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Aero hunter - Size 2 Kestrel Flex Question

jhunter13

jhunter13

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2020
Messages
654
I am still in my first year and learning every day. I went with the size two as I fell right on the edge of the specs for sizing and I hunt in NE Pa where temps get to single digits - so I figured late season layers the extra size would help.

It seems like I am constantly adjusting the saddle and I wonder if its simply too big. I have spoken to other hunters that have had a size 1 & 2 and it seems that I am not alone in this with the size 2. Anyone else find the size 2 riding up, and getting pinch from the leg straps? If my body (bad knees, bad back, etc) makes it through this first season I will most likely be looking at other saddles or the smaller size, until then, just looking for feedback from other users and any suggestions.

For some additinal info, I prefer a slightly higher tether for my bridge, and Im using the tethrd predator platform.

Thanks.
 
What size are you may help? I am 34in waist 180 lbs. and I went with a size 1. The higher your tether the more the saddle will want to ride up. Webbing or rope bridge? The rope bridge on that is long, which I like. Once I get settled I loosen my waist belt a little and wear the top saddle strap slightly under wear I'd wear a traditional belt.

May be worth finding someone in your area with a size 1 or try to attend a meet up - we have these sometimes, typically outside of deer season though.
 
Chrighton said:
What size are you may help? I am 34in waist 180 lbs. and I went with a size 1. The higher your tether the more the saddle will want to ride up. Webbing or rope bridge? The rope bridge on that is long, which I like. Once I get settled I loosen my waist belt a little and wear the top saddle strap slightly under wear I'd wear a traditional belt.

May be worth finding someone in your area with a size 1 or try to attend a meet up - we have these sometimes, typically outside of deer season though.
Click to expand...
Agree about trying some others out before buying something.

Waist is 36/38 depending on brand and weigh 220. Using a rope bridge.
 
All relative, but I'd think your best with the size 2. Try lower tether and wearing it a bit lower. Everyone is different obviously. I like to sit very deep in the saddle, with my knees higher than my arse. The long bridge helps with that.
 
I have tried my tether at all different hieghts and seemed to settle with it being the most comfortable around eye level or slightly higher - also prefer leaning over sitting or resting against tree
 
I'm the same size as the OP and have a size 2 flex. First year saddle hunting and I'm having the same issues...it rides up and the leg straps tighten up pretty good. The only thing I have started doing to make it better is lowering the tether to about eye/forehead level. I started putting it there because it seemed to help with hip pinch but noticed that the saddle rode up less. I have the webbing bridge and this weekend I am going to shorten the bridge so I can go lower on my tether. Right now the prussic is typically within an inch or two from the loop around the tree.
 
I'll also add that the more you lean out away from the tree the less it will want to ride up. Don't give up on it. AH makes great saddles and it may just take some time to get a feel for it. For me, this is the safest way to climb and hunt and therefore, hope it would be worth the efforts for you guys too.
 
I don’t think it’s too big. I know I’ve solved most hip pinch issues in different saddles by adjusting where the bridge rides in the loop. Lower in the loops more pinch higher less pinch. Tether height & bridge length also factor but that’s my go to. You can even zip tie it in place once you get it where you like.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I should share the saddle is not uncomfortable or causing major pinch anywhere. I just feel like I am constantly pulling the bottom of it down , readjusting it for optimal comfort.
 
I've only had 2 hunts out of the flex but so far I tend to go from leaning to sitting every 30 mins or so.
 
I also highly recommend a backband. I somewhat look at it as a backup, if you have one with decent webbing. If the saddle where to somehow fail I'd probably be hurting, but the backband may keep me from hitting the ground... or I may just be hanging onto my backband under my arm pits and not fall much at all.. Mine is from @DanO I think he is going to be selling them. They hook through the bridge carabiner and have a g-hook on one side. Quality made per usual with EWO.
You can shift weight into the backband taking pressure off here or there and allowing more comfort and less moving around. Give one a try.
Hopefully I explained that well.
 
JDHoosier said:
I'm the same size as the OP and have a size 2 flex. First year saddle hunting and I'm having the same issues...it rides up and the leg straps tighten up pretty good. The only thing I have started doing to make it better is lowering the tether to about eye/forehead level. I started putting it there because it seemed to help with hip pinch but noticed that the saddle rode up less. I have the webbing bridge and this weekend I am going to shorten the bridge so I can go lower on my tether. Right now the prussic is typically within an inch or two from the loop around the tree.
Click to expand...
I’m the same size also but I also have a bit wider hips than most guys. Here’s a couple things you can try. If you’re a sitter lower your bridge height as others have said and try with a super short bridge, loosen the hip straps before you sit. That’s what I do when I sit. Also, fold the pleat so you don’t have as much material expanded. Finally, as you sit position the saddle in the right spot. Once you sit and put pressure in it it won’t move.
If you’re a leaner like I am try tether about neck height, raise your prusik or whatever as high as it will go and shorten your bridge. Position your saddle and expand the seat. When I do it that way it creates more room for my posterior. You might have to play around with it. And if you guys hunt in cold weather you’ll have to accommodate
 
Exhumis said:
I’m the same size also but I also have a bit wider hips than most guys. Here’s a couple things you can try. If you’re a sitter lower your bridge height as others have said and try with a super short bridge, loosen the hip straps before you sit. That’s what I do when I sit. Also, fold the pleat so you don’t have as much material expanded. Finally, as you sit position the saddle in the right spot. Once you sit and put pressure in it it won’t move.
If you’re a leaner like I am try tether about neck height, raise your prusik or whatever as high as it will go and shorten your bridge. Position your saddle and expand the seat. When I do it that way it creates more room for my posterior. You might have to play around with it. And if you guys hunt in cold weather you’ll have to accommodate
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll definitely try folding the pleat and see if that helps along with adjusting the tether height.
 
I loosen leg straps and waist belt while hunting. I think your tether height is to high for a leaner. That’s sitting height. You want to get the longest out of your bridge to lessen hip pinch, (I know that’s not your problem, but bare with me) so it should be as close to the tree as possible on your tether. Lowering your tether down the tree will lower the angle of your bridge so it isn’t pulling your saddle up. But the lower your tether is, the shorter your bridge will be, allowing more squeeze at the hips. So you fix one problem and cause another.
This is why saddles were originally designed to sit in and not to be standing on a platform. You should be leaning off the platform or really a step when you need to stand but mostly sitting in a saddle with a high tether and long bridge. The introduction of hunting from a level platform changes the dynamics of how a saddle performs. It’s more like hunting from a treestand, facing the tree, with a waist belt.
 
swampsnyper said:
I loosen leg straps and waist belt while hunting. I think your tether height is to high for a leaner. That’s sitting height. You want to get the longest out of your bridge to lessen hip pinch, (I know that’s not your problem, but bare with me) so it should be as close to the tree as possible on your tether. Lowering your tether down the tree will lower the angle of your bridge so it isn’t pulling your saddle up. But the lower your tether is, the shorter your bridge will be, allowing more squeeze at the hips. So you fix one problem and cause another.
This is why saddles were originally designed to sit in and not to be standing on a platform. You should be leaning off the platform or really a step when you need to stand but mostly sitting in a saddle with a high tether and long bridge. The introduction of hunting from a level platform changes the dynamics of how a saddle performs. It’s more like hunting from a treestand, facing the tree, with a waist belt.
Click to expand...
Makes sense. I settled at that tether height as it was the most comfortable for moving around the tree, hard to explain but it made me feel like my weight was being pulled in better tha a lower tether. Lower bridge made me feel like I wasnt secure when swinging around for different shots.
 
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