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The Saddle Shootout

What a great review. I completely disagree but a great review nonetheless.
If the only saddle available was the Kestrel I would go back to my summit and use the saddle on occasion instead of primary. I have been hunting out on my Kestrel all year and struggle to be comfortable, my sitdrag is more comfortable and its completely stock minus the amsteel bridge. My next purchase will be the Mantis large I truly hope its not as "deep" cupping in the rear end area. I have a band of pressure along my waist and under my legs that I cannot seem to rid myself of. I will add that the more i sit in it the more "used" to it I get. but who wants to get used to it? I prefer to be comfortable from the beginning. I'm going to put some padding in the seat and see if my butt can take some of the pressure off my legs and back.
 
George Clark said:
1st place: The Kite/Kestrel Size 2

Mods – Plastic cobra buckle, leg loops removed

Why remove the second row of molle? Nice review fellas, and I'd love to see a few close up pics of your mods if you could share them (on the Kestrel; particularly the modified bridge and the waist buckle). Many thanks.
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EricS said:
Nice write up. Saddle preferences are a very personal thing. I know there are some that prefer the sit drag over the kestrel. I haven’t tried the kite yet. I think if you got 20 people together and tested them without talking about it the preferences will vary greatly. I’m just glad we have options. I’m pretty sure @huck72412 will throw up a little when he reads you cut the pouch off your leather saddle.
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I hope this cat shows up at Saddlepalooza. It’s gonna be a 4 day long tail-whoopin for him. Cut the pouch off of the Green’s :mad::mad::mad::mad::rolleyes::rolleyes:??? Sacrilege I’ll tell ya, sacrilege!
 
Nice job on the review @George Clark . It was a fun read. I’ve always been a HUGE fan of TL. More specifically the Green’s Tree Saddle. A man has to do what a man has to do but cutting the pouch off the Green’s:coldsweat::sleepy:? I’m off this weekend so I’ll be building a voodoo doll to your specs.
 
ImThere said:
What a great review. I completely disagree but a great review nonetheless.
If the only saddle available was the Kestrel I would go back to my summit and use the saddle on occasion instead of primary. I have been hunting out on my Kestrel all year and struggle to be comfortable, my sitdrag is more comfortable and its completely stock minus the amsteel bridge. My next purchase will be the Mantis large I truly hope its not as "deep" cupping in the rear end area. I have a band of pressure along my waist and under my legs that I cannot seem to rid myself of. I will add that the more i sit in it the more "used" to it I get. but who wants to get used to it? I prefer to be comfortable from the beginning. I'm going to put some padding in the seat and see if my butt can take some of the pressure off my legs and back.

What size Kestrel? When I had the size 1, I could not get it into my "sweet spot". The Mantis is worse for me. It feels decent when you lean forward towards the bridge, but as soon as I lean back, (like you know) the waist band/bridge loops let you know they are there. Check the pictures in the shootout of the Size 2 Kite and Large Mantis....you'll see the difference in the amount of available material. the size 2 Kite is just a little bigger (nothing compared to ambush) everywhere allowing you find the spot for you. Hard to explain, but it does work better.

If your looking for all out comfort, buy another sit drag and overlap your current sit drag by 2" (width of the perimeter strap) and add a slightly longer bridge than your existing bridge. For $40 and your time, might be magic....
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huck72412 said:
Nice job on the review @George Clark . It was a fun read. I’ve always been a HUGE fan of TL. More specifically the Green’s Tree Saddle. A man has to do what a man has to do but cutting the pouch off the Green’s:coldsweat::sleepy:? I’m off this weekend so I’ll be building a voodoo doll to your specs.
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I know I know....looking back I wouldn't do again. I still have the material, though. Maybe there's still time to fix what I have done!
 
George Clark said:
I know I know....looking back I wouldn't do again. I still have the material, though. Maybe there's still time to fix what I have done!
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It's funny, it pretty much my favorite feature about the greens. I mean come on guys, who doesnt like a swede diaper with a fanny pack?

All kidding aside, I really do love mine, and I can fit everything to hunt in that pouch, which is sweet. I do see who if you dont take your time and pack it right, it can can be obtrusive, or uncomfortable depending upon the items and where they're situated when your hanging.
 
Nice review... makes me think about getting Kestrel size 2 or a XL Mantis.... in a M Mantis now and got it pretty dialed in but I do get annoyed at yanking it around as much as I do.
 

I don’t know how to get your quote out but I sat in a size 1, I lasted like 3 hours in that torture device. I now have a size 2 (the only predator camo Kestrel in existence) and I’m still not finding the spot. It’s leaps and bounds above the size 1. I would quit hunting if I had to use a size 1!!!! Lol
I can and will continue to use it. For now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

I removed the second row of molle mainly cause I didn't want em. Also
Adrena123 said:
View attachment 8357
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I removed the molle cause I didn't need em! Once I cut the leg straps I'd figure I clean up the look. Unfortunately when new tribe sewed it up, the needle cut the mesh leaving holes once the molle was removed. Looks ****ty so in hindsight I'd leave them in place.
 
Man that was a great review. I know saddle hunting is very individual but I think you did your best at showing all options at different angles and sitting and leaning positions. I originally purchased a medium mantis. I found it uncomfortable. The guys customer service was top-notch and quickly sent me a large after I return my medium. I felt the same pressure from my large that you described across the back. I compared it to my size 1 Kestrel and the D Loops for the bridge or position different than on the Kestrel. So my next time in it I grabbed my bridge loops on each side of my saddle and rolled them up and back as to roll the saddle underneath me more. This helps tremendously. I still have been hunting out of my Kestrel because I find it more comfortable and use my mantis as a backup if need be. I may use my mantis more next year early season because I definitely find the mesh cooler. But I haven't wanted to spend any time playing with it, as every second I get in the saddle I prefer to be in hunting mode until the end of season.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
Since it's been quiet for a few days, I want to thank the guys who took the time to read and comment on "The saddle shootout". I did give some key points etc. and i am responsible for introducing him to these expensive hobbies/passions when he was a kid but George deserves all the credit. He did a great job writing this. This forum is the best source for info on saddle hunting out there. We have learned things along the way (ropeman1) and now are starting to give back. We just don't post/comment much but now realizing that the littlest piece of info can go along way in helping a brother out, we'll share more. At the end of the day were all on the same team, the best team. Hell ,we're like a cult lol. Have a great day gentlmen.Screenshot_20181214-092709.jpg
 
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@George Clark, You read my mind. I've had quite a few hunts in my Mantis and I have to constantly have to adjust it (pull it down because it rides up). I noticed that it does NOT cup my but very well. As this is my first saddle, I have nothing to compare it to. I plan on selling my mantis (hate to) to make room for either a Kestrel since I've heard it's more comfortable or the JX3 hybrid.... I can't wait to get my hand on it.
 
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:eek: ...or did I just make that up?
 
George Clark said:
I hope they come out with a more "U shaped", "heavier" saddle for those that don't care about weight as much.
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I couldn't agree more. I'd be very interested in a revised Mantis that fit more like my Kestrel. I think the overall shape of the seat needs revised and the trajectory/size of the bridge loops might need tweaked IMO. My Kestrel stays-put 1,000x's more. Only way for me not to continually slide out of the Mantis is to wear it 'gangster style'; just doesn't work for me unfortunately.
 
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