I've made up my mind.... Change it.

[dvan]

I cannot even imagine taking my wife hunting! If her fidgeting and perfume didn't alert em she would talk their ears off!

 

[Patriot38]

This is my first season in the saddle. I went with the Mantis and 8 WE stepps. So far I really enjoy the saddle. I dont think I'll ever go back to anything else.

I also purchased the SBW heater and it's really nice. It hasn't been too cold yet in MN so I haven't given the full test but so far I really enjoy it. When early season is here it will be convenient to take out the SBW heater and be cooler/less weight and bulk.

Like others have said, walking in the mantis is super easy with the leg straps connected to the belt. If they are on the lower part it's not fun at all.

I remember a while back that WE Stepps had a promo code for saddle hunters. The owner was on a podcast and gave a discount to saddle hunters.

Enter: "saddlehunter" in the promo code box. I'm pretty sure that was the code. It may not be valid anymore but it's worth a shot. I highly recommend WE stepps. Just make sure you get some practice in.

Also...BUY ROPEMAN 1's!!

 

[Apex7]

Alright. I think I've decided to make the jump (later this year). I have been looking at this forum for a little while now and have finally decided that when I get some money at the end of the year I am going to buy a saddle. I've decided that I want to go with the Aero Kestrel and the wild edge stepp ladder.

Here are the reasons for my choice:
Aero has been around longer. Allowing them to work out any kinks (no offense to Tethrd)
The mesh seems like it will keep me colder vs the cordura that will keep me warmer. (I get cold easy)
I am not concerned about the slight difference in weight as I am currently carrying a summit climber and that is a PIA.
I do not currently have much if any private land to hunt and like the option to wear in the saddle vs carry in a stand. From what I read it sound like the Mantis isn't super friendly to wearing it in due to the leg straps. (can't remember where I saw this)
the WE ladder seams to allow me a bit more freedom with distance between steps. I plan to use the swaider and the knaider (if I can get one of you awesome DIYers to make them for me.. ) So I can potentially leave up a few steps in some locations..
Last of all it seams that the buying options are just easier through aero since its all one package and not add-ons.

Overall from the reviews I've seen and read the Kestrel is a better fit for me than the mantis.

Now what I want is for you to try to change my mind. Maybe I missed something, maybe I am wrong about something. I am not looking to bash either company, just trying to make the right decision from the start rather than wasting money. Since you all have more experience than I do, I value your opinion and input.

Thanks!

You can't go wrong with the Kestrel it's well made and I love mine. Wildedge steps are awesome. The Mantis is a great looking saddle and if I would buy a mesh saddle that's the one I would buy . Overall I think you pick a great saddle system. Good luck

 

[Apex7]

Fair point. I also have something called renalds syndrome or some crap that make my hands and feet get super cold because of the capilaries or something... anyway. So I saw the Primal Steps which are similar to the WE but use a strap rather than a rope. Has anyone changed out the rope to a strap? Is it better? Is it worse?

My daughter has renalds it's very painful in cold weathe I feel for you . I like the rope but I don't have a issue with cold hands.

 

[ekelsey15]

My daughter has Ronald it's very painful in cold weathe I feel for you . I like the rope but I don't have a issue with cold hands.

I don't have it nearly as bad as my brother, but I don't think his is as painful as mine. His fingers turn white and looks like an aliens hand. Mine just get cold and then the pinpricks start and get painful. Staying in the woods has always been hard in cold weather. If she hunts tell her to keep at it. And spend the money on better boots..

 

[ekelsey15]

This is my first season in the saddle. I went with the Mantis and 8 WE stepps. So far I really enjoy the saddle. I dont think I'll ever go back to anything else.

I also purchased the SBW heater and it's really nice. It hasn't been too cold yet in MN so I haven't given the full test but so far I really enjoy it. When early season is here it will be convenient to take out the SBW heater and be cooler/less weight and bulk.

Like others have said, walking in the mantis is super easy with the leg straps connected to the belt. If they are on the lower part it's not fun at all.

I remember a while back that WE Stepps had a promo code for saddle hunters. The owner was on a podcast and gave a discount to saddle hunters.

Enter: "saddlehunter" in the promo code box. I'm pretty sure that was the code. It may not be valid anymore but it's worth a shot. I highly recommend WE stepps. Just make sure you get some practice in.

Also...BUY ROPEMAN 1's!!

What are the ropemans 1s for. I was never really sure why they are needed but I've seen many people post about them.

 

[Patriot38]

What are the ropemans 1s for. I was never really sure why they are needed but I've seen many people post about them.

They are basically a mechanically knot. They allow you to quickly and easily adjust the length of your linemans belt and teather with one hand. If you have to adjust a prusik/Blake's hitch knot it can be cumbersome and take two hands and some adjusting. It's an amazing upgrade...I cant imagine not having them. Do a quick YouTube search and you'll see right away.

Backcountry.com has them in stock with free 2 days shipping. I think REI also has them. They were tough to find for a while because all the new saddle guys were snatching them up. Tethrd alone ordered all the ropemans they could find.

 

[huntin_addict]

Been married to The Boss Hen for 14 years and we only had one sit down discussion on hunting early on. I told her that I had been hunting before she came along, and I would be hunting after she was gone and that pretty much ended any other talk of the matter. Now she practically pushes me out the door~!

Sounds like my wife too.

 

[bigjoe]

My wife just asks to make sure the life insurance is up to date. If I am duck hunting she asks for me to make sure I wear my life jacket as it easier to collect the insurance.

All in goof fun.

 

[IkemanTX]

I think both saddles are SOLID options, especially if you aren’t concerned with lead times.

I wasn’t a fan at all of my WE stepps, but they were old originals from Jim Stepp and had the older ropes. I swapped the rope out for 1/4” Amsteel and they showed quite a bit of improvement. I will work with them in the off-season and see if I want to buy a full set for an option. I don’t like the need for using one for each step, but I also didn’t like the swaider for them. I think I will either have to like the Cain method, or give up on them entirely.


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[redsquirrel]

I think both saddles are SOLID options, especially if you aren’t concerned with lead times.

I wasn’t a fan at all of my WE stepps, but they were old originals from Jim Stepp and had the older ropes. I swapped the rope out for 1/4” Amsteel and they showed quite a bit of improvement. I will work with them in the off-season and see if I want to buy a full set for an option. I don’t like the need for using one for each step, but I also didn’t like the swaider for them. I think I will either have to like the Cain method, or give up on them entirely.


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You can use just a knaider, it's a pretty great system and a compromise between ultralight and functional. I carry 8 stepps with my knaider and hit between 20-25 feet.

 

[DaveT1963]

I am sitting here wondering what is so hard about wearing the mantis in with the leg buckles? I have done it and don't even notice it is on. You do realize you can easily loosen leg straps right? As far as the permanent bridge getting hung up on sticks -it definitely can as all saddles with permanent bridges will do. Simple solution, tuck it over the top of the waist belt pull it down and then tuck it into your pant pocket. Or, go to a removable bridge.

To OP, I certainly would not discourage you from the kestrel - I have all three of the Aerohunter models and they are nice. But for me personally, the mantis is more comfortable as well as more quiet to go along with the weight savings. As far as having more time to work things out - yep they had a couple years producing commercial saddles, but I would not agree with you they had more years experience - the guys at Tether'd were right here doing R&D the whole time (actually for a lot longer) and they actually listened to the feedback from most of us..... and the cap for me is that Tether'd guys are actually saddle hunters.... they actually hunt with the saddles they make.

Can't see a bad choice no matter what saddle you go

 

[swampsnyper]

Kestrel and stepps are a solid option. You won’t be disappointed after you ghetto the hang of the stepps. The stepps are cumbersome and tricky to use multiple as a platform.

 

[ckossuth]

JUST START SADDLE HUNTING!!!!!!!! THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kobudo]

You can use just a knaider, it's a pretty great system and a compromise between ultralight and functional. I carry 8 stepps with my knaider and hit between 20-25 feet.

X2

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[bigjoe]

Both the Kestrel and Mantis are great products. You cannot go wrong with either one.


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[ekelsey15]

Both the Kestrel and Mantis are great products. You cannot go wrong with either one.


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I see you wearing the ghillie suit. Do you use that in the tree or just ground?

 

[wmahunterfl]

this is why I switched to the saddle as well "I am not concerned about the slight difference in weight as I am currently carrying a summit climber and that is a PIA. "

 

[ekelsey15]

this is why I switched to the saddle as well "I am not concerned about the slight difference in weight as I am currently carrying a summit climber and that is a PIA. "

Ha. I constantly get caught on trees or make noise. Then spend 15 minutes setting it up. The one I have weighs 21 pounds. I would love to go to something that weighs 5. Wearing it would make it feel like gear which honestly doesn't add weight in my opinion. At least not mentally..

 

[Jasper2]

I hunt Indiana. Not typically too warm up here as hunting season doesn't start until Oct. and typically it started to get cold. I can deal with the heat better than I deal with the cold, but thanks for the thoughts. I've gone through the process of "buying" both setups online and they look pretty similar also I don't know much about what I don't know about. So until I get it and figure it out, I can't really say what I want to add or remove.

What part of Indiana are you hunting? I'd check the Saddle Hunter map to see if there others in your area. Someone would likely let you see their equipment and maybe even do a test run before you buy..... saddle hunters tend to be a generous bunch overall.