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If you could change anything about the kestrel what would it be?

Joshua2236

Joshua2236

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2017
Messages
61
Location
louisville,ky
I would want it to be a little bit taller so that it cups your rear end just a little bit better instead of having to use an adjustment strap what would you change?Other than that maybe to have the molle extend to the ends of the saddle? What would you suggest?
 
Lighter buckles. Much prefer the buckles on my alpine bod rc harness. Silnylon or mesh instead of the cordura and ditch some webbing overkill. Kestrel light. And asat camo!
 
Lighter buckles especially on legs straps. Seems like the seat material is double layer. Make it single layer to reduce bulk. Molle loops are too tight and too far back. Need some on the side. Lineman loop strap is too bulky all the way around. Could lose a lot of bulk there. Need an easier waist adjustment system while wearing it. I wear it tight to climb, then loosen it to hunt from. And of course, whole saddle needs to be longer or I needed a size 2 possibly. Never tried one.
 
elk yinzer said:
Lighter buckles. Much prefer the buckles on my alpine bod rc harness. Silnylon or mesh instead of the cordura and ditch some webbing overkill. Kestrel light. And asat camo!
Click to expand...

Exactly. I never understood why rock harnesses are so light and not bulky but to make a saddle it has to be extra heavy duty. A Bod harness with a different waste buckle for easy adjustability while in the tree and a sitdrag sewn to it in a comfortable fashion would be the ultimate saddle.
 
I would move the LB loops forward. Make the Molle loops looser. D loop in middle & back of kestrel for safety and attaching harness. I would include a DVD about the usage and safety of the kestrel.

I would give a few options.

1) Harness
2) upgraded linesman lanyard ie stiffer
3) rigging plate ie Petzl Paw
 
Agree with above....move linemans loops a bit forward and a bit bigger and leaner while maintaining structure.

Also agree with the Color/Camo options and material. It's better than the Evo but still could be better.

Also agree with the leg buckles. Wish they were better. It's unfortunate as I know a lot of thought and testing went into the buckle selection. It is also funny that leg buckles were one of most requested items when Kestrel was being designed. Almost feels unfair to call them out.

Not mentioned, a better optional suspender system.

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Joshua2236 said:
I would want it to be a little bit taller so that it cups your rear end just a little bit better instead of having to use an adjustment strap what would you change?Other than that maybe to have the molle extend to the ends of the saddle? What would you suggest?
Click to expand...
What size are you? If you are a size 1, a size 2 would probably cup you better.
I find the adjustment strap to be the biggest innovation to a saddle that Aero hunter has come up with. It is a game changer for me. The adjustments on the evolution were a big innovation but they were complicated and not easy to adjust. That simple little strap provides so much personalization and it allows me to make fine tweaks to my saddle on every hunt to accommodate for small tether height adjustments and different tree sizes.

As far as changes, I agree with most of the comments above. My main changes would be to have the lineman's loops a little farther forward, fix the molle loops because they're too tight and find a better way to do the leg buckles. I spoke to Boswell about the first 2 at saddlepalooza so hopefully we'll see some changes since it is a popular request.
 
BassBoysLLP said:
Agree with above....move linemans loops a bit forward and a bit bigger and leaner while maintaining structure.

Also agree with the Color/Camo options and material. It's better than the Evo but still could be better.

Also agree with the leg buckles. Wish they were better. It's unfortunate as I know a lot of thought and testing went into the buckle selection. It is also funny that leg buckles were one of most requested items when Kestrel was being designed. Almost feels unfair to call them out.

Not mentioned, a better optional suspender system.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I saw you sold your size 1, I'm assuming you like the 2 better?
 
I’m pleased with my kestrel. I’m also surprised how many people aren’t using the leg straps at all. People did request the leg buckles. The buckle used is a great buckle. Side lock plastic buckles would likely come unbuckled on the walk in. This year I think I’m ditched backpack during the early season and adding a couple bottle holders to the molle webbing. Then wearing a bow hunters vest for the rest of my junk. That will mean adding suspenders to my kestrel but I believe it’s worth it to lose the pack. The linesman loops could be more forward. If that’s all they changed I wouldn’t buy another just to have longer loops. I think if a lot of people had a size 2 they would be happier with the linesman loops. There were some small kids at saddlepalooza climbing in the kestrel and it didn’t look too big for them.
 
@redsquirrel. Yes. It was splitting hairs difference for me. It had a better cup if I sat and the linemans belt loops were positioned slightly better. I debated keeping a size 1 for the early season.

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redsquirrel said:
What size are you? If you are a size 1, a size 2 would probably cup you better.
I find the adjustment strap to be the biggest innovation to a saddle that Aero hunter has come up with. It is a game changer for me. The adjustments on the evolution were a big innovation but they were complicated and not easy to adjust. That simple little strap provides so much personalization and it allows me to make fine tweaks to my saddle on every hunt to accommodate for small tether height adjustments and different tree sizes.

As far as changes, I agree with most of the comments above. My main changes would be to have the lineman's loops a little farther forward, fix the molle loops because they're too tight and find a better way to do the leg buckles. I spoke to Boswell about the first 2 at saddlepalooza so hopefully we'll see some changes since it is a popular request.
Click to expand...
I agree that adjustment strap is awesome. So simple and effective.

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Last edited:
BassBoysLLP said:
@redsquirrel. Yes. It was splitting hairs difference for me. It had a better cup if I sat and the linemans belt loops were positioned slightly better. I debated keeping a size 1 for the early season.

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Click to expand...
Yea I just sold my size one. The 2 is comfortable for me all the time. I think anyone that isn't sure of their size would be better going up. Now that you've tried both would you agree?
 
Please make a MESH version similar to TL Ambush

In FL & other southern states we are hunting in 90+ temps for much of the season

This year it was 90+ during bow season and even 90+ in Feb for my last gun hunt


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redsquirrel said:
Yea I just sold my size one. The 2 is comfortable for me all the time. I think anyone that isn't sure of their size would be better going up. Now that you've tried both would you agree?
Click to expand...
Yes, the weight penalty between the two is negligible

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Red Squirrel is only the size of a squirrel and he's in the same size Kestrel as I am, and I'm the size of a moose.


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BassBoysLLP said:
I agree that adjustment strap is awesome. So simple and effective.
Click to expand...

Yet it took us so long to develop, we had the Kestrel about 90% done since 2014, it wasn’t until we came up with the adjuster strap that we felt we had a product worth releasing.
I LIKE seeing threads like this, it helps us develop/improve. I will say that almost everything that has been listed here has been discussed, designed or tested. So keep letting us know what you are looking for!

Thanks,
Boswell
 
Tapeworm said:
Please make a MESH version similar to TL Ambush

In FL & other southern states we are hunting in 90+ temps for much of the season

This year it was 90+ during bow season and even 90+ in Feb for my last gun hunt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

We start off bow season most of the time in the 80’s and 90’s here in Central Va. I could only imagine what you boys further down south go through.
 
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