Molle Saddle

[redsquirrel]

Yes I got out 1 other time(been sicker than a dog) and it worked well. I did have one mishap that was pretty scary. I use the molle waist buckle just to hold the thing in place while I walk or climb. Well I was on my second stick and took some weight off the linemans and the saddle just fell to my knees. I couldnt lift it back up since the lineman had also fell. I had to climb up and out of the saddle, climb back down and bring it with me. Somehow the waist belt unsnapped, yet I had walked a good 300yds with it on. I need to upgrade that with some sort of reliable buckle. I also found that my 24" bridge just hanging there was catching on my sticks/steps while climbing, so I need to remove it and pack it till at hunting height. I also upgraded to a 36" per Daves recommendation and like it more. I plan to hunt out of it all next week. I also bought knee pads from Lowes per recommendations from this site and they work great.

I see your Anderson sling pic, seems the downfall of that is the saddle connection is too close to your waist. That seems like it could cause pinch?

First off, glad you are ok and hope you are feeling better! They are pricy but if you are looking for a good lightweight buckle I am using a cobra buckle for my waist on my anderson sling and I think it is great. http://milspecmonkey.com/store/hardware ... uckle.html If you went that route you would probably want to get the dual adjust version.

The bridge hanging is a PITA. On my aero hunter I can pull it through and tie it off to keep it out of the way. On the tree saddle you would fold the bridge up and they had a piece of elastic that would keep it bundled . Maybe something like that would work for you?

That was the trial run on that sling. I've almost got it to wear I want it but I'm still working a couple things out, I'll post it up when I finish it. Once I got it to a comfortable spot on my butt I was very comfortable and didn't have any problems with pinch. That was only the first sit though so I'll have to see.

Good luck next week!

Do you have an adjustable buckle? I really need one that is easily adjustable while wearing it. I like to tighten it on the fly, then loosen it when Im settled in. The Molle buckles have a tension release that you can press to loosen them. I see the model I would need(single adjustable/fixed) is $25, but thats cheap if it works well and my saddle doesnt fall off again. :lol:

Yes I have the one that is adjustable on both sides, so I pull both of the tag ends to snug it up nice and tight. I'm pretty sure that is the same way the molle belt works.

 

[kenn1320]

First off, glad you are ok and hope you are feeling better! They are pricy but if you are looking for a good lightweight buckle I am using a cobra buckle for my waist on my anderson sling and I think it is great. http://milspecmonkey.com/store/hardware ... uckle.html If you went that route you would probably want to get the dual adjust version.

The bridge hanging is a PITA. On my aero hunter I can pull it through and tie it off to keep it out of the way. On the tree saddle you would fold the bridge up and they had a piece of elastic that would keep it bundled . Maybe something like that would work for you?

That was the trial run on that sling. I've almost got it to wear I want it but I'm still working a couple things out, I'll post it up when I finish it. Once I got it to a comfortable spot on my butt I was very comfortable and didn't have any problems with pinch. That was only the first sit though so I'll have to see.

Good luck next week!

Do you have an adjustable buckle? I really need one that is easily adjustable while wearing it. I like to tighten it on the fly, then loosen it when Im settled in. The Molle buckles have a tension release that you can press to loosen them. I see the model I would need(single adjustable/fixed) is $25, but thats cheap if it works well and my saddle doesnt fall off again. :lol:

Yes I have the one that is adjustable on both sides, so I pull both of the tag ends to snug it up nice and tight. I'm pretty sure that is the same way the molle belt works.

Yes, thats how the Molle works. How do you loosen the milspecmonkey? Do you have to unbuckle it to loosen it?

 

[redsquirrel]

Yes, thats how the Molle works. How do you loosen the milspecmonkey? Do you have to unbuckle it to loosen it?

No you don't have to unbuckle it. You just pull up on the end and it loosens the slide bar to the allow the webbing to pull through. Maybe this video is a good visual? (but that one is only adjustable on 1 side)
[youtube]7rwKmSWa7kc[/youtube]

 

[redsquirrel]

Here is a photo of my cobra buckle setup Ken. Sorry it came out sideways.

 

[kenn1320]

I went to lowes and picked up some suspenders. I cut the rear clips off and sewed the suspenders on with the speedy stitch. I primed the front clips so I could still have adjustability. I really like the suspenders for walking and climbing. I hunted with them on and off. Since Im looking to go even lighter on a saddle, ill hold off on the cobra buckles for now.

 

[redsquirrel]

I went to lowes and picked up some suspenders. I cut the rear clips off and sewed the suspenders on with the speedy stitch. I primed the front clips so I could still have adjustability. I really like the suspenders for walking and climbing. I hunted with them on and off. Since Im looking to go even lighter on a saddle, ill hold off on the cobra buckles for now.

Suspenders work too. I was just throwing ideas out there . The cobra buckles are very light because they are aluminum.

 

[kenn1320]

I went to lowes and picked up some suspenders. I cut the rear clips off and sewed the suspenders on with the speedy stitch. I primed the front clips so I could still have adjustability. I really like the suspenders for walking and climbing. I hunted with them on and off. Since Im looking to go even lighter on a saddle, ill hold off on the cobra buckles for now.

Suspenders work too. I was just throwing ideas out there . The cobra buckles are very light because they are aluminum.

Thanks I appreciate the heads up on the cobra buckles, just needed a solution ASAP. Ill probably use the cobra on my light weight saddle, which will be an after season test.

 

[redsquirrel]

I went to lowes and picked up some suspenders. I cut the rear clips off and sewed the suspenders on with the speedy stitch. I primed the front clips so I could still have adjustability. I really like the suspenders for walking and climbing. I hunted with them on and off. Since Im looking to go even lighter on a saddle, ill hold off on the cobra buckles for now.

Suspenders work too. I was just throwing ideas out there . The cobra buckles are very light because they are aluminum.

Thanks I appreciate the heads up on the cobra buckles, just needed a solution ASAP. Ill probably use the cobra on my light weight saddle, which will be an after season test.

No problem

 

[Waymore]

It looks like it might be somewhat more comfy than a Anderson sling. Certainly lets us know the comfort when sitting. My guess is that as you put weight when sitting most of the weight will be felt by the 2 black straps going across your hips causing pinch.

 

[kenn1320]

It looks like it might be somewhat more comfy than a Anderson sling. Certainly lets us know the comfort when sitting. My guess is that as you put weight when sitting most of the weight will be felt by the 2 black straps going across your hips causing pinch.

Did an all day hunt and it wasnt bad. Actually the bottom gray strap is always tight as well as the black strap next to it. This saddle isn't a swing style or a chair style. I believe the key to eliminating pinch is leaning into the saddle and not hanging from it like sitting on a swing. That's the concept behind this "cup" shaped saddle. It cups my butt and I lean into it like you might lean against a pool table or counter. My next sling is a soft sling that will look like a swing seat, but again i will lean into it, not hang from it. A low tree hook up is needed, so you don't feel like your going to fall through it. No doubt it will not be as comfy as this molle saddle, but its intended for 3-4 hour morning/evening hunts and light weight, easy packing.

 

[IkemanTX]

Would you do anything differently if you were to make this again from scratch? I am going to be putting one together over the next several weeks and liked this design the most so far.Thanks for the good write up and pics!

 

[kenn1320]

Would you do anything differently if you were to make this again from scratch? I am going to be putting one together over the next several weeks and liked this design the most so far.Thanks for the good write up and pics!

I have since upgraded the waist belt buckle to the plastic cobra version. Using the factory supplied molle buckles is not safe in my opinion. Twice I had the buckle open while climbing and the first time the saddle fell to my knees and I couldnt lift it on account of the lineman belt fell further and grabbed. Before the buckle opened unintentionally the second time, I had already sewn in shoulder straps. I didnt realize the buckle had opened until I was at hunting height, so the suspenders worked as intended. The downside of this saddle in my mind is bulk/size. It doesnt pack down like the minimalist saddle Im working on now. The material of it and the pouches tends to be starchy or stiff, which can make noise if brushed against by objects. I didnt experience any noise while hunting, other than putting my rope in the pouch. I like the silent style pouches on the ambush saddle better. To finalize this design, I would like to sew the end loops, eliminating the tri slide buckles. With 3 loops coming together like that, they tend to bunch a bit. Not a big deal, but sewing it all up would be cleaner. Oh and dont cut the plastic support panel/straps off the belt, it helps spread out the load.

 

[IkemanTX]

With the suspenders, is the front buckle still needed? Does it serve a purpose at hunting height, or is it primarily to keep the saddle from falling while walking/climbing? I will probably be getting one just in case, but thought that may be something I could convert to later if need be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kenn1320]

With the suspenders, is the front buckle still needed? Does it serve a purpose at hunting height, or is it primarily to keep the saddle from falling while walking/climbing? I will probably be getting one just in case, but thought that may be something I could convert to later if need be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, one or the other is fine. If you want the saddle to stay in a certain position on your lap, you will want a belt. The molle only opens when you accidently push the center of it, which happens when climbing. The plastic cobra buckles are very nice and super cheap for what they are.

 

[g2outdoors]

Kenn your comment about the belt buckle is concerning. On my SitDrag the webbing belt is pretty important while ascending the tree.

What were the buckles like that failed?

 

[g2outdoors]

With the suspenders, is the front buckle still needed? Does it serve a purpose at hunting height, or is it primarily to keep the saddle from falling while walking/climbing? I will probably be getting one just in case, but thought that may be something I could convert to later if need be.

I have a Trophyline TreeSaddle with the suspenders. I always take them off and let them hang once I'm tied into my tether. They are essential for walking/climbing/descending, but I find them restrictive for the actual hunt.

 

[kenn1320]

Kenn your comment about the belt buckle is concerning. On my SitDrag the webbing belt is pretty important while ascending the tree.

What were the buckles like that failed?

The buckles dont fail, they just open easy with pressure from a single source. Look at this picture, you press in the center and the buckle opens(single source of pressure).

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xc4AAOxy3yNThVvb/s-l300.jpg

This cobra buckle is what I replaced it with. Note you need 2 sources of pressure(finger and thumb) to open this, both on opposing sides of the buckle. No way this will accidentally open. They also have a 500lb rating.

http://milspecmonkey.com/store/440-thickbox_atch/itw-gt-cobra-buckle.jpg

 

[redsquirrel]

With the suspenders, is the front buckle still needed? Does it serve a purpose at hunting height, or is it primarily to keep the saddle from falling while walking/climbing? I will probably be getting one just in case, but thought that may be something I could convert to later if need be.

I have a Trophyline TreeSaddle with the suspenders. I always take them off and let them hang once I'm tied into my tether. They are essential for walking/climbing/descending, but I find them restrictive for the actual hunt.

You are just using quick release buckles though right? Like Kenn said, his buckle opened because of the front button on the molle design that can get pushed when you lean into it. With quick release buckles you should be fine for just holding it in place, although if you put too much pressure on them they will break or pop. I'm a big fan of cobra buckles and the plastic ones kenn found should be great for a waist belt.

 

[g2outdoors]

I didn't realize Kenn was using those buckles. They are popular on some military gear and do, in fact, suck.

I'm using a standard heavy duty squeeze buckle and I'm not worried about it coming undone accidentally.

 

[kenn1320]

I didn't realize Kenn was using those buckles. They are popular on some military gear and do, in fact, suck.

I'm using a standard heavy duty squeeze buckle and I'm not worried about it coming undone accidentally.

Wish you would have told me they suck prior to my "pucker factor moment". :lol: Seriously though, check out those plastic cobra buckles. Ive had plastic buckles on items in the past, these are 100x better in my opinion and the price is right. They make several configurations, the picture I posted was non adjustable(you would have to sew them in via loops or use tri glides). I bought the adjustable ones, which have a spring loaded slide bar you fish the strap through.