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Now that a lot of you have your brand new Mantis.....

C

CaptainKielbasa

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Messages
13
Would any of you be open to letting me borrow your old saddle to try out for a week?

Since I haven't made the jump into saddle hunting yet (as I'm the type of individual that prefers to try something first before diving in and spending money), I had the idea to possibly borrow a saddle for a week to hang in the back yard a few feet off the ground to get an idea if saddle hunting is right for me.

I think the only thing I will need is the saddle (probably L / XL as I'm 5'10" @220lbs) and bridge since I already have a HSS safety tether, lineman's belt w/ ropeman 1, and wild edge steps. (I don't believe I need anything else correct?).

If anyone is up for it in letting me borrow their old saddle, I'd be more than happy to pay for shipping to me and back.

Just thought I'd throw the idea out there, couldn't hurt to ask.
 
Good luck.... not sure many are going to be willing to part with their saddle right at beginning of hunting season?
 
Look at the map and see if anyone is nearby

Maybe u could meet up and try without keeping it for a week


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I hope you find someone. My son is in my kestrel and a friend has borrowed my trophyline. I’ve got a sit drag but at the cost of a new one you’d be just as good to buy one than shipping back and forth. Not sure where you are living but there are lots of options to try headed to sikapalooza right now. If we have another saddlepalooza in February that would be a great spot to show up and try some gear also.
 
My spare is a sitdrag...and I would have to agree w/ @EricS you would be better off just buying a new sit drag compared to shipping one back and forth. If you don't like it, throw it in the classifieds here. If you lose $10, you are still probably ahead of shipping costs.

Have you checked out the SaddleHunter map? https://www.google.com/maps/@37.3978941,-86.4406581,5z/data=!4m2!6m1!1s1GhuYfPZR436tAHCVJAi2Z9oc-oc

Where are you located? You may luck out and have someone nearby that could provide some trial time. Good Luck!
 
I was thinking more towards the hunters who just got a mantis and have a kestrel that's been benched for the rest of the season. :)
 
I would be willing to bet you could cut the pant leg off of an old pair of jeans, tie some webbing into a loop with a waterknot, insert the loop through the pant leg that you already cut and call it a saddle. The weight-bearing portion of the saddle is in the loop, not the part you sit on. You'd probably feel better if you wore a rock climbing harness or some other safety belt/harness along with this.
Would this be pretty - no.
Will it be functional for a week - (my guess) yes.
Will your friends make fun of you for doing this - it is up to you if you tell them.

You don't need all of the bells and whistles of some of the high-end manufactured saddles to effectively hunt from one.
 
Scott F said:
I would be willing to bet you could cut the pant leg off of an old pair of jeans, tie some webbing into a loop with a waterknot, insert the loop through the pant leg that you already cut and call it a saddle. The weight-bearing portion of the saddle is in the loop, not the part you sit on. You'd probably feel better if you wore a rock climbing harness or some other safety belt/harness along with this.
Would this be pretty - no.
Will it be functional for a week - (my guess) yes.
Will your friends make fun of you for doing this - it is up to you if you tell them.

You don't need all of the bells and whistles of some of the high-end manufactured saddles to effectively hunt from one.
Click to expand...
+1 Get a RCH and you will ditch the full body harness
 
CaptainKielbasa said:
I can afford the saddle, it's just I don't want to deal with having to resell it if I don't like it.
Click to expand...

I don't mind letting you try out a saddle. I have a few to try out. 1) L trophy line neoprene and 2) sit drag that I slightly modified.

Honestly, I don't think there is any way you can beat the sit drag for the money. I just went to the mantis so I could be more stream line. When I think about it, I think I like the option for having two sets of safety while in a tree. The first being my sit drag, the second being my RCH. I typically stayed hooked up to both while in the tree.

With the slightest bits of mods, the SD can be just as good as most out there. Sew on belt loops and possibly a leg strap(not necessary), a few molle compatible loops on the back and viola, you're in business.
 
@DanielB89 between the sit drag and trophy line, which did you find more comfortable?

The only reason I haven't gone with the SD & RCH route is because I've tried a few RC harnesses and never could find one that was comfortable, I was in and out of REI too many times haha. I believe the last one was a black diamond momentum / motion? can't remember the model name. But I wasn't using a sit drag with it while rock climbing, so that could possibly make a world of difference in comfort.

Quick edit: Additionally, out of the 3 saddles you have, what is the best for ease of use?
 
CaptainKielbasa said:
@DanielB89 between the sit drag and trophy line, which did you find more comfortable?

The only reason I haven't gone with the SD & RCH route is because I've tried a few RC harnesses and never could find one that was comfortable, I was in and out of REI too many times haha. I believe the last one was a black diamond momentum / motion? can't remember the model name. But I wasn't using a sit drag with it while rock climbing, so that could possibly make a world of difference in comfort.

Quick edit: Additionally, out of the 3 saddles you have, what is the best for ease of use?
Click to expand...
I dont think you will really even know you are wearing a RCH because the saddle will be doing the work.
Now, if your saddle ever had a failure while you were hunting you would appreciate the RCH that you initially thought was uncomfortable!

Despite my comment above, this year will be the first for me with a RCH. I hung for many hours last year from a DIY saddle that is a Kestrel look-a-like that I made without another safety device. The RCH was worth it to me (to buy one).

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I have a medium TL neoprene I’d be happy to let you try.


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@jryser I'm not familiar with the TL sizes, would it fit me? 5'10" 220lbs 38" waist.

Also, may I ask why you went with the Mantis over the TL, was it to try something new or were there things about the TL you didn't like?

I may just pick up a sit drag as everyone is suggesting and just sit off the ground in it for a few hours a day all week. If I don't like it, maybe just use it for turkey season instead of a swivel chair.
 
CaptainKielbasa said:
@DanielB89 between the sit drag and trophy line, which did you find more comfortable?

The only reason I haven't gone with the SD & RCH route is because I've tried a few RC harnesses and never could find one that was comfortable, I was in and out of REI too many times haha. I believe the last one was a black diamond momentum / motion? can't remember the model name. But I wasn't using a sit drag with it while rock climbing, so that could possibly make a world of difference in comfort.

Quick edit: Additionally, out of the 3 saddles you have, what is the best for ease of use?
Click to expand...


The "ease of use" can be very subjective. That depends on how you plan on using it. If you want to put it on at the tree then it doesn't really matter. They can all be put on very easily. If you're wanting to walk in with them on, the lightest and least bulky would be the best.

I think they all can be comfortable, and they all can be uncomfortable. Comfort in a saddle, much like a stand, is going to have to be found. My TL is completely stock with all stock accessories so it can be a little bulky, but a ton of guys cut off what they don't want and leave what they do and never miss a beat.

I went with the mantis bc i liked the SD so much, but also wanted to be able to use the saddle as my harness for hanging sticks. I know people do that with both the TL and the sit drag, but I prefer to feel as safe as possible. I honestly believe the TL may be the most comfortable of the 3 once I found comfort in it. But it is also the heaviest. I suspect that the mantis will allow my butt to thoroughly freeze when the temps drop.
 
I probably should have said "which has the least learning curve" instead of "ease of use". From what I gather, the SD & RCH would be the more complicated setup to use since it's two independent items functioning in unison to create a safe system whereas the Mantis and TL seem to be user friendly in the sense of being able to put on and you're ready to go.

DanielB89 said:
I suspect that the mantis will allow my butt to thoroughly freeze when the temps drop.
Click to expand...

That's also another thing I was curious about. Since the saddle is the pressure point, any layers covering your butt are compressed, which would lower their R value. I'm guessing to combat this you wrap something on the outside of the saddle to insulate? A fleece butt blanket?
 
looks like there are a couple mantis in the classifieds now...you could buy one and try it...sell it pretty easy if you didnt like it im sure!
 
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