Fleece Saddles

[Davis21]

The is the RCH I use, similar to the one @DaveT1963 posted and about the same price:

Amazon.com

I put a hem on the hip ends of the fleece and ran a zip tie through the hem to create a gathering that a knot wouldn't slip over.. Then I use @DaveT1963 locking girth hitch to tie it up!

Did you rig up some linesman loops?

 

[Woofron]

I did. I I followed DIY Sportsman's instructions on YouTube. Tubular webbing with 11MM rope in the ends for stiffness.

It's a longish video, but good info. Around 1:06 is the part about the linesman loops.

 

[always89y]

Good find! Those caught my eye the other day too, but I have a few at home already. Your fleece saddle video ruined me and I can't find anything I like as good as fleece, back in mine for second season.

Where is this video that you speak of? Ive searched 'till my searcher wont search...

 

[Woofron]

@always89y Maybe this video about the locked hitch?

 

[Takern]

I started with a 38Lx24H. Then trimmed from the bottom corner up to about 2 inches in on the top after practicing with it for a bit to make it a bit thinner on the back. You can always cut it smaller. I’m going to be making another and want to try a longer version for a sleeping bag like feeling

 

[Wirrex]

I would go bigger at first. You can always Cut it down. I noticed the more material you have past your hips (into your bridge) the more comfortable it is. I have probably 10” in front of my hips and then a shorter bridge, like just enough to rotate.

 

[gcr0003]

I used the whole fleece throw from Walmart folded in half. Then I tied ring water knots in a single piece of webbing then tied hammock knots on both folded ends.

 

[swampsnyper]

I would go bigger at first. You can always Cut it down. I noticed the more material you have past your hips (into your bridge) the more comfortable it is. I have probably 10” in front of my hips and then a shorter bridge, like just enough to rotate.

That’s the biggest problem with manufactured saddles. The material doesn’t come far enough past the hips. They start to make the bridge loops and the reinforcements of the bridge loop material is against your hip. Right where you have the less meat on your bones.

 

[DaveT1963]

I had DanO make me a predator fleece one this season, totally forgot how comfortable they are. I still grab my mantis 95% of the time as it works for me and is a all-in-all, but I have no problem using my RCH and fleece saddle and feel 100% safe in it. The plus side of a fleece saddle is they are READILY available and thus there is no limit of waiting to get a saddle. Took me under 5 minutes to put the last one together (already had the Amsteel dogbone.

To tell the truth, I am surprised they didn't catch on more.

 

[Davis21]

How big of a piece are you using? And are you starting from just a basic rectangle?

 

[always89y]

@always89y Maybe this video about the locked hitch?

Yes sir, I saw that one. I thought there might be a DIY fleece saddle as built video out there. Seems simple enough though

 

[Woofron]

How big of a piece are you using? And are you starting from just a basic rectangle?

I think the last one I did was a simple rectangle- 43 hip to hip and 34 top to bottom. The stretch was oriented top to bottom. I lost maybe 1.5 inch in hemming the hip sides for the zip tie.

I may go back to the top being 3 inches shorter than the bottom. It seems to tighten the back up a bit. So for the above saddle it would be 40 top 34 side and 43 bottom. so it appears like this /--\ .

 

[Woofron]

If you like reading, this is the thread the first fleece saddle came from, I think:

The ultimate ultralight saddle?

I have a small hammock seat where it is just a short/narrow hammock where you hang the foot end low. It doubles as a gear hammock and backpack cover ...cool piece of kit. 48" long 40" wide camo EpsIlon. Sew double stitched channels into each end and run Amsteel loops (tied or spliced) through...

saddlehunter.com

My build is on page 15.

 

[Takern]

I think the last one I did was a simple triangle- 43 hip to hip and 34 top to bottom. The stretch was oriented top to bottom. I lost maybe 1.5 inch in hemming the hip sides for the zip tie.

I may go back to the top being 3 inches shorter than the bottom. It seems to tighten the back up a bit. So for the above saddle it would be 40 top 34 side and 43 bottom. so it appears like this /--\ .

If you want to mess around with it before cutting to see if this is the route you want to take, fold it unevenly when following the video that was recently posted. Fold it from top to bottom into a small triangle on the edges then fold like in the video.