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New to this forum old hand in others

HawRiverArcher

New Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2024
Messages
8
Signed up a few weeks back to help improve my saddle hunting experience. This was my first year and I liked it a lot.

First off, like many before I bought a XOP combo package with the Mondo saddle and edge platform with X2 sticks. Liked the platform and sticks the saddle is uncomfortable and straps will not stay tight or adjusted but I do like the quick buckles and harness like features. I've started using it with my hang on stand as an all in one harness/saddle.

I'll be getting a new saddle for this fall. Anyone have recommendations for saddles made in the US? Was saving for a Tethrd Phantom as I have several other Tethrd pieces and gear but now realize all of them have a "Made in China" tag on the back of them.

I've got all my ropes sorted with help from Hang Free and may just get a saddle there as well, but thought I'd ask for suggestions first.

Thanks
 
Welcome aboard. Before you buy a new saddle try to find some members on here that are close to your location, and they would probably be more than happy to let you check out their saddle. The SH Content tab has a user's map that will show you where a lot of us are located. Good luck. Oh, also, I have a Cruzr xc and a Lonestar both of which I love.
 
I know you dislike the Mondo, but it was never designed right for pure saddle hunting anyway. That said, the XOP Mutant is supposed to fix all those issues and is very similar in design, quality and comfort to the Cruzr XC, but much cheaper. A few YT channels give it superb reviews. Worth a look.
 
I know you dislike the Mondo, but it was never designed right for pure saddle hunting. That said, the XOP Mutant is supposed to be very similar in quality and comfort as the Cruzr XC, but much cheaper. A few YT channels give it superb reviews. Worth a look.
There are things I like about the Mondo, as I said if I'm going to be in my hang-on or doing hybrid style I'll wear it. But for just pure saddle hunting I just can't get comfortable in it. I used a buddy's Trophy line and it was super comfortable and I did several 6+ hour hunts in it with no issue. So I've started looking around. My biggest gripe with the Mondo is that once adjusted neither the main belt harness or leg loops will stay tight, at first I thought it was me so I put a mark on them with a sharpie and sure enough after an hour or two they'd all loosened. I ended up just wrapping them with black electrical tape once adjusted to "lock" the webbing in place to finish out the season and that worked for that. My local bow shop sells Cruzr, Latitude, Trophy line and Some Ape Canyon so I'm going by this weekend to try them out on their 12 foot practice pole. We'll see how it goes thanks for all the answers.
 
I have the XOP Mutant. It's my first saddle, only got it back in August (my first year in the saddle as well). The XOP Mutant is... OK. But I plan on upgrading this summer. One thing I noticed is that it rides down so much that when I'm up in the tree, after a while I almost feel like it is going to slip off my butt. I'm pretty sure it isn't, but it sure rides low. I'm a thin person, only weight 170, but still - I feel like I should get a better fit. I will say it is comfortable; hardly know you are wearing it (that's part of the problem, I really don't notice it slipping until I explicitly reach down and feel for where it is and I'm surprised how low it rides after a while).

My plan is to try to get the Overwatch Transformer... it's big $$$ but I hear nothing but good things about it and I think I'm going to like a 2-panel saddle: https://www.overwatchoutdoors.net/shop/p/beni-shoga-ggyd6
 
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