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I’m finally convinced

TooheyBirdie said:
After trying a 2 panel saddle a few weeks ago, I would never steer anyone toward a 1 panel..... I know certain people prefer them and I have a Phantom which I don't think is peak comfort for 1 panels, but I got a Latitude Method 2 and the comfort increase blew me away... I think the Tethrd ESS is the most cost friendly 2 panel and reviews say its comfortable, I'm just not a fan of the metal d rings... do some checking on here cuz u can find some deals this time of year with people switching up their setups.... and if possible meet up with people who can let u try out some saddles...good luck
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I too am sold on two panels for comfort and size. The ESS is a solid choice as well as the Treehopper Recon. The Recon comes in at about $30.00 lower MSRP at $159.00 and the ESS is $189.00. I plan to buy an ESS this summer just because I want one. This saddle thing can get out of hand, lol. They were backordered last fall when I was looking. That said, any good 2 panel should be great once you take ten extra minutes to figure them out.
 
"I'm finally convinced"... Yup, he talked himself into the lunacy...

Good luck in your quest for "decent and affordable" as everyone here started with those very same intentions. Somehow the addiction sets in and pulls you down the rabbit hole before you even realize that you strayed from your original course. Luckily it's a fun (albeit expensive) journey, lol.

In all seriousness, saddlehunting gear is very person specific meaning two guys with the exact same physical build and hunting style may not agree on what equipment is the "best". Only through trial and error will you be able to compare pieces of equipment and make your own determination as to what suits you the "best".

Good luck and welcome to the lunacy!
 
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slonstdy said:
"I'm finally convinced"... Yup, he talked himself into the lunacy...

Good luck in your quest for "decent and affordable" as everyone here started with those very same intentions. Some how the addiction sets in and pulls you down the rabbit hole before you even realize that you strayed from your original course. Luckily it's a fun (albeit expensive) journey, lol.

In all seriousness, saddlehunting gear is very person specific meaning two guys with the exact same physical build and hunting style may not agree on what equipment is the "best". Only through trial and error will you be able to compare pieces of equipment and make your own determination as to what suits you the "best".

Good luck and welcome to the lunacy!
Click to expand...
Thanks! I’m sure it’s like everything else hunting, i’ll buy one after another. Just hoping to avoid starting at the very bottom! With the advice and help from the folks on here maybe i’ll only buy 3 saddles over next years time instead of 5!
 
In my opinion skip the two panel saddles and go straight to the Dryad Drey. It is the easiest saddle to walk in with and the most comfortable when sitting.


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parkersdad said:
In my opinion skip the two panel saddles and go straight to the Dryad Drey. It is the easiest saddle to walk in with and the most comfortable when sitting.


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Click to expand...

but he hasn't figured out if he is a sitter or a leaner yet

i lean around 80 percent, so a dryad's benefits would be lost on me
 
It doesn't have to be real expensive if you don't want it to be either. Yes is a saddle about the cost of a decent climbing stand... sure, but you can find great used gear on this site for a fraction of the original retail cost and be in the game quickly and at relatively low cost. Finally, identify your kind of hunting and plan your gear purchases accordingly. If you're strictly public land, run and gun go in deep and pack everything out including your harvest, then being light and nimble will be of paramount importance. If you hunt both public and private, rely on gear and equipme may have to serve as preset locations with steps, or ladders or other climbing methods you already employ as part of your arsenal. The sky is the limit. On public land I one stick exclusively but when I'm hunting private parcels I one stick, have preset climbing poles and take a platform, or climbing spurs depending on the landower, the types of trees etc.
 
Mark at Treehopper can hook you up with a Recon, ring of steps and/or a tree suit platform. Also a climbing method if you're allowed to drill trees. You can get ropes from Eastern Woods Outdoors. Otherwise Trophyline is a one stop shop. You can also get a nice first responder discount through Trophyline.
 
BuffaloBill said:
Mark at Treehopper can hook you up with a Recon, ring of steps and/or a tree suit platform. Also a climbing method if you're allowed to drill trees. You can get ropes from Eastern Woods Outdoors. Otherwise Trophyline is a one stop shop. You can also get a nice first responder discount through Trophyline.
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is the tree suit as good as it looks? very stable?
 
skydoc said:
is the tree suit as good as it looks? very stable?
Click to expand...

I don't have one personally. I ended up with the EDP platform from Trophyline. But there are reviews of them online and they seem stable with the OCB and strap that come with them. I may end up with one just because of how light they are.

 
BuffaloBill said:
I don't have one personally. I ended up with the EDP platform from Trophyline. But there are reviews of them online and they seem stable with the OCB and strap that come with them. I may end up with one just because of how light they are.

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Thanks for the video. The weight sounds perfect for a long walk in.
 
TooheyBirdie said:
I think the Tethrd ESS is the most cost friendly 2 panel
Click to expand...

Don't forget about the TreeHopper Recon. Treehopper was the first to remake the Anderson design. It's $30 cheaper than the ESS, American made, doesn't have the large d rings and is from a company that has stellar customer service.
 
I’m 5”11 175lbs 34” waist. I started this year with a rock climbing harness and a Drey. Did many all day sits and took a nap or two in it. “Best 30 minute sleep of my life”. My beef with the dray is, as a skinny guy, there is too much material left on my sides. This forced me to put the tether higher than I like and my bridge was almost right up to it. I was able to sit with no pain from 6am to 8pm in September. Then I tried a well liked single panel and it rubbed my hips raw. Then I traded a platform for an ESS. Very comfortable sun up to sun down. It’s a love/hate relationship. With my heavy pouches and rappel rope on it, it is not easy to pull out and get it on. It too would be more ideal for a bigger guy. Best one thus far. I plan on making a few diy saddles soon and hope I can make the ultimate saddle for my size. You might want to check out the DIY FLEECE SADDLE thread on here paired with a rock climbing harness.
 
woodsdog2 said:
It doesn't have to be real expensive if you don't want it to be either. Yes is a saddle about the cost of a decent climbing stand... sure, but you can find great used gear on this site for a fraction of the original retail cost and be in the game quickly and at relatively low cost. Finally, identify your kind of hunting and plan your gear purchases accordingly. If you're strictly public land, run and gun go in deep and pack everything out including your harvest, then being light and nimble will be of paramount importance. If you hunt both public and private, rely on gear and equipme may have to serve as preset locations with steps, or ladders or other climbing methods you already employ as part of your arsenal. The sky is the limit. On public land I one stick exclusively but when I'm hunting private parcels I one stick, have preset climbing poles and take a platform, or climbing spurs depending on the landower, the types of trees etc.
Click to expand...
I hunt public and private as well. I don’t hang and permanent items since sometimes folks around there tend to forget about property lines. Never had anyone mess with anything, but i’ve gone to good lengths to keep the good spots hidden from sight
 
Jimdude said:
I’m 5”11 175lbs 34” waist. I started this year with a rock climbing harness and a Drey. Did many all day sits and took a nap or two in it. “Best 30 minute sleep of my life”. My beef with the dray is, as a skinny guy, there is too much material left on my sides. This forced me to put the tether higher than I like and my bridge was almost right up to it. I was able to sit with no pain from 6am to 8pm in September. Then I tried a well liked single panel and it rubbed my hips raw. Then I traded a platform for an ESS. Very comfortable sun up to sun down. It’s a love/hate relationship. With my heavy pouches and rappel rope on it, it is not easy to pull out and get it on. It too would be more ideal for a bigger guy. Best one thus far. I plan on making a few diy saddles soon and hope I can make the ultimate saddle for my size. You might want to check out the DIY FLEECE SADDLE thread on here paired with a rock climbing harness.
Click to expand...
i would like to see a drey, but seems like a lot of stuff in the way if you have to make a shot. They don’t always walk in and out slowly.
 
skydoc said:
i would like to see a drey, but seems like a lot of stuff in the way if you have to make a shot. They don’t always walk in and out slowly.
Click to expand...
It actually doesn’t get in the way at all. You don’t hunt with it engulfing your entire body. That’s just for napping. I hunted with it down low. Check it out on the dryad website. Although I’m still looking for alternatives, I’m keeping the dray and will pack it for all day sits in case I start dosing off.
 
Jimdude said:
It actually doesn’t get in the way at all. You don’t hunt with it engulfing your entire body. That’s just for napping. I hunted with it down low. Check it out on the dryad website. Although I’m still looking for alternatives, I’m keeping the dray and will pack it for all day sits in case I start dosing off.
Click to expand...
naps are good. my snoring could grunt in a herd of deer.
 
raisins said:
but he hasn't figured out if he is a sitter or a leaner yet

i lean around 80 percent, so a dryad's benefits would be lost on me
Click to expand...

Leaning is more comfortable in the Drey as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
skydoc said:
Thanks! I’m sure it’s like everything else hunting, i’ll buy one after another. Just hoping to avoid starting at the very bottom! With the advice and help from the folks on here maybe i’ll only buy 3 saddles over next years time instead of 5!
Click to expand...
HA! I have bought 3 saddles in two years and only eastern whitetail hunt about 7 days a year. I’m now looking for sticks to complete the ultimate elk wallow set up.
 
Camelcluch said:
HA! I have bought 3 saddles in two years and only eastern whitetail hunt about 7 days a year. I’m now looking for sticks to complete the ultimate elk wallow set up.
Click to expand...
I work 8 days a month…. long shifts but it still affords me a large amount of time to be in the woods. Haven’t gotten drawn for an elk tag yet but maybe this will be the year.
 
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