Feet are killing me!!!!

[PFD42]

So I jumped on the bandwagon lay January and bought a saddle and platform. I practiced all spring and summer and became very efficient. Early bow season consists of 90+ degrees hunts , so a couple hour sits . Along comes winter and cooler temperatures which mean all day sits as I’m accustomed too. I’ve logged 44 sits , 39 of which in a saddle. I can’t do more than 2-3hrs without my feet starting to hurt.

So I sold both my saddles and platforms and went back to my lockon. No more pain even standing 90% of the time. After a few sits in the stand I ordered another saddle and platform. Bought different boots, insoles and listened to all the advice given on different forums. The efficiency of the saddle was to much to pass up. Now here I am 2 more sits in the saddle and my feet are killing me.

I’m a leaner/stander. 5’10” 210# fireman that’s in fairly decent shape. I’m a jogger and work out frequently. With right at a tear in the saddle I would say I’m in saddle shape.

I’m about to give up on the saddle! Any further advice ?

 

[bigjoe]

Too much pressure on the feet. Just a few ideas. Have you tried adjusting the tether lower to be in more of a sitting position. Are your feet all the way on the platform? If not they are not being supported all the way. Do you have a solid shank in the boot, to support your feet?

 

[Jtaylor]

Try some knee pads and sit once and awhile. I'm about the same size and actually a little heavier and I have to sit to take a load off my feet from time to time. I do more of a squat/stand between a wall sit and standing position.

 

[Dewey]

Alternate between leaning, kneeling against the tree, sitting and straddling the tree. I find it best to change positions on long hunts to move pressure points around. No different than tree stand hunting where you can’t sit or stand in one position all day.

 

[Bigterp]

What’s your current setup?

 

[PFD42]

What’s your current setup?

TL ambush lite with a OOAL Ridgerunner. Have put orthotic insoles in my lacrosse rubber boots and bought some Danner vital boots to pack in and change into. I have TX5 xpand saddle ordered from Mathew Tompkins.

I had a mantis and predator before along with a TL ambush pro and Ridgerunner

 

[cspot]

Alternate between leaning, kneeling against the tree, sitting and straddling the tree. I find it best to change positions on long hunts to move pressure points around. No different than tree stand hunting where you can’t sit or stand in one position all day.

This is what I do as well.. I would guess that I probably change position every 20-30 minutes. I would do the same in the stand as well. I can't even lay on a couch for more than 30 minutes without changing positions.

 

[PFD42]

I’ve run my tether from as high as I can reach and as low as my stomach. For comfort I find a short bridge (20”) and tethered at chest height to be best.

 

[dalton916]

3 suggestions:

1) get a bigger platform like an XOP seat. This gives you more room for your feet.

2) get a platform that you can angle downward so it’s easier and more comfortable to get your feet flat.

3) get a drill and 2 bolts. Drill right and left side a few inches above your platform and alternate resting your feet on the bolts.

 

[PFD42]

I have some Shikar sticks on the way with a scout platform. I’m hoping the downward angle of the mini platform may help some. Being that I lean , my feet can’t be flat on a Regular platform . I’m more heels off the platform and toes on.

 

[dalton916]

4) Hell, just cut a wedge out of something lightweight and attach it to your current platform.

 

[shwacker]

I’m in your boat, kinda. Also a 5’11, 195 fireman. Short hunts are fine, I did a 12 day out of state and by day 7 with long walks and long sits I felt like I was in a torture device every hang. Ordered a XOP evolution before I even got home. I’ll still use the saddle for a scout till I hunt type situation and for observation sits. But once I key in on an area I’ll hang a lock on for longer sits. I’m also a leaner, deer get on me too quick where I hunt to be in a sitting position. I practiced a good bit off season but felt like I got busted or missed a couple opportunities on that OOS trip that I could have pulled off in a lock on or climber.


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[lawrence]

I’m a sitter, not that I don’t stand. Sounds like your legs muscles are tightening up. Hamstring stretches, toe lifts exercise might help.. as will angling the platform. You sound like your in good shape. But that means in shape because your moving. I found one set of boots caused my legs to tighten up. Alternatively a hybrid saddle might be more to your liking. It means sitting more, but you can still stand some. Hybrids keep you off the tree. Good luck

 

[PFD42]

I’m in your boat, kinda. Also a 5’11, 195 fireman. Short hunts are fine, I did a 12 day out of state and by day 7 with long walks and long sits I felt like I was in a torture device every hang. Ordered a XOP evolution before I even got home. I’ll still use the saddle for a scout till I hunt type situation and for observation sits. But once I key in on an area I’ll hang a lock on for longer sits. I’m also a leaner, deer get on me too quick where I hunt to be in a sitting position. I practiced a good bit off season but felt like I got busted or missed a couple opportunities on that OOS trip that I could have pulled off in a lock on or climber.


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I’m right there with you. I took off 5 days after Christmas to hunt the rut , on day 3 I was toting my millennium M7. As bad as I want the saddle to be the one stop shop I think it’s just a tool in the bucket. Early bow season and short mobile sits. Headed to some delta public that’s flooding and going to have to kayak in for an all day sit . I think I’m gonna strap the Old M7 in .

 

[PFD42]

I’m a sitter, not that I don’t stand. Sounds like your legs muscles are tightening up. Hamstring stretches, toe lifts exercise might help.. as will angling the platform. You sound like your in good shape. But that means in shape because your moving. I found one set of boots caused my legs to tighten up. Alternatively a hybrid saddle might be more to your liking. It means sitting more, but you can still stand some. Hybrids keep you off the tree. Good luck

I’m actually in conversation with a 3D archery buddy of mine that’s a long time Guidos and now JX3 user. This may be an option

 

[Rg176bnc]

You need a stiffer pair of boots like a Scarpa. Will make all the difference.

 

[Peterk1234]

Stiff boot soles are key. The height of your butt in relation to your knees is another.

My platform consists of WE steps and ameristeps. I do not use a platform. Getting your butt lower will remove pressure on your feet but increase pressure on your butt. Basically, you start to be in more of a sitting position, especially if you bend at the knees. I love to sit, using nice cushy knee pads that I can jam into the tree. Every once in a while I extend the legs though and become a leaner, but just for a little bit. Full disclosure, I use a a DIY sitdrag, which I think may lend itself better to sitting type setups than a commercial saddle.

My typical sit is 4 hours, and I have done all day sits no problem.

I find it interesting that most people seem to prefer to lean. Part of it may have to do with the popularity of using platforms. I never felt the need for a platform because of how I am using the saddle, and in my mind a platform compromises the true effectiveness and simplicity of a saddle.

Good luck and use the off season to mess around with the tether length. Go low

Pete

 

[Twenty Up]

I’ve hunted 2 seasons on and off with a Sit drag/RC harness with pegs, climbing sticks and a Predator platform. I sold it all and went back to my Alpha for the same reasons... 5’11 185lbs

I’m trying the saddle thing again for the mobility. I’ve contemplated getting some 8-10mm rope and wrapping a pool noodle or thick foam pad around some loops to create leg rests.

It’s hard to describe, I don’t own saddle gear anymore so I cannot send pictures.. I’m thinking a shorter rope with two sewn eyes, one 2-3” and the second larger around 8” ish for your leg, girth hitch around the tree for your left and right leg. Adjust the height as needed..

Maybe someone else has already tried this, I’ve no clue, sounds like a good idea in my head.

 

[bigjoe]

The other thing to try is a JX3.

 

[EricS]

If lacrosse grange or other similar boot that is contributing to your problem. I sit more than lean but when I say sit it’s more like barstool height than a deep sit. I’ve also found especially with soft boots that my climbing method has as much effect as you setup. If I spend 15 minutes drilling a tree or ran into obstacles that prolonged my time spent on any thin steps I’ll have comfort problems that last the whole hunt. Also it sounds like your leaning back pretty far. The saddle should support your weight but if your leaning too far back it becomes a fulcrum point multiplying then pressure on your feet.