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XXXL newbie

M

Mortigan

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
9
Long time lurker, new member, former archery instructor and bow tech. Ready to take the plunge - 6 foot, 300 lbs, flat feet and bad back. Done the homework and stuck between the Kestrel Flex or Tethrd Phantom, using two step Heliums, aiders (haven't settle on which yet) and probably a Ridge Runner platform. Never used a saddle but decades of heavy climbers and did a little repelling in college so I trust the gear. Change my mind...
 
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I'd go flex out of those two options. Tethrd makes a skinny boy saddle. I'm 6'4" 280 but my first sit in the saddle was at 340 lbs. The mantis didn't work for my frame. I've strapped on a flex but never spent any time in one. I have a TX5 and love it. But definitely don't be scared to dive into the saddle due to your size. Be weary of the oplux though. If you go with it use a prusik. The distel hitch would slip with me.

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SETXsportsman6 said:
I'd go flex out of those two options. Tethrd makes a skinny boy saddle. I'm 6'4" 280 but my first sit in the saddle was at 340 lbs. The mantis didn't work for my frame. I've strapped on a flex but never spent any time in one. I have a TX5 and love it. But definitely don't be scared to dive into the saddle due to your size. Be weary of the oplux though. If you go with it use a prusik. The distel hitch would slip with me.

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Thank you. Any opinion on webbing vs rope bridge (both adjustable)?
 
I haven't sat long term in either one, but with sitting even short sits, I personally preferred the rope over the webbing. The webbing didn't seem to slide through the carabiner on the tether as easily as the rope for me.
 
The Treehopper Recon comes in a large size. Its sized to fit guys like you. Call Mark and talk to him. I assume it would be a zero risk purchase. Mark always makes it right for the customer.
And I know he has them in stock. You'd spend less money and have it in a few days.
 
Im a big guy too qnd my flex i just got used has a webbed sewn in bridge on one side, who can make me one of these amsteel bridges
 
Last season I was 6ft, 280lbs. Tried a buddies mantis few times....def a no go.

Went with the flex. Best advice I can give you is to practice, practice, practice. Spend a ton of time in the seat before you actually make a hunt. Play around with the adjustments. Trust the equipment, have fun.

Extra benefit being in a saddle, it has actually pushed me to loose some weight


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I have the exact set up you're wanting except I use standard length heliums. I'm 6'2"ish and was 250 with an oh my gawd Becky butt. Flex ftw for sure. If you do lose weight it'll fit even better. Get the back brace and you're set. I sat in mine all day last season and just a bit achy afterwards but I'm always achy. I will say do you some practice sits before the season hits, you'll want to be in saddle shape.
 
I did, but Murphy's Law kicked in and my back's acting up (herniated disk), nothing to do with the tether. I've only tested it twice, long enough to get it fitted better and realize I wasn't camming the platform down properly. I don't really like the homemade single step aider I made, too much pressure on the arch of my foot. I'm headed down to the cabin tomorrow and plan on playing with it for a while, getting some bow practice in it from a low height and scouting/hunting the evenings. Oh - got laid off yesterday too! More time to hunt...
 
BigHunt531 said:
Im a big guy too qnd my flex i just got used has a webbed sewn in bridge on one side, who can make me one of these amsteel bridges
Click to expand...
Just get the amsteel on doublesteps.com. You can make one yourself and be confident. Its not hard to do i promise! You will need a "fid" talk to danO he will tell you exactly what to get. Once you have the supplies and splicing technique you can make all kinds of other stuff too
 
PEEJAY said:
Just get the amsteel on doublesteps.com. You can make one yourself and be confident. Its not hard to do i promise! You will need a "fid" talk to danO he will tell you exactly what to get. Once you have the supplies and splicing technique you can make all kinds of other stuff too
Click to expand...
Ditto. I made Amsteel rope mods with spliced loops to replace the straps on my Hawk Helium sticks. Not hard to do at all...
 
I went with the Tethrd Menace (ordered yesterday). anyone have experience with these yet?
 
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