UKH

Looking to get a Portaledge, does anyone have any advice on what I should be looking for  or any recommendations. I'm on quite a budget but willing to pay more for quality and durability ??

There is a lot of information missing here. Size. Where it might be used. Etc.

I suggest you list all the available ones. Filter. Then post your filtered list for comment with a bit more detail

Budget ledges are OK right up until the moment the weather really poops out. Shortly after that you won't regret spending that bit extra. If buying used, you really should view it and look for abrasion; especially in contact areas. Designs in the last ten years are pretty good from the main suppliers; and it is damage from previous use that will be the main problem. I watched two well used ledges get shredded by a storm and six of us ended up in our ledge. Fairly uncomfortable but at least it stopped bouncing so violently.

Ledges from the smaller specialist suppliers - Runout, Fish, D4, Aiguille (UK based) overall seem better and more rated (+ have good aftersales for repairing/replacing worn parts etc.) than the overcomplex (heavy and fiddly) ones from the big brands. Simplicity is generally a virtue as bells and whistles can add to faff in putting up and taking down. Worth checking dimensions carefully though as if you're tall some of the lighter ledges can be a bit short. Beyond, a lot depends on your intended use - e.g. US bigwalling (generally good weather, easy hauling, few days, easyish retreat) or remoter/harsher destinations.

This was local kids swinging on it when you were camping in Mile End Park, yes?

Bleedin' Park Wardens with their turbo charged leaf blowers shouting 'you can't camp here' etc etc...

I have a Runout Customs one. I've heard people saying it is a lot easier to erect because it doesn't have a spreader bar, although I've never tried one with a spreader bar. It is also lighter than some of the others, which makes hauling easier. Probably a big smaller than the average ledge, but it was certainly more than adequate for a big wall in Yosemite, and we had some comfortable nights on it (I am just under 6ft). I got the maker to send it to me at the Post Office in Yosemite, and it was there when I arrived. No complaints.