I got a couple sewn nylon loop runners. One is 26\" and the other is 36\".
I always knew these would be handy things, but I am surprised at how handy they really are.
The 26\" is just a little too short to girth around most larger branches, but it is great over smaller branches as a handhold, or step. I also love this one for girthing onto a thermos, or other gear that I am going to haul up with me. It just hangs below me enough when I climb that it's out of the way.
The 36\" however fits over most branches around here, and has proven to be a highly used piece of gear. Here's some things that I've found useful.
1 - It's cold out here right now, and holding onto a little nylon loop that's girth hitched around a nearby branch keeps my hands MUCH warmer than holding onto the branch itself.
2 - Everything listed in The Tree Climbers Companion is obviously great. I haven't used them for a redirect yet, but I'm looking forward to it
3 - I've found that along with a lanyard of decent length, a couple webbing loops can comprise an entire climbing system.
I'll make a separate post in climbing techniques about this one.
4 - It's amazing the number of times that I go ahead and loop them onto something to secure it somewhere. I never did any of this before I got them, but having them makes it convenient. For the price, I don't think there's a more useful way to spend a few bucks.
Carl