I’m a little bummed over this news myself. I feel like the Aerohunter side of their business surpassed the sales of their recreational saddles but they never tried to connect with hunters.
If they were closer I’d be beating on their door asking them to just let me run that side. If I’ve ever came up with an original idea in my life it didn’t stick but I think me and about four people who could sew could make a pretty good living building kestrels, and kites with semi custom options.
When experimenting with climbing I never felt safer than when I was in my kestrel. I never really gave my kite a chance as I got my phantom about the same time and it fit me so well. I think there’s a saddle out there for just about everyone. That perfect balance of fit, comfort, bulk, weight, ease of use etc. I found my favorite saddle elsewhere but the Kestrel checked a lot of boxes for me and became a favorite for others. It definitely took me from someone who toyed with the idea of saddle hunting in a sit drag to someone that used a saddle as their primary way to sit in a tree. Of course this site and our contest had me climbing a tree next to a box blind complete with reclining office chair just so a deer would count in the contest.