Lead rope soloing device that makes falls more comfortable! This is a non-structural absorber to be used in parallel to a PPE System; it is not intended to reduce impact force on marginal anchors.
The Comfort Catch absorber is a stiff rubber link that stretches under load, giving a ramped impact that is much more comfortable than the spike of dynamic rope absorption alone. The eyelets clip into locking karabiners while still leaving space for a limiter sling.
Available in Compact (matches with a 60cm sling for 33cm (13") of travel) or Plush (matches with 90cm sling for 51cm (20") of travel).
Painstakingly optimised through many geometry and material revisions, these rubber absorbers add off-the-shelf convenience to your LRS absorber assembly by matching standard length PPE limiter slings. Avant tried a dozen engineering rubber grades, chose the best-performing for both stretch and dampening, and optimised the shape for a minimal package. See the Instructions on the Avant website.
The Absorbers are sold as individual links. Below is a very rough estimate for stiffness calibration, assuming falls near the anchor with minimal rope drag. Rope drag will quickly dominate in absorption effects, negating the need for perfect calibration.
Recommended Number of Absorbers by Climber Weight:
Compact (60cm Sling) - Best for minimal adventures.
1 Absorber: scenarios with significant rope drag.
2 Absorbers: climber less than 73kg.
3 Absorbers: climber greater than 73kg.
Plush (90cm Sling) - Best for daily crag usage.
1 Absorber: scenarios with significant rope drag.
2 Absorbers: climber less than 82kg.
3 Absorbers: climber greater than 82kg.
- Pairs with Standard Length Limiter Slings: The absorber length is optimised to use standard PPE sling lengths as limiters. With just the right stretch, you get the maximum absorption for the minimal material weight, without risking breakage, even in repeated falls.
- Extremely Durable: Go Lead rope soloing (and falling off!) all day long without fear of abrading or wearing out these absorbers. No protective sheath or cover required.
- Modular for Tuning based on Pitch Characteristics: It is easy to add or remove absorbers from your assembly based on pitch characteristics. Are you going to fall close to the anchor? Follow the calibration recommendations. Do you expect to fall higher up with rope drag? Remove an absorber for a more comfortable catch.