TSA Economy

Front View

Rear View

Technical details:

I acquired my TSA Economy from Bob Thrun in 2007, but it dates from the 1990s.

The TSA economy consists of a Kong-Bonaiti Modular ascender with added straps to form a foot ascender. A 20 mm. wide, 1 mm. thick under-foot strap fastens to the bottom of the ascender with a 4 mm. delta maillon. The other end of the metal strap is riveted to an a 14 mm. web strap with an adjustment buckle attached to its end. Another web strap passes through the two upper holes in the ascender shell, and is held in place with another web piece riveted to the first.

The TSA Economy is 120 mm tall, 119 mm wide, and 36 mm thick. Mine weighs 229 g.

The ascender has the markings typical of the Kong-Bonaiti Modular ascender. TSA added a sticker with the TSA logo and the following text:

Réf. 632
Bloqueur de pied
Economy
(pied gauche)
(por droitier)

BP5 F - 38680 Pont-en-Royans

There is also a tag with "tsa" sewn to the webbing.

Comments:

The TSA Economy was one of the earlier practical foot ascenders. The straps hold the ascender close to the foot, reducing the torque on the ankle. Of course, to take full advantage of the TSA, you need to use a climbing system designed for a foot ascender.