Best saddle and why?

[Bigterp]

No I am am looking for what features guys like best or dislike to find a consensus if possible and avoid buying multiple saddles before I find one that I like

Your original question is subjective b/c what fits me & my preferences you may find completely uncomfortable. None of this is meant to discourage you! But you are going to need to try a few to rule them out. If I had to pick 2-3 to give you a jump, then OG kestrel, kite & TX5...... I’ve owned almost everything available with the exception of a latitude & H2. I’ll briefly list what I like best about each. You’ll get many different opinions & bc saddles fit everyone & their style differently.
Kestrel-great shape bombproof
Kite- minimalist but actually VERY comfortable
TX5- infinitely adjustable, great mix of the above 2...
Honorable mention (my Jx3 is the most comfortable saddle I own) but a different animal & not exactly what you inquired about.
In this COVID era it may be tough to get to a meet up & try all different types before buying. If you pick them up used from classifieds you can pretty much get your money back with little risk & can try a few.

 

[Treehopper2]

After trying many saddles over the years if I had to recommend one it would be a two panel design like the Recon or ESS.
The design is very simple but it just works and I feel could possibly last a lifetime.


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[StHubert]

I know I'm on the outside here, but I don't think the Cruzr XC is comfortable. Great quality, but I didn't find it nearly as comfortable as everyone else. Saddles are very individual. Comfort depends on body type, sitter/leaner, tether height, etc. A good place to start is making sure the bridge loops are past your hips a good bit in order to prevent hip pinch/pressure.

 

[Zero One Actual]

I am a sasquatch that can climb. I am 6'5, 235lbs and have a 38 inch waist bone to bone. NFL tight end build.

I have a Cruzr XC size 2 per their recommendations on where to measure to see what size saddle from them fits best. Measure from your belt line on your back straight down to where your glute or butt cheek ends and your hamstring begins. That should be anywhere from 12-16 or so inches unless you are a sumo wrestler or J Lo.

Go to their site and they have those sizes listed and you can decide what size you wear. Additionally, if you call, they can do other custom modifications to their saddles. For example, I have a camouflaged saddle option (not just grey or black mesh), an open bridge option so I do not have to step through anything and the cobra buckle upgrade as well as the Amsteel bridge.

But like others have said, your favorite pair of socks may not be my favorite pair of socks even though they are socks. I know Latitude is also coming out with a larger option in the next few months as well to fit ogres also. Their two piece design is awesome and stows easily while moving longer distances and they make a no metal option if you are looking for those features.

 

[MattMan81]

While your at it let's narrow down the best beer.

 

[Spence71]

There’s tons of peeps in here. Find some near ya and see about meeting up and trying other gear. We have a thing here called the Greater Carolina Hangtime. We had probably every make and model of saddle and climbing methods shy of levitation. Got to sit in a few and ask your very same question.

I had my phantom in shipment status and found at least 4 other saddle that I liked. Then got the phantom and prolly 2 of those were better suited then my coveted née fangled phantom. That being said. I still own the phantom and my OG mantis.

Best part of that weekend was it taught me a little about what I liked, even if it was only a few minutes of sitting in something. I know now why I do and don’t like the phantom. But most important it got me in contact with a wealth of of people that I can call/text/climb a tree In their backyard.

And if you’ve been on here for more than 1 thread or 15 min you know there’s never one way to do anything. Haha.

I came from the competition bbq scene as my last hobby. And when I got started a wise old Smokey sage told me to buy something cheap, used if possible and learn the craft. If you go out and buy a $7000 smoker you’ll find out a year later why you don’t like it or it wasn’t the best one for you.

Saddles be like that too. Most of use own multiples saddles. Climbing systems. Have buckets of partial/various lengths of amsteel, buckles, biners, ropeman2’s that we bought when the 1’s were out of stock and the like.

Wade on in. Waters fine. If you’re a member in here check the classified. Someone’s always horse trading last years $7000 smoker. Hahaha









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[sojourner]

... Which wife is better? ...

The girlfriend model, as she cannot financially violate you in a divorce.

 

[jakhammer]

I am a sasquatch that can climb. I am 6'5, 235lbs and have a 38 inch waist bone to bone. NFL tight end build.

I have a Cruzr XC size 2 per their recommendations on where to measure to see what size saddle from them fits best. Measure from your belt line on your back straight down to where your glute or butt cheek ends and your hamstring begins. That should be anywhere from 12-16 or so inches unless you are a sumo wrestler or J Lo.

Go to their site and they have those sizes listed and you can decide what size you wear. Additionally, if you call, they can do other custom modifications to their saddles. For example, I have a camouflaged saddle option (not just grey or black mesh), an open bridge option so I do not have to step through anything and the cobra buckle upgrade as well as the Amsteel bridge.

But like others have said, your favorite pair of socks may not be my favorite pair of socks even though they are socks. I know Latitude is also coming out with a larger option in the next few months as well to fit ogres also. Their two piece design is awesome and stows easily while moving longer distances and they make a no metal option if you are looking for those features.

Great stuff, thanks - I already sent an email to them asking if they could do something custom - I don't want buckles on the leg loops - prefer g clips, and I don't want a bridge - I make my own from amsteel - hopefully they can accommodate these things

 

[jakhammer]

I know I'm on the outside here, but I don't think the Cruzr XC is comfortable. Great quality, but I didn't find it nearly as comfortable as everyone else. Saddles are very individual. Comfort depends on body type, sitter/leaner, tether height, etc. A good place to start is making sure the bridge loops are past your hips a good bit in order to prevent hip pinch/pressure.

when you say "past your hips " - do you mean forward of your hips?

 

[huntin_addict]

No I am am looking for what features guys like best or dislike to find a consensus if possible and avoid buying multiple saddles before I find one that I like

Yeah, pretty much like which wife is best, except with them trading in is ALOT more expensive....

 

[jakhammer]

Your original question is subjective b/c what fits me & my preferences you may find completely uncomfortable. None of this is meant to discourage you! But you are going to need to try a few to rule them out. If I had to pick 2-3 to give you a jump, then OG kestrel, kite & TX5...... I’ve owned almost everything available with the exception of a latitude & H2. I’ll briefly list what I like best about each. You’ll get many different opinions & bc saddles fit everyone & their style differently.
Kestrel-great shape bombproof
Kite- minimalist but actually VERY comfortable
TX5- infinitely adjustable, great mix of the above 2...
Honorable mention (my Jx3 is the most comfortable saddle I own) but a different animal & not exactly what you inquired about.
In this COVID era it may be tough to get to a meet up & try all different types before buying. If you pick them up used from classifieds you can pretty much get your money back with little risk & can try a few.

the jx3 video showing him shooting 360 degrees plus is pretty cool - I may end up there at some point

 

[StHubert]

when you say "past your hips " - do you mean forward of your hips?

Yep. When you have the saddle on, I found that if the bridge loops are in front of my hips I don't get hip pinch. Just a ball park, I have a 38" waist, and I like to have my bridge loops 36" from furthest point to furthest point. I find that gets them in front enough.

 

[jakhammer]

Yep. When you have the saddle on, I found that if the bridge loops are in front of my hips I don't get hip pinch. Just a ball park, I have a 38" waist, and I like to have my bridge loops 36" from furthest point to furthest point. I find that gets them in front enough.

curious of it's really the bridge loop position vs where the fabric ends. If the bridge loops were 36 but fabric is only 28 wouldn't you still get pinched?

 

[StHubert]

That's a great question. I can't say for certain but my best semi-educated guess is that it may. I think the fabric width does play a role, but I think its both/and. A kind of balance. making sure there is enough material but also making sure the bridge loops are past your hips.

 

[Apex7]

The problem with pleated saddles is overtime the pleat will wear out leaving the saddle in the open position. They are probably the best single panel saddle but that is one of the main complaints.

I have yet to hear anyone say that. Mine has never done that and I have 2 pleated saddles.

 

[EricS]

The best saddle is the one you choose. For me it was one that was comfortable enough to enjoy a full day sit without being a hindrance to wear in, put on, and store. If I’m having to pull it up every other step I don’t care how comfortable it is. Everything we use is a trade off of some kind.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

The fourth or fifth one you buy after you figure out what's comfortable for you was my answer. Settled on the new eberhart one. I like it.

 

[StHubert]

I have yet to hear anyone say that. Mine has never done that and I have 2 pleated saddles.

The pleated saddle I had wouldn't stay closed once I put my weight in it. The top always opened. Could have been user error of some kind?

 

[Noonespecial]

I have yet to hear anyone say that. Mine has never done that and I have 2 pleated saddles.

I have yet to hear anyone say that. Mine has never done that and I have 2 pleated saddles.

YouTube channel “Saddle Hunting” has a review of the new Merlin and states the same problem with his flex.

 

[raisins]

No hip pinch, very little pressure points, it's just overall the most comfortable user friendly saddle I've tried. I added a second short bridge for SRT/rappel but they can be ordered with an adjustable bridge. I leave the leg buckles buckled to themselves behind me walking in and then wrap them around my legs at the base of the tree because they're a little constricting walking in with them buckled around your legs.

Yep, it is hard to make it uncomfortable. I've run short and long bridge and tether above head and at chin, and it all works good enough, but I have found the best for me.

They have 3 sizes. I think a big part (maybe not discussed enough?) is that the saddle fits you well (that you fall well within one of their size categories). So, a saddle coming in more sizes is good. I called Chad at Cruzr and described my dimensions and he was sure of the sizing. My gut is that a lot of people don't find saddle X comfortable because it isn't the right size for them.