I bought a medium tethrd mantis and I've practiced climbing a few times now and I cannot get it right. I think it's fine until I sit or lean back, the bottom that's supposed to go around your butt goes on my butt and the waist loosens all the time(I've put a knot so it won't loosen all the way!). I've tried adjusting the waist, the leg loops, even the micro adjusters and I can't seem to get it right. Should I have gone with a Large? I'm a female that's 5'5 and about 155# somewhat muscular. Or am I just doing something wrong? Maybe my butt/hips are too big? Any advice is appreciated!!!
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How to tell if it's the right size?
- Thread starter Mace104
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- mantis saddle sizing tethrd
SCSaddleman
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So I probably have the right size. Unfortunately Mantis not known for comfort although some guys swear by them. I had one last year and had to sell just could never get comfortable in it. Suggest you try to find some locals who can let you try other options to see if there might b something that works better for u. Good luck!
DB4x4
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Pictures might help...
Haha, no but seriously, all joking aside........pictures might help. How high are you wearing your saddle belt? I know on my Kestrel, I walk in with the waist belt pulled tight at pants-belt-height or even a smidge higher. Once in the tree, in order to achieve max comfort, I have to loosen the saddle belt and lower it below pants-belt-height. (Like an old west cowboy would wear his gun belt)
I sit in my Kestrel almost as if the saddle is a playground swing. All other configurations made it feel like I was constantly getting a wedgie.
For "in-the-tree" comfort, definitely try sitting with the belt below your normal waistline! About 1" below my normal belt line is where I find my comfort with most saddles. Once you get the belt height right, play with the leg straps; some people can loosen them, some need to tighten them to keep the saddle from migrating up. Good luck and be safe!
As a side note, I usually loosen my waist belt once in position. For me, the waist belt just keeps the saddle in place while SRT climbing or walking in.
Take my advice with a grain of salt, because I have no visible hip or butt definition haha.
As a side note, I usually loosen my waist belt once in position. For me, the waist belt just keeps the saddle in place while SRT climbing or walking in.
Take my advice with a grain of salt, because I have no visible hip or butt definition haha.
How high do you attach your tether to the tree?
Tether height has an influence on saddle comfort and how well the saddle stays where we want it.
Playing with height is part of the process of dialing in.
I'll have to loosen and see how it feels. I'm not 100% comfortable in it yet but maybe this will help! Thanks! And no pictures this time lolPictures might help...
Haha, no but seriously, all joking aside........pictures might help. How high are you wearing your saddle belt? I know on my Kestrel, I walk in with the waist belt pulled tight at pants-belt-height or even a smidge higher. Once in the tree, in order to achieve max comfort, I have to loosen the saddle belt and lower it below pants-belt-height. (Like an old west cowboy would wear his gun belt)
I sit in my Kestrel almost as if the saddle is a playground swing. All other configurations made it feel like I was constantly getting a wedgie.
I actually watched a YouTube video on this today. I put it above my head right now. Maybe lowering can help? Won't hurt to try!
I have tried pulling it down around my butt when I'm settled in but the second I move it moves. That's why I was wondering if maybe I needed a larger size. That and I was out hunting last weekend, 2 hours and my left buttcheek went numb right where the saddle hits. Odd. But loosening may help! Thanks for the advice!
IMO, the lower the better in regards to comfort and also in regards to elbow clearance during the draw and also easier getting to bow over the bridge for weak side shots.
The downside to a low tether is it slightly reduces "free rope" for travel around the tree. You may have to adjust the prusik in order to get around to the backside of larger trees.
A low tether might mean you'll need to shorten the bridge, too...also not a problem in my opinion.
I found my comfort with a long bridge and a short tether (below chin height) with the saddle height below my normal belt line by an inch or two. This setup lends itself to a fairly deep "sit or lean" and allows some movement around the tree, but not as much as a long tether. I usually try to have my upper thighs parallel to the ground if I was straddling the tree.
A higher tether is going to put more pressure upwards on your saddle and could contribute to your saddle wanting to ride up...
A higher tether is going to put more pressure upwards on your saddle and could contribute to your saddle wanting to ride up...
Seems like everyone tends to go with the lower tether! I've been putting it up high like a foot or so above my head. I'll have to give it a try tonight! Thanks!
I personally have more issues if the tether is above forehead height...
The instructions that came with my old Trophy Line saddles said to attach the tether as high as possible so that's what I did because I never considered that lower could be better. I hated that saddle.
When I got my Kestrel, and thru learning from guys on this site, I lowered my tether to around eye level and it was much better but not yet perfect. Then I devised cinching the bridge on the loops (I'm pretty sure that was my idea) and comfort got a lot better. Then, finally, I heard @DaveT1963 mention putting the tether really low...like arm-pit type height. I thought that sounded crazy, but I tried it. Wow, it's the best yet. I don't know if Dave still lurks here or not, but thanks Dave.
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DB4x4
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The 3 major factors that affect comfort (in my opinion) are:
1. Do you sit or lean?
2. How high do you wear your waist belt?
3. How high is your tether?
If you primarily sit, you should lower your waist belt some, and then you can have a high tether because it is similar to sitting on a playground swing. No wedgies:
If you primarily lean with a high tether, that tether pulls upward on the saddle because of the angle and gives you a wedgie the whole time:
If you lean and you get the wedgie feeling the whole time, lower your tether to change the angle. The force is more toward the tree instead of upward, less wedgie sensation:
Excuse the crude stick figures...
1. Do you sit or lean?
2. How high do you wear your waist belt?
3. How high is your tether?
If you primarily sit, you should lower your waist belt some, and then you can have a high tether because it is similar to sitting on a playground swing. No wedgies:
If you primarily lean with a high tether, that tether pulls upward on the saddle because of the angle and gives you a wedgie the whole time:
If you lean and you get the wedgie feeling the whole time, lower your tether to change the angle. The force is more toward the tree instead of upward, less wedgie sensation:
Excuse the crude stick figures...
Last edited:
Love the descriptionsbut definitely makes sense. Going to take what everyone is saying here and try some things out after work!The 3 major factors that affect comfort (in my opinion) are:
1. Do you sit or lean?
2. How high do you wear your waist belt?
3. How high is your tether?
If you primarily sit, you should lower your waist belt some, and then you can have a high tether because it is similar to sitting on a playground swing. No wedgies:
View attachment 32169
If you primarily lean with a high tether, that tether pulls upward on the saddle because of the angle and gives you a wedgie the whole time:
View attachment 32170
If you lean and you get the wedgie the whole time, lower your tether to change the angle. The force is more toward the tree instead of upward, less wedgie sensation:
View attachment 32171
Excuse the crude stick figures...
No wonder the saddle rides up on that dude...he got no ass. I think a strict diet of donuts is in order.The 3 major factors that affect comfort (in my opinion) are:
1. Do you sit or lean?
2. How high do you wear your waist belt?
3. How high is your tether?
If you primarily sit, you should lower your waist belt some, and then you can have a high tether because it is similar to sitting on a playground swing. No wedgies:
View attachment 32169
If you primarily lean with a high tether, that tether pulls upward on the saddle because of the angle and gives you a wedgie the whole time:
View attachment 32170
If you lean and you get the wedgie the whole time, lower your tether to change the angle. The force is more toward the tree instead of upward, less wedgie sensation:
View attachment 32171
Excuse the crude stick figures...
DB4x4
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2018
- Messages
- 1,870
DB4x4
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2018
- Messages
- 1,870
He would be the ultimate predator...
...except he can only pull back 21 lbs on his bow and he shoots "swizzlestick" arrows...
And he could never drag a deer out of the woods. Well, maybe a stick deer.He would be the ultimate predator...
...except he can only pull back 21 lbs on his bow and he shoots "swizzlestick" arrows...
Like @DB4x4 was saying, play with tether height. I lean primarily so I keep my tether at eye level and my bridge short. I also do this because I hunt thick stuff and deer play in peekaboo so I have to be ready to shoot, no time for foolin around. I also keep the leg straps snug but not stupid tight and my belt a bit loose so the saddle will slide down just a bit and provide cuppage. I have widish hope so I run a flex which provides for maximum cuppage but I think that might work for your scenario too. Also what you’re describing is hip pinch. Try what @DB4x4 suggested. You might have to go up a size if you hunt cold weather. Here’s a pic of me hunting the other day. My tether looks high but it’s actually eye level. Note short bridge. And because reasons the pic is upside down but you get the idea.
