Mantis XL help

[Jimmyfunk60]

So I’ve had a mantis Xl since January and have been practicing.. I’ve shot out of it and it seems ok but had a lot of pinch. Used the micro adjusters and they seemed to help. I read some other posts and saw that a longer tether was recommended. This definitely helped.. In the mean time I bought a sit drag off the classifieds just to try and to my surprise it feels way more comfortable.. I don’t have a lot of seat time in it as I just got it today.. However if I had to go hunting tomorrow I’d prolly take the sitdrag over the mantis.

So I guess I’m looking for any other information or tricks to try before I sell the mantis?

I’m 6’2” 260 pounds. When I bought it in January I was 305 and I have been continuously loosing weight.. I have a large frame and in the mantis it feels like all my weight is being transferred to the straps and not on the mesh. Which then is causing slight discomfort.

I had my wife who is tall with a very slim frame sit in both and for her that mantis was more comfortable but it was cupped nicely around her where it’s not on my big rear..

I’m thinking my frame may be too big for the design unless I’m not doing something right.


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[enkriss]

Try a longer bridge. Use your lineman’s belt as an adjustable bridge. See if you feel less pinch with a longer bridge.

 

[Jimmyfunk60]

Sorry meant to say bridge up above. I did try this it helped but still not as comfortable


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[enkriss]

Sorry meant to say bridge up above. I did try this it helped but still not as comfortable


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I don’t know my Kestrel was more comfortable to me than my Mantis.

 

[Murph4028]

The mantis was an acquired taste for me when I got it. I was not comfortable in it at all. I considered selling it and getting a kestrel. But after a while I guess I started to get used to it because now I can sit in it all day especially with the back strap. I have the micro fit adjusters and I rarely tighten them. They seem to make things worse for me in most situations. I'm so used to my mantis now I wouldn't get rid of it.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I am about your size. I wear mine very low and use a longer bridge. Low enough that the waist belt is just above the pockets on my pants. The stock 30in. bridge is just too short for me and gives me some hip pinch after a little sitting time. That said, everyone is different and what works for me may not be comfortable for you.

 

[putt4doe]

So I’ve had a mantis Xl since January and have been practicing.. I’ve shot out of it and it seems ok but had a lot of pinch. Used the micro adjusters and they seemed to help. I read some other posts and saw that a longer tether was recommended. This definitely helped.. In the mean time I bought a sit drag off the classifieds just to try and to my surprise it feels way more comfortable.. I don’t have a lot of seat time in it as I just got it today.. However if I had to go hunting tomorrow I’d prolly take the sitdrag over the mantis.

So I guess I’m looking for any other information or tricks to try before I sell the mantis?

I’m 6’2” 260 pounds. When I bought it in January I was 305 and I have been continuously loosing weight.. I have a large frame and in the mantis it feels like all my weight is being transferred to the straps and not on the mesh. Which then is causing slight discomfort.

I had my wife who is tall with a very slim frame sit in both and for her that mantis was more comfortable but it was cupped nicely around her where it’s not on my big rear..

I’m thinking my frame may be too big for the design unless I’m not doing something right.


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Have you tried changing your tether height and also attachment point?

It’s pretty common for you to put both too high when you’re first starting out, because of a lack of trust in the saddle. My tree tether is about eyebrow level when I’m standing fully on my platform, and my rope is pretty slacked. My mantis isn’t changed and I’m about your size, and it’s more comfortable than my lazyboy in my basement.


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[Shawn warren]

I’ve found pulling the mantis down lower before sitting into helps me The top of saddle is below my my waist by a bit

 

[GBlevins92]

I know others mentioned longer bridge but I actually prefer a shorter bridge I’m 6’4” 225lbs and used a large mantis all season I like a 24” bridge.


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[Homebrew454]

Have you tried changing your tether height and also attachment point?

It’s pretty common for you to put both too high when you’re first starting out, because of a lack of trust in the saddle. My tree tether is about eyebrow level when I’m standing fully on my platform, and my rope is pretty slacked. My mantis isn’t changed and I’m about your size, and it’s more comfortable than my lazyboy in my basement.


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I also played with my tether height and it helped a lot. I also found that different tree diameters affected my tether height and my comfort as well.

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[EricS]

I would recommend you start at ground level and start making adjustments. Hunting on a platform I got my best comfort with the tether set about chin level. Hunting from a ring of steps I want my tether between my eyes and the top of my head. I can use the factory bridge from the platform with no problem but on a ring of steps I wanted longer. I usually just used my linesman’s as a bridge if I knew I was going to be there more than a couple hours. Some people liked to kind of bunch it up under them and then basically you are just being supported by the straps. I prefer to keep it stretched out. It can be a pain to keep stretched out at times because physics dictates that the straps will want to pull toward each other. Basically all the new saddles are designed that way. Some do a better job staying apart depending on how you use them, how they fit you, and the materials used in between. I would recommend setting up a platform and using your linesman’s belt as a bridge play with bridge length and tether height and see how comfortable you can get it. I will say the most comfortable when you first sit isn’t always the most comfortable in three hours. The sit drag probably felt more comfortable because of the long bridge. It comes with a 40” bridge. As you hunt from a saddle and get in saddle shape you can shorten your bridge more and more.

 

[Jimmyfunk60]

Thanks fellas for the comments. I tried most of the common suggestions the other day practicing.. I just couldn’t get it as comfortable as my sit drag. So I’m true saddle hunter fashion I sold the mantis to let someone else try it. I’m going to diy a couple designs of my own based on my sit drag. I appreciate the help.


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[MaxJac]

So I’ve had a mantis Xl since January and have been practicing.. I’ve shot out of it and it seems ok but had a lot of pinch. Used the micro adjusters and they seemed to help. I read some other posts and saw that a longer tether was recommended. This definitely helped.. In the mean time I bought a sit drag off the classifieds just to try and to my surprise it feels way more comfortable.. I don’t have a lot of seat time in it as I just got it today.. However if I had to go hunting tomorrow I’d prolly take the sitdrag over the mantis.

So I guess I’m looking for any other information or tricks to try before I sell the mantis?

I’m 6’2” 260 pounds. When I bought it in January I was 305 and I have been continuously loosing weight.. I have a large frame and in the mantis it feels like all my weight is being transferred to the straps and not on the mesh. Which then is causing slight discomfort.

I had my wife who is tall with a very slim frame sit in both and for her that mantis was more comfortable but it was cupped nicely around her where it’s not on my big rear..

I’m thinking my frame may be too big for the design unless I’m not doing something right.


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I had a Mantis early last seaon, was one of the first to get a XL Mantis after a long wait. All you say above about the Mantis applied to me as well. I'm about the same size as you and just could not get comfortable in it. I even asked my wife with a very petite frame to sit in it and even she could not get comfortable. Bridge length and teather hight might have played a role, but I just could not get comfortable. So, I ordered a sit drag because I felt I want to have the sitting point lower under my buttocks. When I got it, I liked that I could move it around and push it lower. Still was not comfortable. Watching kids sitting on a swing for hours made me order an "adult, commercial grade swing set seat" It's made from this strong black rubber, with two metal eyes to attach my bridge. Long story short, now that is comfy... It's a bit bulky to handle, but I can stuff it in my back pack. As a safety system, I use a HSS harness, using the loops for the lineman's belt while climbing and as a backup teather, attached to the teather with a second ropeman or prussik knot.

As many said before me, it's all about personal preference. So be open minded and find what works for you. I sent my Mantis back within three days of receiving it and am not missing it at all. I spent all season in my own saddle system and was happy as a clam, more, so comfortable, I fell asleep many times after using a web belt as a back rest.

As for my climbing system, I used WE steps which worked well, using two at the top as my plattform. Yesterday, I received my Lone Wolf Hand Climber and played around a bit in the yard. So far, I like it a lot. Mostly, because I'm teatherd in all the time and can skip the lineman's belt. I'll explore more today in the woods. Since we mostly have pine trees here in the Sandhills, there is no shortage of usable trees.

Y'all have fun and stay safe!