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tethrd vs aero hunter

J

jimhinson

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2019
Messages
1
I currently use the aero hunter kestrel, but was wondering who has had the opportunity to use both side by side. the tethrd seems way more streamline, lightweight and comfortable,
thanks fellas
 
Hoping to be able to personally compare kestrel to mantis but still waiting on the mantis.
 
I have three aerohunter and four Mantis. The aerohunter are in a plastic storage tub in the shop. Three of my mantis saddles are hung up next to garage door and one is in my pack.20190918_213618.jpg
 
Saddle fits are funny. If you can you really need to try to find one of each to sit in so you can compare. I personally found the Kestrel comfortable for leaning but not so much for sitting. On me the Kestrel felt like it was riding up when I sat. I also found the Mantis more comfortable for sitting but feel like it tends to ride up when I lean. Now I've taken 5 or 6 others out for trial comparison sits and all but one of those guys have the exact opposite impression.

That said, I think a lot of it has to do with how you position the saddle on you body. Absolute truth of the matter is I find them both to be comfortable and not that far apart. Since I'm primarily a sitter, for me the nod just barely goes to the Mantis. The other tipping point for me is the lightweight of the Mantis. I needed suspenders (no butt, big waist) to wear the Kestrel in but the Mantis is light enough it stays put, in fact I don't even know I'm wearing it most of the time. The Kite may be similar but I haven't had the privilege of trying one of those yet.
 
Kestral and Mantis owner here. Like em both however I usually hunt from the Mantis because I also film and I need to reduce every ounce I can. Filming gear weighs a ton and with all the medical issues I have the lighter the better.
 
swampsnyper said:
Mantis was terrible on my rear. Went back to my Kestrel.
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DelaWhere_Arrow said:
Mantis is as comfortable as the back seat of a Ferrari. Kestrel is as comfortable as a VW hippie bus with a plush sofa.
Just my opinion.
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What they said... I couldn't get comfortable in the Mantis; kept having to pull it down. Kestrel cups better and stays put once I'm settled.
 
GCTerpfan said:
I think you are going to find about the same number of people that prefer the Mantis, as the kestrel and many that prefer the kite, the JX 3, etc. Saddles are so personal the only way to know what fits you is to try it.
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I have to agree with your comment

I could not get Comfortable in a mantis.
The kestrel.Is great and yes I needed suspenders with the kestrel I never needed suspenders with the mantis
The JX3 is best. I love it
The flex is comfortable so far but floppy walking in and always wants to stay open. I will test the flex this fall and this is my initial impression
I have never tried a kite
This is IMO we are all different
I might add I really wanted to like the mantis because it is light and because I like Ernie and Greg. This makes me reluctant to say true but negative things about the mantis I hated the discomfort of the mantis



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I have the jx3,kite,flex,mantis the jx3 is the most comfortable kite and flex comes in second although I prefer the flex , I find myself going back to the mantis quite often for short sits mostly
 
Of the saddles I've spent a decent amount of time in comfort ranks Flex, Kite, then Mantis. The difference between them isn't huge though. I've hunted out of all three and not been miserable in the Mantis.

The little comfort issue I chase the most and the Mantis is worst at is the saddle cupping my rear adequately so its not wanting to ride up and constantly need adjusted, which creates movement that spooks deer. Yes I sized up. And yes I've tried wearing the saddle lower like the tethrd apostles suggest but that just doesn't work for my center of gravity or something.

I like the mesh saddles because I wear my saddle walking in and they feel like they are barely there but the cordura ones eh not so much. But weight I see as totally insignificant because I am wearing it.
 
I’m a bit skinny (weirdly enough) for my sz 1 Kestrel but instead of suspenders I just lick into my lineman loops and cinch my lineman’s around my neck. Kestrel sags a bit when I walk, but is kept up by the rope.
 
Dave T if you have more than one Mantis are they called Man tie! Ive seen this problem b4. in NH When i saw a moose. Then another one came out and i saw 2 Mooses.


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Order of comfort has been, for me:

Jx3
Fleece/ripstop nylon diy saddle
Size 2 Kite
anderson
Size 1 kestrel
Tactisaddle
Mantis/Sitdrag

I sat in a mantis saddle or two at saddlepalooza and they just felt weird. As soon as I bought a sit drag I was like, "ooohhhh, ok." They're both flat, and kinda narrow. At least to my taste.
 
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