Comfort: I don't understand..

[bow shot]

I've been working with my Kestrel since March. I'm 5' 11", 170lb, 33" waist. Size 1 saddle.

I have this question: Why do the leg straps on these saddles (Tethered looks similar enough) grab your legs to close to your privates?

Sitting, leaning, I have not problem, but...:

If I need to hang unsupported by steps or a platform for a while (say, to adjust my platform, get around limbs, whatever), I find that unless I have to my knees up high against the tree, have the whole saddle shifted down so that the waist belt is below my hips, and leg straps lower down the thighs, almost like its falling off, before I load it, ther will be real pain in the privates, not just discomfort.

It seems to me that a saddle (for what we do) would be a lot more comfortable, especially when hanging unsupported, if the weight-bearing area were spread about the seat more like a hammock, rather directed right to the leg straps, which seem to me to tend to...cram

Am I missing something? Truthfully, I do at this point assume I'm doing something wrong.

Thoughts, or answers to the question above?

 

[Murph4028]

No. From my experience your not missing anything. The only saddle I have never sat in is the old kestrel that you have. But the kite does the same thing. It's terrible. But I did not have this problem in my mantis and I don't have that problem in my kestrel flex. About the only thing you can do is loosen the leg straps when you get to hunting height.

 

[Vtbow]

Play with your tether height. Watch @Nutterbuster video on this.

 

[EricS]

@bow shot I don’t think your missing anything. With exception to srt or rappel neither of which is considered normal operation procedure for saddle hunting I don’t understand why you would have to be unsupported in it in a standing position. Sit in it. That’s what it’s made for. Maybe there’s something I’m missing.

 

[Murph4028]

@bow shot I don’t think your missing anything. With exception to srt or rappel neither of which is considered normal operation procedure for saddle hunting I don’t understand why you would have to be unsupported in it in a standing position. Sit in it. That’s what it’s made for. Maybe there’s something I’m missing.

He's saying the leg straps crush his balls when sitting in the kestrel.

 

[EricS]

He's saying the leg straps crush his balls when sitting in the kestrel.

Actually it says it’s ok when he’s sitting but only a problem when he is just hanging without his feet touching anything. Kind of like tying a rope to the back of your pants and having someone pull up on the rope and then complain that it gave you a wedgie.

 

[Murph4028]

Actually it says it’s ok when he’s sitting but only a problem when he is just hanging without his feet touching anything. Kind of like tying a rope to the back of your pants and having someone pull up on the rope and then complain that it gave you a wedgie.

Yep sure does. My mistake

 

[BenG]

You’re not doing anything wrong. I’m hoping the flex is a little better for this but I don’t think any saddle will be. I had this problem with the evolution and mantis using single aider/one stick climbing methods and the only thing you can do in my experience is try to keep your knees up because no saddle I’ve tried works well if you get vertical. That’s the beauty of a rock harness/sit drag set up. Way more comfortable if you have to hang like you’re talking.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Actually it says it’s ok when he’s sitting but only a problem when he is just hanging without his feet touching anything. Kind of like tying a rope to the back of your pants and having someone pull up on the rope and then complain that it gave you a wedgie.

That's the way I read it, too. I don't remember any time that I didn't have mat least one foot on something...Platform, steps (bolts, sticks, ROS) even branches.
Never felt like the boys were at risk.

 

[DaveT1963]

Use a Mantis, and put both main straps of saddle UNDER your rear.

 

[rambotogo]

I have never had that problem but if the boys where in danger, I would unbuckle the leg straps . I know its not the safest thing to do but I do not like that kind of pain.

 

[dalton916]

Lower where you wear the saddle. I’ve never had an issue with my balls getting crushed, but it sounds like you have the saddle too high.

 

[clint6760]

If you have the mantis just use the lower leg strap hookups that go around your thighs.

 

[100rollie]

I've never had that problem with any of my saddles. BUT, I believe the only time I ever hung my feet free "without anything to stand on if I am understanding correctly" was when I was using a treesuit which had no leg straps and the hard seat took all the weight. The way I use my saddle's now, I never am in a position to hang without at least one foot on something.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

As I single stick climb up and rappel down I spend quite a bit of time just hanging in the saddle. As @dalton916 pointed out, the trick is to wear it a little lower so you're actually sitting on the lower strap. It keeps the saddle where it is supposed to be and prevents the pinch from the leg straps.

 

[ThePennsylvanian]

I have to agree with @boyne bowhunter. You stated "I find that unless I have to my knees up high against the tree," this is going to change the point in which your body is supported by the saddle. Wearing the saddle lower is going to take some time getting use to as I am currently experiencing with my kite. I have been hanging on my deck with the saddle to just find where my most comfortable position is, unsupported sitting and supported leaning. Forget the tree for the time being and try to find somewhere on the ground to learn your saddle placement!

 

[bow shot]

He's saying the leg straps crush his balls when sitting in the kestrel.

close.. sitting is ok, hanging unsupported is the crusher.

 

[bow shot]

Actually it says it’s ok when he’s sitting but only a problem when he is just hanging without his feet touching anything. Kind of like tying a rope to the back of your pants and having someone pull up on the rope and then complain that it gave you a wedgie.

Exactly. lol!!!

 

[bow shot]

Thanks for the excellent feedback folks, very much appreciated. My understanding is good now. I was just wondering if I was way off based on how I was implementing. If I need to hang, I know that what I was doing (saddle low, knees high) was not a-typical. All set!