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Kestrel Flex Size 1 vs Size 2 Review

Cinch down your waist belt, use the leg straps, and watch this video. It's obviously a parody, but falling out is nothing you should be worried about. The extra fabric from a size 1 to a size 2 has nothing to do with keeping the saddle on your waist and around your legs. It's just a little extra fabric below your butt and around your hips.

 
skyjacker said:
Dimensions
6 ft - 215 lb - 34 to 36 waist

Weight
Size 1 - 2 lb 1 oz
Size 2 - 2 lb 3 oz

Fit
You'll see from the images that the size 1 closed fits kind of small. It barely cups my butt. You can see the bottom of my back pockets sticking out a little bit. But the size 1 opened fits pretty well. The size 2 closed fits about the same as a size 1 opened. Then the size 2 opened is huge.

Comfort
Size 1 Closed - not very comfortable leaning or sitting. I had to move the waist low to get saddle to cup my butt. But this put the waist belt right on the hip bone causing a little discomfort.
Size 1 Opened - pretty comfortable leaning and not so much sitting. This kept the waist belt just above the hip bone while providing support under the butt. When sitting it wasn't necessarily uncomfortable but there was a little digging in the lower strap.
Size 2 Closed - very comfortable leaning and pretty comfortable sitting. This fits like the size 1 opened except around the hips. There is more fabric around the hips just making it a little more comfortable leaning and sitting.
Size 2 Opened - very comfortable sitting. This takes any pressure off the butt and almost feels like sitting in a fabric chair or hammock. It's extremely comfortable.

Conclusion
I've been testing both sizes the last couple weeks. The temps are in the mid 90's with 70% humidity so it feels like it's in the hundreds. The saddle performed well in the heat. Aerohunter informed me the same material is in the Kestrel, it's just sandwiched between two layers of fabric. Time will tell if the coating on that fabric will wear out or not without a layer of fabric over it? But it vented well. When choosing the size, I needed to take into consideration layering. In Oklahoma it can be single digits to 30's with high winds in the morning and in the afternoon 60's, 70's, sometimes 80's. Layering is a must for me. So I'm going with the size 2, but I could easily fit the size 1. The extra fabric just makes it that much more comfortable going between leaning and sitting on long hunts. If I was a leaner only, I would probably go with the size 1. The only problem for me is the pleat does not stay closed like advertised. I'll be doing a quick Murph (@Murph4028) mod seen here to keep the saddle closed and this saddle will be a keeper.

The images in order ... size 1 closed, size 1 open, size 2 closed, size 2 open/QUOTE]
Click to expand...
skyjacker said:
Dimensions
6 ft - 215 lb - 34 to 36 waist in jeans - 40 to 41 in waist with a tailors tape

Weight
Size 1 - 2 lb 1 oz
Size 2 - 2 lb 3 oz

Fit
You'll see from the images that the size 1 closed fits kind of small. It barely cups my butt. You can see the bottom of my back pockets sticking out a little bit. But the size 1 opened fits pretty well. The size 2 closed fits about the same as a size 1 opened. Then the size 2 opened is huge.

Comfort
Size 1 Closed - not very comfortable leaning or sitting. I had to move the waist low to get saddle to cup my butt. But this put the waist belt right on the hip bone causing a little discomfort.
Size 1 Opened - pretty comfortable leaning and not so much sitting. This kept the waist belt just above the hip bone while providing support under the butt. When sitting it wasn't necessarily uncomfortable but there was a little digging in the lower strap.
Size 2 Closed - very comfortable leaning and pretty comfortable sitting. This fits like the size 1 opened except around the hips. There is more fabric around the hips just making it a little more comfortable leaning and sitting.
Size 2 Opened - very comfortable sitting. This takes any pressure off the butt and almost feels like sitting in a fabric chair or hammock. It's extremely comfortable.

Conclusion
I've been testing both sizes the last couple weeks. The temps are in the mid 90's with 70% humidity so it feels like it's in the hundreds. The saddle performed well in the heat. Aerohunter informed me the same material is in the Kestrel, it's just sandwiched between two layers of fabric. Time will tell if the coating on that fabric will wear out or not without a layer of fabric over it? But it vented well. When choosing the size, I needed to take into consideration layering. In Oklahoma it can be single digits to 30's with high winds in the morning and in the afternoon 60's, 70's, sometimes 80's. Layering is a must for me. So I'm going with the size 2, but I could easily fit the size 1. The extra fabric just makes it that much more comfortable going between leaning and sitting on long hunts. If I was a leaner only, I would probably go with the size 1. The only problem for me is the pleat does not stay closed like advertised. I'll be doing a quick Murph (@Murph4028) mod seen here to keep the saddle closed and this saddle will be a keeper.

The images in order ... size 1 closed, size 1 open, size 2 closed, size 2 open

View attachment 13395
View attachment 13299View attachment 13300View attachment 13301View attachment 13302
Click to expand...
skyjacker said:
Dimensions
6 ft - 215 lb - 34 to 36 waist in jeans - 40 to 41 in waist with a tailors tape

Weight
Size 1 - 2 lb 1 oz
Size 2 - 2 lb 3 oz

Fit
You'll see from the images that the size 1 closed fits kind of small. It barely cups my butt. You can see the bottom of my back pockets sticking out a little bit. But the size 1 opened fits pretty well. The size 2 closed fits about the same as a size 1 opened. Then the size 2 opened is huge.

Comfort
Size 1 Closed - not very comfortable leaning or sitting. I had to move the waist low to get saddle to cup my butt. But this put the waist belt right on the hip bone causing a little discomfort.
Size 1 Opened - pretty comfortable leaning and not so much sitting. This kept the waist belt just above the hip bone while providing support under the butt. When sitting it wasn't necessarily uncomfortable but there was a little digging in the lower strap.
Size 2 Closed - very comfortable leaning and pretty comfortable sitting. This fits like the size 1 opened except around the hips. There is more fabric around the hips just making it a little more comfortable leaning and sitting.
Size 2 Opened - very comfortable sitting. This takes any pressure off the butt and almost feels like sitting in a fabric chair or hammock. It's extremely comfortable.

Conclusion
I've been testing both sizes the last couple weeks. The temps are in the mid 90's with 70% humidity so it feels like it's in the hundreds. The saddle performed well in the heat. Aerohunter informed me the same material is in the Kestrel, it's just sandwiched between two layers of fabric. Time will tell if the coating on that fabric will wear out or not without a layer of fabric over it? But it vented well. When choosing the size, I needed to take into consideration layering. In Oklahoma it can be single digits to 30's with high winds in the morning and in the afternoon 60's, 70's, sometimes 80's. Layering is a must for me. So I'm going with the size 2, but I could easily fit the size 1. The extra fabric just makes it that much more comfortable going between leaning and sitting on long hunts. If I was a leaner only, I would probably go with the size 1. The only problem for me is the pleat does not stay closed like advertised. I'll be doing a quick Murph (@Murph4028) mod seen here to keep the saddle closed and this saddle will be a keeper.

The images in order ... size 1 closed, size 1 open, size 2 closed, size 2 open

View attachment 13395
View attachment 13299View attachment 13300View attachment 13301View attachment 13302
Click to expand...
Skyjacker is spot on with this review. My numbers are almost identical to his but I'll add my hips measure 42" at the widest and the size 2 fits perfect, actually a bit large which is what I wanted for when I have to add layers in the late season.
 
Ok I'm reporting back as I promised as to how a size 1 Flex fits me...I'm 6' 170 lbs...34 waist for pants and 37" waist measured just above hips...The size 1 Flex is very comfortable - very easy to find a comfortable 'setting' of bridge length and tether height for sitting or leaning...I've only 'practiced' with it so far so will see how it 'wears' for 3 - 4 hour hunts soon....Also will be curious to see how comfortable it is when I'm wearing more clothes during cold weather....
 
Husker said:
Here’s a rookie question but I’m 5’10 205 with a 36ish waist. I had originally ordered a Size 1 Flex but based on the responses here I just called and changed to a Size 2. With it being a little larger is there any increased risk of sliding or falling out of it in the tree? Probably a dumb question but just thought I’d ask. This will be my first saddle. ;-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'm a 36" waist and I did the same thing with the Kestrel. I have to say I don't know how they can improve the Kestrel! I love it! I will never get rid of it! One of my best purchases. I'm sure you will be happy.
By the way I cut off the leg straps on the Kestrel and there is no feeling of falling out at all!
 
i'm bringing this back to life to see if anyone else has any new input from the past season. I'm pretty interested in buying a flex. i'm 6'1, 205lbs, 34 to 36 pants, and 41around the hips. i borrowed a size one this weekend and sat in it for almost 2 hours. It was much more comfortable than the mantis I used last year. i wore my heaviest layers, and I had about 6 inches of belt left once i pulled it tight. i had a spot on my hip that got pressure a time or two, but a simple adjustment got rid of it. comfort was far less work than it was in the mantis. as comfortable as that was, according to aero, and many opinions i've read here, I should be in a size 2. my question is this: will a size 2 be a big difference for me compared to the size one? also, i like to wear my saddle in and out of the woods, so that is also a factor. Thanks for any advice.
 
I have a size 1 kestrel and a size 2 flex. I would pick the size 2 every time for me. I'm about the exact size as you, 5'-11", 34" waist , and 200 lbs. The only time the size 1 wins is when I'm walking in to hunt. The fit is much better and feels better while walking. The size 2 has more material, so it feels like I'm wearing heavy baggy shorts. But I didn't buy it for its comfort while walking, I bought it for the comfort while hunting! I'm glad I got the size 2

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Y’all making me nervous. I’m 5’7” 200lbs 36” waist and “vet/dad bod”. Ordered a size one... those that switched sizes did you have to go through the whole 10+ week wait time?
 
thanks for the reply! I was pretty assuming that it would be more of a pain to walk in, but luxury to sit in. I appreciate your input. thanks!
 
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