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Trophyline Ambush Lite

Personally I always keep the top webbing above my hips. This larger hammock style seat allows that, you can try to wear it like a mantis, it’s different. I suggest anyone who has hip pinch to pull up the saddle and maybe lower the tether. I like my tether was high as I can reach and like I said top webbing above my hips.


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Just un-boxed my new Trophy line so here's a saddle hunting rookie's first impression. I'm new to saddle hunting and have only hunted out of the sit-drag that I modified so I was a little unsure of what to expect from a factory made saddle. First I'd like to say I've have been really happy with the sit drag as far as comfort and functionality goes. I have about twenty four hours total logged in the sit-drag with a kill out of it and was wondering if the TL was worth the money. But I'm glad I pulled the trigger on this Trophy Line. Just a ten minute sit and was impressed at how comfortable this thing is. I'm 5'7" 160LB and got the M/L. The first thing I noticed was how well it fits when walking and it feels much lighter and distributes the weight better that my sit-drag did with all my gear attached to the saddle. I walked about a hundred yards to a tree with my saddle and pack on like I would on a hunt and no sliding down or pressure on my hips while walking. Every thing is super quiet and well thought out seems to be exactly where you'd expect it to be. I set up my platform at ground level and hooked up. Straight away I could tell this was different but in a good way. The top webbing seems to ride above my belt line and hit about two inches higher that the SD. Hopefully this will allow me to ware my actual belt to keep my pants up, this has been a bit of an issue with the SD. I also felt no need to pull the saddle down below my tail bone as I had done wit the SD in order to set comfortably with my knees to the tree. I experienced no hip pinch or any adverse pressure anywhere for that matter. Overall the TL felt extremely secure and well made. I realize ten minutes is not enough time to find all the holes and a full hunt will be needed to evaluate completely but I like what I see/ feel so far. The only negative I have to say is minor and that's the length of the prussic cord is a little long for my liking but that was an easy enough fix.
 
huntark03 said:
5' 6", 175 lbs, ~33 inch waist, no butt. I knew in 5 minutes that I was going to keep my Mantis and send the TL back. TL pinched my sides above my hips or didn't cup at all. I really wanted to like it. Guess I'll wait on a mesh Flex (not interested in Yarak).

On a side note: I love my medium mantis!

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I concur... I am sticking to my Mantis. I was very uncomfortable in the Trophyline for the short amount of time I was in it.
 
Kowi Anukasha said:
Just un-boxed my new Trophy line so here's a saddle hunting rookie's first impression. I'm new to saddle hunting and have only hunted out of the sit-drag that I modified so I was a little unsure of what to expect from a factory made saddle. First I'd like to say I've have been really happy with the sit drag as far as comfort and functionality goes. I have about twenty four hours total logged in the sit-drag with a kill out of it and was wondering if the TL was worth the money. But I'm glad I pulled the trigger on this Trophy Line. Just a ten minute sit and was impressed at how comfortable this thing is. I'm 5'7" 160LB and got the M/L. The first thing I noticed was how well it fits when walking and it feels much lighter and distributes the weight better that my sit-drag did with all my gear attached to the saddle. I walked about a hundred yards to a tree with my saddle and pack on like I would on a hunt and no sliding down or pressure on my hips while walking. Every thing is super quiet and well thought out seems to be exactly where you'd expect it to be. I set up my platform at ground level and hooked up. Straight away I could tell this was different but in a good way. The top webbing seems to ride above my belt line and hit about two inches higher that the SD. Hopefully this will allow me to ware my actual belt to keep my pants up, this has been a bit of an issue with the SD. I also felt no need to pull the saddle down below my tail bone as I had done wit the SD in order to set comfortably with my knees to the tree. I experienced no hip pinch or any adverse pressure anywhere for that matter. Overall the TL felt extremely secure and well made. I realize ten minutes is not enough time to find all the holes and a full hunt will be needed to evaluate completely but I like what I see/ feel so far. The only negative I have to say is minor and that's the length of the prussic cord is a little long for my liking but that was an easy enough fix.
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What height did have your tether?

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So is there anyone here who likes this saddle? I’m new to all of this and ordered one because I couldn’t find a commercially made one anywhere else and should receive it tomorrow. Seems like everything I’ve happened to read has been, at best, neutral.
 
FreshTA said:
So is there anyone here who likes this saddle? I’m new to all of this and ordered one because I couldn’t find a commercially made one anywhere else and should receive it tomorrow. Seems like everything I’ve happened to read has been, at best, neutral.
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I enjoy the trophyline much more than I did the mantis. The mantis was a torture instrument compared to the ambush for me.


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Thanks for the reply. I’m looking forward to diving into saddle hunting.
 
FreshTA said:
So is there anyone here who likes this saddle? I’m new to all of this and ordered one because I couldn’t find a commercially made one anywhere else and should receive it tomorrow. Seems like everything I’ve happened to read has been, at best, neutral.
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I like mine. Saddles are an individual thing, but here's how I hang mine.

Basically, if you're coming from an aerohunter, the saddle is tall. I wear a size 2 kite with the bottom strap right at the crease at the bottom of my butt cheek, and the top strap right at or slightly below the top of my crack. I tether around chin high, and sit with my legs at a 45° angle. This is very comfortable to me.

With the l/xl trophyline, I tweak it slightly. The bottom strap comes down so that the top of the 2" webbing is maybe half an inch below my butt cheeks. The top of the top strap comes up my back about level with my belly button. I tether slightly higher, maybe forehead? And I sit slightly lower than my normal 45.

This is pretty comfy for me. My back stays aligned properly, nothing digs in or pinches, and the webbing takes most of my weight so far, not the straps.

My m/l just shipped today. I should have it by this weekend to do a comparision video. I will say that I agree with the crowd who dislike the waist belt. I cut it off. I historically don't wear leg straps, but so far I've left them attached. They don't bother me walking in or climbing.
 
Update - this evening I finally got to experience a saddle at hunting height. Thanks to some suggestions from @Nutterbuster concerning tether height and a few other things I was able to get a little more comfortable in the ambush, not that I thought it was uncomfortable before but it's much better now. I have ordered knee pads as of today, knees against the tree without them is a no go for me but I was definitely more comfortable then I would have been in one of my ladder stands after sitting for that amount of time.


 
Have a few hunts in now with my Mantis (size large), still trying to figure out what works best. But, to date I have just rested my feet on the top step of my last step, platform on the way so that should help, I'll make my final decision on the Mantis at the end of the hunting season. Sure someone on here has already tried something similar, but thinking of ordering some neoprene material (same used in waders), and making an outline of the Mantis (plus a few inches overhang), and shaping it to wear inside the saddle, maybe even doubling up on areas were the straps are. Thoughts?
 
So sounds like some deals should be on the classifieds. Unless of course " private" sales took place in every case..
The ambush will be my first hunting saddle so can't compare it to anything but I have plenty of time doing tree work. They have been making lighter and cheaper arborist saddles with less hardware on them too.
They are heavier but an alternative for me. I carry #65 pack up 3k ft. so this isn't a thing.
Just saying I would check one out or a canyon harness.
Looking at the Web hybrid and the ARC compared to high end Bosun seats I think the ARC looks interesting. Not sure about all the wide webbing though as good ropes is what I know.
 
robertreed711 said:
First impressions from a new saddle hunter. Everything seems well made and pretty easy to get comfortable with the way they work. Using my DIY platform and a single helium stick I was able to get a feel for things. Overall I think I'm going to like it and saddle hunting in general. I did expect to feel a little more pressure on my thighs creating more of a seat but it seemed like no matter how many adjustments I made the majority of the pressure was on my lower back. Also felt like my feet were sliding forward in my boots if I chose to lean but I'm sure that's mostly due to the boots I was wearing. I do see that I'm going to need some knee pads if I'm going to try sitting.







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Looks like your turning inside the saddle , you should be able to turn with the saddle and the bridge will slide through the biner allowing you to turn different directions. If not ; it could be the pic angle
 
Slickiron said:
Looks like your turning inside the saddle , you should be able to turn with the saddle and the bridge will slide through the biner allowing you to turn different directions. If not ; it could be the pic angle
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If you're referring to the last pic the bridge has rotated in the carabiner. I'd say it's about 75/25 in that pic.
 
Short review. Didn't like it at all. Those pouches are really nice though. Kept those bad boys and sold the rest of the kit. They'll look better on my Flex or Kite!
 
Mostly the bridge. The two inch bridge limits what carabiners you can use. Basically you can use an HMS/Pear shaped carabiner with a Ropeman or friction hitch. I was hoping I could use an oval carabiner but it just doesn't slide well. You can't switch out the bridge. You get what you get. Why add the adjuster on the bridge if there is a waist belt? I knew all this before I bought it, but I wanted hands on experience with it. It was comfortable, just seems like a silly design.
 
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