The Best Foot Ascender for Aborists: Pantin vs. TurboFOOT Evo vs. Quick Step

Foot ascenders have become a staple in the tree care industry, and you will find one in almost every climbing arborist’s gear bag. But which one is the best? That answer is not simple, and a lot of it comes down to personal preference: locking versus non-locking, built-in pulleys, attachment features, and more. This blog breaks it down using both hands-on experience and technical detail, so you can decide which arborist foot ascender fits your climbing style.

Quick Answer: The Top 3 Foot Ascenders for Arborists

Three-foot ascenders stand above the rest for climbing arborists: the Petzl Pantin, CAMP TurboFOOT Evo, and Climbing Technology (CT) Quick Step. The Pantin is the most ergonomic and my personal favorite; the TurboFOOT Evo adds a handy lock switch and a light-duty pulley function, and the CT Quick Step is the most bombproof locking option. Choosing the best foot ascender comes down to whether you prefer a locking or non-locking cam, and which features matter most to your climbing.

Foot Ascender Comparison at a Glance

Here is a quick side-by-side look at how the three ascenders stack up before we dig into the details.

A Quick History: How Arborists Climbed Before Foot Ascenders

Before foot ascenders came along, arborists had two main ways to reach the crown of a tree. One was efficient, and the other was downright exhausting.

1. Foot Locking

Foot locking means climbing the rope using a friction hitch, such as a Klemheist or Prusik. Once at height, the arborist would secure themselves and switch over to a traditional moving rope system, like a Taut-line or Blake’s hitch. Once a climber became proficient, this method did a good job of conserving energy.

Foot locking started as an ascent-only method. But eventually someone thought, “It would be great to stop and work on the way up to the main tie-in point.” That idea led climbers to bring up a second rope, either a closed or open system, so they could pause and:

• Tie into another branch union with the additional system,

• Tie Alpine Butterfly knots under the Prusik hitch and attach a pulley-and-carabiner combo to work from (on the same rope), or

• Attach a carabiner-and-pulley combo to the Prusik hitch, which let them work from that point once a spike was installed underneath the hitch.

Keep in mind, these methods required a separate rope plus any needed hardware. Back then, not everyone carried a second climbing rope unless it belonged to another crew member.

2. Hip Thrusting

Hip thrusting was the other option when foot locking was out of the question. I will be honest; it is a very fatiguing technique, but it will get you in the best shape of your life! The upside is that the Taut-line or Blake’s hitch is already set up before you leave the ground, so there is no need to reconfigure your climbing system once you are aloft, unless you need to advance the system higher.

Times Move On: The Rise of the Foot Ascender!

Time moves on, and so does the tree care industry. With so many great minds in this field, progression is inevitable, and we keep moving forward. Somewhere along the way, someone with a rock climbing, spelunking, or rope-access background, or maybe just someone who did their homework, decided to give ascenders a try. And here we are today, with plenty of ascenders to choose from. Among all the options, foot ascenders became the most common. Which brings us right back to the big question: which foot ascender is best?

Petzl Pantin & Petzl Pantin Click Foot Ascender Review

Given the inventor’s caving background, the Petzl Pantin was almost certainly designed for caving before it made its way into other at-height industries. The original Pantin used a non-locking mechanism, which let the arborist kick the rope out whenever they wanted. A lot of climbers did not care for that, so Petzl released an “upgrade” kit called the Catch, a locking component you could add to keep the climbing rope from kicking out.

As I understand it, this version was set to be replaced by the Pantin Click, Petzl’s newest release from early 2026. The Pantin Click comes with a built-in locking feature that some climbers always wanted, though personally, I was a fan of the non-locking design. It also swaps in a ratchet buckling system that is easy to put on and even easier to adjust.

At one point, I heard the Pantin was included in a test comparing foot ascenders to see which one put the least torque on the foot. As you might guess, the Pantin came out on top, proving to be ergonomically friendly. I was not able to track down that study to confirm it, so if you or someone you know has a copy, please send it our way. Legit or not, it was a big reason I bought the Pantin in the first place. I was told the Click would replace the original, but for now, the original Pantin is still available through Petzl’s Sport website.

The non-locking Pantin is by far my favorite foot ascender to date! That said, here is my one dislike:

I do not love that the Catch comes integrated from the factory. I would rather see it included in the box as an option the user can add if they want it.

CAMP TurboFOOT Evo Foot Ascender Review

Next up is CAMP’s TurboFOOT Evo. This ascender went through its own upgrade process. The original, simply called the CAMP Turbo Foot Ascender, used a non-locking cam. And, as you can probably guess, users wanted a way to keep the rope from kicking out. This model, like the newer versions, features an attachment point where you can insert a carabiner to act as a “block,” stopping the rope from kicking out even if you rush the ascent.

Enough feedback usually leads to a solution, and CAMP delivered with the TurboFOOT Evo. The new edition includes a small switch that lets you turn on the lock function whenever you want, with no separate parts to buy. The switch is designed to stay out of the way and add almost no bulk, and it can also remain in the unlocked position.

That might not sound like a big deal, but it matters in a rescue. If someone has cam-locked themselves, flipping the switch and pulling the rope out is much faster than dealing with a traditional cam lock, and in time-sensitive situations, that speed is a real advantage. The TurboFOOT Evo can also work as a progress-capture pulley in a haul system, though only for light-duty hauling. Nothing crazy! Its built-in pulleys make this possible. Not many people know about this feature, and I did not either until about seven years ago.

Even though this ascender ranks among the best, there are two things I am not too fond of:

1. The webbing on the newest version does not stay fully cinched in the buckle the way the older versions did (the ones with gray webbing).

2. The lock switch — once it develops too much play, it flips into the locked position on its own, which gets annoying since I like running the TurboFOOT Evo with the cam unlocked.

Climbing Technology (CT) Quick Step Foot Ascender Review

If you are worried the other foot ascenders might not hold up, there is always the tried-and-true CT Quick Step. If you did not know, Climbing Technology (CT) is now part of Skylotec. This ascender is pretty much bombproof; it's just a figure of speech, so please do not actually drop a log on it.

The Quick Step uses a traditional locking action: pull down, then rotate the lever backward. Once it is locked, there is no way the climbing rope will kick out during the ascent, no matter how sloppy or rushed your technique gets.

If I had to name the downsides, they would be these:

1. The rope does not always feed smoothly through the ascender when you are wearing chainsaw pants or other baggy clothing.

2. While you are learning to open the cam under tension, you will likely pick or sever a lot of rope fibers.

Both issues usually work themselves out with regular use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foot Ascenders

What is a foot ascender?

A foot ascender is a rope-clamping device that straps to your boot and grips the climbing rope. By pushing down with your leg, you move yourself higher. Arborists use them to reach the crown of a tree more efficiently than traditional foot locking.

Do you need a locking foot ascender?

Not necessarily. A locking cam keeps the rope from kicking out if your technique gets sloppy or rushed, which adds security. A non-locking cam lets you kick the rope out on demand, which many climbers prefer for speed and convenience. In the end, it comes down to personal preference and how you like to climb.

What is the best foot ascender for arborists?

The Petzl Pantin, CAMP TurboFOOT Evo, and CT Quick Step are three of the best options on the market. The Pantin is the most ergonomic, the TurboFOOT Evo is the most versatile, and the CT Quick Step is the most durable and secure.

Can a foot ascender be used as a pulley?

The CAMP TurboFOOT Evo can double as a progress-capture pulley in a haul system, thanks to its built-in pulleys. Keep in mind it is only meant for light-duty hauling, not heavy loads.

Is the Petzl Pantin Click replacing the original Pantin?

The Pantin Click was reportedly meant to replace the original Pantin. As of this writing, though, the original non-locking Pantin is still available through Petzl’s Sport website.

Conclusion: Which Foot Ascender Is Best for Aborists?

When it is time to choose a foot ascender that meets your standards, any of these three will exceed them. Narrowing it down to “The One” just takes a little extra research, especially if your decision comes down to specific specs and features. Whichever you choose, a solid foot ascender will change the way you climb.