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Knee protection

Anyone attach one of these knee pads to the bottom of their backpack or something similar such that its hanging in the right spot on the tree from their pack? Not sure how clear that is. Just trying to avoid having to attach one more thing to the tree if I can.
@flinginairos does this.

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I ended up going with the foam pad like the one @g2outdoors did in the YouTube video.
It's a much smaller investment and I can always upgrade later if I need to. Trying not to dump more money into this if i don't have to.

Ah man, you are WAY ahead of the game if you can discipline yourself to keep something - anything - for an entire season or more. Plenty folks (me included; me especially) are always searching for the Holy Grail of saddle lore. This has a huge positive impact because folks on here and other places make truly great strides in innovation and design but it may not be needed by all - every time something new comes along. I honestly believe this website is revolutionizing the deer hunting industry, but it will take some more time for the advertisers to catch up and spread the word...that time is coming. As it relates to what you 'need' to hunt successfully from a saddle, it doesn't require all that much. I started hunting from a 'saddle' after reading a post on a different site where "Onehair" posted a thread about his wooden seat back in 2009. We've come a LONG way in virtually every facet of saddle hunting since I read that original post, but the fact remains - use something to get up to your hunting height, employ something to safely remain there until you get a shot, use a weapon that you can safely and effectively employ, and get your @ss down the tree safely.

Come to think about it, I owe you a heart-felt 'thanks' for making me remember this point. As an example, in the last month I've purchased 3 different methods of climbing a tree, it may have been more appropriate if I spent that money on a new backyard grill...

My overall point of this is to wish you well and I hope you enjoy that foam seat cushion. Next, buy a grill.
 
Ah man, you are WAY ahead of the game if you can discipline yourself to keep something - anything - for an entire season or more. Plenty folks (me included; me especially) are always searching for the Holy Grail of saddle lore. This has a huge positive impact because folks on here and other places make truly great strides in innovation and design but it may not be needed by all - every time something new comes along. I honestly believe this website is revolutionizing the deer hunting industry, but it will take some more time for the advertisers to catch up and spread the word...that time is coming. As it relates to what you 'need' to hunt successfully from a saddle, it doesn't require all that much. I started hunting from a 'saddle' after reading a post on a different site where "Onehair" posted a thread about his wooden seat back in 2009. We've come a LONG way in virtually every facet of saddle hunting since I read that original post, but the fact remains - use something to get up to your hunting height, employ something to safely remain there until you get a shot, use a weapon that you can safely and effectively employ, and get your @ss down the tree safely.

Come to think about it, I owe you a heart-felt 'thanks' for making me remember this point. As an example, in the last month I've purchased 3 different methods of climbing a tree, it may have been more appropriate if I spent that money on a new backyard grill...

My overall point of this is to wish you well and I hope you enjoy that foam seat cushion. Next, buy a grill.
Haha! I hear ya! My husband and I are always feeling a little guilty about spending money on hunting gadgets but really it's our only hobby so we justify it.
 
Haha! I hear ya! My husband and I are always feeling a little guilty about spending money on hunting gadgets but really it's our only hobby so we justify it.

Glad to see another woman on here with the same vice as me! I’m always looking for new tips and tactics. I always say, it could be a lot worse...right?


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Instead of kneepads or a cushion how about something that just keeps you away from resting on the tree? Guidos web has that aluminum piece that rests on the tree. What about something like a longer wild edge step that you could tether to up top that just naturally hangs you a perfect distance from the tree? That should allow you to still lean around the tree for a shot I think. Just a thought.
 
Whether it be knee pads, treepad, or a guido's web/jx3 standoff fork it seems the thing all three of these have in common is the lateral force towards the tree. Would it stand to reason that to reduce/remove that force would make movement unstable? Imagine hanging straight down from a rafter as opposed to hanging off of a post. Or better yet imagine hanging on the low side of a severely leaning tree.
 
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Sitka gear made pants that had pockets on the knees for removable knee pads. Mountain pants?.
Sounds like a great idea. Maybe someone on the DIY has tried this. Just sew them on.
You would be able to elimate the strap pinch on the back of the knees.

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I am loving the kestrel saddle but the knee pain is the one thing I am dealing with. Have used foam cushion and still hurts. Use backpack and that works ok but looking for a comfortable option? If anyone has any idea let me know!

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You should look into jx3 hybrid. It completely solves the knee against the tree problem.

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You should look into jx3 hybrid. It completely solves the knee against the tree problem.

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I looked into this one because I'm not determined to get as ultralight as possible. Looks remarkably comfortable. Do you own one and is it as awesome as it looks?
 
I looked into this one because I'm not determined to get as ultralight as possible. Looks remarkably comfortable. Do you own one and is it as awesome as it looks?

I had one for 3 weeks or so. I sold it on the classifieds.probably a mistake. It was my first kind if saddle.Very very comfortable. Easy to use with any clibing method. You dont need a platform.
I have fused vertabrae lower back and cant shoot on the right hand side of the tree because i cant twist in the seat. This is not a jx3 problem. If i were healthy i would still have the jx3

I wanted to try a conventional saddle to see how i could shoot all the way around the tree. For me and my disability a regular saddle is better but im in the same boat as you. Knees against tree is an obstacle. Im just really umcomfotable. Leaning was great but i was all over the place moving and swaying. Just could not sit still like i could in the jx3 hybrid.
so i sold the platform and saddle on the classifieds. Selling this stuff on the classifieds right now was like feeding sharks in bloody water. I didnt have time to change my mind.

Both designs have their pros and cons.

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Walmart sells a 1” foam mossy oak seat cushion that can strap around a tree.. $4.98 if you don’t have the money to spend on Sitka gear.

To be fair, not many people can afford Sitka gear


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I'm a leaner so don't use knee pads. If I find I need to sit for a while I will hang my pack in front of me and use that as a cushion.
 
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