The Saddle Shootout

[pilgrimhunter]

I hate selling things as well (in case you didn't notice I have a couple of saddles laying around ahaha). I want Tethrd to make ALL the money cause those guys stepped up and took a huge risk making hunting equipment for a smaller hunting audience. My problem is I am not one to settle if something isn't right. For you, me, @Adrena123 and others , the Mantis (and size one kestrel/kite) just didn't fit right. Some folks who say just slide it down and then claim the mesh isn't the actual seat, the waist band and lower strap is (silly). I'm PRETTY sure Tethrd intended the users to sit in the mesh so whatever I guess.
My sit dragz definitely the most comfy for me but the Kestrel/Kite isn't far off; you can sit or lean and still pack it up into my Eberlestock Mini Me pack. Pictures in the shootout definitely speak to what your saying about the cupping. I should have taken a picture when I tried to make a shot on my weak side using my ameristep platform (i'm a lefty); the Mantis slid up to my lower back putting a lot of pressure on "the boys". My Kite stays put a lot better...without the leg straps.
If you are looking for ultimate comfort over anything else, than yes, get the JX3. My web is ridiculous.... just a little bulky.

Just for the record to those reading this, I'm not a Tethrd hater (look at the hat I'm wearing in the shootout). I hope they come out with a more "U shaped", "heavier" saddle for those that don't care about weight as much. Tethed can't leave the Kestrel unchecked to rule the land of "heavy" saddles! What's the saying? Everyone is different, some men wear swimming shorts, some wear bikini briefs ...or did I just make that up?

I am curious how you wore the leg straps on the Mantis? It appeared from what I could see in the pic they were attached to the waist belt? I had trouble with it riding up and bunching up on me until I moved them down and them up on the side so the strap runs across my leg. I I snugged the strap up it kept my Mantis spread out and in position. Comfort level instantly jumped.. Just curious how you had used yours...

I agree with others that saddle comfort is personal. I struggle with the nobuttatall syndrome and found the Mantis more comfortable than my Kestrel.

Great writeup by the way!

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[swampsnyper]

Good old school saddlehunter.com post right here!!! Thanks for your time. Enjoyed the write up. I’m sure it will help many people.

 

[denots]

Good old school saddlehunter.com post right here!!! Thanks for your time. Enjoyed the write up. I’m sure it will help many people.

I thought you musta got lost in da swamp!

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[Adrena123]

I am curious how you wore the leg straps on the Mantis? It appeared from what I could see in the pic they were attached to the waist belt? I had trouble with it riding up and bunching up on me until I moved them down and them up on the side so the strap runs across my leg. I I snugged the strap up it kept my Mantis spread out and in position. Comfort level instantly jumped.. Just curious how you had used yours...

I agree with others that saddle comfort is personal. I struggle with the nobuttatall syndrome and found the Mantis more comfortable than my Kestrel.

Great writeup by the way!

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To answer your question, yes. We even hooked them in with the micro adjusters. Besides a TMA thing (i guess) Technically leg straps are for nothing more than to keep one from falling if you slid out of your saddle. The thing is though, george and i dont' use leg straps at all. We feel they are unnecessary. We left them on the mantis for resale value. In 12+ years, we never felt like we're going to fall out of the saddle. Meaning the saddle would slide up your back and you would slide out between it and the tree. We have tried it at ground level and can't do it. What happens is the bridge is in your arm pits and the saddle is tight on your back locking you in. At that point you search for footing. Footing being your stick,step or platform. Now if you personally use your leg straps for comfort or to hold your saddle in place, by all means keep doing it. It's whatever works for the individual. Thanks for the compliment too.

 

[Nutterbuster]

To answer your question, yes. We even hooked them in with the micro adjusters. Besides a TMA thing (i guess) Technically leg straps are for nothing more than to keep one from falling if you slid out of your saddle. The thing is though, george and i dont' use leg straps at all. We feel they are unnecessary. We left them on the mantis for resale value. In 12+ years, we never felt like we're going to fall out of the saddle. Meaning the saddle would slide up your back and you would slide out between it and the tree. We have tried it at ground level and can't do it. What happens is the bridge is in your arm pits and the saddle is tight on your back locking you in. At that point you search for footing. Footing being your stick,step or platform. Now if you personally use your leg straps for comfort or to hold your saddle in place, by all means keep doing it. It's whatever works for the individual. Thanks for the compliment too.

This has been my finding as well. It's remarkable how much "squeeze" the saddle puts on you.

I like my kestrel leg straps, which I've cut the buckles off of and permanently stitched in place. I dont see myself removing them, because they weigh nothing, dont cause discomfort, and provide a little insurance. But my new Anderson not having leg straps doesn't bother me either.

 

[DaveT1963]

well color me silly @George Clark

 

[George Clark]

well color me silly @George Clark

HA! Indeed. I wish I had your iron ass, Dave. I'd be a lot less particular.

 

[swampsnyper]

I thought you musta got lost in da swamp!

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Well, honestly, I hadn’t seen many threads I cared to open lately. Plus I don’t have much time right now. But soon I’ll be free and bust this party up!!!

 

[Dewey]

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear. I’m going to order a Size 2 Kite to replace my Size 1 Kestrel. Been thinking about it anyway and this review really helped me out.

 

[Adrena123]

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear. I’m going to order a Size 2 Kite to replace my Size 1 Kestrel. Been thinking about it anyway and this review really helped me out.

Thanks man, George and I really appreciate that.

 

[Bigterp]

Jx3 inbound, I’ll try to get w/you guys soon........btw thanks for the shootout. I missed it earlier & had to catch up.

 

[Adrena123]

Jx3 inbound, I’ll try to get w/you guys soon........btw thanks for the shootout. I missed it earlier & had to catch up.

Thanks man...Aww shoot, George wants to see that Jx3. Sounds good, we're not far from you if I recall. Definitely hook it up.

 

[GodsCountry]

Thanks for writing this up.

I’m saving my pennies to purchase my first saddle. Can anyone help me wrap my head around why a larger size saddle might be more comfortable? 30” waist here. I just always assumed a size 1 was the obvious choice...

 

[Nutterbuster]

Thanks for writing this up.

I’m saving my pennies to purchase my first saddle. Can anyone help me wrap my head around why a larger size saddle might be more comfortable? 30” waist here. I just always assumed a size 1 was the obvious choice...

I think for most, a larger size just distributes weight better. Spreads out the pressure, especially around the hip area.

Also, and I don't wanna cause no ruckus, I think that some folks overestimate their climbing step and underestimate their belt length. Might have something to do with why you see more guys moving g from a 1 to a 2 than the other way around.

 

[GodsCountry]

I think for most, a larger size just distributes weight better. Spreads out the pressure, especially around the hip area.

Also, and I don't wanna cause no ruckus, I think that some folks overestimate their climbing step and underestimate their belt length. Might have something to do with why you see more guys moving g from a 1 to a 2 than the other way around.

Copy that. I’m probably 32” layered up with base layers after a Thanksgiving meal. That’s pretty well centered in the 26”-36” size 1 in Aero Hunter. But hey, if the consensus is bigger is more comfortable, I’m not counting ounces here.

 

[ricky racer]

Thanks for writing this up.

I’m saving my pennies to purchase my first saddle. Can anyone help me wrap my head around why a larger size saddle might be more comfortable? 30” waist here. I just always assumed a size 1 was the obvious choice...

Can't help you, I haven't had a 30" waist since 3rd grade...

 

[Olegrad]

This is what I’ve been waiting for! For someone who is just dipping their toes into saddle hunting, I go back and forth everyday on which product to buy. This definitely helps, thank you!

 

[GodsCountry]

Can't help you, I haven't had a 30" waist since 3rd grade...

You’re not miising out. It can be a curse. Wind blows to hard and I’m gone.

 

[Chrighton]

You’re not miising out. It can be a curse. Wind blows to hard and I’m gone.

@GodsCountry Not once tethered in brother!

 

[sureshotscott]

...Besides a TMA thing (i guess) Technically leg straps are for nothing more than to keep one from falling if you slid out of your saddle. The thing is though, george and i dont' use leg straps at all. We feel they are unnecessary. We left them on the mantis for resale value. In 12+ years, we never felt like we're going to fall out of the saddle. Meaning the saddle would slide up your back and you would slide out between it and the tree. We have tried it at ground level and can't do it. What happens is the bridge is in your arm pits and the saddle is tight on your back locking you in. At that point you search for footing. Footing being your stick,step or platform. Now if you personally use your leg straps for comfort or to hold your saddle in place, by all means keep doing it. It's whatever works for the individual. Thanks for the compliment too.

Just to provide some different perspective, some of us are using the saddle as (the top half of) a climbing system. We use something like the Lone Wolf Hand Climber top as the bottom portion of the climbing system. When we have to rely 100% on the saddle to support us at height (so we can adjust the hand climber), the leg straps on the saddle are pretty darn useful.