Kestrel Flex Size 1 vs Size 2 Review

[skyjacker]

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

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Nice comparison. I am glad I got the size 2. Now I don’t have to wonder about the size 1. Thanks


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[NikoTheBowHunter]

Am about the same size you are and got the size 2. Glad I did now. Thanks comparing the two!!

 

[Holt]

Great comparison! I too am glad I went with the size 2. It was a big difference in comfort for me also.

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[NikoTheBowHunter]

With the current wait times, I bet someone would be willing to pay a premium to skip the wait list if you end up selling one of these.

 

[skyjacker]

Just posted the size 1 in the classifieds.

 

[tmattson]

Still available?

 

[Longbowwally]

I'm your height with a 34 waist - but you've got me by about 45 lbs on weight...I'm going to stick with my size 1 that should be here in the next week or two....I will report back on how the size fits when I get it.....Thanks for the info....

 

[skyjacker]

I'm your height with a 34 waist - but you've got me by about 45 lbs on weight...I'm going to stick with my size 1 that should be here in the next week or two....I will report back on how the size fits when I get it.....Thanks for the info....

For your weight, I think that's a wise choice.

 

[DOMMA]

I'm 6' 190# with a 34" waist. I went with the size 1. I just got it in and it seems like the right decision.

 

[skyjacker]

Hey guys, I measured myself with a tailors tape. Updated the post with size on the tape. I have no idea what that means. But it will give you a better idea of my waist size.

 

[Bwhana]

Hey guys, I measured myself with a tailors tape. Updated the post with size on the tape. I have no idea what that means. But it will give you a better idea of my waist size.

This is a good point. Clothing size is usually way off from real, but I think AH is using real measurements. A size 2 will work for far more people than they even know.

John H.

 

[Longbowwally]

Thanks for the updated info....As best as I can tell from the pics - a size one open looks about the same as a size 2 closed...Do you agree with that skyjacker?

 

[tmattson]

Makes it hard for first time user, guess if your right on the edge of suggested sizes order the bigger size. Does anyone know if the size 2 Flex is comparable to a size large Mantis? Or maybe I should say, if on the edge of size for Mantis also order the larger size?

 

[Bwhana]

Makes it hard for first time user, guess if your right on the edge of suggested sizes order the bigger size. Does anyone know if the size 2 Flex is comparable to a size large Mantis? Or maybe I should say, if on the edge of size for Mantis also order the larger size?

The size 2 Flex is larger than a Mantis XL. For me, and most others, you cannot go wrong going up in size. Extra room never causes discomfort, but too tight cannot be fixed.

John H.

 

[skyjacker]

The size 1 opened is very close to the size 2 closed. The biggest difference in comfort between the sizes comes down to sitting. If you like to sit, the size 2 provides a little more material under your thighs. Have you ever sat in one of those hanging chairs? The material comes down to behind the knees. There's a reason for that. It wouldn't be comfortable if it didn't provide support under your thighs. The fact is ... sitting in more fabric is better than sitting in less fabric. If you are a leaner only, the saddle just needs to cup your butt and a size 1 would probably fit most folks. The extra fabric will only make it more comfortable for a weight penalty of 2 oz. That's why I sized up.

 

[tmattson]

So, for Mantis, large for sure, medium ruled out. But L or XL, hmmm. So the size chart on the TETHRD site goes by waist size, does that relate closely to size pants. I guess I will sit and lean, 60/40 or 65/35 maybe even 70/30 - more sitting likely. I wear jeans and dress pants size 36, if I measure with a tape measure I can get 38'sh. I'm thinking an XL would be way too big for me, if there is such a thing as to big. Maybe I am making this overly complicated, just go with large and get it orderd?

 

[Tapeworm]

So, for Mantis, large for sure, medium ruled out. But L or XL, hmmm. So the size chart on the TETHRD site goes by waist size, does that relate closely to size pants. I guess I will sit and lean, 60/40 or 65/35 maybe even 70/30 - more sitting likely. I wear jeans and dress pants size 36, if I measure with a tape measure I can get 38'sh. I'm thinking an XL would be way too big for me, if there is such a thing as to big. Maybe I am making this overly complicated, just go with large and get it orderd?

I’m 5’11 and about 210lbs - waist is 36-38in

I originally got a Lg Mantis

I sit more than lean also

I traded a friend for his XL

I could live with either size for leaning but XL is more comfortable when I sit




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[tmattson]

ok, so even with the XL (maybe on the big side), no issue when leaning, feeling like you may slip out a bit?

 

[Husker]

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. ;-)


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