Sticknstring88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2016
- Messages
- 233
I placed an order over the phone with Mark at Treehopper early last week for some of the new strap on steps and a sling. Mark was nice enough to go ahead and ship the sling to me ahead of the steps which he told me would probably ship this week.
My first impression upon opening the package was that the build quality/sewing is very good. My next thought was how the heck do I use this thing! I have used/tried almost every commercial saddle available, but had never handled an Anderson style sling so it just looked like a mess of webbing to me. I read Tom’s thread and found where he said to hold it by the bridge and it would hand tangle free. Once i did that it didn’t seem like such a mess and I was able to put it on without too much trouble.
The belt is a bit different from what is on most saddles these days but it really easy to use. You simply pull the tag end on each side and it tightens up nicely. It pulls both panels of webbing up tight which is needed for walking in or climbing.
Climbing with the sling is comparable to most other saddles. I find the linesman loops to be well placed and far enough forward to see and reach easily. Once at height, I installed my tether and connected to my bridge as normal. With the belt still tight, the bridge plates are sucked in tight making it uncomfortable, so the belt needs to be loosened once tethered in. Once I loosened the belt, it was easy to move the two panels of webbing wherever I wanted them.
Saddle comfort is a very individual thing, but in my opinion this thing is by far the most comfortable saddle I have used. I have always felt a certain amount of hip pinch with other saddles but don’t feel any with the sling. It’s also nice to be able to move the panels individually to fit your rear. You can move a panel down for more leg support or the top panel up as a back rest. I still think the most comfortable position is probably the traditional one where the saddle just cradles your butt, but it is nice to be able to change it up when a change of position is needed. The webbing bridge is adjustable by taking your weight off of the saddle but I found it so comfortable where it was set that I haven’t moved it. When I had a Aerohunter Evolution I always liked being able to change the bridge length on the fly. This one isn’t quite as easy to adjust while sitting in the saddle, but it is nice to have options. Looking forward to more tree time with this one!
My first impression upon opening the package was that the build quality/sewing is very good. My next thought was how the heck do I use this thing! I have used/tried almost every commercial saddle available, but had never handled an Anderson style sling so it just looked like a mess of webbing to me. I read Tom’s thread and found where he said to hold it by the bridge and it would hand tangle free. Once i did that it didn’t seem like such a mess and I was able to put it on without too much trouble.
The belt is a bit different from what is on most saddles these days but it really easy to use. You simply pull the tag end on each side and it tightens up nicely. It pulls both panels of webbing up tight which is needed for walking in or climbing.
Climbing with the sling is comparable to most other saddles. I find the linesman loops to be well placed and far enough forward to see and reach easily. Once at height, I installed my tether and connected to my bridge as normal. With the belt still tight, the bridge plates are sucked in tight making it uncomfortable, so the belt needs to be loosened once tethered in. Once I loosened the belt, it was easy to move the two panels of webbing wherever I wanted them.
Saddle comfort is a very individual thing, but in my opinion this thing is by far the most comfortable saddle I have used. I have always felt a certain amount of hip pinch with other saddles but don’t feel any with the sling. It’s also nice to be able to move the panels individually to fit your rear. You can move a panel down for more leg support or the top panel up as a back rest. I still think the most comfortable position is probably the traditional one where the saddle just cradles your butt, but it is nice to be able to change it up when a change of position is needed. The webbing bridge is adjustable by taking your weight off of the saddle but I found it so comfortable where it was set that I haven’t moved it. When I had a Aerohunter Evolution I always liked being able to change the bridge length on the fly. This one isn’t quite as easy to adjust while sitting in the saddle, but it is nice to have options. Looking forward to more tree time with this one!