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New saddle hunter, why not the Cruzr xc?

CRUZR has a 30 day money back guarantee so you can return it if it ends up not being your cup of tea. Unless you plan to attend a meetup and try a bunch of different options before you buy, a CRUZR XC is a safe bet. I’ve got multiple seasons in mine and wear it in on every hunt. No complaints.
 
I have the XC and have hunted with it plenty the last two seasons. I like it but prefer my Latitude Classic 2.

Biggest gripe I have about the XC is the flimsy, wimpy, twisty waist belt that is difficult to deal with in the dark, a challenge to loosen while in the tree(something I like to do). The Classic’s rope belt, to me, is perfect.

I wish my XC had a stiffer, more robust waist belt. I still use the saddle when the Classic is drying out from rain days.
 
Ben C said:
I have read that pleated saddles won't stay closed after a lot of use, but I haven't seen someone specifically mention the cruzr.
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I have been running a Cruzr XC for two years and will say that the pleats do tend to come undone from time to time, but honestly, I usually walk to the tree with the leg straps buckled and cannot tell if the pleats are up or down.
 
First saddle last year was the XC. Sold it this year after getting a 2-panel latitude that I find more comfortable. No complaints with hunting all last year with the XC though, other than the single panel design. Not a complaint just a preference.


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Come to the light, the JX3 tree saddle light..............
Don't be afraid, you will sit from dark to dark very comfortably, no fidgeting, be able to snooze when you want, no dreaded hip pinch, no back aches, you can shoot 360° around the tree with any weapon, bow or gun.
No platform required, only a ROS, no sore feet, no knee pads required, no sore knees, no tired legs from leaning as you can sit all day, built in pack frame for carrying all your needs. No getting into “saddle shape” as your Lazy Boy at home does it for you. Buy once, cry once.
Come to the light, the JX3 light...........
 
raisins said:
my saddle for the last 2 years has been a cruzr xc

i wanted to move it to backup/saddle to use when primary is drying out...i almost ordered a second cruzr xc for this purpose and now after waiting 2 months of a flat branch....i wish i had just order another cruzr (as it has worked perfectly for me)

some folks complain that they don't wear in to the stand on long walks very well.....but with my climbing system and other gear, i just put my saddle in a mesh bag and strap it to my pack....i personally think wearing your saddle in is overrated and has downsides
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Sometimes I wear my Cruzr XC in to the tree and sometimes I put it in my pack……I also throw it over my head and let it ride on one shoulder using the Amsteel bridge.
 
I started out with the Phantom. It’s a quality saddle, just not as comfortable as others, like the XC. Picked up an XC and Da-yum, what a difference! Wears like your favorite pair of jeans. I did 5 to 6 hr sits in mine last season almost every day for 2 months, with a few all day sits thrown in. You get an XC and you won’t need another.
 
Any time I would be going in any longer distance I would also have a pack capable of carrying a deer out with so if I didn't like wearing it in I could throw it in the pack with lots of room to spare. Still good to be aware of.
 
huntermandan said:
Im looking at getting into saddle hunting this fall and have been doing some research into different saddles. From most everything I have seen the cruzr xc is pretty highly recommended and a standout for comfort and I am leaning pretty heavily towards that being my first saddle. Being that you don't know what you don't know are there any reasons that a first timer should stay away from the cruzr xc? I'm hoping to be able to pick one up used which looks like it may take some time looking at the old classified threads.
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I doubt most first time saddle buyers will be unhappy with a Cruzr XC. I usually recommend it to first time saddle hunters. Great saddle


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I had no intentions of buying another saddle until I sat in an XC at a hunting show. Bought a Seeker platform too. I have SRT climbed a few times in it and climbing seemed easier. It’s definitely money when you get to 20 feet and settle in.
 
Just coming off of a meetup I put together in Wisconsin. I’ve been using an XC for 3 years so I’m a fan. Tried a Buzzard Roost, Overwatch Outdoors Orion, Latitude Method 2, TX5 Lonestar, Trophyline, Outdoor Made Agile.

After the meetup, I personally have no reason to switch from the XC. I share the comments above about the waist buckle being flimsy on the older XC’s but the new XC’s that are shipping have a stiffer waist belt.

The Outdoor Made Agile was getting a lot of buzz at the meetup for comfort. It is super light and packable also. They only do internal load testing and it is constructed out of a nylon material so I wonder about durability and safety. This is a brand new company and saddle so time will tell. Price is only $200 so might be an appealing option for a lot of guys on a budget.

The Overwatch Outdoor Orion gets the nod for quality. @JCLINE84 craftsmanship is second to none. You will not find a single lose thread or a stitch out of place on that rig and it can come with many personal options for waist belt, leg straps and seat material since they arecustom builds right now.

I had heard quite a bit of “buzz” about Buzzard Roost going into the meetup so I was excited to try that out. Benny Greggoire is a super nice dude and their support was great. This is a 2 panel saddle with straps to “lock” the panels in place. The saddle was comfortable but I’m just not a 2 panel guy. Biggest negative comment I heard on the buzzard was the leg loop design. Loops were removable so that is one remedy but for those that like to use loops, they involved feeding through a loop out on the hips, doubling back over and clipping back into a loop on the inner thigh. The shape of the bottom cut on the saddle didn’t fit the shape of my bottom half so I got some bunching when I cinched down the leg straps.

I was also excited to try out the TX5 Lonestar. I found it comfortable but need more time in it. The front of the saddle where the bridge loops connect is very structurally rigid to the point where it rode up into my lower ribs a little. It is also a very well constructed saddle.

i didn’t spend much time in the trophyline. It is too bulky and heavy for my personal liking.

So, my 4th season coming in a CRUZR XC with no regrets. Good luck out there.
 
ofor said:
Just coming off of a meetup I put together in Wisconsin. I’ve been using an XC for 3 years so I’m a fan. Tried a Buzzard Roost, Overwatch Outdoors Orion, Latitude Method 2, TX5 Lonestar, Trophyline, Outdoor Made Agile.

After the meetup, I personally have no reason to switch from the XC. I share the comments above about the waist buckle being flimsy on the older XC’s but the new XC’s that are shipping have a stiffer waist belt.

The Outdoor Made Agile was getting a lot of buzz at the meetup for comfort. It is super light and packable also. They only do internal load testing and it is constructed out of a nylon material so I wonder about durability and safety. This is a brand new company and saddle so time will tell. Price is only $200 so might be an appealing option for a lot of guys on a budget.

The Overwatch Outdoor Orion gets the nod for quality. @JCLINE84 craftsmanship is second to none. You will not find a single lose thread or a stitch out of place on that rig and it can come with many personal options for waist belt, leg straps and seat material since they arecustom builds right now.

I had heard quite a bit of “buzz” about Buzzard Roost going into the meetup so I was excited to try that out. Benny Greggoire is a super nice dude and their support was great. This is a 2 panel saddle with straps to “lock” the panels in place. The saddle was comfortable but I’m just not a 2 panel guy. Biggest negative comment I heard on the buzzard was the leg loop design. Loops were removable so that is one remedy but for those that like to use loops, they involved feeding through a loop out on the hips, doubling back over and clipping back into a loop on the inner thigh. The shape of the bottom cut on the saddle didn’t fit the shape of my bottom half so I got some bunching when I cinched down the leg straps.

I was also excited to try out the TX5 Lonestar. I found it comfortable but need more time in it. The front of the saddle where the bridge loops connect is very structurally rigid to the point where it rode up into my lower ribs a little. It is also a very well constructed saddle.

i didn’t spend much time in the trophyline. It is too bulky and heavy for my personal liking.

So, my 4th season coming in a CRUZR XC with no regrets. Good luck out there.
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Awesome write up and comparison. Is overwatch still making the Orion? All I see on the website is the transformer.

I have a TX5 on order, very excited to get my hands on this one. I’ve been very happy with my Phantom but got the itch to try out something else.


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