If you’re looking to save your strength and move smoother on your next climb, Dekota Wall wants you to know how the Petzl Knee Loop can do that for you.

Wall, a climber for Arbor Tech, a duel-accredited, 12-year TCIA member company based in Gilford, New Hampshire, spends his days moving up pines and oaks in the stickiest conditions. For him, the knee ascender has become an everyday workhorse. But it didn’t start that way.

“When I first picked it up, it was definitely a little confusing,” Wall admits. “You know, you’ve got to read the manual if you really want to understand it. But once you get it, the system of going up is all the same.”

That learning curve is worth it, he says. Once he got the Petzl Knee Loop dialed in with his Zigzag Plus mechanical Prusik and Chicane (auxiliary braking device), it helped him ditch the old chest harness (for staying vertical) and climb more efficiently.

“It gets rid of the chest harness – you almost have two devices in one,” he says.

What makes this device stand out is how it cuts down on clutter, according to Wall. It’s got three key attachment points – one for your foot loop, one over your shoulder and one that clips into your saddle. Step into the foot loop, bring the webbed strap over your shoulder and attach it to your saddle. Once you’re adjusted properly, he says you’re set to move.

Wall points out how the three adjustable points offer a very custom fit – just don’t skip the setup.

“Make sure, before you go up, that it’s adjusted to your size and comfort. You can adjust it in the tree, but it’s easier to do on the ground.”

Gear compatibility
For Wall, the ascender’s biggest advantage is how it integrates with Petzl’s own climbing gear. He’s run other brands before, but the pairing works best when you stick to the same system, he says.

“I’ve noticed that it works best with the Zigzag or other Petzl products,” Wall says. “If you try to use this on another device, it doesn’t really work the same.”

He likes how the cam bites the rope reliably and the motion feels fluid, even when climbing through sappy branches. And while he’s not one for unnecessary bells and whistles, he’ll use this device every time, he says, because it significantly reduces effort – and that matters when you’re moving hundreds of feet up and down every day.

“It’s smooth on the rope and makes it easier to ascend when doing SRT,” Wall says.

Image/Chris Hall

Conclusion
The combination of simplicity and performance really makes a difference when you’re climbing regularly. Your gear should make your day easier, not harder. Ask yourself: does my gear streamline my setup? For Dekota Wall, the Petzl Knee Loop checks both boxes. Just be ready to spend a few extra minutes dialing it in before you leave the ground.

This review reflects the thoughts and opinions of the reviewers as users and does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the product referenced, nor is it an endorsement of any specific company, product or service. Every entity or individual should review and test all products for applicability, safety and efficacy in their particular operation.

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