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2 panel comfort?

Scott7030

Scott7030

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2020
Messages
20
Location
Michigan
I bought a name brand 2-panel prior to season and have been hunting out of it all year. My problem has been comfort. The 2 panels do not distribute the weight very well and the bottom panel cuts of the circulation in my thighs. I've played around with tether height, position, and bridge length without and success. Would I gain anything by strapping the 2 panels together to make one large single panel? or should I just cut my loses and try a different saddle?
 
You can try just placing the two panels together and hunting out of it to see if it helps.

With that said I am not a two panel fan. I know a lot of people are but, I have tried several and just can't get as comfortable as I can in a single panel, especially a single panel expandable like the Cruzer XC. I have the same problem as you, it either cuts off circulation or causes pain around my thighs. Many like two panels because they are more 'adjustable' but after 10's of hours in a tree with three different two panel models I have realized there is no adjustment that will make them work for me.
 
Scott7030 said:
I bought a name brand 2-panel prior to season and have been hunting out of it all year. My problem has been comfort. The 2 panels do not distribute the weight very well and the bottom panel cuts of the circulation in my thighs. I've played around with tether height, position, and bridge length without and success. Would I gain anything by strapping the 2 panels together to make one large single panel? or should I just cut my loses and try a different saddle?
Click to expand...
Depends what 2 panel it is and how you’re tryin to wear it. Most 2 panel saddle have been most comfortable only spread about 2 inches apart. If you’re trying to do that nonsense where you wear one under you like a chair and the other near your lower back you’re going to stay uncomfortable.
This isn’t exclusive to two panels, but try a longer bridge and a shorter tether. I like my tether to be snug to the tree and the bridge be the bulk of my length. Short bridges are going to squeeze you real good. If you’re trying to sit with a 2 panel you only need maybe another inch to get it to cup your bottom. Don’t get carried away and think it needs to be down passed your cheek.
 
That is my problem, the 2 panels basically fall into the position and there is no way to keep them close together without buying an extra strap to keep them together. as soon as I put weight in them one goes on my thigh and the other basically acts as a back strap. I'll try and rig up a couple of panel strap to keep them close together and give it one more try.
 
Scott7030 said:
That is my problem, the 2 panels basically fall into the position and there is no way to keep them close together without buying an extra strap to keep them together. as soon as I put weight in them one goes on my thigh and the other basically acts as a back strap. I'll try and rig up a couple of panel strap to keep them close together and give it one more try.
Click to expand...
What saddle, a recon?
 
I had that problem with my Latitude Method two panel. I liked the back support of the upper panel, but the lower panel just seemed too small, and I'm not a big guy at 5'10.5" and 170 pounds.

My Cruzr XC single panel with a back band is MUCH more comfortable. I may try a CGM Cobra next.
 
Mossy-Back said:
I had that problem with my Latitude Method two panel. I liked the back support of the upper panel, but the lower panel just seemed too small, and I'm not a big guy at 5'10.5" and 170 pounds.

My Cruzr XC single panel with a back band is MUCH more comfortable. I may try a CGM Cobra next.
Click to expand...
Same here. OG method is getting too uncomfortable after a few seasons, so my cobra should be here this week. I'll try to remember to reply after trying it out, but expect good things after reading all the prior praise on here/elsewhere.
 
I had to make adjustable straps on my method to keep a comfortable position between the top and bottom. It definitely helps.
 
For my 2 panel saddles I run my tethers lower on the tree and my bridge longer than I do on single panel saddles.

It took me quite a while to figure that out but I actually learned it from 'Saddle Hunting' on YouTube. (I can't think of his name right now? )

He was talking specifically about a Method and I had had been running mine at the time with my 'normal to me' rope positions...


A single panel I usually have my girth hitch about right in front of my eyes while standing on a platform.
In a two panel I have my tether somewhere around my Adam's apple height...
That small distance makes a BIG difference!
 
Scott7030 said:
That is my problem, the 2 panels basically fall into the position and there is no way to keep them close together without buying an extra strap to keep them together. as soon as I put weight in them one goes on my thigh and the other basically acts as a back strap. I'll try and rig up a couple of panel strap to keep them close together and give it one more try.
Click to expand...
I had the same issues. I also got so frustrated with them getting tangled and twisted together. I took a pc of material and glued to both sides of the panels, sort of creating a one panel. No more adj. but way more comfy.
 
Yesterday was my first hunt in my new Method 2 after a year of hunting the Phantom. My early observation is this. For literally sitting, the Method was excellent...I used the upper band on my lower back and the bottom panel under my butt and it was far more comfortable than with the Phantom. In leaning position, which is most of the time with me, the bottom panel was really only a little lower than the Phantom...
My biggest complaint about the Method so far is actually the lack of molle on the bottom panel. I understand why it can't be there but real estate is getting tight because at the base of the tree, I tend to carry my platform on the back of my saddle and the sticks on the side. I may have to move the platform to my pack...that might make sense anyway...
 
I'm a 2 panel fan. I have the Recon size small. I also have a Wraptor 2 panel I made last year, basically a modified Anderson sling. I am a 30 inch waist and 155 pounds and 6 foot tall to give you an idea of body style.

I overlap the top and bottom panels and that gives me about a 9 inch wide seat. I spent 9 1/2 hours in the Wraptor yesterday and I was as comfortable as I can reasonably expect to be sitting in one spot still for that long. The last hour I moved the 2 panels out so that they just touched, giving me a 12 inch seat.

Try tying the panels together like you are talking about and see if that helps. John Eberhart has several good videos on how to use his ESS and those would be equally pertinent to any 2 panel.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
I tried the recon, ess, and Method 1 and 2. Can't stand any of them. The recon and ess were comfy, but they have extreme fidget factor with getting the straps right where on want them, constantly falling down on the walk in, just agitation. The Method were like sitting on a throne of thorns. The top panel repeatedly wanted to settle into the small of my back and drove me crazy.
The Cruzr XC completely negates any need for 2 panels. It's the Cadillac. The top dog. Holy Grail and the Great Bambino of saddles.
 
Scott7030 said:
I bought a name brand 2-panel prior to season and have been hunting out of it all year. My problem has been comfort. The 2 panels do not distribute the weight very well and the bottom panel cuts of the circulation in my thighs. I've played around with tether height, position, and bridge length without and success. Would I gain anything by strapping the 2 panels together to make one large single panel? or should I just cut my loses and try a different saddle?
Click to expand...
I have been using the ESS and it is quite comfortable, to me that is. I have no other comparisons as I have only this one. I've had all-day sits in it and it is just as comfortable as sitting on a lawn chair(rig yourself a back-support and the comfort level exponentially increases).
See the following Eberhart Outdoors video for insight (skip to 19:50).
 
I wish more manufacturers paid attention to Robert Wood...and the Dimensions of the uper to lower portion of the seat.and geometry of the straps.the lower part of the seat should be bigger than the back part above the curve of your but.oposite of the H2 wich would probably be perfect upside down with the strap angles reveredScreenshot_20221026-164545_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20231110_055221_Chrome.jpgreference the flat above and below the curve the seat bottom is the bigger flat portion for support
 
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As much as people like the mesh saddles they are still mesh wich strethes to much.leting your ass sink into the seat and the straps pressing in to your thigh.. wich is why you need some suport in the bottom of the seat.just cuz one mesh saddle is better than others dont mean it is what it could be.Screenshot_20231110_053557_Chrome.jpgeliminate just that small amount of bubbling with a solid material and it will relieve the weight on the strap more.
 
I have a theory that the larger and wider you are the more comfortable a 2 panel will be. For context, I'm 6' on the dot with a 42" waist and hover somewhere between 275-280lbs depending on how many times someone brings cookies into the office that week. I'm also a former weightlifter, so it ain't all fat, it's a well earned squattin' donk I'm toting around back there.

Everyone I know that's over the 200-210 range or is especially wide seems to prefer the 2 panels, and I think that might just have to do with being able to space the panels to hit the correct spots that a 1 panel would on someone with a more normal build.

But, I'm curious what the group says here. So, let's hear it: 1 or 2 panel, height and weight, and waist line.
 
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