Best Butt Bag?

Who makes the best butt bag?

Looks like Fish has one called the Rumpsak, and I believe Yates makes one..

The fish one looks nice because it folds into itself and can be clipped to a harness.

Anyone have any experience with these or similar?
(Not interested in plank belay seats, only something that you can comfortably carry on lead)

Simon W wrote:Who makes the best butt bag? Looks like Fish has one called the Rumpsak, and I believe Yates makes one.. The fish one looks nice because it folds into itself and can be clipped to a harness. Anyone have any experience with these or similar? (Not interested in plank belay seats, only something that you can comfortably carry on lead)

Not sure who makes the best one, but the Yates one is fine. It's lightweight and cheap. The main problem is that it collapses when you sit in it, as any similar design would, because it does not have a frame. Personally, I would skip the bosun's chair and get a more comfy harness instead.

Sounds like a good arguement for the Fish one. It's a three point design so it's unlikely to do that. Still curious if it sucks to sit in or not.

Good point about the harness but I dunno if I want to climb a lot of the harder red rocks routes in a big wall harness. Plus it costs more than a butt bag.

The only thing that will prevent it from collapsing in the middle is a frame, such as the one on the Petzl chair. Honestly, I dont think they are worth it. I used the Yates one on a climb in Red Rocks once and sold it right after. It was a route with hanging belay after hanging belay, and I found just getting into the chair was a pain itself. It involved trying to jump up into the chair, followed by squirming around to find the right spot. I sold it shortly after. Those chairs are best for special applications like sitting around all day to take photos or something like that.

As far as the harness goes, the weight difference between a sport hardness and a larger trad harness is negligible. I bet the butt sock weighs more.

The Fish butt bag looks similar to the Chouinard design. I used the Chouinard for years and found it comfortable and easy to get into.

Best butt bag is no butt bag. They're no more comfy than your harness.

If you are spending a lot of time hanging, make a bosun's chair.

I have found on a number of occasions that a wall hammock folded in half works pretty good. Turns the 6 points of attachments to 4. You can adjust them pretty easily and a little more surface area than a belay seat with no plank. The downside to the comfort is that it is a little bulky compared to a simple seat.

I have the fish Rumpsak and it works well.

John McNamee wrote:I have the fish Rumpsak and it works well.

Thanks. This one looks like it will work pretty well, light too.

I don't want to get another harness because even big wall harnesses don't feel great on me when the belays are that bad (I'm very lanky) and they are bulky to climb in.

Appreciate the info

There is a simple way to extend a loop of rope or two so that it forms a belay seat. The full strength
Gear slings also can convert to a butt sling in a pinch.

That said, I do love Fish gear and if you ask really nicely they may add a can cozy,a pocket type of thing.( just a strip of the haul bag material made into a pouch added to the strap.)

I use a super tuff old Yates swami the 6 inch wide tie in kind, that is soft, (has three layers)as a butt bag. The thing has full strength every thing so it is easy to customize it; two or three or four points of attachments.

Many years ago when aid was a regular Part of climbing, the best and first harnesses
made by Clan McGregore, and Forrest among others had an additional strap that went around the butt. This strap was the trick to both long days in slings and comfortable belays.

Just make a homemade bosuns chair. Find a scrap board you might have lying around, cut to desired dimensions, drill some holes, insert some cord or webbing, adjust and secure. Way more comfortable than a butt bag and way cheaper.

Just remember that if you're sitting, you can't possibly be attentive enough to belay a leader and the leader will surely die.

[for reference see: mountainproject.com/v/when-… ]

what about a small pillow with a pillow case that zips shut and sew some webbing onto the case? unless I am misunderstanding this and it's for a hanging belay.

I've used the Yates for long aid belays and although it's better than a cushy harness, it's only better by a slim margin. Your tender meats will still be bruised after extended hangs. It does allow your ass to take more of your weight instead of your hips but can cut in at an inconvenient place...

Here's a nice view of my can in it on Phantom Sprint and you'll be able to see where it cuts in. Endless shifting around does seem to help I guess.

EDIT: I'd think that the only time the Yates would be an improvement would be on true full-hanging belays. Tiny ledges or sloping stances would likely be about the same with a cushy harness an no seat. I'd be interested in trying out the Fish seat. Only reason I got the Yates was that is was easy to get a shop in town.

eli poss wrote:what about a small pillow with a pillow case that zips shut and sew some webbing onto the case? unless I am misunderstanding this and it's for a hanging belay.

What else do you think it's for?

sitting on uncomfortable ledges. sorry i misunderstood