Mantis Tips

[Cajunshooter]

If you wear a strap around your waist how would you think that will carry any weight? Think angles..... however high you place your tether will create force at a specific point or two. Move the straps there to get "under your rear end" as much as possible. Most folks are keeping the top strap too high and this creates all the pressure on one strap and will increase/magnify pressure there and increase hip pinch.

Dave, I owe or at least kind of owe you an apology.

You several times advocated wearing the top strap of the Mantis below your waist at about butt crack height. That really kind of scared the crap out of me to consider doing that, and I apposed that idea. BUT, I sat for 4 hours this past Saturday and did exactly as you suggested. It made a huge difference! I thought I had tried it before but I wasn’t loosening the waist belt. This time I loosened the belt and the leg straps and slid the upper strap down right to my butt crack and man that made a huge difference in comfort but also I never once had to pull the saddle down because it was ridding up.

Thanks for sticking to your story!


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[DaveT1963]

Dave, I owe or at least kind of owe you an apology.

You several times advocated wearing the top strap of the Mantis below your waist at about butt crack height. That really kind of scared the crap out of me to consider doing that, and I apposed that idea. BUT, I sat for 4 hours this past Saturday and did exactly as you suggested. It made a huge difference! I thought I had tried it before but I wasn’t loosening the waist belt. This time I loosened the belt and the leg straps and slid the upper strap down right to my butt crack and man that made a huge difference in comfort but also I never once had to pull the saddle down because it was ridding up.

Thanks for sticking to your story!


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Absolutely no apology needed bud - glad it worked for you. Trust me when I say my way is NOT for everyone.... I just have worked out a few things that seem to work for me in hunting situations. Just yesterday I was in a multi trunked leaner and for the life of me I could not get adjusted perfectly - but I also have a good tolerance for pain so I usually just embrace the suck factor. The reward was it was a run and gun set up I have never been in before and scouted my wayin.... not a lot of sign but some good travel corridors - and the deer did exactly as planned and I had a 10 yard shot - they just didn't have the head gear I was looking for. That's what I love about saddle hunting there is no way a stand hunter was in that tree and no way anyone on a ring of steps shooting right handed could have positioned for the shot. With my platform (Tether'd predator), 3 modified sticks w/ carry as I go aider, and a chin high hook up - it was a done deal had the right buck showed up.

 

[enkriss]

I am going to steal a couple of my wife’s hair ties to try this out. I would definitely prefer a set of ISC buckles for the leg straps. Worth the weight penalty to me.

I was having a problem with the microfit adjusters popping off the g-hook side. I moved it to the loop above the loop it’s suppossed to be attached to. It stopped popping off and gave me more adjustment if needed.

 

[BassBoysLLP]

I am going to steal a couple of my wife’s hair ties to try this out. I would definitely prefer a set of ISC buckles for the leg straps. Worth the weight penalty to me.

I was having a problem with the microfit adjusters popping off the g-hook side. I moved it to the loop above the loop it’s suppossed to be attached to. It stopped popping off and gave me more adjustment if needed.

Its definitely tough to please all. We tried to strike the best overall option. Some guys love the g hooks, some guys want buckles, and some guys cut the leg straps off all together. We will never please everyone. Our only hope is that we please most. The good news is buckle changes are an easy mod for most.

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[enkriss]

Its definitely tough to please all. We tried to strike the best overall option. Some guys love the g hooks, some guys want buckles, and some guys cut the leg straps off all together. We will never please everyone. Our only hope is that we please most. The good news is buckle changes are an easy mod for most.

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Someone has got to show me that mod!..

 

[Boomah21]

For those that continue to get a saddle that rides up and causes pinch.
I know when I started saddle hunting I was a sitter, knees against the tree.
I have since become much more a leaner and I have eliminated both of those issues completely, I know find it much more comfortable.

Just a suggestion but might consider how you’re sitting/leaning
*i have not used a mantis but have hunted out of the leather, neoprene and mesh trophy line, a kestrel and now have a sit in the big buck tree sling...all of them for me are much more pleasant lean vs sitting.

 

[BassBoysLLP]

Someone has got to show me that mod!..

Simple. Buy the buckle and stitch the buckle. I would recommend a high tensile strength thread like nylon t70. Easy peasy. Takes a few minutes.

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[GodsCountry]

To those of you loosening your saddle and wearing it under your butt, do you feel that this voids the safety of the saddle? From my understanding, RC harnesses are meant to be worn above the point of your pelvic bones.

I’ve never worn a saddle in my life, I’m just trying to wrap my head around this before I drop some money on a set up.

 

[Wolfie]

To those of you loosening your saddle and wearing it under your butt, do you feel that this voids the safety of the saddle? From my understanding, RC harnesses are meant to be worn above the point of your pelvic bones.

I’ve never worn a saddle in my life, I’m just trying to wrap my head around this before I drop some money on a set up.

I sat in my mantis for about 2 hrs with it under my but. Feels safe but I moved it up to below my belt line. Sat for 3 hrs after that, more comfortable for ME. I just switched from size 2 kite to large mantis. I think where it sits is an individual thing and through time in the saddle it may change around and back again. This is my first year in the saddle, got about 20 hrs in kite and 6 hrs in mantis. I like using the saddle a lot, wouldn’t go back. Just having so many shot opportunities is awesome. Hope this helps sway you.

 

[DC10]

Nice writeup! I just recieved my mantis yesterday and hung in it for abouta half hour. It was definetly different but I did like it so I will be praticing more this week.
The only issues that I noticed was I got hip pinch and remembered reading on here before that the cause is most likely tether height. I adjusted my tether and that solved the problem. The other issue that I seemed to have is it seemed like I had to keep pulling the saddle back down as it wanted to keep riding up higher and it felt like I was going to slip out of it. I did not figure out a solution to that issue yet. I did tighten the wastebelt and even change the legstrap positions and didn't make any differance. If you could maybe give a tip on that I awesome.
One other thing is I noticed it is a pain in the butt to adjust the tether as it locks down pretty tight. Any tips on being able to move that easier without spending the money on a ropeman?
Thanks in advance!

What helped me with my saddle riding up is that I made sure my saddle’s waist belt was below my pant’s waist belt but not too tight at first. I then took my leg straps and hooked them to the connection that has the strap run perpendicular across my thigh. I tightened them down as tight as was comfortable without cutting circulation off. I then cinched down my waist belt. That helped A LOT and prevented my saddle from riding up. Just make sure before you cinch down your leg straps that they are as far down your thighs as you can get them.

I do all of this after I am set up and tethered into the tree.

 

[redsquirrel]

To those of you loosening your saddle and wearing it under your butt, do you feel that this voids the safety of the saddle? From my understanding, RC harnesses are meant to be worn above the point of your pelvic bones.

I’ve never worn a saddle in my life, I’m just trying to wrap my head around this before I drop some money on a set up.

No. I''m in a static position in the saddle so I'm not going to fall. I just loosen the belt up to slide the saddle under my butt, I don't take the waist belt off.

 

[GodsCountry]

No. I''m in a static position in the saddle so I'm not going to fall. I just loosen the belt up to slide the saddle under my butt, I don't take the waist belt off.

I guess we are all built different, and all have our own concept of risk, but that sounds sketchy to me.

I just assume the worst. Like a hornets nest landing in my lap while in a saddle, and having a complete melt down, or a seizure. I can’t imagine that the folks selling saddles would ever encourage anyone to have it half way down their butt.

I’m not an experienced climber. When I went to buy a RC harness, everything I read said that it should be resting above your belt line.

 

[redsquirrel]

I guess we are all built different, and all have our own concept of risk, but that sounds sketchy to me.

I just assume the worst. Like a hornets nest landing in my lap while in a saddle, and having a complete melt down, or a seizure. I can’t imagine that the folks selling saddles would ever encourage anyone to have it half way down their butt.

I’m not an experienced climber. When I went to buy a RC harness, everything I read said that it should be resting above your belt line.

Yes, but we're not using a rock climbing harness. Rock climbing harnesses are intended to catch you in the event of a fall. A saddle is intended to support your weight at a constant height in a static position. It's not risky. All you do is loosen the belt and slide the saddle down a couple of inches. If a hornets nest landed in my lap I'm going to hook up my lineman's belt and get out of the tree quickly. If I had a seizure I'm just going to slump down in my saddle. Everything on the saddle is still attached, its just a little looser.

 

[pesqimon]

I guess we are all built different, and all have our own concept of risk, but that sounds sketchy to me.

I just assume the worst. Like a hornets nest landing in my lap while in a saddle, and having a complete melt down, or a seizure. I can’t imagine that the folks selling saddles would ever encourage anyone to have it half way down their butt.

I’m not an experienced climber. When I went to buy a RC harness, everything I read said that it should be resting above your belt line.

When you get a saddle, set up about a foot off the ground and try to fall out of it. You will find it is very difficult.

 

[flinginairos]

I feel completely safe with the Mantis slid down under my butt. I keep the belt snug and I have no doubts I could flip upside down and it would hold me.


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[GodsCountry]

Yes, but we're not using a rock climbing harness. Rock climbing harnesses are intended to catch you in the event of a fall. A saddle is intended to support your weight at a constant height in a static position. It's not risky. All you do is loosen the belt and slide the saddle down a couple of inches. If a hornets nest landed in my lap I'm going to hook up my lineman's belt and get out of the tree quickly. If I had a seizure I'm just going to slump down in my saddle. Everything on the saddle is still attached, its just a little looser.

Forgive me, because this is all still theory for me. I haven’t tried one on at my local tree saddle shop

I’m envisioning DIY Sportman’s sit drag video. It appears he is wearing his SD, as you guys are describing wearing the Mantis, but he also has a RC harness on as a back up. which would pose the question; if it’s necessary to sit in the Mantis like a swing, why not just use a SD?

I don’t mean to split hairs here. I’m doing my due diligence, so I might buy once, cry once. I’ve probably spent a $1000 on various tree stands. I’m not looking to do that again.

 

[pesqimon]

Forgive me, because this is all still theory for me. I haven’t tried one on at my local tree saddle shop

I’m envisioning DIY Sportman’s sit drag video. It appears he is wearing his SD, as you guys are describing wearing the Mantis, but he also has a RC harness on as a back up. which would pose the question; if it’s necessary to sit in the Mantis like a swing, why not just use a SD?

I don’t mean to split hairs here. I’m doing my due diligence, so I might buy once, cry once. I’ve probably spent a $1000 on various tree stands. I’m not looking to do that again.

There's plenty of people here that still use a SD, with or without a RCH. Even without the RCH it is very difficult to fall out of a SD. The RCH is mainly there in case a strap on the SD gives out, and not really there to keep you in.

It isn't really necessary to sit in the Mantis in any particular way other than the way that it is comfortable and that changes from butt to butt.

It is nice to know that the Mantis or Kestrel were designed to be used up in a tree versus a SD.

 

[redsquirrel]

Forgive me, because this is all still theory for me. I haven’t tried one on at my local tree saddle shop

I’m envisioning DIY Sportman’s sit drag video. It appears he is wearing his SD, as you guys are describing wearing the Mantis, but he also has a RC harness on as a back up. which would pose the question; if it’s necessary to sit in the Mantis like a swing, why not just use a SD?

I don’t mean to split hairs here. I’m doing my due diligence, so I might buy once, cry once. I’ve probably spent a $1000 on various tree stands. I’m not looking to do that again.

My answer to that would be because I think the sitdrag is one of the most uncomfortable things on earth. But there are plenty of people who are using them. They are not approved to be used off the ground which is why we always recommend they be backed up with a rock climbing harness. The commercial saddles are approved to be used off the ground, they have some more safety features in them and they have a bit more material to cup your butt.

 

[pesqimon]

I think I figured out how to find my sweet spot on the Mantis. Loosen all the straps, take weight off and pull saddle down. Like Dave said, til the top strap is at your poop shoot. Now that wasn’t the right spot for me, but from there I let the saddle slide back up and I pop right into a nice comfy position.

Things still ride back up eventually but mostly due to maneuvering and I don’t feel like I am sliding out of the saddle anymore. So if I need to readjust I do it again.

Thanks for the tips!


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