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Saddle Comfort

Nutterbuster

Nutterbuster

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Oct 12, 2017
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Where the skys are so blue!
I know we've all seen a lot of new hunters struggle with getting comfortable in their new gear. Saddles aren't "plug-n-play" like traditional stands where all you have to do is sit down and lean back. Bridge length, tether length, hookup height, and several other variables all come in to play, and a change in one variable usually necessitates a tweak in the others.

After hunting for 3 seasons in a saddle and picking the brains of some good people (special shootout to @redsquirrel, @John Eberhart, @Vtbow, and @kyler1945) I've found what works for me. Hopefully this will help some of the "newbies" out:

  • Tether height - I prefer a chin high hookup.
  • Tether length - I adjust the length of my tether until I am sitting with my thighs at a 45 to the tree. Kind of a cross between a "sitter" and a "leaner" position.
  • Bridge length - 24" roughly. Shorter than most.
This let's me split my weight "50/50/50" between my feet, knees (with kneepads), and butt. I can sit all day and never need to adjust my tether. I can also move smoothly around the tree with controlled movements, and easily shoot 360 on a ring of steps.

I put this video together, since it's easier to show than tell. Hope it helps some folks.

 
Another nice nutterbustin video. Being a large guy I will add that a back band will help split that weight up some more. It takes some playing with but it works for more than just back support.
 
Good video. Like you, I also prefer a 24" bridge with my tether about as low as I can get it. One of the main reasons I cut off the stock bridge from my Mantis is because the long bridge wouldn't allow me to get my tether as low as I needed it to be even after switching from a prusik to a ropeman 1. The bridge configuration is the single most important factor when it comes to saddle comfort.
 
Bridge length is going to be a very personal thing also. It’s an important one to experiment with. If your saddle loops extend 3 inches farther than mine on each side it would take six more inches of bridge for me to get the same angle and equal squeeze on the hips. In that situation I could hook up at the same height as you with the same clearances.
 
EricS said:
Bridge length is going to be a very personal thing also. It’s an important one to experiment with. If your saddle loops extend 3 inches farther than mine on each side it would take six more inches of bridge for me to get the same angle and equal squeeze on the hips. In that situation I could hook up at the same height as you with the same clearances.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Waist size matters too. For a big enough guy a 24" bridge would act more like a belt!
 
Another awesome video @Nutterbuster. Being a larger guy I do like a longer bridge but I too tie in as low as my bridge length will let me. That is solid advice. Keep up the good work!
 
Excellent video! I think I started about 32” on my bridge and shortened it several times. I’m at 26” and I’m happy and comfortable. Absolutely the truth that one size does not fit all. It takes practice and multiple sits and adjustments to find “The Spot”
 
Excellent info as always. I’m still tinkering with my setup, and I agree with a lot of you’re saying here. I still don’t have things all the way dialed in, but I’m definitely moving toward a lower hookup and shortening my bridge. The kestrel stock bridge is way too long IMO but it does help getting newbies from that initial starting point to where we feel the best over all comfort.
 
Nutterbuster said:
Do back bands really take that much pressure off? I may need to try one out.
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I think that again depends on individual. I started last season with a back band and by mid season I stopped using it. I didn’t miss it at all, but I’m primarily a leaner not a sitter. I think that plays a big role for back band use
 
fbwguy said:
I think that again depends on individual. I started last season with a back band and by mid season I stopped using it. I didn’t miss it at all, but I’m primarily a leaner not a sitter. I think that plays a big role for back band use
Click to expand...
Gotcha. I used to have lower back issues when I sat like I would on a chair. Now I sit like you would if you were on the "edge of your seat." Keepijg your lower back naturally curved in towards your belly button vs letting it slouch the other way makes for much less pressure.

Basically, I sit in a way that encourages better posture. Maybe that's why In aven't been driven to a back band yet.
 
They did not have back bands when I used a saddle. For about four hours I was good. After that my back started hurting. I’m not so sure at this point I want to go back to a saddle, however I do like my JX3 hybrid. I like the fork that takes the pressure off of my legs plus the back support. Everyone is different but I’m willing to carry a few more pounds for total comfort.


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No, back bands do not take that much pressure off (50%) I was staying with your formula of 50%-50%-50% for illustrating a fourth point of pressure relief though.

I estimate only 5 per cent is relieved by a back band. But that amount applied to the perfect spot is a very comfortable thing.

I'm 54 and the little things like this have become vital to my comfort. I probably wouldn't have noticed/cared when in my 20's or 30's.

Good video. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
 
And I am a sitter. I will try the 45degree style and see if it works for me.
 
don said:
No, back bands do not take that much pressure off (50%) I was staying with your formula of 50%-50%-50% for illustrating a fourth point of pressure relief though.

I estimate only 5 per cent is relieved by a back band. But that amount applied to the perfect spot is a very comfortable thing.

I'm 54 and the little things like this have become vital to my comfort. I probably wouldn't have noticed/cared when in my 20's or 30's.

Good video. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. I guess to be accurate, my formula would be:

Butt - 50%
Knees - 25%
Feet - 25%

But the idea is just spread pressure as much as you can. That's going to make a more comfortable sit. Think about standing vs laying down. One isolates pressure to just your feet, and the other spreads it from your head to your toes.

And to be fair, at 25 I do probably have a better tolerance for discomfort than some. I also sit in a chair without a backrest for 40 hours a week at work, and plank for exercise daily. My parents both have back problems (Momma's had surgery) so I try to stay conscious about it.
 
I did one archery season in my Kite without a backband and had zero comfort issues. Started sitting and tranitioned to leaning. Same either way.

Bought and used a backband for rifle just to try. For me it didn't add anything to the comfort equation and it annoyed me constantly. I don't like the feeling of it up around my ribs (feels restrictive) and I don't like the attachment hardware where my rifle goes making noise.

If I sit, I generally lean forward into the ropes. If I lean I don't seem to require any back support. My upper body is pretty vertical when leaning and I never had back issues (despite having other lifetime back issues).

As many have mentioned it comes down to personal attributes and preferences.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
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