IME/IMO - The mantis has far more pluses than the kestrel (packability, ease of use, weight, quietness & comfort) - comfort is so subjective but to me the Mantis also wins here. I had both saddles this year and I will say after the first week, the mantis was the one I wore every single time. I plan on using my kestrel for tree prepping this Feb-June ( dedicated saddle for set ups as I wont even try to keep it scent free in TX heat) and keeping my 3 mantis saddles as my primary hunting saddle set ups.