Which saddle to get

[Allegheny Tom]

If you switch to an amsteel bridge the kestrel weight will drop to 2 pounds 8 oz

I can't comment on weight savings, but I sure liked getting rid of those bulky knots on the stock bridge by switching to a fixed Amsteel bridge.
I think I'd go with the Amsteel even if it was slightly heavier.

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[snodster]

Does anyone sell a fixed Amsteel bridge that would work for a Kestral? I've watched the splicing videos but don't feel super comfortable with doing it myself.

 

[rutjr]

I decided to upgrade from my old Trophyline tree saddle and trying to decide which one.
i'm 5'8" 245lb and working on losing weight so I need a saddle that will work now and in the future.
I have 44" waist Tried to reach out to Tethrd with no response. Any suggestions

Hi Wayne,
I just lost 70 pounds in six months on the Keto diet. I had a 44" waist also now I'm a 34". No exercise just the diet. I had high blood pressure now it's gone! I was having trouble climbing trees, not anymore! I feel awesome! I'm almost 66 years old!
I got the #2 size Kestrel and love it! It's for size 36" waist and larger, I got that size because about half my season is in cold weather and I wear heavy clothes. I wore it the other day scouting and I didn't even know I had it on.

 

[Cory T]

I have a size 2 kestrel and a size 2 kite. I had a size lg Mantis. I absolutely love my kestrel over all the others. I actually traded my Mantis for the kite. They are all built very nice. I didn't care for the buckles on the kite so I modded those. The Mantis is a nice saddle but for me it just didn't work. The weight of all the saddles is a non issue for me. I usually wear my saddle in to hunt. New tribe and tethrd have really awesome products. I don't believe you can go wrong with either company. Good luck!

 

[Wayne]

Hi Wayne,
I just lost 70 pounds in six months on the Keto diet. I had a 44" waist also now I'm a 34". No exercise just the diet. I had high blood pressure now it's gone! I was having trouble climbing trees, not anymore! I feel awesome! I'm almost 66 years old!
I got the #2 size Kestrel and love it! It's for size 36" waist and larger, I got that size because about half my season is in cold weather and I wear heavy clothes. I wore it the other day scouting and I didn't even know I had it on.

I am 56 and that is SO COOL!!! You are my inspiration. Thank you made my day for real Wayne from the great north

 

[Xtreme007]

I have a size 2 kestrel and a size 2 kite. I had a size lg Mantis. I absolutely love my kestrel over all the others. I actually traded my Mantis for the kite. They are all built very nice. I didn't care for the buckles on the kite so I modded those. The Mantis is a nice saddle but for me it just didn't work. The weight of all the saddles is a non issue for me. I usually wear my saddle in to hunt. New tribe and tethrd have really awesome products. I don't believe you can go wrong with either company. Good luck!

What’s your size. I’m wondering if I need a size 1 or size 2 in the kite.
I’m 6’ 200lbs. I wear a 34 waist in most pants

 

[Tim W]

I sold my Kestrel to purchase the Mantis and I have zero regrets. The Kestrel was nice but the Mantis was everything I wanted in a saddle, I wear it from the truck to the tree in comfort, sometimes I forget it's on and I've drove home wearing after a hunt. I like the two options the Mantis has for the leg straps, I use the waist hookup while walking in and then the lower leg hookup once set at hunting height because it helps keep the saddle from riding up. You can't go wrong with either saddle but I love my Mantis! Just my $.02.....

 

[ecotanker]

I just purchased my Mantis. I got the micro adjusters also. Figured I won't be able to hunt till next season, so no rush to get it. I will probably practice on some palm trees though. I will post pics. Who knows, maybe a new way for snipers to get better positioning...

 

[Cory T]

What’s your size. I’m wondering if I need a size 1 or size 2 in the kite.
I’m 6’ 200lbs. I wear a 34 waist in most pants

I am 6' 165. I went with a size 2 because of layering in the colder weather. I would go with size 2 if I were you

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Does anyone sell a fixed Amsteel bridge that would work for a Kestral? I've watched the splicing videos but don't feel super comfortable with doing it myself.

I don't know...I assume you can buy one somewhere, but you will still need a carabiner on one side to connect it unless the person making it has your saddle in hand. One of the advantages of a truly fixed bridge is no knots or carabiners.
Doing an Amsteel bury is so frickin simple. Don't underestimate yourself...you can do it.
And a locked brummel is not hard to undo. Get a few feet of 1/4" Amsteel and practice doing/undoing it a few times. And either buy a fid or make one (a piece of 2117 arrow works great for a fid) and it will be easier, but I've done it with just a piece of wire.

A stitch lock is even easier to make but they aren't as easy to undo, especially if the thread is the same color as the Amsteel. Use contrasting color thread for the stitch so it can be easily seen if you ever want to un-stitch it without destroying the Amsteel.

The easiest bury of them all is a whoopie sling. It takes literally a minute to make one and 2 seconds to un-make one, and its adjustable.

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[Islandshooter]

I don't know...I assume you can buy one somewhere, but you will still need a carabiner on one side to connect it unless the person making it has your saddle in hand. One of the advantages of a truly fixed bridge is no knots or carabiners.
Doing an Amsteel bury is so frickin simple. Don't underestimate yourself...you can do it.
And a locked brummel is not hard to undo. Get a few feet of 1/4" Amsteel and practice doing/undoing it a few times. And either buy a fid or make one (a piece of 2117 arrow works great for a fid) and it will be easier, but I've done it with just a piece of wire.

A stitch lock is even easier to make but they aren't as easy to undo, especially if the thread is the same color as the Amsteel. Use contrasting color thread for the stitch so it can be easily seen if you ever want to un-stitch it without destroying the Amsteel.

The easiest bury of them all is a whoopie sling. It takes literally a minute to make one and 2 seconds to un-make one, and its adjustable.

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Just watched G2 Outdoors'video on DIY the very thing you're talking about!! His explanation is very detailed and I'll be using it when I get my saddle. Check it out

 

[DaveH]

Wayne, you didn't mention how much weight you hope to lose or your target waist size. I wear 38 or 40 waist pants and went with a size 2 Kestrel. It was a good call, particularly when I start layering up during late season. Good luck with your saddle choice and your weight loss program.

 

[Kurt]

I have a Trophyline and like using but I was thinking the "new" saddle would be that much better.
The real struggle I have is with climbing the tree - still trying figure out what is the easiest and lightest.
At 56 years old and needing to lose weight it can be a real task.

Hey Wayne, I'm 55 and just started saddle hunting this year. I went all in with the Mantis saddle in large. I have nothing to compare it to but it's super comfy. I'm 5'8" and 200 lbs. I also got a set of WE steps and use the naider /swaider climbing method. It all packs in and I killed two bucks this year using it. Do your research but by all means pull the trigger on one, because man, I'm sure you won't regret it. If I may be honest,I don't really sweat an ounce of weight here or there. I make up for that little bit of difference with my coffee, soup and sandwiches, yeah that's right, sandwiches, plural. The difference in weight I saved by getting the Mantis, I make up for in chocolate. I sure do love a piece of chocolate with my morning coffee while I'm hanging off the side of a tree.