Big guys! Your opinions needed!

[Davycrocket684]

Long story short I'm looking to get either a JX3 hybrid or the tethrd mantis. Truthfully I am leaning towards the mantis. I really like the idea of nothing being connected to me above the waist for max movement. I am a bit worried about the mantis though when it comes to being comfortable. After hours of looking at reviews and forum posts I understand that a saddle is a lot like a bow in the sense that you have to find the right "settings" for your body. I do hunt private lands and already have heavy climbers and lock ons. I would like a very light set up but will deal with the extra weight with the JX3 to be comfortable.

A little about myself. After a little bit of a scare with high blood sugar a few weeks back I have decided that it's time I take my health and make it my #1 priority. I was 305 then and currently at 283. My goal is to be at 200 to 220 by the end of the year.

What id like to get from you guy's is just a few answers. What saddles have you tried/owned. How comfortable can you guys get? How much do you weigh (I'd like to know were guys stand at varying weight levels). Are you a sitter or a leaner or both? Thanks a lot for reading this far and I look forward to reading all your responses!

 

[2rivers]

So far so good on mine comfort wise 300 lbs... Mantis xl i like to sit but then having knees up by ears is at times annoying. 6'5 i will probably try leaning more for better stretch.

 

[Exhumis]

I'll let you know when I get my XL Mantis in, i'm 6'1" at 215 and have child bearing hips, so figured i'd size up.

 

[GBlevins92]

I’m 6’4 225lbs I hunted out of a large mantis this past year and it was comfortable enough but after setting in an xl it was a little more comfortable, I can’t speak for a jx3 because I’ve never set in one but I had a guidos web before assuming it’s pretty comparable I’ll put it like this imagine the mantis as just a normal chair that’s comfortable enough you could sit in for hours no problems the guidos web was like a recliner you could sleep in for hours no problem lol.... for me I’ll give up some comfort for a smaller package but depending on your hunting style you might choose the other direction both are good options in my opinion.


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[Davycrocket684]

I’m 6’4 225lbs I hunted out of a large mantis this past year and it was comfortable enough but after setting in an xl it was a little more comfortable, I can’t speak for a jx3 because I’ve never set in one but I had a guidos web before assuming it’s pretty comparable I’ll put it like this imagine the mantis as just a normal chair that’s comfortable enough you could sit in for hours no problems the guidos web was like a recliner you could sleep in for hours no problem lol.... for me I’ll give up some comfort for a smaller package but depending on your hunting style you might choose the other direction both are good options in my opinion.


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I actually have owned a guido's web. That thing was super hot in anything above 50 degrees. I hated the whale tail because it would dig into the back of my calves when I climbed. That's why I'm interested in the jx3 not only is it a lot more breathable, the whale tail is smaller and you don't even undo the seat part and put it under you until the climb is over. With all that being said I am still more interested in the mantis right now. Truth be told I think the jx3 would be awesome to gun hunt out of. I'll probably end up buying both saddles eventually.

Anyone else have any other opinions?

Also thanks for the replies so far guys.

 

[Bowhunter777]

Well let's just start off with I have owned both mantis and Aero Hunter Kestrel. I sold the mantis and bought another kestrel. In my opinion it's more comfy and built like a tank! I'm 6'5 285 and I love this thing. Now tethrd in my opinion gots the ropes going for them with being spliced and no knots , do yourself a favor and just get a ropeman1 for your tether and your lineman's rope. I have the Lone Wolf assassin platform and love it and you should be able to pick one up in the classifieds here for a fairly decent price sometimes. But I also have the new generation 2 Predator platform my feelings for it are mixed because it flexes quite a bit and I don't like that but as for sticking to the tree it stays put once you Cam it over but my Lone Wolf is way more sturdy in my opinion and gives you a little bit more room to move around and I like that cuz I have size 13 shoes and I am a leaner most of the time but I do sit sometimes and the ropeman1 makes it easy to transition between the two but good luck on finding your perfect saddle setup and God bless

 

[ImThere]

Depends on what you want? You have to decide on comfortable enough, light weight or super comfortable, not as light.
The JX3 is awesome in the comfort department. I would say it’s the most comfortable saddle/ hybrid ever built. But it comes with a weight penalty. The plus is it can carry weight in/out of the woods.
The Mantis surly would be comfortable enough, light enough, and will function flawlessly. I still believe it will be easier to shoot from than the JX3 although I haven’t done it yet.
So, there are many things to consider good luck with your decision


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[boyne bowhunter]

I started the season last year at 6' 250# in an XL Mantis. Personally, I couldn't have been more comfortable. My average sit time is around 4 hour and I didn't have any trouble staying comfortable. That said, I must state that I incorporate a longer bridge once I get settled into the tree. The stock 30" bridge works great for me for climbing but I notice a little hip pinch from it after a couple of hours. Lengthening the bridge slightly (I just swap out to my adjustable lineman's belt to accomplish this) makes a noticable difference.

 

[parkersdad]

I was deciding between the same scenario and decided to order the JX3 Hybrid. I hunt public land only and wanted to be light and comfortable. This does both for me. I will be using the 1 stick method or the Lone Wolf hand climber top. The hybrid carries easy and will hold most of your hunting stuff eliminating the need for a backpack. In the end I figured since I don't need a special platform or knee pads and a back pack I will only be saving three pounds by going with a traditional saddle vs the hybrid.

 

[matt6506]

I'm 6'2" and about 300# , the aerohunter kestrel is the berries for me. It took me a couple sits to get things dialed in but I don't see myself ever going back to a tree stand.