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Best saddle and why?

jakhammer

Active Member
Nov 26, 2020
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What is the best saddle and why do you think so?
I am 6'2" and 230 and bought a Hawk saddle and can already tell I am going to end up with something different very soon.
 

jakhammer

Active Member
Nov 26, 2020
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Here’s a great place to start



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Great video - I've watched most everything available and am looking for first hand experience from guys who have used them for awhile.
 
Last edited:

Spence71

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2019
649
639
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I’ve got a mantis. And the phantom. No issues really. Other than for the bigger folk I just ran into an issue where my new one stick rope bag is hard to use as the pouch is worn on the right side as forward as possible and it’s hard to grab the pouches left most buckles and such.

The aero comes in husky/wider. Next year I’m buying a Tx5. Because it’s 100% customizable

Lots of guys like the minimalist approach.

Which wife is better? That’s an easier answer than which saddle. Hahaha.

Then comes the pack question.





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iamcorey

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2018
2,716
2,576
113
What is the best saddle and why do you think so?
I am 6'2" and 230 and bought a Hawk saddle and can already tell I am going to end up with something different very soon.

What don’t you like about the Hawk?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

bj139

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2019
5,377
3,465
113
SE PA
What is the best saddle and why do you think so?
I am 6'2" and 230 and bought a Hawk saddle and can already tell I am going to end up with something different very soon.
Isn't this like asking who has the best wife? :mask:
 

Jtaylor

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2018
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What makes it better than others and is there anything you don't likeor that needs to be modded?
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.
 

goody94

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Apr 22, 2020
543
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Lancaster, PA
What makes it better than others and is there anything you don't likeor that needs to be modded?

I just got a cruzr xc after using the TL ambush lite this season. I’ve now sat in the cruzr 3 times and I agree the cruzr xc is great and I think one of the main reasons is that it doesn’t need to be modded. Mine has the adjustable amsteel bridge and I can’t imagine any mods to improve upon it at this time.

All of the buckles are high quality, I love that it actually buckles at the leg straps and isn’t just g hooks like the tethrd saddles. I also love the ‘expansion chamber’ which makes for a much more comfortable sitting position.

I think the reason the cruzr is more comfortable is due to the stiffer mesh it uses in comparison to other saddles I’ve tried. Another reason I like it so much is because it’s incredibly user friendly as mentioned above. I tried a two piece ESS the other day and it was comfortable but it just was not nearly as straight forward as the cruzr. I also feel incredibly safe in the cruzr. Lots of positives with very little cons.

After one sit in the cruzr, I felt as though this was a saddle I could use for multiple years and be very happy.

My two cents.


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jakhammer

Active Member
Nov 26, 2020
140
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Isn't this like asking who has the best wife? :mask:
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
 

Noonespecial

Well-Known Member
Dec 10, 2019
448
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The Treehopper recon. A two panel saddle beats a single panel saddle hands down no comparison. The adjustability is huge, no matter who you are sit in a saddle long enough and there will be hip pinching, hot spots, riding up etc. you can adjust and relieve that the best with a two panel. I’ve had the sit drag, mantis, Tactisaddle and H2 and the Recon blows them away.
 

jakhammer

Active Member
Nov 26, 2020
140
86
28
63
I just got a cruzr xc after using the TL ambush lite this season. I’ve now sat in the cruzr 3 times and I agree the cruzr xc is great and I think one of the main reasons is that it doesn’t need to be modded. Mine has the adjustable amsteel bridge and I can’t imagine any mods to improve upon it at this time.

All of the buckles are high quality, I love that it actually buckles at the leg straps and isn’t just g hooks like the tethrd saddles. I also love the ‘expansion chamber’ which makes for a much more comfortable sitting position.

I think the reason the cruzr is more comfortable is due to the stiffer mesh it uses in comparison to other saddles I’ve tried. Another reason I like it so much is because it’s incredibly user friendly as mentioned above. I tried a two piece ESS the other day and it was comfortable but it just was not nearly as straight forward as the cruzr. I also feel incredibly safe in the cruzr. Lots of positives with very little cons.

After one sit in the cruzr, I felt as though this was a saddle I could use for multiple years and be very happy.

My two cents.


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Thanks very much for taking the time for such a detailed reply - solid review
 
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jakhammer

Active Member
Nov 26, 2020
140
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28
63
The Treehopper recon. A two panel saddle beats a single panel saddle hands down no comparison. The adjustability is huge, no matter who you are sit in a saddle long enough and there will be hip pinching, hot spots, riding up etc. you can adjust and relieve that the best with a two panel. I’ve had the sit drag, mantis, Tactisaddle and H2 and the Recon blows them away.
thank you
 

Jtaylor

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2018
1,981
3,037
113
I guess I should add I've tried the Mantis, JX3, Trophyline Ambush Pro and Lite, Recon, Sit Drag/battle belt and a couple diy saddles. Maybe check out the return/refund policies on the different manufacturers too. I think most offer a 30 day return/refund if not satisfied!
 
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Apex7

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 6, 2017
3,745
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Pittsburgh Pa
I like the Cruzr XC in early season because it's light and very comfortable and in late season I like the original Aero Hunter Flex in Predator camo because it's very comfortable.
 

jakhammer

Active Member
Nov 26, 2020
140
86
28
63
I guess I should add I've tried the Mantis, JX3, Trophyline Ambush Pro and Lite, Recon, Sit Drag/battle belt and a couple diy saddles. Maybe check out the return/refund policies on the different manufacturers too. I think most offer a 30 day return/refund if not satisfied!
That's great info and makes your suggestion more relevant since you have compared so many
 

Noonespecial

Well-Known Member
Dec 10, 2019
448
550
93
45
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.
 

Jtaylor

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2018
1,981
3,037
113
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.
The pleat is sewn into place so barring stitches coming out, I don't see the pleat wearing out. I've never seen that complaint either, is it in another thread or Facebook possibly? I've spent days in it this season already and the only signs of wear is a little fuzziness on the lineman's loops from wearing it in and rubbing the lineman loops on brush/grass.
 
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