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Can’t get comfortable

C

Close caller

Active Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2018
Messages
126
I’ve been saddle hunting for about 6 years. The last couple years I’ve moved back to a light weight hang on for most of my hunting. I prefer packing in and setting up with a saddle. Thought I’d throw a post to get some help to tweak my setup and see if that helps.

Biggest issue is I move too much in the saddle and can’t really get super comfortable for a long time. I have a aerohunter flex and feel my tether length is ok for hip pinch.

I also find my feet get sore and I have to shift/distribute my weight a lot due to that.

late season is tough for getting picked off but my last couple sits in a saddle this month I feel like I’m getting burnt by does way more than in my hang on. I’ve been zip tying small Pine branches to my stand and next to my head. So I’ve been able to create some camo so not a true fair comparison. But I move way less in the stand. The saddle I’ve been cool when the tree is in front but when they eventually get to my side they seem to be picking me off fast.

I’m more of a leaner. Any tips I’m missing for comfort? Especially foot pressure. Should I consider a different saddle? Im tall and have a long inseam not sure if body type translates to comfort but I just can’t figure out why some people are so comfortable and I’m struggling to stay still for more than 5 min.
 
I find that I can be still the longest while I’m sitting…..knees against the tree. If I’m standing, I do catch myself moving, almost unconsciously. I’ll rotate between a few positions in an hour. You just gotta the ones that work for you.

It does sound like a different saddle would help out a lot with comfort. If you’re not comfortable, you’re gonna move…and get picked off. The overall consensus online is that the Cruzr XC is the must comfortable saddle on the market right now. That’s what I have, and I don’t see how a saddle can be more comfortable. I’d try one of those. Pick one up used for a good deal right now.

The angle on the front of the Cruzr Seeker is really comfortable for a leaner. I hunt in rubber boots and have no foot issues won’t it.


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Rutman said:
I find that I can be still the longest while I’m sitting…..knees against the tree. If I’m standing, I do catch myself moving, almost unconsciously. I’ll rotate between a few positions in an hour. You just gotta the ones that work for you.

It does sound like a different saddle would help out a lot with comfort. If you’re not comfortable, you’re gonna move…and get picked off. The overall consensus online is that the Cruzr XC is the must comfortable saddle on the market right now. That’s what I have, and I don’t see how a saddle can be more comfortable. I’d try one of those. Pick one up used for a good deal right now.

The angle on the front of the Cruzr Seeker is really comfortable for a leaner. I hunt in rubber boots and have no foot issues won’t it.


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Yeah seems like everyone loves the cruzr xc. I mobile hunt a lot so I’d like for the saddle to work but I need to be more still. Maybe I’ll try that saddle and see if I can work on a seated position more and be more comfortable. Thanks
 
To give an actual serious reply- do you have knee pads? I find that I shift more /rock side to side leaning than I do sitting with knees to tree. Second the stiffer boots/angled platform suggestions. Where does the discomfort start? You mentioned your feet, are you moving because your feet hurt, or are your feet hurting because you're moving? Likely the first one.
 
How about knee pads? I got the Trophy Line knee pads. Its way more comfortable putting knees up against the tree. It doesnt stay comfortable for too long but its a change of pace for awhile.
 
Close caller said:
Yeah seems like everyone loves the cruiser. I mobile hunt a lot so I’d like for the saddle to work but I need to be more still. Maybe I’ll try that saddle and see if I can work on a seated position more and be more comfortable. Thanks
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Great knee pads are the key for me to be comfortable sitting a long time. I’ve tried almost everything… the tethrd ones are crazy expensive, but they’re the best I’ve found. I don’t really feel the tree at all with them on compared to others. Plus you can put them on at the truck and never know they’re there when hiking in.


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thedutchtouch said:
To give an actual serious reply- do you have knee pads? I find that I shift more /rock side to side leaning than I do sitting with knees to tree. Second the stiffer boots/angled platform suggestions. Where does the discomfort start? You mentioned your feet, are you moving because your feet hurt, or are your feet hurting because you're moving? Likely the first one.
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I lean so much I haven’t really worn them. I actually got a free pair of knee pads from Trophyline. I bought an EDP platform and they sent them first by mistake and let me keep them

I used to kick my knees out and sit some but I’ll bust them out and try sitting with knees against the tree and see if I can stay still longer.

yeah I move because my feet because they get uncomfortable. Just have to adjust the pressure.
 
I'm primarily a sitter in the saddle. I estimate that I spend 80% of my time sitting knees to the tree and leaning forward resting on my bridge and 20% leaning. I find knees to the tree I stay way more still than when I am leaning. When leaning I tend to sway and pivot more but while sitting all I do is lift my head occasionally and look right to left. Sitting also removes almost all pressure off of my feet. I just rest my feet on the platform.

Obviously the downside to sitting is the knees pressed against the tree but I've found that using a pad in my pack (or even an unused extra outer layer) and using it as a knee pad works great for padding. No separate kneepads required. I think the knees to the tree leaning forward also helps me blend in with the tree more similar to sitting in a treestand.

I admit its not for everybody but that's what works for me.
 
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Close caller said:
I never really use my leg straps. I’ve felt more comfortable with them unattached. Do you guys who sit with knees against the tree a lot use your leg straps or feel you need to? Just curious
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I always use my leg straps. I will loosen them and my waist buckle up a little when I get tethered in.


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I’ve only used a two panel so if this is not what you use I apologize.
On a two panel I put the top panel above my hips, belly button level. Once in the tree and tied in I loosen the waist belt/rope. I then sit down like in a chair. If your saddle is by your hips at all you will be putting so much weight on your feet that it will be uncomfortable
 
Close caller said:
I never really use my leg straps. I’ve felt more comfortable with them unattached. Do you guys who sit with knees against the tree a lot use your leg straps or feel you need to? Just curious
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Yes I still do. Takes a lil adjustment once on stand but maybe its a security blanket type thing.
 
The right equipment makes a world of difference….. I started out with a Tethrd Phantom saddle. It was terrible with hip pinch. No way could I hunt long in that thing. I can hunt all day, and did several times this year in the Cruzr saddle.


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Yeah I think I will probably just get a CRUZR. Seems like everyone loves them. The Latitude Method also has my attention. I need to got to a saddle meet up and try a few
 
thedutchtouch said:
Countdown to @kyler1945 saying to try a jx3 even though it s a sitting option not a leaning in 3.... 2....
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I mean. The dude is describing all the reasons leaning isn’t comfortable. Everyone can try to give him subjective ways to improve comfort at the margins.

I just look at the problem differently. Everyone else assumes a soft saddle is the answer, and gotta engineer controls to make it work. I don’t assume that. I assume that spreading the pressure due to gravity across as much surface area as possible is the answer. It’s a materially different starting point than a soft saddle. Then, you have the ability to adjust how much of that force is distributed to your feet, ankles, knees, hips, core and back with minor adjustments that don’t require any major perceptible movement.

Try 40 solutions to 5 problems that may or may not work for you. Or eliminate 4 of the 5 problems outright.

Seems silly to me not to try. Time is money. Money is money.
 
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