Sometimes it’s just easier to pull a
@tailgunner and dump some pics. Here’s what I’ve been using for 5 seasons, with minimal tweaks for the last 3.
In particular, note the reflective stitching inside the LB and bridge loops. This was not available on the stock Kestrel, only the Flex and by request (I ordered mine by phone, there are quite a few custom details that AH suggested and took into suggestion by me based on how I hunt AND they were two weeks behind on my stock Kestrel that I ordered online, so they built one to the new specs the very next day and had it to me within a week. Incredible.). Even the tan stitches all along the belts and saddle frame kinda shine with a suggestion of light, it makes life really easy in the dark morning when I’m still sleepy.
No, this isn’t an advertisement for Tethrd, but I do like the SYS hauler. It holds a carabiner, webbing sling, knife, sometimes a grunt call, safety whistle, and flashlight in the left pocket, another carabiner and extra hitch cords in the right pocket (8mm, 7mm, 6mm, and sometimes a 5mm), and in the main dump I have a HYS strap with 4 clips, another good carabiner, and an 8’ tether made of 8mm resctech. I could probably fit another two or three tethers in there, and while I’m hunting it gets my phone, rattle bag, or temporarily holds random crap.
I have a webbing retainer on each side’s lower molle in the last loops beside my leg straps, that I use for my sticks or to clip/transition carabiners at height. I have one plastic carabiner clipped on the lower right for my dog leash pull-up (also has reflective stitching), and another above that for whatever. Sometimes a platform, sometimes cords, sometimes my release or quiver…it’s there for when I need it. I have more in my pack.
11mm Tethrd rope is my LB and it never leaves my saddle. It’s suspenders when it’s not a LB and it was my tether for a while before I recently switched to 8mm. I had 8mm on my LB but I found it pinched my fingers and I like using the RM1 on the lineman better than tether.
My bridge is also the Flex version of the detachable webbing bridge. I love it. I keep it short and I’m not a huge guy so I don’t need a lot of play through the carabiner, but I find it’s smooth as butter when I need to lean far or shift. Admittedly I look for slick biners in the first place, that helps.
Let’s see some of those other Kestrels! I know some of y’all AH nerds gunna show out.