I'm really late to the party on this (or early, right @Bwhana and @Vtbow?) but I finally got around to ordering a treehopper recon sling back around July and have had the time to hog hunt out of it a bit. I liked the ole anderson I bought a couple of years back, but couldn't be bothered with bringing it up to par with the saddles on the market at the time. You don't really know until you have a few dark-to-dark sits in it, but I really think the recon might be the most comfortable soft saddle I've ever sat in. It's definitely the lightest and the most streamlined, minimalistic design. $150 for an American-made saddle or sling (with a dump pouch) ain't bad either, vs a certain other saddle/sling that's 33% more expensive and made in one of those lesser nations. Still got a one month back order on that other one though, so good for 'em. Less money, less weight, less lead time, and more comfort is an easy win for me. Yes, I'm shilling for treehopper. No, they're not paying me to. I paid for my property with my own personal pesos.
Really want to thank @Vtbow and @Allegheny Tom for putting this one on Mark's radar. I think he knocked the recon out of the part, and I know y'all helped with design.
Since folks always ask about mods:
Aside from the recon just being ridiculously comfortable and affordable, I was very happy with how well it wore when walking in the first few times I messed with it. It's also much more comfortable for me to climb in with a lineman's belt, since there are 2 pieces of webbing taking your weight instead of 1. And obviously 4 when you're at height.
Apologies for the mid-video edit. The neighborhood kiddo saw me swinging around in a saddle and talking to myself and felt led to investigate. Then he wanted to buy one of my chickens. Such is life in the boonies...
Really want to thank @Vtbow and @Allegheny Tom for putting this one on Mark's radar. I think he knocked the recon out of the part, and I know y'all helped with design.
Since folks always ask about mods:
- the buckle I swapped to is an Austrialpin 1" no-sew cobra
- I removed the vinyl coating around the hole on the "amsteel model" bridge plate so I could fit a carabiner through. Haven't noticed any noise issues.
- I ain't runnin' no leg loops, and was very grateful to not have to take a pair of scissors to the recon to make that happen. For them that want/need them, they're included and modular.
Aside from the recon just being ridiculously comfortable and affordable, I was very happy with how well it wore when walking in the first few times I messed with it. It's also much more comfortable for me to climb in with a lineman's belt, since there are 2 pieces of webbing taking your weight instead of 1. And obviously 4 when you're at height.
Apologies for the mid-video edit. The neighborhood kiddo saw me swinging around in a saddle and talking to myself and felt led to investigate. Then he wanted to buy one of my chickens. Such is life in the boonies...