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Saddle Progression: What have you tried? Where are you now? Where are you going?

gcr0003

gcr0003

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2018
Messages
8,059
I am still on the search for the perfect saddle for me. In 1 year since I bought my first saddle I have tried many different saddles in the search for the perfect combo of bulk/weight/comfort ratio. I will share my progression through saddles I have bought and sold to get where I am now (which is still unsatisfied). Share what saddles (in order) that you tried and tell us if you have found the perfect saddle for you, or at least one you are satisfied with. I have tried other saddles not on this list but I am only listing ones I have owned and used.

  1. Trophyline Green's Leather Tree Saddle XL - I bought this knowing it would be too big. It was extremely comfortable but fairly heavy and bulky! It was made of thick leather for pete's sake!
  2. Trophyline Ambush - Fit very well on me. Was lighter than the green's but still kinda heavy. It was a very well (overkill) built saddle. I liked it a lot but I couldn't escape the hip pinch.
  3. Trophyline Ambush Pro - Also fit very well. Less hip pinch than the mesh Ambush but enough that I wanted to try something else.
  4. DIY Fleece - Light weight, low bulk (aside from wearing a harness) and they most comfortable saddle for sitting. I didn't like not having everything in one package.
  5. Aerohunter Kestrel - Very well built, Slim feeling, all in one package saddle that I loved but also couldn't escape hip pinch from.
  6. Recon - Relatively comfortable but didn't keep long enough to see how it performed in a tree for hours on end. I wasn't a fan of the belt and didn't like how it wanted to slide while using a LB. (I've owned two so far but may give one one more shot)
  7. Aerohunter Kite - Pretty light and a all around great package. Was very comfortable over the summer climbing with it but began to develop hip pinch after about an hour.
  8. Battle Belt + sitdrag: Cool combo conceptually but I was so uncomfortable after the first couple sits that I sold it all. I think with a adjustable bridge you could get this to work.
  9. EVO - modified per @Red Beard I was most hopeful that this saddle would be the one. It did take a lot of work to find the sweet spot; however, I still developed annoying hip pinch. This may have been due to me wearing a belt. Once I was able to get it dialed in(and not wearing a belt) it really was a great feeling saddle and I had relatively no hip pinch. I did change where I was hunting this year and the EVO just was too bulky and heavy to be hauling up and down the steep hills.
  10. Aerohunter Flex (with rubberized coating coming off): Super comfortable saddle for a limited amount of time. No matter what I do I still have to fold the pannels our or bring them in. No matter what I do I still end up getting hip pinch.
  11. WHERE I AM TODAY: I am not satisfied with the flex so my journey continues. I just tried the Latitude Classic that a buddy had and though I only sat in a few minutes it felt like a real winner. I didn't feel any pressure on my hips at all. I am going to be picking one up to try for so extended hunts. I also will be trying the new Aerohunter Flex. I will not stop until I find the perfect saddle thats meets the most of my needs as physically possible!
 
Hold on let me make some coffee before this thread gets started. Can't wait to hear from all you lunatics!

I went from DIY saddle v1 (sitdrad style) -> v2 (kestrel style)-> v3 (phantom style) -> v4 (blend of V2 and V3)
 
So

Kestrel
Kite
Anderson
Mantis
Trophyline pro and ambush and original
Phantom
Treesuit
Latitude classicatotide method
Recon
Jx3

Maybe not the progression, but that's what I've tried. No soft saddle has touched an anderson/recon when it comes to mitigating hip pinch and avoiding lower strap pressure. Aerohunter is the next runner up. Tethrd products have all been too narrow top to bottom. Latitide seems slightly too narrow side to side. Trophyline is just huge and unnecessary. Jx3 bothers me because I hate something on my back
 
2018 Kite - Dont know what you got, till it's gone! Loved it. All in one. Light. Comfy. Didn't mind leg buckles. Modded adjustable rope bridge and waist buckle.

2019 archery - Kite. Still loved it but noticed getting fidgety. Talked into ordering a JX3 and expected comfort caused me to let Kite go on here (so regret that).

2019 gun - JX3. Super comfy and weight was not a problem. A little iffy bundling sticks, but mostly struggled with tree limitations (very straight, and on the small side). Plus for the first time I found not liking facing the tree. Something about being bundled up and sitting down in that crazy recliner in the sky made me stare at the tree, and lose sight of hunting. Probably just me. I hate gun season anyway. Sold it, but I do wonder if I gave it a fair shake and have been close to nabbing one used here.

2020 archery - LW Assault (gasp!). I never really did the lock on thing. Went straight from climbers to saddles. Wanted to give it a shot. I really like sitting with my back leaning against the tree. I really like that I can stand and lean on tree, and turn around and whatnot. I dunno. Don't love the bulk, weight, and metal. Picked up a Recon late and getting a few last archery hunts in it. Like it. It's less bulky but once you bring a platform and carrying pack into play the weight advantage starts to shrink (kind of like @kyler1945's argument with the JX3). Not sure about the Recon. Very confortable. Don't love the belt issue. Think I might be a single panel guy and waist/leg buckle guy.

2020 rifle - TBD. Might do a few Recon hunts. Might take my hand climber. Might just still hunt/track. I don't get out much with a gun anymore. Too cold, and too many hunters.

2021? - Probably should give Recona full season. Kinda thinking CruzrXc to get back to single panel. Don't love the design of new AH line. Looks to me like some misses there unfortunately. TX5 a possibility but I struggle with the Facebook access part. Some crazy new saddle that comes out? A new lighter Novix stand? Break down and get a mortgage to buy LWCG stand? Who knows.

I like saddles. They solved some problems I was having and I was into the identity thing for a while. Now, not so into that. I like trying new gear, but probably don't give anything enough time for a fair shake. Just me.
 
  1. Tethrd Mantis (Size M) - This was my gateway drug, but alas, I just couldn't get comfortable in it.
  2. Cruzr XC (Size 2) - This is my current saddle. I replaced the belt buckle with an AustriAlpin buckle because I could never determine what company manufactured the stock buckle. I had some discomfort before I saw the owner mention that the pleat should be pulled upward instead of downward, and then I found it much more comfortable. I am now satisfied with the saddle overall and not looking to change.
Since I'm now content with my actual saddle and platform (Predator) setup, I'm tinkering with my pack, gear strap, etc.--can't help myself, I guess...
 
Web and lockon from 2012 - 2016. Found SH, and went sitdrag. Got Kestrel in 17(gave up sit drag), and hybrid in 18(gave up the webs). Hunted about 50/50 in 18 with the kestrel and hybrid. Last year I had maybe 4-5 hunts with kestrel, the rest the hybrid. This season will be exclusively the hybrid.

In the background, I have tried almost every available soft saddle made prior to 2019. None made a big enough difference to give up the kestrel. Like you, the recon has my tinker time now. Also, about 6-7 different hard seat options including web, treesuit, bosuns chair, treeseat, you name it.

Now having a significant body of work with the hybrid, it's become second nature, and I don't see myself using anything else in any large capacity. I have that thing too dialed in now.
 
Tried the RCH/Sit drag for a few sits in the backyard. Not for me at all. Bought a TX5 and have no reason to look any farther. Any comfort issues can be fixed with tether height or bridge length adjustments.
 
Guido's Web, JX3, Phantom and TX5. Bridge Length and tether height make all the difference in the world. Settled on TX5.
 
I've had 2 diy....

Imo a saddle is a saddle is a saddle. Everything I've tried all kinda felt the same. Jx3 is very nice and I haven't had the opportunity to try a 2 panel but I really want to... In my imagination a 2 panel probably very comfy. Jx3 outta my price range ..... Diy4life
 
I was all about thinking the grass was greener & loved to try new stuff. I made the mistake early on with selling something to try something else. Don’t do that keep what you have unless it’s flat out terrible. Here’s the list:
Original TL (too big & heavy, almost double the size I needed)
Aero Evo (too many moving part, was comfortable but was more arborist than hunting setup)
Sitdrag & RCH (worked but sketched me out a bit & couldn’t comfortably sit)
DIY Fleece ( no complaints just liked something less like pajamas)
Aero Kestrel (my first positive experience & got me hooked)
Tethrd Mantis (too minimalist & rode up constantly)
Aero Kite (actually 3 of them) have thinned the herd down to just one.
JX3 - (big & bulky but most comfortable by far, but like it better for gun/ML)
Aero flex gen1 & gen 2 (gen 1 didn’t like the inside coating & QC issues, gen 2 overall comfortable but kinda felt like sitting in a bucket)
TL ambush (unbearable hip pinch no matter what I did)
TL ambush pro (same as above but worse)
“Sally” thanks @always89y ( like a super comfy mantis)
TX5 custom ( most comfortable traditional saddle I’ve tested )
Out of all those only the Kite & TX5 are in the stable. I’ve only used the kite for prepping presets since I got the TX5. I will eventually add the newer JX3 back in once I finish flushing money into my daughters Jeep. But giant disclaimer what worked for me may not remotely be comfortable for you. Out of all these only 2 we’re actually uncomfortable.
 
Hunted out of stands (hanger and climbers) for decades (own 1 climber and 4 hang ons). Bought a Cruzr XC and might sell my stands now (but will probably keep them for posterity). I also gave up on heavy sticks (mod'd heliums....anything 2 pounds or over per stick is heavy to me) and am using hang on steps now and a predator platform (12 steps with hanging system and 2 pouches to carry/dispense them weighs 5 pounds and can get me 24 feet in a tree but takes about 1 minute per step to hang, step, move tethers/lineman's belt). I might try the Tethrd One sticks (or another ultralight option) with the CAYG aider I used on sticks or dedicated aiders per stick. My tether and lineman's are both Oplux/TRC with distel hitch and Petzl Spirit carabiners (DIY).

The added benefit of no stand and hang on steps is now all my gear fits into a 32 liter backpack (Mystery Ranch Scree) and weighs 15 lbs total including bag (without accounting for extra water/food/clothes at some times). It is so nice to be that light in the woods and also not getting hung up on brush while walking. Today I scouted with all my gear before heading to the truck. With the stand, I would've had to hide it somewhere, scout, and then go find it.

I feel that I lucked out with the Cruzr XC. Comfort is more important to me than weight or low profile while walking when it comes to a saddle. The Latitude Method and Aero Hunter Merlin both (edit: also the TX5) have my attention, but I really can't justify spending the money when the Cruzr XC is working so well.
 
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Tethrd Mantis last year. Lots of problems with hip pinch and it riding up. Gave it away at the meetup I hosted in August to an attendee that didn’t have a saddle yet.

CRUZR XC this year. No hip pinch or riding up. Overall, very happy with it.
 
Bigterp said:
I was all about thinking the grass was greener & loved to try new stuff. I made the mistake early on with selling something to try something else. Don’t do that keep what you have unless it’s flat out terrible. Here’s the list:
Original TL (too big & heavy, almost double the size I needed)
Aero Evo (too many moving part, was comfortable but was more arborist than hunting setup)
Sitdrag & RCH (worked but sketched me out a bit & couldn’t comfortably sit)
DIY Fleece ( no complaints just liked something less like pajamas)
Aero Kestrel (my first positive experience & got me hooked)
Tethrd Mantis (too minimalist & rode up constantly)
Aero Kite (actually 3 of them) have thinned the herd down to just one.
JX3 - (big & bulky but most comfortable by far, but like it better for gun/ML)
Aero flex gen1 & gen 2 (gen 1 didn’t like the inside coating & QC issues, gen 2 overall comfortable but kinda felt like sitting in a bucket)
TL ambush (unbearable hip pinch no matter what I did)
TL ambush pro (same as above but worse)
“Sally” thanks @always89y ( like a super comfy mantis)
TX5 custom ( most comfortable traditional saddle I’ve tested )
Out of all those only the Kite & TX5 are in the stable. I’ve only used the kite for prepping presets since I got the TX5. I will eventually add the newer JX3 back in once I finish flushing money into my daughters Jeep. But giant disclaimer what worked for me may not remotely be comfortable for you. Out of all these only 2 we’re actually uncomfortable.
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