The new International version of the Petzl ASTRO Bod Fast harness is available in the UK from April 2019. There are a number of differences between the International and the European versions; mainly due to the ANSI Standards requirements. We’ve collated the relevant information and have highlighted the differences below:
Petzl ASTRO International – Differences
Releasable shoulder buckle and lanyard parking points
- The addition of the releasable shoulder buckle on the International version of the Petzl ASTRO is a useful addition
- The doubleback buckle on the right-hand side (while wearing) is different to the European version
- Lanyard parking points have been included; a parked lanyard connector will release with a 5kg force (0.05kN)
C083BA0x International showing shoulder buckle and lanyard parking points
Fall indicator on dorsal attachment point
The International version of the Petzl ASTRO includes a fall indicator on the dorsal attachment point which means it conforms to the relevant ANSI Standard.
C083BA0x International showing fall indicator on dorsal attachment point
Ventral attachment point
The European version of the Petzl ASTRO ventral attachment point cannot be used on the International version, again, because of the ANSI Standards. The International version does not therefore offer the facility to captivate progress lanyards on the central bar of the ventral attachment point. It does however still offer the ability to connect the Petzl PODIUM to the ends of the bar, using either the shackle accessories (C087AA00) or my using two Petzl Sm’D’s (M39A TL)
C083BA0x International ventral attachment point
C083AA0x European ventral attachment point. Lanyard, shackles and PODIUM sold separately
Lateral attachment points
- The two lateral attachment points are conventional metal construction (rather than the plastic inserts of the European version)
- This means they can be folded back out of the way when not in use
- There is a saving on weight due to the H-profile (cross-section) construction
C083BA0x International lateral attachment point
C083AA0x European lateral attachment point
Waist-belt buckles
The doubleback waist-belt buckles are different to the European version.
C083BA0x waist-belt doubleback buckle
C083AA0x European waist-belt doubleback buckle
Wider webbing from the leg loops to the waist-belt
The webbing from the leg loops to the waist-belt is wider than the European version because the webbing needs to be folded in order to fit onto the central bar of the ventral attachment point.
C0830BA0x International wider webbing from leg loops to ventral attachment point
C0830AA0x European narrower webbing from leg loops to ventral attachment point
Leg loop buckles
Again, to comply with ANSI Standards, the leg loop FAST buckles are different to the European FAST-LT buckles.
C083AA0x European leg loop FAST LT buckle
You can buy both versions of the Petzl ASTRO Bod Fast from www.abaris.co.uk
