pain

[ouachitamac]

my diy saddle is pinching my upper outter legs. I am thinking of trying to modify it some way with a pad, idk. Does anyone using the kestrel have any pain in the upper outter legs where the lower strap comes off? I measured out a kestrel and it is basically the same design. I tried it at the house with a closed cell foam pad in there and it worked better.

 

[ouachitamac]

this is the saddle. it pinches where the bridge loops come off the sides

 

[Jefferson10940]

It may just be too small. I want that section to be past my hips not on them.

 

[Smokingbarrel270]

What @Jefferson10940 said. That was my initial thought as well. Someone may be interested in a swap with you, it doesnt hurt to ask.

 

[Jtaylor]

Did you try adjusting bridge length? Tether position? Saddle position on hips? Down lower below the normal belt area is more comfortable to me. I think there is a way of putting a support between the bridge also to take pressure off hips (forms an A shape) with the bridge using a dowel, carbon or aluminum rod. I made one very similar using fleece in the seat portion and it did the same thing to me though. I can sit in it for a couple hours before its too much.

 

[ouachitamac]

I made a spreader bar and I used it on the 3.5 hour sit. It works better with the spreader. I may end up making another one. Idk. so I guess, what yall are saying, is that you get no pain in a correctly made and set up saddle system?

 

[Tjraley2]

I made a spreader bar and I used it on the 3.5 hour sit. It works better with the spreader. I may end up making another one. Idk. so I guess, what yall are saying, is that you get no pain in a correctly made and set up saddle system?

Once it’s set up right for you, it should not hurt. I agree with others it’s likely too small. Are you sitting or leaning?

 

[ouachitamac]

I tried both during the three + hrs. I actually have two of the saddles made, and I made one a little bigger. I will try the other one next sit.

 

[ouachitamac]

The other saddle is not any wider, but is actually taller top to bottom, waist to legs, in other words. the bridge loops are the same. I may just get some more material and make another one. lol.

 

[BCHunter]

Do you use a platform? If you are straddling a tree you are going to introduce hip pinch. You might want to try lowering your tether and tightening it up so you are standing more.

 

[cmbetke]

Your top waist webbing definitely looks a little short and I could see how that would create some gnarly pinching.
You can try adjusting your bridge where it connects to the bridge loops by sliding the bridge up or down on the loops. I found sliding my bridge down on the bridge loops allows the saddle to cup me much better and is more comfortable.


I sat for a collective 12 hours this past weekend in 85+ degree heat in my DIY and I was as happy as I could be.

 

[Jtaylor]

I think everyone has a saddle that fits them too. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for the next. Simple webbing saddles seem the most comfortable for me besides a JX3 but that's basically just a suspended lazy boy.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

It just looks too skinny IMO, from left to right. Like you need another 3-5” of width in the saddle itself. That looks like your bridge loops have quite a bit less material between them than my Kestrel, which probably has even more material than its measurements suggest because it has slight cupping built in where the 4 panels of cordura meet.

 

[Murph4028]

I made a spreader bar and I used it on the 3.5 hour sit. It works better with the spreader. I may end up making another one. Idk. so I guess, what yall are saying, is that you get no pain in a correctly made and set up saddle system?

Proper fit and experience in the saddle is key to comfort. By experience I mean going through the growing pains on what's comfortable for you as far as how it's worn and adjusted. As @Jefferson10940 said, it may be too small. But you may also might not be wearing it right. For instance, I like my saddle in one of two positions. When I am leaning which is most of the time I like wearing the saddle as designed with the waistband around my waist and the bottom of the saddle right where my butt and legs meet. But when I am sitting I like the saddle waist band to be primarily what I am sitting on. So worn super low with the bottom of the saddle about 1/3 of the way down the back of my thigh. Just put it on a tree at ground level and sit until you are uncomfortable and start making adjustments and that will help you hone in your saddle to your specific preferences. All that being said, you also just have to get used to saddles in general. At first, there usually isn't a whole lot you can do to be super comfortable. Your gonna have to accept a certain level of annoying aches and pains until you get into what we call saddle shape.

 

[ouachitamac]

im going to keep on at this til I get it right. I like the idea of the saddle, super light and easy to get in the woods, but like yall say, I just need to get into saddle shape.

 

[Dewey]

im going to keep on at this til I get it right. I like the idea of the saddle, super light and easy to get in the woods, but like yall say, I just need to get into saddle shape.

I was sore the first few days in the hips but after that it’s been nothing but comfort. Takes a bit for your body to get in saddle shape. Keep experimenting till you find what works best. Once you get that figured out it’s easy to repeat over and over since adjustments are pretty much dialed in.

 

[ouachitamac]

I thought about doing a version of the preacher seat, but idk. I think i need to stick with this.

 

[swampsnyper]

Probably need a longer saddle form bridge loop to bridge loop. Also a longer bridge will not make it squeeze as much. Min is 34-36in from saddle bridge loop to loop

 

[Allegheny Tom]

You can try adjusting your bridge where it connects to the bridge loops by sliding the bridge up or down on the loops. I found sliding my bridge down on the bridge loops allows the saddle to cup me much better and is more comfortable.

This can make a big difference. I realized that last season so I reconfigured my bridge so it girth hitched around the saddle loops.
Doing that allows the bridge to remain exactly where, on the loops, that I place it. As little as an inch higher or lower can make a difference.

I was showing my Kestrel to a friend the other day. He had never tried a saddle. He seems to like it, but then commented on hip pinch. I slid the bridge lower on the loops and his comment was "WOW, I could sit lit this all day!"