Kestrel is here! My thoughts.....

[DaveH]

Nice review! What are your observations on sizing? That saddle looks like it's a good fit for you.

 

[redsquirrel]

The kestrel isn't heavy unless you have gotten used to picking up a sit drag. I think the added weight of the kestrel is going to be worth it.

x2. Plus if you wear it, it is like having nothing on.

 

[flinginairos]

Nice review! What are your observations on sizing? That saddle looks like it's a good fit for you.

Mine is a size 1. Perfect for me! No slop or extra material. It's just right. I wear a size 32 pant and I'm around 180lbs right now.


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[Cattledog]

Thank you for the review! That saddle looks amazing! My evolution is only a year old, but I want a kestrel! Outstanding design.

 

[flinginairos]

Just hung a little on my lunch break. Man this thing is MONEY. Sitting or leaning is very comfortable. After I silence the buckles a little it will be perfect.

 

[trukweaz]

any idea on current lead time? I called NT but only got the answering machine.

 

[Sipsey]

Finally got my new Kestrel yesterday and didn't have much time to look at it. This morning I got up early and messed with it and I am extremely impressed!! Coming from a Guidos web, to an Evo, to using the top belt of the Evo and then on to a modded Sit, this thing is dang near perfect. My initial impression out of the box was that it's a tad heavy, but with the materials and buckles for added safety it's extra weight that is worth it. Another plus is I don't see myself needing any kind of pad with this like I used with the sit drag. Another thing I really like is how nice it fits when not hanging from it. It's literally like an extension of your pants and it will get even better when it's broke in.

My only gripe, and it's a small one, is the loops on the side are a little wide for my current biners. I'm sure I could find some that fit a little better but it's really not worth worrying about!

Weight fully rigged out with tether/lineman rope/spliced bridge and dump pouch

Sitting in the Kestrel I found that I don't use the side adjustment straps at all. All the way lose feels perfect to me. I also found that pushing the seat up from the bottom toward the waist belt (making the seat size narrower) is money. It feels like a more rigid sit drag or just using the top belt of the Evo but a whole lot safer than both

Seat in standard position

Seat bunched up to make it narrower. Perfect for a leaner like me!

I will get more time in it today but my initial impression is very very good!! Can't wait to use this thing this year!!



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Thanks for the review. That pushed me over the edge, just ordered mine!

 

[Seals72]

any idea on current lead time? I called NT but only got the answering machine.

Debbie told me yesterday that they had some factors that were causing delays because of the large volume of orders and they have back orders on some of the hardware. she estimated my order to be shipped around the end of September

 

[trukweaz]

t

Debbie told me yesterday that they had some factors that were causing delays because of the large volume of orders and they have back orders on some of the hardware. she estimated my order to be shipped around the end of September

thanks!

 

[BassBoysLLP]

Got it today. First impression: is it just me or does the size 1 extend bigger than the 38" waist. Size 2 has to be huge. Not that I'm complaining. I can run heavy clothes into the late season with the size one. Great saddle. I think it's a winner

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[Dewey]

Got it today. First impression: is it just me or does the size 1 extend bigger than the 38" waist. Size 2 has to be huge. Not that I'm complaining. I can run heavy clothes into the late season with the size one. Great saddle. I think it's a winner

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Way bigger. I almost bought the Size 2 just in case for cold weather. Glad I didn't.


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[MCDM]

I agree The sizing is much bigger than expected. I wear a 36 pant originally ordered a size two but after a nights sleep called and changed to a size one. Im glad I did I think with the belt out all the way it goes beyond 38. I tried it on over winter gear completely dressed so base layers, followed by pants and lastly incinerator bibs and I still had a little room.

 

[EricS]

I wear a 40 waist in pants. With the kestrel tightened down enough to walk in I have about 10 inches of tag hanging out of each buckle.

 

[DaveH]

I wear a 40 waist in pants. With the kestrel tightened down enough to walk in I have about 10 inches of tag hanging out of each buckle.

Once you have it cinched up tight enough to walk, how much more adjustment is there for further tightening? In other words, are you at the end of adjustment range? I'm a 38-39 waist and have been struggling with the sizing decision. Just changed my order to a size 2 based upon flinginairos' pictures. I'm sure the size 1 would work for me in early season but very concerned about fit with heavy winter clothing. What would you suggest?

 

[Boudreaux]

First impression: is it just me or does the size 1 extend bigger than the 38" waist. Size 2 has to be huge.

It's not that much bigger, it's more about seat size than room at the belt.

Thanks,
Boswell

 

[redsquirrel]

Got it today. First impression: is it just me or does the size 1 extend bigger than the 38" waist. Size 2 has to be huge. Not that I'm complaining. I can run heavy clothes into the late season with the size one. Great saddle. I think it's a winner

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Yea, the strap for the waist does. Agree that I think it is great though. On my evo the strap got a little short when I was bulked up in the winter. Shouldn't be an issue here.

 

[BassBoysLLP]

It's not that much bigger, it's more about seat size than room at the belt.

Thanks,
Boswell

I'm not complaining. I think this resolves a lot of the sizing questions / issues that were present with the Evo. A lot of guys fell on the edge of a size 1 / 2 depending on time of year. Hats off again. This is spectacular

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[BassBoysLLP]

Red beat me to it!

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[EricS]

@DaveH I don't think you will have any problem with a size 2. The Kestrel fit seems about perfect for me. I'm not sure how much smaller you can get but I will look when I get home. I was in no danger of running out of adjustment. It f I were to guess I would say it would fit someone small enough that the loops on the saddle would almost become the bridge. The belt is sewn pretty far back to allow rotation in the saddle without loosening the belt.

 

[George Clark]

It's not that much bigger, it's more about seat size than room at the belt.

Thanks,
Boswell

So theoretically I 34 waist could use a size 2 if a larger seat was desired?