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The world is a better place because of climbing gear. Climbing gear keeps lineman safe and gives them the ability to work efficiently without worry. However, when it comes time to decide what type of gear to choose it can become overwhelming, especially with all the options available these days.
Deciding which belt you want to use can take a lot of time to decide, let alone which climbers, pads, secondary safety, nut and bolt bag, and more. That’s why some of the most trusted brands in the industry have made it simple to pick a lineman climbing gear set. Below are some of the best lineman climbing gear sets available on the market today and they will have you up that pole with little fuss.
Best Overall: Buckingham Premium Pole Climbing Kit
With this setup you’re gonna get a lot of the newest high end gear that is meant to last and keep you comfortable. The belt is top tier and comes with some of the best features you could ever want. If this is your first belt you’ll be spoiled and giddy from the start.
The 2019 Adjustable Short Back Belt has 4 stacked D rings so the lineman can easily use their secondary line without struggle. Also this belt allows adjustments to the lower D piece which is an awesome feature because you don’t have to worry about the belt not fitting- it can adjust multiple D sizes. This is belt is top notch comfort. If you’ve ever felt pain in your hips from climbing all day, or from time spent on a really busy pole…this belt is going to let you focus on the job at hand and not the discomfort.
You’ll also get a great EZ Squeeze with LeverGrab, one of my favorite fall restraints. It includes the inner black tough rope piece, which is great for climbing over stubborn obstacles such as staples, existing lines, and more. The EZ Squeeze buckhorn allows the user to adjust the belt without taking pressure off the inner rope.
The secondary safety (positioning lanyard) is made from TrebleKern rope and it’s one of the highest quality and easy to use options available on the market today. Similar to the EZ Squeeze fall restraint above, the lineman can adjust the length of the rope without adjusting their weight.
And then you get a tried and true titanium climber that has been upgraded to include Buckingham’s GRiP technology, making this one of the most premium climber options available. Comfort, lightweight and strength all constructed together to bring us a great lineman climber here.
This climbing gear set is going to give you the most high tech gear, plus comfort.
Best Runner-Up: Buckingham Supersqueeze Fall Protection Lineman’s Package
Buckingham once again produces some top tier products to make climbing a breeze. This set comes with 7 high quality essentials for safe pole climbing. The belt and fall restraint bucksqueeze don’t quite get the excitement that the Premium Pole package from above, but the Stacked D Lineman’s Belt and Supersqueeze are some of the best money can buy.
Additionally, you’re getting a tool pouch, diddy bag, and a very nice weather resistant bag to carry all the gear. The climbers are actually the same Titanium Climbers from the Premium Kit above, so you can confidently know you’re getting one of the newest pieces of gear.
A full floating Stacked D Lineman’s Belt has additional D rings for ease of use of the secondary lanyard. The beefed up back pad has 9″ of foam providing some nice comfort. This is a belt that is built to last, made of high quality leather and nylon.
The fall restraint, Buckingham Supersqueeze with Rope is great and still one of my favorite fall restraints. The WebGrab works amazing for adjusting the strap with one hand. The Supersqueeze allows you the freedom to change the inner rope for a web strap if you prefer such. Carabiner hooks are my preference and this bad boy has them.
The Buckingham nut and bolt bag is a nice bonus as every climbing belt needs one. It’s black in color and made up of the canvas material we lineman are familiar with.
Along with the diddy bag, Buckingham included a 5 Tool Black Leather Pouch. You gotta have somewhere to put your nines (lineman pliers), channellocks, wrench and anything else you might need, Heck I just used one of the pouches to carry straps and spacers in the other day. The pouch is made of heavy tanned leather and has stitching to prolong the durability. This tool pouch will last years and has a great design allowing lineman multiple tool options.
When you need to pack up all your gear and head out just shove it all into the BUCK Big Mouth Bag. This lineman bag has 2 pockets on the outside and a shoulder strap. Also of note is the solid molded plastic that lines the bottom of the bag. The opening is 15.5″ x 22″ allows adequate space for climbing gear and tools.
This climbing gear set combines new tech and battle tested products so lineman can rest assured they are getting some of the best gear available on the market.
Best Budget: Bashlin Leather Floridian Package
If you’re looking to get a great climbing gear set (doesn’t include fall restraint), but are looking for something more affordable the Floridian package is one of my favorite options. Many love the simplicity of the belt, excellent climber pads, and a great gear bag.
Starting with the body belt is the Bashlin Floridian. It’s padded for comfort, has a 5 and a half inch back. Unfortunately, the belt lacks additional D rings for the secondary lanyard, but many love the comfort and it is an industry standard belt option. Weighing 6.5 pounds the Floridian is a bit more lightweight than most newer belts.
These Bashlin steel climbers are made of steel alloy and come with leather ankle straps. Also if you’ve ever worn climbers that rub on your ankles Bashlin made these climbers specifically with you in mind; these steel climbers have a contoured shank so they will not rub on the ankle. The climbers also come with gaff guards…
One of my favorite climbing gear pieces on this entire list are the Bashlin Pads. Talk about comfort; you can climb in these all day with crew socks and never worry about your shins getting sore or raw. Bashlin took specific steps to ensure a great product- these pads have lasted me years and hundreds of poles. Just know, these pads require 2 leg straps for each pad.
Also in this set includes a tool pouch with 4 pockets, a diddy bag that has an inside pocket along with some snap hooks to make it easier to attach to the climbing belt, and a 24″ gear bag. The bottom of the bag is built to withstand a tough life with a polymer bottom and a landing pad that keeps the bag off the ground and out of water. However if it does come in contact with water 2 drain holes are built in. The shoulder strap makes for easy hands free carrying and is padded.
Best Under $1000: Bashlin EZ Lite Climbing Package
Here’s the set that comes with many of the previous items we’ve discussed such as the climbing pads I prefer, the steel climbers from the previous Bashlin set, and the same gear bag. Of course you’re going to get a climbing belt- the Bashlin EZ Lite is exactly how it sounds, lightweight. It weighs 7 pounds, a bit more than the Floridian discussed earlier. However this climbing belt comes with 4 D rings and is made of both leather and nylon.
The EZ Lite does have decent on pole comfort, but falls short in true comfort compared to other belts on this list. If you’re just getting started this is a great belt to learn with and for the price you really can’t beat it.
The OD diddy (Nut & Bolt) bag does include a small inside pocket and has a unique military green color, along with straps with snap hooks for easy attachment to the climbing belt. Much like the other climbing gear sets you’ll also get a black Maverick tool pouch that has the capacity to hold 5 tools. 3 wide pouches, perfect for lineman pliers, channellocks, and wire cutters….
It’s not the highest quality lineman climbing gear set and doesn’t include a fall restraint, but for the price it’s hard to beat.
My Favorite Custom Set
Buying one of the sets above is a great option for sure, however not all of my favorite products are available through a pre determined set. For that reason, below I have compiled my favorite piece of gear for each climbing gear need. So you’re going to get my favorite climbing belt, fall restraint, climbers, etc.
Best Climbing Belt: Heritage Adjustable Short Back Belt
That old school distressed leather look always gets me. Besides it looking great the Heritage Short Back Belt has a great adjustable fitting system, allowing the lineman to adjust the belt 3 to 4 sizes. Instead of having to know the exact D-Ring size the lineman has flexibility in knowing the belt will fit even if they gain or lose weight. Plus this belt comes with 2 areas to attach the small ropes I like to use, instead of the traditional 1 spot.
Best Fall Restraint (Bucksqueeze): EZ Squeeze With Woven Inner Strap
The EZ Squeeze fall restraint is hands down a favorite of mine. I must say though, I don’t use the EZ Squeeze BuckHorn as often as I could. I still find myself shifting my weight forward and releasing the WebGrab to my desired spot, much like the SuperSqueeze. But one of my favorite features of the new EZ Squeeze is the ergonomic loop handle that makes climbing up and down the pole a breeze.
You can also get the rope inner strap instead of the woven, but I prefer to woven. I think it’s just a mental thing as I have used the rope many times and it works just fine, but the woven makes me feel more secure. However I will say the rope is easier to ascend and descend over obstacles easier because it’s smaller in diameter and round.
Best Secondary (positioning lanyard): Buckadjuster
If you’re lucky you won’t need your secondary very often, but when you do you’ll be thankful to have it. Anytime you need to climb above and below existing lines a secondary is recommended. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done it without a secondary, even in the dark, so it can be done, but it’s dangerous.
The moment you unsnap that bucksqueeze and you know the only thing holding you onto that pole are your arms and your gaffs, it’s an anxious feeling. Get yourself this secondary and don’t worry again.
Best Climbers: BuckAlloy With Hook and Strap
Made from aluminum alloy, these BuckAlloy climbers are lightweight, weighing barely over 1 pound. These are very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, especially on the arches of your feet. They come in 3 different colors, including a high vis green. However, I think the all black look is awesome.
Gaffs tend to last for a long time, but when it comes time to replace them it’s just an easy dowel and screw to change. One of the more premium climbers on the market and you’ll have a hard time finding something about the climbers that you don’t like.
Best Climbing Pads: Bashlin Double Strap Pad
These are the same pads from the Bashlin sets above, but like I previously mentioned, these are my favorite pads. You can wear them all day and never have an issue with your shins rubbing, chaffing or getting sore. I used to have to wear knee high socks with previous pads, but with these Bashlin pads you can wear whatever socks you want without worry. Grab these, you won’t regret it. However they do take double straps for each pad.
Best Diddy Bag (Nut & Bolt): Klein Large Canvas Utility Bag
I like this Klein diddy bag because it has a deep bottom that allows you to carry more. I don’t ever carry bolts in there, for that I use the open slots on the belt.
Depending on the situation of the pole, such as having to install a riser guard, you’ll need additional hardware- a tape measure with a slip eye taped to the end sure does take up a lot of space. It has an inside pocket, is made of the typical canvas material, drainage holes, and easy attachment to the climbing belt with snap hooks.
Best Climbing Gear Bag: Buckpack with Wheels
This thing can carry anything you want, it’s massive and even has wheels to get around on hard surfaces. One main suitcase storage area, along with 3 additional outside storage compartments make this gear bag an exceptional choice to store all your gear, tools, and equipment with ease.
It”s got a rain flap and is made of vinyl coated nylon that helps keep it dry from rain and liquids. If the wheels aren’t able to be used the backpack padded shoulder straps are there. The Buckpack is one of the most premium lineman gear bags available today.
Final Words
If you are new to the industry, want to try out some new gear, or don’t have the time to shop around- one of these lineman climbing gear sets are the perfect transition for success in the trade. My advice is figure out what type of budget makes sense for you and also what particular pieces of gear are the most important to you. For me the most important are the climbing belt, pads, and climbers.
If you want to know more about climbing gear check out The Ultimate Guide to Lineman Climbing Gear.