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Mantis Tips

I'm glad I'm not the only one with issues of hip pinch and the saddle riding up. I feel like most of my sits are fighting the saddle to find a tolerable comfort level. I just got my micro adjuster in the mail and I'll try to linesman belt as a bridge. The amsteel bridge is something I really like, however the hip pinch is making it very uncomfortable. The saddle riding up is getting very very annoying. I spent 26 hours in my mantis this weekend and I dont want to think about the 3 day hunt trip this weekend coming up. I gotta get this figured out before the leaves fall of the trees, because with as much movement I have to make adjusting and readjusting to make tolerable comfort there's no way it will fool any deer in visual range.
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one with issues of hip pinch and the saddle riding up. I feel like most of my sits are fighting the saddle to find a tolerable comfort level. I just got my micro adjuster in the mail and I'll try to linesman belt as a bridge. The amsteel bridge is something I really like, however the hip pinch is making it very uncomfortable. The saddle riding up is getting very very annoying. I spent 26 hours in my mantis this weekend and I dont want to think about the 3 day hunt trip this weekend coming up. I gotta get this figured out before the leaves fall of the trees, because with as much movement I have to make adjusting and readjusting to make tolerable comfort there's no way it will fool any deer in visual range.
How low is your tether? The lower it is the less it will pull up and the less hip pinch you should have. I recommend putting it mid chest level and pulling it as tight to the tree as you can so you are basically standing. Then lengthen from there while trying different positions for 10-15 minutes till you are sitting to see what's comfortable. Then raise your tether 6" more, tighten it all the way to standing, and do it all over. Rinse and repeat, till you can't reach, then let us know how it went.

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Guess it depends on what you think a saddle is. I am not riding a horse or watching TV - I am using a device to hang from a tree and allow me to quietly and effectively position myself 360 degrees around that tree. The way I use a "saddle' allows me to do just that and I am comfortable doing so. I don't buy into the whole cradle your butt thing as that creates pressure points unnecessarily. I use mine like a swing. and I place the straps where God gave me the most padding. Like I said above I would never place a strap under my thighs or on my lower back. The netting is NOT what gives you support (netting stretches) - the straps do so wherever you put those straps that is where you will get most of the pressure from. If you want true comfort and equal distribution of weight - then try a fleece saddle as that was the most comfortable saddle I have tried. For me I will give up a bit of comfort to get a modular, lightweight saddle without using a RCH - my choice is the new Mantis - I find it incredibly comfortable and efficient.
.

Okay first let me say this. I would like to have a discussion about this not only to help myself but also to help others. The more we discus the details of our methods and why they work or don’t work for us, the more it will help others make choices or figure their problems out.

So having said that. I don’t think it is a matter of what you think a saddle is. We are calling this a saddle because that’s the word that has won out the discussion. We can call it a saddle or a sling or a harness or something else. Would you not agree that the object we are discussing is different from a sitdrag?
I decided to switch from a Guidos Wed to the saddle because I knew I didn’t need that much comfort, then I made your fleece saddle and rock climbing harness. That was much more comfortable and still secure. Then I decided to go the the Mantis because I thought I would get some comfort and still feel secure. But I would never go with a sit drag. No way I’m going to chance some weird mishap and fall out of that thing or get hung upside down. So I think the Mantis is the next best option. Security and some comfort but the comfort still needs some work.

So for those who would also like the security of the “saddle” hugging around your entire hips, leg straps tied around your legs and the saddle not constantly ridding up and pinching your hips, sliding the whole thing under you isn’t an option. Plus I can tell you if I only slid the back strap under me, it would still start hurting because I just don’t have that much padding on my hips or butt.

The mesh should be offering some support. Just because its flexible doesn’t mean it shouldn’t offer support. Your couch, your recliner, your car seat all or flexible but also offer support.
 
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How low is your tether? The lower it is the less it will pull up and the less hip pinch you should have. I recommend putting it mid chest level and pulling it as tight to the tree as you can so you are basically standing. Then lengthen from there while trying different positions for 10-15 minutes till you are sitting to see what's comfortable. Then raise your tether 6" more, tighten it all the way to standing, and do it all over. Rinse and repeat, till you can't reach, then let us know how it went.

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Thanks for your input. I have messed with the tether height. I started at forehead height and now its about chin height. My next sit I'll start a mid chest. I adjust the tether length quite a bit, but without a systematic approach. I do both lean and sit, so I adjust the tether lenth to whatever I'm doing.

Once I get the comfort level figured out it will solve the movement issues. Once I get that under control and a rachet strap that actually gets my ring of steps tight without breaking I'll be on easy street. My predator should be at the house when I get home so that might help some issues as well.
 
You'll get the hang of it... just takes practice. When did you order your predator? I'm still anxiously waiting on mine to show up.
 
Thanks for your input. I have messed with the tether height. I started at forehead height and now its about chin height. My next sit I'll start a mid chest. I adjust the tether length quite a bit, but without a systematic approach. I do both lean and sit, so I adjust the tether lenth to whatever I'm doing.

Once I get the comfort level figured out it will solve the movement issues. Once I get that under control and a rachet strap that actually gets my ring of steps tight without breaking I'll be on easy street. My predator should be at the house when I get home so that might help some issues as well.
Yeah, having a platform changes everything, not just giving you more surface area to stand on. It will change your angle of attack because instead of having your feet on the sides of the tree they will be in front of it. Also, your legs will be closer together, lessening your hip pinch.

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Yeah, having a platform changes everything, not just giving you more surface area to stand on. It will change your angle of attack because instead of having your feet on the sides of the tree they will be in front of it. Also, your legs will be closer together, lessening your hip pinch.

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The lean of the tree will also dictate where you set your tether - really almost every set up is different - you will develop a feel for that sweet spot the more you play with it. I was in a lenaer yesterday and my tether was slightly above my head..... which is unusual for most of my set ups.
 
Okay first let me say this. I would like to have a discussion about this not only to help myself but also to help others. The more we discus the details of our methods and why they work or don’t work for us, the more it will help others make choices or figure their problems out.

So having said that. I don’t think it is a matter of what you think a saddle is. We are calling this a saddle because that’s the word that has won out the discussion. We can call it a saddle or a sling or a harness or something else. Would you not agree that the object we are discussing is different from a sitdrag?
I decided to switch from a Guidos Wed to the saddle because I knew I didn’t need that much comfort, then I made your fleece saddle and rock climbing harness. That was much more comfortable and still secure. Then I decided to go the the Mantis because I thought I would get some comfort and still feel secure. But I would never go with a sit drag. No way I’m going to chance some weird mishap and fall out of that thing or get hung upside down. So I think the Mantis is the next best option. Security and some comfort but the comfort still needs some work.

So for those who would also like the security of the “saddle” hugging around your entire hips, leg straps tied around your legs and the saddle not constantly ridding up and pinching your hips, sliding the whole thing under you isn’t an option. Plus I can tell you if I only slid the back strap under me, it would still start hurting because I just don’t have that much padding on my hips or butt.

The mesh should be offering some support. Just because its flexible doesn’t mean it shouldn’t offer support. Your couch, your recliner, your car seat all or flexible but also offer support.


I get that. But where you feel safe and where is comfortable might be two different things. Only you can decide. Yes mesh will offer a little support but I guarantee you pressure points WONT be coming from the mesh it will be where most of the weight is at on one or the other strap (if you spread them apart) or on both (if they are both under your rear.
 
I get that. But where you feel safe and where is comfortable might be two different things. Only you can decide. Yes mesh will offer a little support but I guarantee you pressure points WONT be coming from the mesh it will be where most of the weight is at on one or the other strap (if you spread them apart) or on both (if they are both under your rear.

So the wider the area (pound per square inch) you spread the pressure the better it should feel. A one inch strap is not spreading the pressure very broad. There is many times more area in the mesh than in the straps. The mesh simply needs to allow your to sink in some between the two straps but still offer some support. Although this may not work well for a person with no butt.


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So the wider the area (pound per square inch) you spread the pressure the better it should feel. A one inch strap is not spreading the pressure very broad. There is many times more area in the mesh than in the straps. The mesh simply needs to allow your to sink in some between the two straps but still offer some support. Although this may not work well for a person with no butt.


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yes but more complicated. Angle, weight distribution, width of hips, lean of tree, etc... all factor in - but the two prominent things are gravity and where you place the straps. Your rear end was built for sitting - back of legs and middle of back not so much. And the further you spread the two straps - the more one of the straps takes over and causes excessive pressure. This is what makes saddle hunting so unique - everyone tolerates pressure/discomfort different and everyone has various levels of risk. In the end - most of us get our "comfort" spot through trail and error.

And I do not agree with you on the mesh relieving the pain - I would pretty much bet everyone that proclaims hip pinch or pain is getting it form one or both the straps - that or they have a fold in clothing, wallet, pocket, zipper, etc.....
 
Like I said above - the only saddle I have found that really distributes the weight well is a fleece saddle and even in those pressure points will appear
 
Thank you guys for the tips! I agree that there isn't any cupping to the saddle and that is why it wants to keep creeping up. So with all these tips I should treat this saddle as sitting on a swing. I guess then the leg sraps and wastbelt are only there to catch you in case of an accident. If you would happen to have the straps that loose and if for some unknown reason you would slip upside down wouldn't you slip out of the saddle? With the top strap below the "Poop shoot" it seems like a backwards fall could possibly end up in slipping out. I will experiment some more tonight at ground level to see what works.
I wouldn't wear it that low. I don't have them that loose either. Just loose enough to not feel the restriction. I think it would be pretty hard to fall upside down. Your saddle should always be under a load so there should be no free fall or very minimum.
 
I wouldn't wear it that low. I don't have them that loose either. Just loose enough to not feel the restriction. I think it would be pretty hard to fall upside down. Your saddle should always be under a load so there should be no free fall or very minimum.

and it depends on how high your tether is. Since mine is at chin level most of the time - you are not going to fall backwards - at least I never felt like it. Am a little info - I am nervous with height - always felt terrible unstable in a high traditional stand like the orginial LWs and loc on lems...... I never feel unsafe in my saddle.
 
Amen on the one size fits all bridge. I do like the lightweight amsteel bridge for walking in and climbing but I carry an adjustable lineman's belt too for climbing. After I'm up in the tree I attach the linemans to my bridge loops above the amsteel and slip it into the tether carabiner and then slip the amsteel out. This gives me an adjustable (personally I like a longer bridge than 30") bridge at no weight cost., I was carrying the lineman's belt anyway.
That is my thoughts for a bridge until I find the length I like. Plan on doing the same.
 
I wouldn't wear it that low. I don't have them that loose either. Just loose enough to not feel the restriction. I think it would be pretty hard to fall upside down. Your saddle should always be under a load so there should be no free fall or very minimum.
I wouldn't wear it that low either. I did however get the top strap just below my belt line and the saddle felt like it was cupping me alot better. My tether is right at the top of my head.
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one with issues of hip pinch and the saddle riding up. I feel like most of my sits are fighting the saddle to find a tolerable comfort level. I just got my micro adjuster in the mail and I'll try to linesman belt as a bridge. The amsteel bridge is something I really like, however the hip pinch is making it very uncomfortable. The saddle riding up is getting very very annoying. I spent 26 hours in my mantis this weekend and I dont want to think about the 3 day hunt trip this weekend coming up. I gotta get this figured out before the leaves fall of the trees, because with as much movement I have to make adjusting and readjusting to make tolerable comfort there's no way it will fool any deer in visual range.

For long sits and unparalleled comfort a hybrid is the one to use. For shorter sits. The mantis is good. The discomfort is normal for most until you adjust the saddle for you and until your muscles get used to it.
I wear my saddle about where Dave does. A back band will help even out pressure too


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For long sits and unparalleled comfort a hybrid is the one to use. For shorter sits. The mantis is good. The discomfort is normal for most until you adjust the saddle for you and until your muscles get used to it.
I wear my saddle about where Dave does. A back band will help even out pressure too


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That type is issue certainly isn’t isolated to the Mantis. I had several sits last year in the Kestrel that were downright miserable! Every saddle is a little different and takes some time to figure out the sweet spot. I’ve logged 43 hours in the Mantis so far this year and I am loving it now. I run mine very similar to Dave because I have no butt lol. I’m mainly a leaner and it works great that way with a low tether.


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For those of us who have no butt, I'm wondering if the SBW heater would help fill out the mesh more and prevent some hip pinch or saddle ride-up. Does anyone have experience with it?
 
For those of us who have no butt, I'm wondering if the SBW heater would help fill out the mesh more and prevent some hip pinch or saddle ride-up. Does anyone have experience with it?

I’m going to guess you would start having the saddle ride up like some of us are having. You would basically be filling in the space between the upper and lower straps.


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