New Foot Ascender on the Block!

Introducing the New Petzl Pantin CLICK

The tree care industry is kicking off 2026 with a wave of new gear releases. Over the past few months, mechanical ascenders like the ISC Reflex and A.R.T. Blackbird had drawn plenty of attention, and it seemed like there was little left to introduce. Yet the launches have kept coming.

Petzl is also releasing several new and updated products this year, and this blog focuses on the new Pantin Click.

What Is the Petzl Pantin Click?

The Pantin Click is Petzl’s latest version of their original Pantin foot ascender, designed to help workers at height move up a rope more efficiently. It works by utilizing a toothed cam that grips the rope when the climbing arborist, rope access technician, or other at-height professional applies downward pressure while ascending.

The original Pantin is a non-locking foot ascender that has been around for quite some time. I could not trace the exact release date or determine whether it was originally designed specifically for the arborist community. Knowing Petzl’s origins, I strongly believe it was initially developed for caving, later adopted by rope access technicians, and eventually made its way into the tree care industry.

If you know the true origins of this ascender, don’t be shy share it with us in the comments.

You may be asking: “What’s the difference between the Pantin and the Pantin Click?” We’ve got you covered.

The Petzl Pantin Click utilizes the same ascender mechanism as its predecessor, with no changes to the toothed cam or body size. The most noticeable change: the Pantin now comes with an integrated catch, which prevents the rope from ejecting out of the device.

Most foot ascenders currently use a webbing cinch system to fasten the ascender to the boot. This is where Petzl took things to the next level.

A ratcheting system has now been integrated into the Pantin Click. The fastening method is very similar to the ratcheting systems found on snowboarding boots and, thankfully, is extremely simple to use.

To Fasten:

1. Ensure the ladder strap is routed through the ratcheting mechanism

2. Pull the ladder strap by hand until snug

3. Utilize the ratchet to finish securing the Pantin to the boot

4. Pass the excess strap through the designated retention slot

To Loosen:

1. Depress the yellow release button

2. Pull the strap free, and voilà!

Another feature worth mentioning is that the ratchet swivel. This small detail allows the ratchet angle to adjust depending on the boot style being worn, which is huge if you live in a “bipolar weather” state or rotate between different boots throughout the week.

Additional Details

• The webbing straps are constructed from high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), making them extremely strong and abrasion resistant

• The cam is manufactured from stainless steel

• Weight: 120 g

• Rope compatibility: 7 mm to 13 mm

• The cam incorporates a self-cleaning feature: a small slit that allows dirt and ice to escape, helping prevent jamming.

Who Will Benefit the Most?

Foot ascenders can benefit nearly anyone working on rope, but stationary rope system (SRS/SRT) climbing arborists will likely find them the most useful within our industry.

Individuals who exclusively climb using a moving rope system (MRS/DDRT) can still utilize a foot ascender to assist during ascent, but the efficiency gains are not nearly as substantial. To gain elevation in MRS, the climber must move twice as much rope.

Real-World Use

Prior to wearing the foot ascender, I was concerned that the large polyurethane mount design might become cumbersome or uncomfortable. However, I am pleased to report that this was not the case.

While the mount is indeed large, it is also flexible enough to conform to the shape of the boot. Once secured, it becomes largely unnoticeable and does not hinder movement.

If excessive strap material remains after adjustment, Petzl does allow the user to trim the ladder strap provided the required minimum length remains intact (see manufacturer instructions). Personally, I dislike cutting my equipment whenever possible. Instead, a good friend gave me solid advice: simply adjust the webbing placement to minimize excess strap hanging from the device.

As the ascent begins, most foot ascenders develop some slack in the webbing, causing the device to gradually creep upward on the boot. Trust me, it doesn’t take much movement before the ascender begins loading the foot awkwardly.

Thanks to the polyurethane mount and ratcheting system, the Pantin Click remained much closer to its original position during ascent. Now, real talk there was still some movement, but nowhere near as drastic as traditional foot ascenders.

Here’s where my unpopular opinion comes in:

I do not like the fact that the Catch (locking mechanism) is integrated into the ascender.

I prefer my older Pantin without the lock. I feel as though the Catch on the new version slightly restricts the rope’s flow during ascent, making my initial steps up the rope feel “forced”. Drag itself is not my issue, losing the ability to quickly kick the rope out on command is my gripe with the Click.

Kicking the rope free instantly is one of my favorite features of the older-generation Pantin. It’s one less thing I need to disconnect before moving throughout the canopy.

I will more than likely swap the older-generation Pantin body onto the new Click platform. The device is not life support, and if I somehow destroy it in the process… Well, that’s just my luck.

Conclusion

Credit where credit is due: Petzl absolutely nailed the Pantin Click’s webbing and ratcheting system.

That said, I still believe the device would have been significantly better had the Catch remained optional. Including the Catch separately in the box would have allowed the user to decide whether or not they wanted to install it.

Regardless, the Pantin Click still remains at the top of my foot ascender list, and I absolutely recommend it if you are in the market for a new foot ascender or looking to upgrade your current setup.