• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Saddle being uncomfortable

N

noeldabbs

New Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Messages
3
hey guys i got my first saddle yesterday it’s a aero hunter kestrel flex and i threw it up pretty quick to try it out and it’s very uncomfortable to sit in. Standing and leaning it feels good but i’m sure i’ll get tired of standing on my feet for a long hunt. i’m using the LWCG ambush platform. thanks for your help
 
noeldabbs said:
hey guys i got my first saddle yesterday it’s a aero hunter kestrel flex and i threw it up pretty quick to try it out and it’s very uncomfortable to sit in. Standing and leaning it feels good but i’m sure i’ll get tired of standing on my feet for a long hunt. i’m using the LWCG ambush platform. thanks for your help
Click to expand...
A couple quick things;
1. What bridge did you get & how long is it?
2. How high is your tether in relation to your head ? Chin height, or lower/higher.
3. I’ve always found comfortable sitting was easier with a step off the side of my platform so my knees were on either side of the tree rather than on it.
4. How big is the tree?
5. Last but not least how is it uncomfortable, hip pinch??
 
Bigterp said:
A couple quick things;
1. What bridge did you get & how long is it?
2. How high is your tether in relation to your head ? Chin height, or lower/higher.
3. I’ve always found comfortable sitting was easier with a step off the side of my platform so my knees were on either side of the tree rather than on it.
4. How big is the tree?
5. Last but not least how is it uncomfortable, hip pinch??
Click to expand...
hip pinch mostly and i started my tether about chin height and moved it up about forehead height. i’m using the adjustable rope bridge and honestly not sure how long it is, to me it seems very long but it could just be because it’s my first saddle and don’t know anything about it
 
Bigterp said:
A couple quick things;
1. What bridge did you get & how long is it?
2. How high is your tether in relation to your head ? Chin height, or lower/higher.
3. I’ve always found comfortable sitting was easier with a step off the side of my platform so my knees were on either side of the tree rather than on it.
4. How big is the tree?
5. Last but not least how is it uncomfortable, hip pinch??
Click to expand...

These are all great questions. I put a a squirrel step/Ameristep on either side of my platform for sitting duties. Is the discomfort from your feet/ankles or knees or hip pinch?... Each of these should have a solution. I’ve never sat in a flex, but I hear they’re the next most comfortable saddle to a Cruzr XC, so you should be able to make something work with a bit more info. People on here are really helpful for the most part
 
To me, one of the real benefits to saddle hunting is the adjustability you have, even with the same saddle. But, that also means it takes some work and effort to find what’s comfortable, unlike just plopping down in a big climbing stand or lock-on. There are lots of great videos out there about “dialing in” your saddle setup, and I suggest watching some of those to get a visual of how different guys go about doing that. The primary adjustments you should consider are: changing your tether height on the tree (also change how close to the end of your tether the bridge will be attached), and changing where the saddle belt sits on your hips (can be anywhere between mid-back and low on your butt like plumber’s crack). Also, try sitting with your knees into the tree at different angles, from a 45-degree bend all the way to 120 degrees. Hope this helps!
 
I loosen my waist belt and leg straps a little when at hunting height and slide the whole thing down a little so that it is more like sitting on a playground swing.

Longer bridge will help some, but make it more likely for interference with bow string.

Also, adjust how/where the bridge actually connects to the bridge loops. Changing the angle/contact points there can affect comfort.
 
noeldabbs said:
hip pinch mostly and i started my tether about chin height and moved it up about forehead height. i’m using the adjustable rope bridge and honestly not sure how long it is, to me it seems very long but it could just be because it’s my first saddle and don’t know anything about it
Click to expand...
Considering the saddle you’re in I would try & get us a few pics of your setup from the side. Good news is your bridge is adjustable, see if you can get setup with your bridge about 27-30 inches & tether at forehead the. See how this goes & let us know, also mentioned earlier loosen the waist belt & ride it low.
 
I found my comfort with a long bridge and a short tether (below chin height) with the saddle height below my normal belt line by an inch or two. This setup lends itself to a fairly deep "sit or lean" and allows some movement around the tree, but not as much as a long tether. I usually try to have my upper thighs parallel to the ground, if I was straddling the tree.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top