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Phantom Uncomfortable

I think what @Ontariofarmer said is on point. I love my phantom and it is completely comfortable for me both sitting and leaning but it is definitely a minimalist saddle. After sitting in my brother in-laws cruzr that is a size one and I’m more like a 2-3. It was still super comfortable even tho it was too small. I think every saddle has their goods and bads. Everyone’s shape is different too so the phantom just may not be the right shape for you man who knows. Good thing is you can most likely get most of your money back out of it and try something else.
 
Thank you for all the valuable feedback. I will try lengthening my bridge to around the max length, and lowering the tether height based on much of the feedback here. My leg loops are super loose at this point. It's just the lower strap of the seat that digs in.

Hate to see the cruzr feedback -- already having a hard time not ordering one. The expansion feature looks like it's right up my alley.
 
rcjs said:
For me personally the phantom isn’t very comfortable my flex is way more comfortable. For my body style phantom is too narrow and even with the bridge maxed it is still not long enough
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Same here..... the Tethrd Saddles cupped my thighs too much. The Flex is a better fit for my body and the way I hang/sit. I do have the Cruzr XC in order.

Not bashin Tetherd.... I think those guys are great and good for saddle hunting. I’m glad their saddles fit a lot of hunters.
 
MIbowhunter49 said:
Hate to see the cruzr feedback -- already having a hard time not ordering one. The expansion feature looks like it's right up my alley.
Click to expand...
I broke down and just ordered both. Phantom is here. Now just waiting on the Cruzr. (It's been just over 3 weeks so hopefully soon) I can finally do a side by side comparison and pick. The other will go up for sale. The Phantom is nice. I was never really uncomfortable leaning in my Mantis but could not sit in it very long. The Phantom is the same. I can lean in it comfortably but sitting is only slightly more comfortable than the Mantis, but not much. I can live with that, but if the Cruzr is better at both...
 
In my limited use of the phantom I would say it is very comfortable as a leaner and not a sitter. Sitting is good for me but I only sit for short times and not often. I do shift the top of the saddle a little below my belt line. I have also found when sitting, straddling the tree or sitting with hip/shoulder to tree is more comfortable than knees on tree for me. Good luck!
 
MIbowhunter49 said:
So is it just the fan boys that say "I could sleep in this thing?"

I've been working on bridge and tether adjustment, along with where I'm at in the comfort channels. I can't keep the bottom strap (the main structure of the saddle) from digging into my legs/arse. Leaning is doable but not great, sitting hurts.

What "initial" settings can you guys recommend. Right now I have my tether forehead height and bridge about 2/3 out in terms of overall adjustment.

Thanks
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I did my first climb yesterday and i would tend to agree, still have some learning to do and some playing around to maybe see if i can get it better??

but initial thoughts were disappointment... specially with how much the cost of shipping was... could have bought a second saddle to try for that rate ... =[
I couldn't seem to use the saddle part it? just seemed to only ride up my back and sag and all i could get was a pressure point on the bottom webbing which hurt and dug into the legs / arse like you mentioned. tried a couple comfort setting positions, played a bit with bridge length / tether length. had the tether just above my forehead. leaning was a bit more comfy but still couldn't get it to seem right.

climbed with wild edge steps & perch and a knaider /waider and those all turned out great! just the phantom....
fingers crossed i can figure it out... =/
or maybe i just don't have enough cushion on the back side?! lol
 
Mellifluous said:
I did my first climb yesterday and i would tend to agree, still have some learning to do and some playing around to maybe see if i can get it better??

but initial thoughts were disappointment... specially with how much the cost of shipping was... could have bought a second saddle to try for that rate ... =[
I couldn't seem to use the saddle part it? just seemed to only ride up my back and sag and all i could get was a pressure point on the bottom webbing which hurt and dug into the legs / arse like you mentioned. tried a couple comfort setting positions, played a bit with bridge length / tether length. had the tether just above my forehead. leaning was a bit more comfy but still couldn't get it to seem right.

climbed with wild edge steps & perch and a knaider /waider and those all turned out great! just the phantom....
fingers crossed i can figure it out... =/
or maybe i just don't have enough cushion on the back side?! lol
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that, it is a big investment . I think we need to enourage new saddle hunters to try multiple saddles first or watch videos like madhunts. We need honest reviews.


I am sure you can get the phantom to work for you or sell it. I really think the phantom is not a bad saddle if you want light and lean a lot. And saddle shape is a real thing and is necessary for some saddles, you have to get used to it . But there are more comfortable saddles, especially for sitting.

A long bridge means less pressure on the hips a short bridge will surround your hips which is fine for some people but not me . A shorter tether will shift the angle and put more pressure on the waist and less on the legs. Think about angles and where the discomfort is. How can I shift the discomfort.

Try to sell it, if you cannot make it work. It will sell easy as hunting season begins.

If you can afford it order another one now

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Nutterbuster said:
I don't own a Tethrd saddle, but I've sat in both designs they make. The phantom was actually quite comfortable.

The longer you can get your bridge, the better comfort-wise. Bigger saddles seem to be more comfortable to me. I'm not a big guy, but I prefer aerohunter's size 2 product. A lower tether and a higher seated position (think bar stool instead of chair) will take pressure off your butt.
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Sent u a text

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Mellifluous said:
I did my first climb yesterday and i would tend to agree, still have some learning to do and some playing around to maybe see if i can get it better??

but initial thoughts were disappointment... specially with how much the cost of shipping was... could have bought a second saddle to try for that rate ... =[
I couldn't seem to use the saddle part it? just seemed to only ride up my back and sag and all i could get was a pressure point on the bottom webbing which hurt and dug into the legs / arse like you mentioned. tried a couple comfort setting positions, played a bit with bridge length / tether length. had the tether just above my forehead. leaning was a bit more comfy but still couldn't get it to seem right.

climbed with wild edge steps & perch and a knaider /waider and those all turned out great! just the phantom....
fingers crossed i can figure it out... =/
or maybe i just don't have enough cushion on the back side?! lol
Click to expand...
I can send you a choice of 2 to test that are my own personal saddles. I have a trophy line and a h2.

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Tried the phantom. Leaning was alright. Sitting no so much.

What saddle is most recommended for sitters? Have a Cruzr on order to try.


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iamcorey said:
Tried the phantom. Leaning was alright. Sitting no so much.

What saddle is most recommended for sitters? Have a Cruzr on order to try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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IMO the only thing better than a Cruzr XC for sitting is a JX3.
I have a TX5 coming and expect it will be good based on the design , I have one in the mail.

The flex, H2, recon are all very good but different in how they provide comfort.
The thing about the Cruzr XC is that it is hard to make it uncomfortable, the rest take a tiny bit of work to make them just right. I think the phantom can be comfortable for a lot of guys, saddle shape and tether and bridge adjustments are critical though.


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@floydfreak is in Brampton. Maybe you can try his recon. If you like it I will sell you mine and buy another one. I like it but I have a few saddles and can do without it for a while.


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Ontariofarmer said:
IMO the only thing better than a Cruzr XC for sitting is a JX3.
I have a TX5 coming and expect it will be good based on the design , I have one in the mail.

The flex, H2, recon are all very good but different in how they provide comfort.
The thing about the Cruzr XC is that it is hard to make it uncomfortable, the rest take a tiny bit of work to make them just right. I think the phantom can be comfortable for a lot of guys, saddle shape and tether and bridge adjustments are critical though.


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You triggered thought- folks used to talk "saddle shape" a lot more in the past, and I felt it too witb the first couple of saddles I had, but I have found that to only apply to minimalist or sitdrag saddles, and the JX3, newer flex or bigger seat designs, and Anderson sling versions do not require any buildup or practice to be comfortable.
 
Spent 4 hours in my Phantom tonight and I tried everything I could to get comfortable and it just did not happen.. I even started looking into LWCG hang-ons at one point.. I’m going to start looking for another saddle though. Love the quality of all my Tethrd stuff, the Phantom is just not for me.


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enkriss said:
the Cruzr XC is pretty easy to get comfortable in. The phantom would get me on the outside of the thighs which made it uncomfortable after a short time for me.
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A common experience for many. I want Tethrd to do well but the phantom will turn off some new saddle hunters just because of hip pinch. It can be reduced with tether and bridge adjustment and by getting in saddle shape but just get a more comfortable saddle instead


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Ontariofarmer said:
A common experience for many. I want Tethrd to do well but the phantom will turn off some new saddle hunters just because of hip pinch. It can be reduced with tether and bridge adjustment and by getting in saddle shape but just get a more comfortable saddle instead


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Click to expand...

What exactly is considered saddle shape? I’m in the best shape of my life, no issues climbing or maneuvering in the saddle, just can’t get comfortable no matter the angles I’ve tried. I’m always trying to make my hanging time better so any insight is appreciated.


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