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Kestrel vs Mantis

W

woodworker

New Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Messages
12
I am sure the differences in these two saddles have been debated somewhere and buried within the forum.

Does anyone have both saddles and chooses one over the other?

I have the Kestrel and I love it but when it comes to wearing to and from the stand location its not comfortable to wear while walking in. No matter how tight it is on me it slips down making a long walk a pain. Perhaps its just me, I dont know.

Is there problems like this using the Mantis or does it stay put on the waist?
 
I have found the Mantis to be remarkably better on the walk in. It stays snug and doesn’t sag.


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X2. I sometimes ride my bike a couple of miles and then hike in, wearing my saddle the whole time. Never had a problem.
 
I have owned both size 1 and 2 Kestrel. I currently own two mantis saddles in XL and one mantis in L. All saddles are great and very comfortable. Overall, I like the Size 2 Kestrel and the XL mantis. I prefer the mantis as its lower bulk and weight. I also like the buckle system better on the mantis. The saddles also fit me different. On the kestrel, I had to position the saddle lower on my butt to get it in the sweet spot. Sweet spot on the mantis is right at pants height for me. Both saddles stay on your waist. If you lack a butt, both will work their way down if you overload with gear. Suspenders are an option but I prefer to just pack in my saddle.

You cant go wrong with either.



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woodworker said:
I am sure the differences in these two saddles have been debated somewhere and buried within the forum.

Does anyone have both saddles and chooses one over the other?

I have the Kestrel and I love it but when it comes to wearing to and from the stand location its not comfortable to wear while walking in. No matter how tight it is on me it slips down making a long walk a pain. Perhaps its just me, I dont know.

Is there problems like this using the Mantis or does it stay put on the waist?
Click to expand...

I had the same issue with my Kestrel. I bought a set of C.E. Schmidt Realtree Suspenders at Tractor Supply for like $15 I think. Very light weight stretchy material. I attached the clasps on the back straps right to a molle loop on each side. I took the clasps off the front straps and just run each side of the waist belt on the Kestrel through loop of the suspenders on each side. I snug the suspenders up for the walk in and it works great. You can just slide the suspenders off your shoulders while in the tree if you want, or I just loosen the straps a little and leave them on. I really cant even tell I'm wearing them except for the fact that I don't have to pull my Kestrel up when I'm walking in. Cheap fix!
 
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