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New to saddle hunting. Help please with saddle selection.........

R

Redbone

New Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
8
Location
South Louisiana
I already chose a platform, now trying to select a saddle. JX3 looks comfy but will be too heavy for my needs. I am open to pros and cons of other makes/models. I am 50 and in pretty good shape. Thank you.
 
Honestly, personal preference/hunting style/hanging position/body shape and a bunch of other factors all make it a super individual choice. The best thing you can do is hang in as many saddles as you can. Try to hook up with some folks from your area who might let you try their saddle out. Since it's the off season, you have plenty of time to try as many as you can. And don't be afraid to buy and sell a few in the classifieds on here. You wont lose much if any money, and the investment is well worth it if you end up with something you like as opposed to a saddle you hate.
 
Just saw you're in South LA. Whereabouts? There are quite a few folks down that way who might be willing to help you out.
 
Tjraley2 said:
Honestly, personal preference/hunting style/hanging position/body shape and a bunch of other factors all make it a super individual choice. The best thing you can do is hang in as many saddles as you can. Try to hook up with some folks from your area who might let you try their saddle out. Since it's the off season, you have plenty of time to try as many as you can. And don't be afraid to buy and sell a few in the classifieds on here. You wont lose much if any money, and the investment is well worth it if you end up with something you like as opposed to a saddle you hate.
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Thank you.
 
I’ve had mantis, phantom, aero hunt flex(which I luv) but if I had to choose now I think I’d go CRUZER XC if it was my first saddle. Then go from there if you want to change or upgrade. Don’t think you can go wrong!
 
@Redbone the biggest reccomend action I can make is to try as many as you can before buying so you can make a decision based on your but and not mine. I wear the phantom and am pleased with it but there are many great saddles on the market. I also have the jx3. I don’t use it but it’s mostly because I’ve got a system worked out that meets my needs. The jx3 would require me to figure out another system to replace my backpack. Also if you replaced a 3-5 lb saddle and 4lb platform with a jx3 paired with the top of a stick and two squirrel steps the weight difference is negligible. Replace that backpack with a fleece stuff sack attached to the hybrid and the difference is nil.

Everything is so much nicer when you build a system to fit your comfort and hunting needs. Sadly it not like trying on clothes at the store. It may take some trial and error to come up with the perfect system for you. Then you will spend the rest of your hunting career trying to find something better.
 
Just got my first saddle after reading tons of reviews I went with cruzr xc for comfort maybe not the lightest but I hunt in it a few times and love it and can always sell it on here
 
I have a Phantom and an Aerohunter Flex and honestly feel more comfortable in the flex.
 
I also posted in another thread about this but I’ve had several saddles.Mantis, phantom, aero hunter flex(which has been my favorite), and tried some of the newer ones. If I were going to recommend a saddle at this point it would be the CRUZR XC. But as most on this site will tell you it comes down to personal preference and what works for you. Good luck and stay safe.
 
I’m in DeRidder, I got a latitude method and my buddy in rosepine has a cruzr xc size 2 I think. Maybe after this crazy weather breaks we can meet up and you can try them out if you’d like.
 
Redbone said:
I WAS DEAD SET ON TETHRD PHANTOM BUT THEN SAW A REVIEW ON THE CRUZR SADDLE. ANY GOOD OR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM TO SAY ON THIS?
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Have a link to the cruzr review you read? I'm kinda set on a phantom and have someone local that is going to let me test theirs out. Interested in seeing this review though
 
There are several. While the Phantom would suffice, the CRUZR looks like i can adjust myself in the saddle due to is overall depth and pleat. It’s just over 2 lbs which seems to be a negative but it’s much lighter than the climber I have.
 
Redbone said:
There are several. While the Phantom would suffice, the CRUZR looks like i can adjust myself in the saddle due to is overall depth and pleat. It’s just over 2 lbs which seems to be a negative but it’s much lighter than the climber I have.
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Awesome. Will check this out when I have a few mins
 
I can't say one is better than the other, because I bought the Cruzr XC in a size 2 and it's all I've used. But I can honestly say it's so comfortable to me that I have no desire to try any others. The only criticism I have about it is that the Amsteel bridge I ordered on it had some sort of waxy coating that kinda gummed up my main carabiner, making it a little sticky and awkward to turn in the saddle. So I took it off and replaced it with some 7/16" static rope, and I love it. It's just a little harder to adjust the bridge length after weighting it now.

I would definitely recommend trying to hang in as many as possible before pulling the trigger on one. The problem for me was that it seems no one in my area has a clue what it means when I say "saddle hunting." So I didn't have the chance to try others out before I bought one.
 
I've had several over a period of 20 years,starting with the original Trophyline.In my opinion,the twp piece saddles like the old anderson tree sling,recon and ESS are far more comfortable.I used a recon and ESS all of this season.They're awesome once you get settled in a tree.The problem is,they're a PIA to put on and deal with at times although the ESS was fairly easy to deal with once I got it on..I do plan on trying the new Crzr two piece because it seems to be the best of both worlds.I went to order one last week and I was talked into trying a CRUZR XC.I put some time leaning and sitting in it the past two nights in my basement.It's very easy to use and no hip pinch like some other trational saddles.I like the pleats but the jury is still out until I use it to one stick climb and spend several hours in it.So far though,it seems to be a comfortable,light and easy saddle.I'll probably pick up one of their new ones as well.That way I'll have one for my son as well.He liked the recon once he was settled but didn't like dealing with two panels.If were just starting out,I'd go with a CRUZR XC or pick up their new two panel.
 
LtMoe66 said:
I’ve had mantis, phantom, aero hunt flex(which I luv) but if I had to choose now I think I’d go CRUZER XC if it was my first saddle. Then go from there if you want to change or upgrade. Don’t think you can go wrong!
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I was looking into buying the new aero flex , also looking at the Cruz xc. So you thank the Cruz xc will be better for longer sets ?
 
I think either one would be a good choice I found that the AeroFlex panel didn’t go back into place very well. The Cruzer XC’s panel was better. I’m currently waiting for the new Cruzer Archon that I ordered and hoping it’s the best of both worlds as far as adjustability!?:).
 
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