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tethrd vs aero hunter

Comfort aside, for anyone who has owned both, would you say either brand was made with better "craftsmanship," like neater stitching or sounder construction?
 
Nutterbuster said:
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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Greg based the Mantis off the SitDrag design on his YT channel, so it makes a lot of sense that they would “ass you” the same way.
 
coolhand78 said:
Comfort aside, for anyone who has owned both, would you say either brand was made with better "craftsmanship," like neater stitching or sounder construction?
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They’re both built out of really really strong materials. I give a slight edge to the Kestrel for the overall stout integrity of it, and the Mantis a slight edge for being super strong with lighter materials. They’re honestly about 50/50 in different ways. I’ll go back to my car simile: Kestrel is built like a Toyota truck, Mantis is built like a BMW sedan. Both tough, but for different reasons.
 
coolhand78 said:
Comfort aside, for anyone who has owned both, would you say either brand was made with better "craftsmanship," like neater stitching or sounder construction?
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Both are equally excellent in fit and finish, no corners cut in materials or craftsmanship just built slightly different.. Best thing to do is try them both out and see which feels better on you. As you can see here everyone has differing views on what is comfortable.
 
OMG.... even children have learned how to sit on a swing without it riding up their arse. Sit on the straps folks...

Can't help the dudes that want to spoon with their saddles.... oops, I meant cup with your saddle... :)

different strokes for different folks, we all have unique preferences. I for one don't have comfort issues with any of them but I'm not a "cupper" either.

I tend to focus on noise, compactability, freedom of movement, ease of use, weight, strength, etc...
 
DaveT1963 said:
OMG.... even children have learned how to sit on a swing without it riding up their arse. Sit on the straps folks...

Can't help the dudes that want to spoon with their saddles.... oops, I meant cup with your saddle... :)

different strokes for different folks, we all have unique preferences. I for one don't have comfort issues with any of them but I'm not a "cupper" either.

I tend to focus on noise, compactability, freedom of movement, ease of use, weight, strength, etc...
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If I can’t sit comfortable, I can’t sit still and that’s a problem. I don’t care if it’s 1 pound lighter. I’m fit enough to carry another pound. I’m sure lots of us know how to wear a saddle. If we didn’t, they all would be uncomfortable. Different shapes, different hunting styles, leaner or sitter all makes a difference on what saddle fits best for you. We have been through this before. OP wanted our opinion. That’s what he got.
 
I have one of each and IMO the kestrel is more comfortable(may just be a size 1 Kestrel is a little bigger than my Mantis Medium) but when forced to make a choice -with the micro adjusters and the difference in weight -I let my son have the Kestrel and kept the Mantis for myself. At this point just happy to convert him to saddle hunting period...was I right....I'll let you know when the season ends!
 
Just got my first saddle in yesterday: Kite, size 2. I don’t have experience with the Tethrd Mantis, but first impressions of the Kite are its very sturdy construction, ease of use (linemans loops stick out and molle attachment loops on the back are open, not sewed too tight), and it seems very comfortable at ground level. Keep in mind I have only just begun to play with adjustments, so I’m sure in another month, I will be able to give a more robust review.
From my understanding from reading many other reviews, the Kite is more comfy for those sporting a bit more junk in the trunk. However, the mantis wins in the light weight and compact department. Tethrd also has some serious cool factor going on with their brand, although I don’t consider that a valid reason for making a purchase (just me).
Both companies are highly reputable and are praised for their readiness to communicate with customers.
Like others have said, try and find a saddle hunter near you that has a saddle from one or both companies to see what will suit you best. Good luck!
 
DaveT1963 said:
Maybe, but it's so hot down here I wash and rotate mine frequently. And like I've said before, If I like something it seems to always go out of production.....

You should see my trail camera and bow collections ;)
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I can totally relate. Quality items are hard to come by these days. I find myself more and more as the years go by purchasing multiple copies of something I really like just so I have spares.
 
DaveT1963 said:
OMG.... even children have learned how to sit on a swing without it riding up their arse. Sit on the straps folks...

Can't help the dudes that want to spoon with their saddles.... oops, I meant cup with your saddle... :)

different strokes for different folks, we all have unique preferences. I for one don't have comfort issues with any of them but I'm not a "cupper" either.

I tend to focus on noise, compactability, freedom of movement, ease of use, weight, strength, etc...
Click to expand...

You lean and I sit. I expect that makes a difference
I sit still if I am comfortable



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Ontariofarmer said:
You lean and I sit. I expect that makes a difference
I sit still if I am comfortable



Sent from my iPad using

This might come as a shock to many? I do BOTH (lean and sit), every hunt, multiple times. Hell, I've slept in mine many times when I sneak in 3 hours before daylight.

We all have our "comfort" zones... perhaps 40+ years working for military I've learned to exert a little discipline putting comfort out of mind so I can focus on the task at hand. But truthfully I just don't find saddles uncomfortable. Now I've got to go, my Levis are giving me a bad case of hip pinch and a wedgie :)
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DaveT1963 said:
OMG.... even children have learned how to sit on a swing without it riding up their arse. Sit on the straps folks...

Can't help the dudes that want to spoon with their saddles.... oops, I meant cup with your saddle... :)

different strokes for different folks, we all have unique preferences. I for one don't have comfort issues with any of them but I'm not a "cupper" either.

I tend to focus on noise, compactability, freedom of movement, ease of use, weight, strength, etc...
Click to expand...
Children aren't sitting on swings for hours at a time either. I tried several different methods, tried your suggestion several times. First sit in my Kite & I knew the Mantis had to go. I had my fair share of time spent in the military in physical discomfort as well, that doesn't mean I don't have to be uncomfortable at everything.

Also, quit wearing bedazzled jeans and you won't have that issue. :)
 
huntin_addict said:
Children aren't sitting on swings for hours at a time either. I tried several different methods, tried your suggestion several times. First sit in my Kite & I knew the Mantis had to go. I had my fair share of time spent in the military in physical discomfort as well, that doesn't mean I don't have to be uncomfortable at everything.

Also, quit wearing bedazzled jeans and you won't have that issue. :)
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Are you a peeker? :)
 

I guess I am a soft old hockey player and farmer in my sixties.
I know you are a better hunter than me and likely tougher
My friend. I have never served in the military and support and respect those that have - thank you but have served my country in other ways.


I really wanted to like the mantis because I am really rooting for Greg and Ernies business however to not state how I feel about the mantis would do a small dis service to potential saddle hunters.
I very strongly suggest people try the saddle your interested in first. I have had multiple Canadian saddle hunters try and buy my excess saddles. I have always explained my impressions of the ones I have sold including two mantis saddles which people have purchased with full disclosure from me

I know some people prefer the mantis and that is great but over and over again I see saddle comfort is a very personal thing based on body type and of course how tough you happen to be and I cannot possibly be tough my friend because I even wear crocs but never hunting or to town. And only camo crocs

Just my friendly banter Dave keep using the mantis and I will for sure be using my hybrid and flex this year


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elk yinzer said:
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.
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I'm gonna have to check out your Flex and Kite sometime...
 
My jeans mostly have stylish holes in them from hard work. I never buy jeans with holes. I make them that way with a bit of hard work


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