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New Saddle Nightmare!

N

NEBowHunter

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
6
3
3
55
Massachusetts
Hey Everyone,

Let me start by saying I am a veteran bow hunter and a newbie to saddle hunting. I have the Tethrd Mantis and have been using it for about a month. I have to say I absolutely HATE IT! I cannot get comfortable in it. I find myself sliding out of the saddle near the end of my sits. It squeezes me to the point of bruising. I know there is a learning curve with any new products but, man I am not digging saddle hunting at all! I am using the ratchet strap ring step set up btw and will be looking into a platform if I decide to keep this torture device for hunting! Any an ALL advice is sorely (pun intended) welcomed!!!
 
PaTrout1

PaTrout1

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2019
325
179
43
55
NEBowHunter said:
Hey Everyone,

Let me start by saying I am a veteran bow hunter and a newbie to saddle hunting. I have the Tethrd Mantis and have been using it for about a month. I have to say I absolutely HATE IT! I cannot get comfortable in it. I find myself sliding out of the saddle near the end of my sits. It squeezes me to the point of bruising. I know there is a learning curve with any new products but, man I am not digging saddle hunting at all! I am using the ratchet strap ring step set up btw and will be looking into a platform if I decide to keep this torture device for hunting! Any an ALL advice is sorely (pun intended) welcomed!!!
Click to expand...
See if you can swap it for a bigger one or sell it and but the new (or older TL) saddle

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
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Wyatt_burp

Wyatt_burp

Well-Known Member
Jul 1, 2019
711
751
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How long are your sits?

I have a mantis and a tactisaddle. The mantis gave me a wedgie after a bit, but I would suggest messing with your tether height while you are two feet off the ground. I was getting horrible hip pinch, but it seems like it was because my tether was too high and the angle was off. That being said, I climb the tree, set my ring of steps, pull my saddle below my belt of my pants, keep the the tether about chin level, and comfort has gone way up.

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N

NEBowHunter

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
6
3
3
55
Massachusetts
Wyatt_burp said:
How long are your sits?

I have a mantis and a tactisaddle. The mantis gave me a wedgie after a bit, but I would suggest messing with your tether height while you are two feet off the ground. I was getting horrible hip pinch, but it seems like it was because my tether was too high and the angle was off. That being said, I climb the tree, set my ring of steps, pull my saddle below my belt of my pants, keep the the tether about chin level, and comfort has gone way up.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
My sits range from 3 to 5 hours usually. I have been trying different tether heights and belt positions. Last sit was slightly better but by the end I was in so much pain I would not have been able to make a shot if a deer had presented itself lol. It seems to me like the fixed bridge length is an issue. My hunting buddy has a Kestral and his bridge is adjustable. Not sure what to do...
 
Kurt

Kurt

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2018
2,331
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Massachusetts
First off I'm mostly a leaner. I have a Predator platform. To me the platform is exactly half of the equation regarding how I set up. I'm sure you've messed around with tether height, the adjusters, and where you wear it on your hips. Did you know that the leg loops attached to where the adjusters attach is an option. I found it was way more comfortable with them attached up high. I live in MA so if you want to try my platform, or see how I set up I'd be willing to share what I know and show you how I set up. Let me know. I live in Belchertown.
 
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bowhuntr09

bowhuntr09

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SH Member
Jul 28, 2018
2,375
3,111
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Midlothian, VA
NEBowHunter said:
My sits range from 3 to 5 hours usually. I have been trying different tether heights and belt positions. Last sit was slightly better but by the end I was in so much pain I would not have been able to make a shot if a deer had presented itself lol. It seems to me like the fixed bridge length is an issue. My hunting buddy has a Kestral and his bridge is adjustable. Not sure what to do...
Click to expand...

Use your linemans belt as a temporary bridge so you can adjust length and see what works for you.
 
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Treehopper2

Treehopper2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 13, 2018
1,816
1,195
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Georgetown ky
First welcome to saddle hunting it definitely takes time to find your individual setup that works for you.
There are many threads on this subject on here I recommend you do a search on this subject it really helped me when starting out.
The number one thing I see that helps with mantis comfort is a lower tether height (eye to chin level) for a leaner.
I can’t speak for sitting in a mantis I rarely do that.
I can use a ROS or platform to me they both work but I tend to use the predator 90% of the time for just more surface area for comfort.




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N

NEBowHunter

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
6
3
3
55
Massachusetts
TNSTAAFL said:
You sound like a JX3 candidate. Soft saddles can be fine tuned for comfort, and thus take practice and experience. The Hybrid is immediately comfortable out of the box.
Click to expand...
Damn I'd hate to scrap this saddle as they are not cheap and I waited several weeks to get the damn thing!
 
N

NEBowHunter

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
6
3
3
55
Massachusetts
Kurt said:
First off I'm mostly a leaner. I have a Predator platform. To me the platform is exactly half of the equation regarding how I set up. I'm sure you've messed around with tether height, the adjusters, and where you wear it on your hips. Did you know that the leg loops attached to where the adjusters attach is an option. I found it was way more comfortable with them attached up high. I live in MA so if you want to try my platform, or see how I set up I'd be willing to share what I know and show you how I set up. Let me know. I live in Belchertown.
Click to expand...
Hey Kurt, thanks for your insight. My buddy has a platform that I can try. Thanks for the offer though ;)
 
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EricS

EricS

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
SH Member
Dec 14, 2016
5,464
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Georgia
NEBowHunter said:
My sits range from 3 to 5 hours usually. I have been trying different tether heights and belt positions. Last sit was slightly better but by the end I was in so much pain I would not have been able to make a shot if a deer had presented itself lol. It seems to me like the fixed bridge length is an issue. My hunting buddy has a Kestral and his bridge is adjustable. Not sure what to do...
Click to expand...
Once you’re setup you could use your linesman’s as an adjustable bridge just to see if it helps.
 
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Jtaylor

Jtaylor

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2018
1,981
3,037
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NEBowHunter said:
Hey Everyone,

Let me start by saying I am a veteran bow hunter and a newbie to saddle hunting. I have the Tethrd Mantis and have been using it for about a month. I have to say I absolutely HATE IT! I cannot get comfortable in it. I find myself sliding out of the saddle near the end of my sits. It squeezes me to the point of bruising. I know there is a learning curve with any new products but, man I am not digging saddle hunting at all! I am using the ratchet strap ring step set up btw and will be looking into a platform if I decide to keep this torture device for hunting! Any an ALL advice is sorely (pun intended) welcomed!!!
Click to expand...
I'm with ya on the Mantis. It was tolerable for me at first and I tried everything! I ended up using a diy saddle I made and liked it better. I also bought a JX3 for longer sits and it's amazing. I'll be using my diy for run and gun and JX3 for longer sits. I wouldn't call it a loss either on the Mantis seems like plenty people like the Mantis and you could always get what ya paid for it back on here.
 
Gamover06

Gamover06

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2018
587
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40
SE Minneosta
Like others have mentioned mess with the tether height. I lowered mine to nose height and it is a lot more comfortable. There are so many things to adjust if I were you I would play around before cashing it in.
 
A

Aeds151

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2018
2,448
1,683
113
Are you a large frame guy? I experienced the same issue of the wedgie effect. I was constantly having to adjust it down. You could also lengthen your bridge to reduce the compression on the sides. That being said, I sold mine a few weeks after they hit the market as it was causing me deer from all the movement and I have not looked back. I think the way saddles do a V for their leg straps do the system a huge disservice. You could also try a RCH and make a fleece sit drag for sub $100. Much more comfortable than the product in question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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N

NEBowHunter

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
6
3
3
55
Massachusetts
Aeds151 said:
Are you a large frame guy? I experienced the same issue of the wedgie effect. I was constantly having to adjust it down. You could also lengthen your bridge to reduce the compression on the sides. That being said, I sold mine a few weeks after they hit the market as it was causing me deer from all the movement and I have not looked back. I think the way saddles do a V for their leg straps do the system a huge disservice. You could also try a RCH and make a fleece sit drag for sub $100. Much more comfortable than the product in question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yeah I am a big guy. I agree that I find myself moving A LOT more when I am in the saddle vs. my climber. I am not giving up on the idea... yet. Will try playing with the tether height and bridge length to see if that makes any difference.
 
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