Most Comfortable Saddle - No JX3

[DaveT1963]

@DaveT1963 i didn’t vote either. It’s very subjective and too early to call on the flex unless you were lucky enough to be testing it out pre production. Some saddles are definitely more comfortable for different people regardless of setup. Small changes in setup can make a big difference. It may not seem any different when you tether in but it’s about hour three when I can start to tell how comfortable a saddle will be. After 8 hours I know. Where one saddle shines over the other for me is long sits on consecutive days. The second 6-10 hr sit in a row and you are evaluating everything down to the seams in your pants. Heck for a 2-3 hr hunt I often keep my wallet in my back pocket. A week long hunt during the rut and you know exactly how comfortable something is. I loved going to saddlepalooza and trying out others gear. Like you said though you can’t evaluate comfort in a few minutes. You can get a general idea but not a conclusive decision. I like the fact that there are so many people getting into saddle hunting. I don’t like review videos of someone opening a box and evaluating just how awesome a saddle is. It’s kind of like choosing a spouse. Things that you barely notice now will drive you crazy two or three long sits in a row. I’m glad you found your perfect saddle and hope everyone else finds theirs regardless on brand. I’m also going to say that comfort isn’t the only important feature of a saddle but if you are sitting 6-10 hours or even longer it will trump others.

Agree. BTW - Most of my sits are at least 6 hours - during early season in bedding I have sat from 5:00 Am until 9:00 PM. Comfort is so subjective. Go on a backpack elk hunt, a sheep hunt, and then lets talk comfort. Also, everyone's pain tolerance is different. I have bad arches, bad back and Plantar Fasciitis, I cannot tolerate standing on screw in steps - others seem to enjoy them.

I wish all the current saddle manufacturer's well and lots of business, I hope all saddle hunters do well and find their system. I am just glad I have found mine and its producing for me.

 

[Vtbow]

Not sure I can vote on this, so I didnt--of the above list the guidos is definitely the most comfortable to me, but a totally different saddle than the rest.

For immediate comfort, just hang and sit down, and JUST comfort(Omitting the guidos)of the saddles I've owned:
Tree Suit
ORIGINAL Greens Tree saddle(@huck72412 has mine now) and isnt really up to current safety standards as far as how its put together
TL Greens Tree Saddle
Anderson
Kestrel(sz 1, I think if it was a sz 2, it would probably be higher up)
TL Ambush
Shadow Seat(sneaky sak)
Tree Vulture
TL neoprene

Hard putting the neoprne TL at the bottom, but there were 2 differnt cuts. One I liked, one just not quite there.

 

[swampsnyper]

@DaveT1963 i didn’t vote either. It’s very subjective and too early to call on the flex unless you were lucky enough to be testing it out pre production. Some saddles are definitely more comfortable for different people regardless of setup. Small changes in setup can make a big difference. It may not seem any different when you tether in but it’s about hour three when I can start to tell how comfortable a saddle will be. After 8 hours I know. Where one saddle shines over the other for me is long sits on consecutive days. The second 6-10 hr sit in a row and you are evaluating everything down to the seams in your pants. Heck for a 2-3 hr hunt I often keep my wallet in my back pocket. A week long hunt during the rut and you know exactly how comfortable something is. I loved going to saddlepalooza and trying out others gear. Like you said though you can’t evaluate comfort in a few minutes. You can get a general idea but not a conclusive decision. I like the fact that there are so many people getting into saddle hunting. I don’t like review videos of someone opening a box and evaluating just how awesome a saddle is. It’s kind of like choosing a spouse. Things that you barely notice now will drive you crazy two or three long sits in a row. I’m glad you found your perfect saddle and hope everyone else finds theirs regardless on brand. I’m also going to say that comfort isn’t the only important feature of a saddle but if you are sitting 6-10 hours or even longer it will trump others.

Oh man! I been biting my tongue but these new reviews on youtube from new saddle hunters have been killing me.

 

[redsquirrel]

@DaveT1963 i didn’t vote either. It’s very subjective and too early to call on the flex unless you were lucky enough to be testing it out pre production. Some saddles are definitely more comfortable for different people regardless of setup. Small changes in setup can make a big difference. It may not seem any different when you tether in but it’s about hour three when I can start to tell how comfortable a saddle will be. After 8 hours I know. Where one saddle shines over the other for me is long sits on consecutive days. The second 6-10 hr sit in a row and you are evaluating everything down to the seams in your pants. Heck for a 2-3 hr hunt I often keep my wallet in my back pocket. A week long hunt during the rut and you know exactly how comfortable something is. I loved going to saddlepalooza and trying out others gear. Like you said though you can’t evaluate comfort in a few minutes. You can get a general idea but not a conclusive decision. I like the fact that there are so many people getting into saddle hunting. I don’t like review videos of someone opening a box and evaluating just how awesome a saddle is. It’s kind of like choosing a spouse. Things that you barely notice now will drive you crazy two or three long sits in a row. I’m glad you found your perfect saddle and hope everyone else finds theirs regardless on brand. I’m also going to say that comfort isn’t the only important feature of a saddle but if you are sitting 6-10 hours or even longer it will trump others.

Oh man! I been biting my tongue but these new reviews on youtube from new saddle hunters have been killing me.

If a saddle isn't comfortable in your backyard, it's not going to be comfortable in the woods. If a saddle is comfortable in your backyard, you can't judge it's comfort until you've had a minimum of a few 2-3 hour actual hunts in it. IMHO nobody that has bought a flex really knows how comfortable or not it is yet. I feel the same way about all my other equipment. I can't judge how well something functions for hunting until I've actually used it while hunting.

 

[EricS]

@DaveT1963 I have done the high elevation backpack elk hunt. I passed on a small bull. Didn’t kill anything. There wasn’t anything comfortable about it. At one point Crossing a bunch of snow covered beetle killed trees I slipped off a log and landed on my side. Several hours later I realized my upper torso was swollen and puffy. Thought maybe I had broke a rib and nicked a lung but it was just fluid buildup from carrying the heavy pack. Comfortable wasn’t even in my vocabulary. Learned a lot on that trip. Can’t wait to do it again. Don’t think I will do it solo again. I did a lot of things that could have had real consequences but came out smiling and 100% intact.

 

[DaveT1963]

LOL - exactly a solo backpack hunt is more about embracing the suck Those seeking comfort are rarely successful finding it or elk

 

[Jefferson10940]

Gotcha, I always though tthe roads trip was a little thinner leather? Whats one weigh? The greens in medium is like 5.25lbs with original linemans belt and a pair of TL suspenders. BTW, I decided to keep mine for a while. We'll see what the future brings.

The roadtrips is 100% thinner. I was saying comfort level is the same. I saw that you decided to hold onto your greens! They don’t come around often enough to sell!


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[Vtbow]

The roadtrips is 100% thinner. I was saying comfort level is the same. I saw that you decided to hold onto your greens! They don’t come around often enough to sell!


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Gotcha! Yeah, its just such a nice all in package. grab it and go--and my Kestrel sz1 was too small with winter clothes after some testing..

 

[Ontariofarmer]

If a saddle isn't comfortable in your backyard, it's not going to be comfortable in the woods. If a saddle is comfortable in your backyard, you can't judge it's comfort until you've had a minimum of a few 2-3 hour actual hunts in it. IMHO nobody that has bought a flex really knows how comfortable or not it is yet. I feel the same way about all my other equipment. I can't judge how well something functions for hunting until I've actually used it while hunting.

I might add that what is comfortable for one guy may not be comfortable for another guy You have to try it yourself over time to know

The exception is the JX 3 I have never heard of anyone being uncomfortable in it


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[BigAl]

Probably why I didn't vote

I only have 1 entire season in the mantis (2018)
1 entire season in the kestrel (2017)
1 entire season in the org aerohunter (could have been two, don't have my log books but it was the year it came out)
2 entire seasons in modified sit drag
1 season in a DIY (modified the Aerohunter by only using the waist portion)
countless seasons in my trophylines
BTW - I never used a fleece saddle for an entire season - the mantis came out and ended that quest for me
I never used my kite during hunting
I did not even buy a flex

so I have limited exposure to some of them.

IMHO - there is more to becoming proficient and able to objectively evaluate a piece of gear then unboxing it, throwing it on a tree or two, slamming out a youtube video..... it takes time - especially something as subjective as comfort. Most comfort issues with a saddle are, IMHO, operator error or inexperience and not the fault of the saddle. For years i was miserable using saddles. Why???? because I listened to some so called "experts" and got crappy advice on how to tether in. one call to John E. Solved that for me in 2 minutes. Comfort has never been the major concern for me since then. Bulk, noise and functionality far outweigh the comfort issue.

Might you tell how ....you ....tether in? Since it was such a difference maker I'd like to know. Thanks!

 

[DaveT1963]

Might you tell how ....you ....tether in? Since it was such a difference maker I'd like to know. Thanks!

I might. I've covered it in my you tube videos and on many posts - I tether LOW and I use a platform (Predator) - those two things made ALL the difference for me.

 

[MaxJac]

I have sat in everything but the flex. Might wanna leave the guidos out if you're leaving the jx3 out. They're the same kinda animal. And you might wanna add the Anderson's saddle. And @huck72412 will find you if you leave out the old leather Green's!!

I really, really like the kestrel. Just kinda sits in a sweet middle ground for me. I generally rest in a high seated position with a chin level tether and my thighs at a 45° angle to the tree. Kinda a hybrid position. Super comfortable, easy to maneuver on a ROS, and I very rarely adjust my drape.

The most comfortable soft, clothe saddle I've sat in was a DIY job made from 1.1 oz realtree ripstop nylon. That little thing was sweet, and fit in a pants pocket.

since it appears you're using a JX3, how well would it work with a LWHC and/or rappelling?

 

[hokiehunter373]

I might. I've covered it in my you tube videos and on many posts - I tether LOW and I use a platform (Predator) - those two things made ALL the difference for me.

I agree with this 1000000%