10-4 on the problem confronting you should your lower section decide to ratchet its way down. I was just sitting there. Shuffled my feet and .... watched my lower section of my new "Cadillac" brand stand ratchet its way down 10-12 feet. I had forgotten to attach it to the top section ! Deep do-do !! Fortunately I was up "only" about 20 feet. Didn't have to eat too much bark !! But I tell you it was not fun, and it was all I could do to safely get down that tree.

My cousin's Summit Viper had such factory straps, but no big deal to rig up one. Also let me throw in a plug for using a safety harness. It is a life saver.

The wear on the rubber must be normal. Robert's Viper's strap's rubber covering is more or less scuffed off much of the length. I can't see how that would be a problem.