Kestrel Flex Modifications

[Murph4028]

I don't see the point in adding G hooks. If you're going to do that just cut off the leg straps and be done with it. You're going from rated leg straps to non rated so just get rid of them.

I use my leg straps to keep my saddle where I want it. Couldn't care less if they are load bearing or not.

 

[elk yinzer]

I am going to do the G hook mod for my leg straps as well, I can't stand those raptor type buckles. Clearly to each their own but they are awful imo. As to rated/non rated same thing as above, I actually like the function of leg straps to hold everything in place. When I get to the higher end of rotating my torso for those 3-6 o'clock shots if I don't have leg buckles my saddle wants to shift on my rear more than I am comfortable with. I think it's a platform thing as we contort our bodies for shots more vs ring of steps you just walk around the tree maintaining that steady pressure against the seat.

 

[redsquirrel]

I am going to do the G hook mod for my leg straps as well, I can't stand those raptor type buckles. Clearly to each their own but they are awful imo. As to rated/non rated same thing as above, I actually like the function of leg straps to hold everything in place. When I get to the higher end of rotating my torso for those 3-6 o'clock shots if I don't have leg buckles my saddle wants to shift on my rear more than I am comfortable with. I think it's a platform thing as we contort our bodies for shots more vs ring of steps you just walk around the tree maintaining that steady pressure against the seat.

I think you're right. I keep my leg straps loose. I find them annoying if I put much pressure on them. If I do any rotating with my body the saddle just moves with it because most of my body weight is sitting in it.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

With this being a new product and what seems like so many people buying these I figured it would be good to start a mods/improvements thread. I am very happy with this saddle as it comes. My only complaint was the flex pleat not staying closed when I wanted it to. So I took it to a sew shop and had them sew in some heavy duty elastic bands to make the pleat function better. I got it back today and tried it out. Works great and fits even better than it did. Fits while walking and expands while sitting. Cost me 20 bucks.

This was the main reason I went with the classic Kestrel.

 

[skyjacker]

So the pictures suck. There's just no good way to take them. So I'll explain it the best I can.

- 1/2" elastic band bought off Amazon. Cost like 8 dollars for about 10 feet I believe.

- the top flap, elastic, and pleat are all sewn together. I didn't need it to open that much so I did that to being it down a size.

- the bottom flap and the elastic are sewn together but not attached to the pleat so that it allows it to open all the way like before.

- the elastic in the back is 1.25" long and as you work around the saddle to the sides the bands get slightly shorter with the shortest being 1" to keep the contour design of the saddle.

Hope this answers your questions. I just took mine to a sew shop and told them what I wanted and they made it happen.

Hey @Murph4028. I got the elastic sewn into the bottom flap. Looking pretty good so far. How did the sew shop sew up the top flap? Did they sew right over the top of the existing stitches?

 

[Murph4028]

Hey @Murph4028. I got the elastic sewn into the bottom flap. Looking pretty good so far. How did the sew shop sew up the top flap? Did they sew right over the top of the existing stitches?

Yes right along what's already there, closing the top permanently

 

[skyjacker]

Finished ... Not too shabby for a novice. Took a short hike and it stays together. This also removed the noise in the leg loop buckles because I could tighten them a hair without the pleat coming undone. Love this mod. Thanks for the guidance @Murph4028.

 

[skyjacker]

I learned a couple things from this elastic mod. If using a sewing machine you have to sew the top flat shut. I sewed the elastic to the bottom flap first. Then I realized I couldn't sew the top flap just to the elastic. There is no way to get the flap under the presser foot on the machine. So now I'm really happy I went with the size 2 because I could not have done this with a size 1 it would've been too small. This makes it fit just right and keeps it together on the hike in. Aerohunter said that the pleat would stay together on the hike in. Not the case. Especially if you tighten the leg straps to stop the buckle noise.

 

[Murph4028]

Nice job glad I could help. Much better now isn't it lol.

 

[Murph4028]

So I found out a way to fix the nut crush effect of the leg straps that aero hunter saddles tend to have. I replaced the leg strap buckles with g hooks and connect them all the way up to the first molle loop on each side. WAY MORE COMFORTABLE. the saddle also rides up a lot less. Figured I'd share

 

[elk yinzer]

So I found out a way to fix the nut crush effect of the leg straps that aero hunter saddles tend to have. I replaced the leg strap buckles with g hooks and connect them all the way up to the first molle loop on each side. WAY MORE COMFORTABLE. the saddle also rides up a lot less. Figured I'd share

I went G hooks on my flex also and have been tinkering with that hookup point too but I was waiting until hunting a few times to put my flex thoughts out there.

 

[Longbowwally]

So I found out a way to fix the nut crush effect of the leg straps that aero hunter saddles tend to have. I replaced the leg strap buckles with g hooks and connect them all the way up to the first molle loop on each side. WAY MORE COMFORTABLE. the saddle also rides up a lot less. Figured I'd share

I'm surprised you have that problem with the leg straps - I had that problem with the Mantis but zero nut crush with the flex....