This is the most uncomfortable thing ive ever worn. Ridin up my crotch hahaha. It wont stay on my butt. I got a mantis and its about to go in the classifieds along with this ring of steps. Compared to my climber or hang on this is torture. I just spooked 20 deer wigglin around...haha oh well. How does anyone get comfy in these i just dont understand
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How do you stay still?
- Thread starter PEEJAY
- Start date
BigB
Active Member
I can’t speak for the Mantis. I have Kestrel Flex and love it. I am more of a leaner but will sit some times just for something different. My Flex does not ride up and getting the setup dialed in takes time. You have tons of adjustability. First time out hunting did a 6 hour sit had a little bit of a sore hip but realized needed to have a longer bridge. Second time hunted 7 half hours zero issue. Still need to fine tune my setup think I need to set my tether higher. I wouldn’t throw in the towel just yet Maybe some guys with the Mantis can help.
Good luck
Hate to say but the more minimalist you go, generally the less comfortable you get in my experience anyway. I know that minimalist is sort of the name of the game with saddle hunting but I think you can reach some compromises.
I encourage you to check out the aero hunter saddles like the kestrel or flex. If you want to stick with Tethrd the new phantom might be a good one too. I have the H2 saddle. Only one I’ve ever owned or tried and it’s great for me.
Another thing you should check into is a good platform instead of ROS. Having that to lean on is amazing amen completes the experience IMO.
Lastly if you want to work with the gear you already have, try adjusting your tether height and length a few different ways. It really does make all the difference.
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You put the right nut here, you put the left nut there, then you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey while the prostaff tries out the next gamechanger, then you shake it all about...that's what it's all about!
Ontariofarmer
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You have the wrong saddle for you personally. The mantis has received a fair bit of criticism for its lack of comfort. If you like a climber a Jx 3 is for sure just as comfortable and much quieter and easier to carry. I would never, ever, carry a climber because the JX 3 is waaay better. And you will stay very very still in the hybrid.
Sometimes too still.
Also there are other saddles that are more comfortable than the mantis. Likely that includes the new phantom - I have never tried it .
Based on personal experience for sure the kestrel and flex are more comfortable . But nothing beats a hybrid JX 3
I cannot speak about the new slings or the trophy line or the H2
I may try a sling because as odd as they look some guys swear they are comfortable. But that means nothing. Some guys like the mantis - I say my hips hate the mantis.
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robstewart
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I’m in a RCH/fleece saddle setup and the only thing I found lacking was back support. I use a HSS lineman’s strap (wide like a seat belt) around my back.
I have arthritis so staying in one position too long is never good so I do slowly transition between hanging and sitting and leaning all day.
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I have arthritis so staying in one position too long is never good so I do slowly transition between hanging and sitting and leaning all day.
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I was in the same boat with that brand. You have to buy and try until you find one that works. Some have a return policy within 30 days or so which helps. The fleece is a great option and probably the most comfortable, lightest and affordable out there. Don't get discouraged, there's one out there that will work for you I'd say. I had a JX3 and for me personally it defeats the purpose of the saddle, I might as well carry my Millenium stand in the woods if I was to stick with that route. Good luck!
Are you playing around with the tether height and bridge length? Also, cinching the bridge onto the saddle loops allows little adjustments that can make a big difference.
MN_Bowhunter4
Well-Known Member
I posted this on another thread yesterday, but I had similar issues with the Mantis riding up. I switched to the lower leg connection point and cinched the straps down pretty good. That keeps it in place very well for me, and my comfort improved tenfold.
Yes to tether height thats how i got busted. No to bridge length its fixed. How could i cinch the bridge
The JX3 is in a different galaxy on comfort versus other saddles, but it is more stand than saddle in my book, especially on weight. For anyone on the fence for one or just curious, try making a preacher seat (read dirt cheap) and if you like like the way it feels, the JX3 will be way better. I will be cutting some plywood this weekend to scratch an old itch myself.
Sunday's sermon
I tried a sitdrag this spring and summer and never liked it. I switched to a fleece saddle and also modified a Summit Viper seat, both of which worked much better and were going to my options all fall. Today just for fun, after seeing a thread on here about the Pulpit, I cut and made my own...
www.saddlehunter.com
pesqimon
Well-Known Member
Good point. Lower leg position wasn't bulletproof for me, but an improvement over the top position.
Noonespecial
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I was in the same boat as you. Bought a Mantis practiced with it in the yard and it was like someone giving me a wedgie. I almost went back to my lone wolfs. I then tried just a sit drag with a sewn on bridge...very short. It worked great but after a while my butt was sore because of the very thin piece of fabric. I ended up shooting two nice bucks from it. Then I thought I would look at my Mantis again. I cut off the leg straps the linesman’s loops and the bridge. I sewn on a very short webbing bridge and it now works a lot better. You have to customize things to your liking when saddle hunting.
pesqimon
Well-Known Member
Short bridge helped me too!
Ontariofarmer
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The weight difference is less than you think
No platform no pack. Quieter than a metal stand. But yes it is different but if comfort and sitting still are issues it is the ticket.
I like the flex for comfort. But I would rather wear a JX3 than a flex to my hunting area. It is too floppy.
Comfort with the mantis may have been an issue even with Tethrd. After all what is supposed to be the major improvement with the phantom. But comfort
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I think i did what youre saying right at the end of the hunt and it seemed like it worked a little. Ended up shooting a doe half way through my climb down i guess . Ill play around with things before next season. That waS my last hunt of the season and my first hunt from a saddle.
What do you mean you cut the leg straps off? and you dont climb with a linesman now? how was this safe at all...im not trying to trust my life with sewing skills thats why i bought one instead of whipped one up haha
Noonespecial
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Legs straps are not load bearing they are simply there to keep the saddle in place and for the most part put on for liability reasons. I personally think that lineman’s loops are pointless when you can use your bridge loops for the same purpose. They wanted to originally make the matins without them. If you do not want to take any of them off that’s up to you. It just felt way more comfortable without them digging into my crotch and having additional loops getting in my way. Also if you don’t want to sew on a bridge you can always tie water knots there are many videos that show how you can do that. I personally think that sewing webbing is a lot stronger than tying a knot that’s why I made that decision. You can look on this site for many DIY sewing tips or take it to a seamstress to get it professionally done once you find a length that’s good for you. Best of luck but I’m sure you will figure something out that works just keep trying it takes time to get use to. For me it was over two weeks and I’m glad I stuck with it.
MN_Bowhunter4
Well-Known Member
If that was your first hunt in it then that explains some things too. Saddle shape is a real thing. I think it took me probably 4 or 5 hunts to get used to mine. I was sore as crap after the first morning of the season.
Don’t give up on it yet.
1st, decide if you want to stick with an Amsteel bridge or switch to a webbing bridge. If you want Amsteel, then just remake the buries, which is very easy. There are a couple different routes that you can go in that regard. You can form one cinch around one bridge loop as you make the Brummell on that side. Or you can just make a Brummell and then girth hitch it. I actually prefer a clove hitch rather than the girth but they both work. The other side of the bridge can be a whoopee bury which is super easy to do and will make the bridge length adjustable. And that side can also be clove hitched or girthed (I've done it both ways).
If you want to switch to webbing (my personal choice), you can just tie knots or you can get 2 tri slides which is also really easy. And the webbing can be clove hitched or girth hitched with tri slide attaching. The slides will make the length adjustable. Once you determine the length you like the best, chances are that you won't adjust it very much. However, some guys that are doing one stick or rappelling seem to adjust on a regular basis.