I have used just about every saddle out there at some point. All of them have pros and cons.
I used the kestrel for most of this season. It is great tool if you want to combine a hunting tool (saddle) with a fall restraint device. I don't.
I personally am going back to a minimalist saddle of my own design (taken from studying John E's saddle) that has a sole purpose: to be an efficient hunting tool that allows me to get the most shots off with as little movement and noise as possible. I add a very lightweight (under 1 pound) rock harness as a fall restraint device. My saddle allows me to rotate it in and to adjust it so I can make just about any shot I encounter. It does not have a lot of comfort features - it is a hunting tool. But I can and do lean/sit all day with no problem.
My approach is not for everyone that's for sure. But my entire saddle, rock harness, lineman's belt and tether fit into a small pouch on the side of my pack. My platform fits inside my pack and my three sticks are now latched to my pack. My total set up for sticks, foot aider, saddle, rock harness, platform and tether is right at 13 pounds.... but more importantly, it allows me 360 shooting with far less movement, and far more balance/gravity control without using my hands, than a ring of steps. I can add the top of my third stick for really big trees to allow for shooting for directly behind it (which I never had to do this entire season).
My climbing system easily allows me to reach 20 foot which I seldom go past) but I can alter and use a one stick climbing if I want to get additional height - I seldom need to.
Not knocking anyone else's preferences, but when someone declares this is the best way I usually laugh a little and move on. There is no one single best way. Use the tool that meets your purpose, meets your safety requirements, and is an asset to the way you hunt. For me, I want a simple system, that can be carried in a pack, cuts down on noise and movement, is safe, and allows me to get off unplanned shots (I still have not trained deer to walk where I think they should - especially old bucks). I want it to be universal in that I can use it in any tree I encounter while I hunt/scout. I am always seeking for new and improved methods and tools but they have to meet my requirements listed above or it doesn't make it past the trail and error.
As far as comfort - I think it takes some hours in a saddle to build up your core muscles. I use mine throughout the year (scouting, setting up cameras, prepping trees, and shooting).... I also practice my climbing a lot during the off season so I can do it in the dark or with just a very faint red glow type head lamp. When hunting I slow way down, take my time and try my best to climb trees totally undetected. Since I hunt a lot of doe bedding areas in Nov I cannot tell you how many does I have had bedded within 50 yards of me as I climb a tree. In fact I have had numerous deer walk by my tree while I was climbing it. Once I leave the ground the only thing I have on a haul line is my bow.
I have eliminated individual foot aiders on sticks as I had two different bucks get nervous and alter their course last year when they saw them fluttering in the wind. I now use one and it goes up with me and then in the pack. I spend an enormous amount of time working out my approach to stand. I carry pruners with me and a saw so that when and if I find hot sign I pick the right tree and I get in it.
So I encourage everyone try some things. Don't become closed minded. take everything stated on the forums as a starting point and with a grain of salt. Write a list of the attributes you want in your saddle system and then use some problem solving to pick out what will work best for you. Some might need more comfort - so use a back band, wood seat, etc.... whatever it takes. Trust me when I say that no one has the right solution - they have the right solution for them.
So if you back is hurting after a hunt - trouble shoot why. if your feet get sore - trouble shoot why, if you get busted moving - trouble shoot why.... That is how you will perfect "your system" for you... lots of options and info these days.
Shoot straight.
