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New Saddle Nightmare!

PaTrout1 said:
How exactly do you use your LB as an adjustable bridge. I wouldn't mind trying that

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Once settled in the tree I hook my linemans to my bridge loops and add it to my bridge carabiner. Then I take out the stock bridge and resecure the biner.20191008_183648.jpg20191008_183704.jpg
 
With all the people reaching out to help you make it work, is it really such a NIGHTMARE?
 
I am good sized guy at 6’2 and about 285 and hunted out of an old Trophyline for a gooood while.The problem for me was the steps even though i will still use them some on long walks.I have a cut down Lonewolf Alpha for a platform that is about the same dimensions as an Assassin.Man what a difference.The Kestrel i am hunting out of now is more comfortable than a locon for me.My back sure feels better after long sits.
 
DaveT1963 said:
2. get a damn platform and crap can the ROS
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Fighting words right there. Seriously though I was more comfortable in the mantis with a ros than a platform. Different strokes for different folks. But I write and eat with my left hand and shooting and all other sports I’m right handed. I guess I’m a little screwed up anyway. I also don’t have five seasons in a saddle.
Something I’ve learned in four seasons is it’s not all about comfort. However I can be comfortable with a saddle. Climbing stand comfortable. Maybe my but doesn’t feel quite as good as a climber but My head and neck doesn’t hurt as much from turning around looking over my shoulder trying to see what’s behind me. So overall comfort I would say I’m better off in a saddle. While comfort isn’t the only reason to use a saddle there is absolutely no reason to be uncomfortable at least not all the time and you should never be in pain.
 
NEBowHunter said:
My sits range from 3 to 5 hours usually. I have been trying different tether heights and belt positions. Last sit was slightly better but by the end I was in so much pain I would not have been able to make a shot if a deer had presented itself lol. It seems to me like the fixed bridge length is an issue. My hunting buddy has a Kestral and his bridge is adjustable. Not sure what to do...
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Small adjustments can make a big difference in comfort. It can be painstaking, but think about adjusting the saddle less than an inch at a time and assessing each time if it feels better or worse. If better, try a little more; repeat. Best done hanging in your yard.
 
NEBowHunter said:
Damn I'd hate to scrap this saddle as they are not cheap and I waited several weeks to get the damn thing!
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This is why I asked Tethrd for refund today. I purchased on Monday and can not wait 6 weeks. I’d rather jump in the trophy line and see if I like it. I’ve tried the Aerolite and it was awesome. Just a little to heavy if you walk distance like I do. Anyone ask for refund from Tethrd yet? I’m hoping they do not give me a problem.


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Comfortable pants with no seams / pockets made a huge difference for me. Not so much for the first 30 minutes of a sit, but as time goes, pockets and zippers start to make a big difference. ScentLok Savanna Reign Lightweight Pants have no zipper or pockets anywhere in the saddle area, and the belt is built into the pants, and has almost no signature. They have served me well over a dozen or so sits ranging between 2-4 hours.
 
I started saddle hunting this year as well. My first sit was Monday and I was up the tree for 4 hours. While I was not in a lot of pain, I was ready to get down when I did. I was also moving a fair bit shifting my weight from leg to leg towards the end. This may turn out to be a big problem when all the leaves are off the trees. I have learned that I can get the most comfortable by having the longest bridge. My tether will be as high as I can get it with a ropeman all the way that high and I use my linemans belt like someone suggested earlier as the bridge (careful though this can mess with your bow string path at full draw). I also think a platform while be more comfortable then a ring of steps. One other thing I like to do if possible is get in trees with big branches that create V's and you can get in that V and lean on the other branch or kick your feet up and this is pretty comfortable.

I do suggest you take a look at the jx3 hybrid if you can't seem to get comfortable after a few more sits.

If there is one thing I know about myself it's that I am the most alert when I'm comfortable. If you are uncomfortable to the point that you are wanting to get down, that's going to lead to a bad season of hunting.
 
ap_rustic_creations said:
This is why I asked Tethrd for refund today. I purchased on Monday and can not wait 6 weeks. I’d rather jump in the trophy line and see if I like it. I’ve tried the Aerolite and it was awesome. Just a little to heavy if you walk distance like I do. Anyone ask for refund from Tethrd yet? I’m hoping they do not give me a problem.


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I asked for a refund the night that I could first order the trophy line and they refunded me at 10:30 the next morning. I had no problems at all.

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I tried all of the suggested remedies with my Mantis. Nothing seemed to work & I got used to being uncomfortable. However, I don't care what anyone says, after multiple decades of hunting myself, I have found that if you don't have a level of comfort, you WILL move around far too much. I then bought a Kite. After 5 minutes in my Kite, I knew the Mantis had to go. Not even a comparison.
 
huntin_addict said:
I tried all of the suggested remedies with my Mantis. Nothing seemed to work & I got used to being uncomfortable. However, I don't care what anyone says, after multiple decades of hunting myself, I have found that if you don't have a level of comfort, you WILL move around far too much. I then bought a Kite. After 5 minutes in my Kite, I knew the Mantis had to go. Not even a comparison.
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My thoughts exactly. It doesn’t matter which saddle it takes to get you comfortable but if you can’t get comfortable find something else. For me all saddles are more comfortable than the lighter hang on stands. There are enough saddles out there now that everyone that doesn’t have a medical reason for their discomfort should be able to find a saddle that fits them comfortably. Small adjustments do make a big difference. No way I’m hunting out of a saddle that I’m going to know it’s going to suck but it’s ok because I’m tough and there to kill deer. Or maybe I’m just not tough enough. There are users that find comfort and discomfort in every model.
 
I have zero problem getting comfortable in any saddle. They are all basically the same thing. It is how you use and position it. You have to find what works for you. What I tell people that ask me about saddle hunting is to write a list of what you want in a saddle. Prioritize it. Then find the one that meets the most requirements for you. A lot of the guys that complain about comfort are ROS users. Coincidence? Perhaps, but those complaints have been going on for decades. The other complain I hear a lot about is riding up your back. If you spread the straps of a saddle to your legs and above your crack, it is naturally going to try to expand as far as the material will allow. That is called gravity. Once you get the strap UNDER your butt, riding up is NOT a problem. It can seem awkward and a little unsafe at first, but it is not more so than sitting in a swing. If you are worried about a saddle not being safe, then by all means get a bulkier saddle and cup your butt as some suggest, or add a RCH. I have zero concerns getting the strap under my butt and I do not experience riding up at all. I also have sat many all days sits in TX which can mean for a very long sit 0500-2100 during early season. There ain't no way you can sit in same position for hours like that with out pressure points building up - I don't care if you are in a lazy boy. SO MOVE/ADJUST.

Saddles may not be for everyone - but for me they relieved some serious back pain I had in lock ons. The foot pegs killed my feet wearing rubber boots for hours - predator resolved that (I still occasionally will have plantar fasciitis after weeks of saddle hunter - damage is done from silliness when I was young. A low tether and short bridge really reduce the leverage for me and also immensely solved a lot of "comfort" issues.

So when I say comfort is not a concern I am in no way indicating I am uncomfortable in a saddle. What I am saying is I don't have any comfort issues. I can grab any saddle, to include a sit drag and make it work for me. That, and I have years/decades of experience with them and know what works for me. And please stop with all this leaner and sitter BS. I can sit in a saddle for hours anytime I want. I will post a video when I have time that I made showing a hunt I did the other day on a leaner where I had to sit and could barely keep my toes on the platform - sat that way for 4 hours. I PREFER to lean in a saddle because I can move, adjust and take a shot at a moments notice far easier then when sitting - that is the ONLY reason I lean most of the time - IMO its just a more efficient hunting position and since I tend to hunt in thick nasty stuff - I like to be ready to execute a shot quickly. It certainly is not because I cannot sit in mine because of some limitation brought about by the way I use them. I have slept in mine waiting for daylight when I go in 2-3 hours before daylight.

Makes no difference to me what tool you use to hunt with, saddles included. I don't tell people they choose gear because they can't lean so really stop with this silliness. The tools I use and prefer are not a choice made out of some limitation or hap hazardously - I choose them because they work best and meet my list of requirements.
 
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