FTC Tree Matriosac 3 Review: The Ultimate Throwline Storage for Arborists

The year is 2026, and if you're still using a stick as your throwline storage, you're living in the past. It seems like everyone in the tree care industry has at least invested in a throwline cube or found some other creative means of throwline storage that doesn't involve a stick — coffee tins, anyone? This blog is all about proper throwline storage, and specifically, FTC Tree's Matriosac 3.

Quick take: The FTC Tree Matriosac 3 is a two-in-one throwline storage bag that nests a smaller bag inside a larger one, so you can carry two complete throwline kits in the space of one. The refreshed version adds a black-and-beige colorway, a single-pouch layout that cuts down on tangles, four adjustable fast-release buckles, a waterproof base, and a ventilated mesh top for drying out your lines.

Who Is FTC Tree?

FTC Tree is a product development company based in France. For the better part of 24-plus years, the team at FTC Tree has been climbing and pruning trees, so you can rest assured the gear they design and develop is built specifically for working arborists around the world, creating solutions for everyday tasks.

FTC Tree develops a wide array of arborist gear, including throwbags, cordage for tree climbing professionals (arborist ropes, prusik cord, and work-positioning lanyards), rigging ropes, friction management devices, climbing spurs, and the list goes on. So, when you hear the slogan “by arborists, for arborists,” with FTC Tree, they mean it.

What Is the FTC Tree Matriosac?

The original Matriosac throwline bag was released around 2021, and it drew inspiration from Russian Matryoshka dolls. If you aren't familiar with them, Matryoshka dolls are a set of wooden nesting dolls that fit inside one another. That's the concept behind the Matriosac: two circular bags — a large outer bag and a smaller bag that nestles inside it and collapses down. Both bags were designed to house throwbags.

Since that original inception, an updated version has been released. This newer model gets a fresh colorway and a few upgrades that, if I may say so, elevate the bag to the pinnacle of throwline storage. The Matriosac 3 is now available in a sleek black-and-beige color scheme. The updated version has a single storage pouch at the bottom of each bag and uses four adjustable buckles to keep the Matriosac laid flat when stored.

Matriosac 3 Specifications and Features

Material: Double-wall polyester with polyurethane coating

Large bag: 15 in (38 cm) x 11.8 in (30 cm) — Black

Small bag: 13.8 in (35 cm) x 11.8 in (30 cm) — Beige

Weight: 3.3 lb (1.5 kg)

Both bags are equipped with:

• One pouch at the bottom for throw bags
• One inner Velcro strap to hold the end of the throwline
• One handle

The large bag also includes:

• A fabric-and-mesh lid for easy ventilation, with a zipper to close the top
• Four straps with fast-release buckles
• A side transport strap
• A bottom pocket for extra gear

Why the Matriosac 3 Is the Solution to Throwline Storage

Throwline management and storage is key to creating a successful, anger-free throwing zone. Throwline cubes are excellent, and this blog by no means discredits them. But trying to store multiple cubes in a gear bag isn't always feasible, and the storage bins on the work truck may already be cramped — storage space is at a premium. Throwline cubes can be laid flat once collapsed, folded in half, or folded into a compact triangle, yet multiples still take up valuable space. Or worse, they get lost.
Enter the FTC Tree Matriosac 3: two full throwline kits stored inside of one. Now, you might be saying to yourself, “Why would I need more than one? Just lace the first shot!” Well, not all of us have that pinpoint accuracy. Having two on hand really helps when one gets stuck, or when you need to double-bag to isolate a desired branch union.

My Honest Take After Using the Matriosac 3

Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical at first, but I grew into a believer. Along the way, I found one fault (at least for me) that the new design fixed.

The older design featured two pouches along the bottom of each bag. I found that when throwbags were stored in each pouch, and the bag was carried by the outer handle, the throwbags would slip out and become entangled. At the time, my solution was to carry the Matriosac flat and avoid the outer handle. The Matriosac 3 removes one of those pouches, leaving just one, so the chance of entanglement is now reduced to a minimum. That said, still store your inner bag with caution if you plan on carrying it by the outer handle. Rather than housing the throwing side in the same pouch as the other, attaching the ring of the throwbag to the small Velcro tab makes for quick deployment, and the weight of the other throwbag helps keep the Matriosac 3 grounded on windy days.

The larger bag has a secret compartment at the bottom that can house additional throwbags, accessory carabiners, or better yet, FTC's Pulsar — an 18 oz manipulation weight. On top of that, the very bottom of the larger bag is waterproof, which is a very nice feature after a rainy day or those dewy mornings. And if you do happen to get caught in a monsoon, the zippered mesh top allows enough airflow to help dry out your throwlines.

One thing I truly enjoy about the Matriosac 3 throwline storage bags: minimal to no bird-nesting after throwing. That's thanks to the cylindrical shape; it can't be folded into a tight triangle like a throwline storage cube. The throwline stays kink-free, and if you don't believe me, stop folding your throw cubes and test it for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FTC Tree Matriosac 3?
It's a two-in-one throwline storage bag for arborists. A smaller bag nests inside a larger one, letting you carry two complete throwline kits in the footprint of a single bag.

How is the Matriosac 3 different from the original?
The Matriosac 3 comes in a new black-and-beige colorway, drops down to a single bottom pouch per bag (reducing tangles), and adds four adjustable fast-release buckles to keep the bag flat in storage.

Is the Matriosac 3 waterproof?
The bottom of the larger bag is waterproof, and the zippered mesh top provides ventilation to help dry your lines if they get wet.

Why choose the Matriosac 3 over a throwline cube?
Throwline cubes are great, but storing several of them eats up truck and gear-bag space. The Matriosac 3 carries two kits in one, and its cylindrical shape keeps lines kink-free with minimal bird-nesting.

How much does the Matriosac 3 weigh, and how big is it?
It weighs 3.3 lb (1.5 kg). The large bag is 15 in x 11.8 in (38 cm x 30 cm), and the small bag is 13.8 in x 11.8 in (35 cm x 30 cm).

Final Thoughts

FTC Tree is a true innovator in the tree care industry. They understand the problems we face and create solutions that apply across the board. They're not a one-and-done company. If throwline storage has been a headache for you, the Matriosac 3 is well worth a serious look.