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Getting ready to make the switch

V

vbryan00

New Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2019
Messages
28
Location
NW Arkansas
I'm getting ready to make the switch to a saddle. I have decided on a Tethrd Mantis and Out On a Limb Ridge Runner and leaning towards Hawk Helium sticks. Going to wait and see if there are any deals or discounts in the next few weeks to hopefully save a little money. Out on a limb told me they will have some specials in Jan. I tried contacting Tethrd to see if they are going to have any but no reply yet.
 
I have the RR platform and love it. Also have the helium sticks. I’ve owned several other sticks in the past and these are my favorites so far. They’re nice and compact when hiking and the double steps are a must for me. The suction cup thing they use to hold themselves together is awesome for when you’re climbing and attaching the sticks in the way up. Best stick system I’ve found so far. Highly recommend both of these products.


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Out on a limb mentioned they would run specials during the show.

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vbryan00 said:
I'm getting ready to make the switch to a saddle. I have decided on a Tethrd Mantis and Out On a Limb Ridge Runner and leaning towards Hawk Helium sticks. Going to wait and see if there are any deals or discounts in the next few weeks to hopefully save a little money. Out on a limb told me they will have some specials in Jan. I tried contacting Tethrd to see if they are going to have any but no reply yet.
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I have a large mantis and a ridge runner I would cut you a deal on. If you are interested PM me. Both are great products just going a different direction.
 
From the size chart, I will need to get a Medium Mantis. The only thing I have not looked into are knee pads. I can insert pads in the pants I wear right now but if my next ones are not set up for pads I will have to get external ones.
 
Nelsont43 said:
I have a large mantis and a ridge runner I would cut you a deal on. If you are interested PM me. Both are great products just going a different direction.
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Do you still have the Large Mantis? I’m thinking of picking one up to try a different saddle
 
vbryan00 said:
From the size chart, I will need to get a Medium Mantis. The only thing I have not looked into are knee pads. I can insert pads in the pants I wear right now but if my next ones are not set up for pads I will have to get external ones.
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I'm 6'3, 160 lbs. with a slender build. The size chart says I'm close but should go with a medium Mantis. I erred on the side of having too much room over too little. I only have a few saddle sits this year and don't have things dialed in yet, so can't really comment on whether that was the right call. I have been using Hawk Helium sticks, and I really like them, so I suspect you will too.
Also, I think the "butt pad strapped to a tree" trick is easier (and probably more comfortable) than knee pads, so you may want to investigate that before shelling out for those.
 
vbryan00 said:
I didn't think about strapping a pad to the tree.

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Not my trick, but it works great. I've just hung mine from a screw-in hanger, but most folks use a bungee cord with sharpened metal hooks to dig it into the bark. It's dead silent, comfortable, and you most likely already have everything you need in your garage.
 
Like stated I would size up for more comfort. I would go hawk sticks as well. I love mine an for the price you cant go wrong. I strap a pad to the tree and see zero reasons to wear knee pads. I love the pad on the tree.
 
One reason I like knee pads is when I kneel down on the ground, lot easier on the knees.
Kind of afraid to try a size up from what's recommend.

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I guess I would like feedback on which is the most preferred Tehtrd Mantis or Aero Hunter. I thought I wanted the mantis but I have tried multiple times to contact them but they never respond. So now I'm looking at the Aero Hunter Kestel. Any thoughts on the differences?
 
vbryan00 said:
I guess I would like feedback on which is the most preferred Tehtrd Mantis or Aero Hunter. I thought I wanted the mantis but I have tried multiple times to contact them but they never respond. So now I'm looking at the Aero Hunter Kestel. Any thoughts on the differences?
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I don’t own either but I do hear a good amount of people say they get hip pinch with the mantis that they can’t seem to solve. Not so much with the kestrel. I think they’re kind of 2 different saddles. The mantis is very light and minimalist, hence the discomfort perhaps. The kestrel has more “meat” to it. I have an H2 which is pretty similar to the kestrel and I have absolutely zero complaints about it. I had pinch in the very beginning because I didn’t know what I was doing. A height adjustment on the tether and loosening the leg straps completely solved it. It’s also a fraction of the price of the kestrel. And you get it in a matter of days instead of weeks/months with the kestrel. Just a couple things to think about.


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Ok, I will look into the H2 as well, I haven't searched that one I assume you can get it in a kit?


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vbryan00 said:
Ok, I will look into the H2 as well, I haven't searched that one I assume you can get it in a kit?


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I didn’t either until I started hanging out on this forum. Actually I think they only sell the saddle. You might have to get ropes and a platform somewhere else. I already had all that so wasn’t an issue for me.

You can buy the tether and lineman’s belt from Tethr or aero hunter. Or what I did was just buy 2 Muddy lineman’s belts and use those for my lineman’s and tether. They work great and they’re waaaaay cheaper than what the saddle companies sell their stuff for.


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Well just purchased a Mantis kit from a member. So sticks and platform are next


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My Mantis kit should be here today and I ordered my platform and a set of Helium sticks so hopefully I will be able to try it out a couple of times before the season ends. From what I have read and heard it is better to switch to a daisy chain for the sticks instead of the straps. I have read several forms but not entirely on daisy chains, should I use 1/4" or will 7/64" amsteel work?
 
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