops slipping
- Thread starter topcat
- Start date
LadyMud
Well-known member
Many thanks for this, Ian. Buckle covers now ordered.
But . . . Petzl have known about this issue for a couple of years, and should have dealt with it by issuing a Product Recall. Or at least a warning notice.
I shall think twice about buying any more stuff from Petzl. They have, in my opinion, severely damaged their reputation.
But . . . Petzl have known about this issue for a couple of years, and should have dealt with it by issuing a Product Recall. Or at least a warning notice.
I shall think twice about buying any more stuff from Petzl. They have, in my opinion, severely damaged their reputation.
I can't find anything about a retrofit on the Petzl website (or BCA or Starless River) but the Technical Information for the current SuperAvanti does appear to show buckle covers (page 2).
If Petzl have updated the product to address a safety issue they should certainly be upfront about publicising the availably of a modification to existing products.
If Petzl have updated the product to address a safety issue they should certainly be upfront about publicising the availably of a modification to existing products.
ian.p
Active member
I wouldn't buy anything from Petzl these days. I use a lot of their gear for work where I don't have much choice but their aproach to R+D, customer feedback and recalling hazardous products is appalling. Petzl is 100% profit focused they are not a cavers company and havnt been for a long time. Their work harnesses are generally instruments of torture these days with the exception of the falcon. I once challenged a rep at UIS about their flagship work harness the Astro and he admitted they knew they were uncomfortable but it doesn't seem they're going to do anything about it just keep trading on the brand...
smithy87
New member
Here is an informative link from the a FB group the association of cave instructors regarding the issue
thehungrytroglobite
Well-known member
I have heard many reports of super avantis and avantis slipping from various people. I personally steer away from Petzl harnesses these days, partially due to this and partially because they don't fit my body shape very well (ie. female with quite a curved back - they leave lots of space between the harness and my back!). Obviously fit is a very personal thing because we're all different. For me, I really like my AV harness as it sits a bit higher up on the body (above my hips) so is more comfortable. My MTDE club lasted years and was always fairly comfy too, showing that sometimes the cheaper/basic option can be just as good. I am not that impressed with Petzl these days, they don't seem particularly interested in prioritising or supporting cavers.
paul
Moderator
I contacted Petzl via the link given by @Ian Ball and received the following email reply:
"
Hello Paul,
Thank you for your email. The anti-slip keepers should be available towards the end of January / early February.
I will keep your email and post them out as soon as they arrive.
Kind regards,
Naomi
After Sales Service
Petzl UK Aftersales
petzl.co.uk
"
"
Hello Paul,
Thank you for your email. The anti-slip keepers should be available towards the end of January / early February.
I will keep your email and post them out as soon as they arrive.
Kind regards,
Naomi
After Sales Service
Petzl UK Aftersales
petzl.co.uk
"
underground
Active member
Nasty Neasden
New member
I think I am one of the many who have had this issue with my Super Avanti. I bought it about a year ago and on the first few trips I noticed all the buckles were coming loose. At first I thought I was going dippy with old age and retightened them, but soon realised they were working loose during a single trip even between pitches. I contacted Petzl who sent me the anti slip keepers - no offer of a return and replace of the whole item. It seems to me to be the result of the webbing being stiffer perhaps or the buckles, or a combination of the two. The latter look like they are laser cut whereas older buckles seemed to be thinker in my memory? Anyway, the keepers are rubber O rings for the leg loops and an elastic band I think, for the main buckle. Just lifted them out of the box to photograph them and you can see the rubber bands (O rings) clearly in place. The elastic keeper is not in place over the main buckle in the photo, but you can see how the stiffness (or slickness) of the webbing material is already lifting the original keeper-flap back out of the buckle just through handling the harness after washing it down. Not a brilliant solution from such a major equipment supplier for a design issue, but they do seem to work when in place.
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pwhole
Well-known member
Reading between the lines it seems that they're using a new material for the webbing that prevents it from going stiff and not being adjustable when dirty. But it's clearly too slippery to stay in place.
But the above fix just looks dodgy to me - it may work, but a manufacturer supplying rubber bands to fix a defect they designed in is really not acceptable, considering there's no backup in the event of a failure.
But the above fix just looks dodgy to me - it may work, but a manufacturer supplying rubber bands to fix a defect they designed in is really not acceptable, considering there's no backup in the event of a failure.
Pete K
Well-known member
I've got 3 of the new orange web harnesses for work. The webbing has a slick feel to it unlike any caving harness I have used. It is polyester not nylon webbing which "maintains smooth adjustment over time", and polyester ropes are typically less absorbent of water than nylon, which probably means less mud ingress too.
For some balance here, I have not had any issues with my Aven. I gave it a thorough jet wash after I first became aware of the reports, hoping to remove all traces of any fabric softener used in the manufacturing process. I've not had any coming undone issues and the harness is still pretty good looking, not fluffed up or full of sediment, nor have I modified it. I'm not saying this slippage issue is not a thing, I know loads of people that have experienced it, but I'm just saying I've not yet experienced it myself. I'd be interested to know whether this is more of a problem with earlier serial numbers of the harnesses and that Petzl have addressed it internally already so current purchases are not affected, or if this issue persists even with ones made in the last few months.
My Aven was made in Dec 2022, and the 2 SuperAvantis are April 2023.
paul
Moderator
The 'anti-slip keepers' arrived this morning.
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