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Kestrel Discomfort

C

Coleman

New Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2017
Messages
39
OK so I just cannot get comfortable in the kestrel. Major hip pinch! Ive tried everything:
  • Bridge length- long and short. I even bought a Petzl adjustable bridge to try and find the sweet spot. No such luck
  • Tree tether height- High and eye level. I also have a ropeman on the tree tether for length adjustments. Does not make the kestrel more comfortable.
  • Leaning, sitting ect.
I am committed to hunting from a saddle but I dont think the Kestrel will work for me. Its just too uncomfortable....completely unrealistic for a long hung.

If its not pinching my hips it causes major pain in the back of my legs (when I wear the saddle very low like a plumber).

What are my options? I think Ive tried everything.
 
Coleman said:
OK so I just cannot get comfortable in the kestrel. Major hip pinch! Ive tried everything:
  • Bridge length- long and short. I even bought a Petzl adjustable bridge to try and find the sweet spot. No such luck
  • Tree tether height- High and eye level. I also have a ropeman on the tree tether for length adjustments. Does not make the kestrel more comfortable.
  • Leaning, sitting ect.
I am committed to hunting from a saddle but I dont think the Kestrel will work for me. Its just too uncomfortable....completely unrealistic for a long hung.

If its not pinching my hips it causes major pain in the back of my legs (when I wear the saddle very low like a plumber).

What are my options? I think Ive tried everything.
Click to expand...
Can you post some pictures of yourself sitting in the saddle. This will help us diagnose what is going on. Also what size saddle do you have and what height/weight/waist are you?
 
Coleman said:
OK so I just cannot get comfortable in the kestrel. Major hip pinch! Ive tried everything:
  • Bridge length- long and short. I even bought a Petzl adjustable bridge to try and find the sweet spot. No such luck
  • Tree tether height- High and eye level. I also have a ropeman on the tree tether for length adjustments. Does not make the kestrel more comfortable.
  • Leaning, sitting ect.
I am committed to hunting from a saddle but I dont think the Kestrel will work for me. Its just too uncomfortable....completely unrealistic for a long hung.

If its not pinching my hips it causes major pain in the back of my legs (when I wear the saddle very low like a plumber).

What are my options? I think Ive tried everything.
Click to expand...
Are you on the edge of sizing? I don't have a Kestrel, but others have experienced the same thing when it was too small.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 
I am 6'2" - 210 lbs. 32 pants

I can see how it may be too small BUT I called NewTribe before I ordered to get the correct size.

This thing makes hunting a pain. Im ready to move on for next season.
What are my other options?

I know guidos web is going out of business. What are the other recommended saddles? Im not looking for something that is super comfortable, I just don't want to be in pain the entire time.
 
Coleman said:
I am 6'2" - 210 lbs. 32 pants

I can see how it may be too small BUT I called NewTribe before I ordered to get the correct size.

This thing makes hunting a pain. Im ready to move on for next season.
What are my other options?

I know guidos web is going out of business. What are the other recommended saddles? Im not looking for something that is super comfortable, I just don't want to be in pain the entire time.
Click to expand...
You didn't mention what size kestrel that you had?
 
Coleman said:
Size 1
Click to expand...
I really think you'd be happier in a size 2. I am 5'7" 180# with a 36" waist and the size 2 fits me much better. This is a new product and @Boudreaux mentioned that they are looking into adjusting their sizing recommendations away from waist size.

As far as other options, there really aren't any. The sit drag with a rock climbing harness would be, but the remember the sit drag isn't rated for off the ground.
 
Ok thank you for the recommendation. I am going to give new tribe a call and see if they can exchange it for a size 2.

Thanks for the help.
 
Coleman said:
I am 6'2" - 210 lbs. 32 pants

I can see how it may be too small BUT I called NewTribe before I ordered to get the correct size.

This thing makes hunting a pain. Im ready to move on for next season.
What are my other options?

I know guidos web is going out of business. What are the other recommended saddles? Im not looking for something that is super comfortable, I just don't want to be in pain the entire time.
Click to expand...
The guidos web is amazingly comfortable to sit in, But i found it alot harder to climb in and shoot from due to its bulkiness. If you cant get the kestrel to work for you, Id look into the evolution with back support. Mine works great and is very comfortable after i performed a few mods to fit my needs.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Some photos would be the only way to see what is really going on, 32" waist should be size 1. Again, without photos I am at a loss.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
I’m a 32 waist and have a size 1 - no issues but it did take some practice to get it comfortable- never had pinching or back discomfort but did feel like I was sliding forward. I have to wear it low and loose


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had some pain with my kestrel size 1 as well. I tried everything I could think of to like it but I could not get it to stop my hip pinch. I am a size 36 waist (6'5 athletic build 215 lbs) I got rid of the size 1 and ordered a size 2. That was the ticket for me. Hip pinch is gone and I'm loving the kestrel. My understanding is the kestrel is a one size fits all in the waist. And the difference in size 1 and 2 is in the material. There is more material in the size 2. Selling your size one kestrel should be no problem on here or archery talk. Take the funds and get a size 2.
 
If your loop attachments are not out past your hips that will cause additional hip pain. The loops themselves, in all reality, become part of your bridge length once you move past your hips as the hips are the true fixed axis points at the bottom of your triangle with you tether point of contact being the third. if the extra material where loops are attached is not out PAST your hips it will cause more of a pressure point (same effect as some gets wearing belts or if a belt loop is right at that point). I really don't think you can get too big of a kestrel but I definitely believe you can get it too small. I wouldn't give up yet but I would take note of the loop attachment and if it is sitting on your hips I would contact New Tribe and see if they will exchange it for a larger saddle. To me, for true comfort, there should be absolutely no bulk material at the point of the hips.
 
DaveT1963 said:
I really don't think you can get too big of a kestrel but I definitely believe you can get it too small.
Click to expand...

Having both saddles I completely agree, I don't think you can go to big. You would have to be a very small person for the size 2 to not work for you IMO.
 
I spoke with New Tribe. As others have experienced and commented, they are a great company and very easy to work with.

I am exchanging my size 1 for a size 2 and hopefully everything works out. The extra material where the loops are attached is right on my hip and I think that is causing the pressure / pain.

Thanks for the help everyone
 
Tom Karrow said:
That is the problem. I am about the same stats and have a 2... would never consider one smaller.
T
Click to expand...
Ok, I am not a 32 but have the other similar stats... are you sure you are 32? I think a 2 would be better for the 6'2", 210 part of the description!
I am 6'3", 220, 38 (too big) and size 2 is comfy.
T
 
I am 6 feet tall, 32 inch waist, weigh 168 pounds. Should I just go with a size 2? I am trying to factor in the bulk of clothing during cold weather.
 
Peterk1234 said:
I am 6 feet tall, 32 inch waist, weigh 168 pounds. Should I just go with a size 2? I am trying to factor in the bulk of clothing during cold weather.
Click to expand...
I'm the same exact size just 10lb heavier and i got a size 2 and love it. From what I've read there isn't a downside to getting a size bigger, that's what made my mind up.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
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