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Saddle comfort, long sits are just painful

caddis75

Active Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
112
Hey all. My setup is as follows:

1. Tether at forehead height (Sterling C-IV Canyon Rope, distal hitch with sterling 6mm TRC.) (I've moved this up and down, and forehead height is most comfortable.
2. Saddle (homemade, bought here, aero hunter style)
3. 5 squirrel steps.

Anything over two hours, the pain gets rough in my hips, legs, and back. Four-plus hours is painful enough to make me want to go on a Facebook marketplace and sell all my ****.

If it matters, I am kinda in shape; My squat/bench/deadlift is 1100 lbs. My cardio is ok, although I am in my mid-40s. I also weigh 220 lbs, am 6'2", and have a waist of 38 inches. Honestly, not sure which info is helpful, lol.

What can I do to make saddle sits more comfortable?

Thanks
 
Saddles are not a "one size fits all". I've tried multiple kinds and I find something like a Dryad Drey the most comfortable for me. Spreads the pressure over a larger area.
 
Come to the light, the JX3 tree saddle light..............
Don't be afraid, you will sit from dark to dark very comfortably, no fidgeting, be able to snooze when you want, no dreaded hip pinch, no back aches, you can shoot 360° around the tree with any weapon, bow or gun.
No platform required, only a ROS, no sore feet, no knee pads required, no sore knees, no tired legs from leaning as you can sit all day, built in pack frame for carrying all your needs. No getting into “saddle shape” as your Lazy Boy at home does it for you. Buy once, cry once.
Come to the light, the JX3 light...........
 
Not to pass the buck, but this question gets beat pretty hard on this forum haha, and there's a ton of threads with this info! Have you tried running your tether down to about chest/shoulder height? Longer bridge? Seating the top band of the saddle just below your normal belt-line? I took about 10 hours of tinkering and trying to get my first saddle comfortable, and I did find comfort finally, BUT I have since found a saddle that (for me) almost can't be made uncomfortable... So either time experimenting or money trying different saddles...
 
I won't mention brands lol, but my one buddy hurt his kidneys so bad with one saddle that he couldn't stand up straight for a week... He almost quit saddle hunting, but then he found one that works for him!
 
Tinker tinker tinker.

I’m finding the more I can get my tether to pull on the lower half of my single panel saddle, the better……most of the time!
It is strange, but I don’t know that I find my comfort spot exactly the same each time, day to day. Sometimes I’ll loosen leg straps to nothing, other times I have them so tight my junk is in a wad like I’m wearing a cup! Both ways will be comfortable at least for a while. I personally lean a lot more now than sit as well.
 
I won't mention brands lol, but my one buddy hurt his kidneys so bad with one saddle that he couldn't stand up straight for a week... He almost quit saddle hunting, but then he found one that works for him!

Was that kidney pain like a backside kidney punch? I will get that sometime if I turn just my upper torso to look behind me. It scared me the first time it was so painful. It’ll flare up if I make that move……
 
Was that kidney pain like a backside kidney punch? I will get that sometime if I turn just my upper torso to look behind me. It scared me the first time it was so painful. It’ll flare up if I make that move……

From sitting in a saddle? Yes, but constant, he even had a hard time standing up...
 
Come to the light, the JX3 tree saddle light..............
Don't be afraid, you will sit from dark to dark very comfortably, no fidgeting, be able to snooze when you want, no dreaded hip pinch, no back aches, you can shoot 360° around the tree with any weapon, bow or gun.
No platform required, only a ROS, no sore feet, no knee pads required, no sore knees, no tired legs from leaning as you can sit all day, built in pack frame for carrying all your needs. No getting into “saddle shape” as your Lazy Boy at home does it for you. Buy once, cry once.
Come to the light, the JX3 light...........
I couldn't have said it better myself!
 
Do you prefer to lean or to sit?

If sitting is your game, and you want to stick with a more "traditional" saddle, I'd recommend the Dryad Drey. Good support with its hammock from the knees to the neck.

But, my first choice for comfort is the JX3. My Drey is my "half day sit" saddle. When I'll be out all day. it's the JX3.
 
Hey all. My setup is as follows:

1. Tether at forehead height (Sterling C-IV Canyon Rope, distal hitch with sterling 6mm TRC.) (I've moved this up and down, and forehead height is most comfortable.
2. Saddle (homemade, bought here, aero hunter style)
3. 5 squirrel steps.

Anything over two hours, the pain gets rough in my hips, legs, and back. Four-plus hours is painful enough to make me want to go on a Facebook marketplace and sell all my ****.

If it matters, I am kinda in shape; My squat/bench/deadlift is 1100 lbs. My cardio is ok, although I am in my mid-40s. I also weigh 220 lbs, am 6'2", and have a waist of 38 inches. Honestly, not sure which info is helpful, lol.

What can I do to make saddle sits more comfortable?

Thanks
What about bridge pitch adjustments? Does your saddle have the capability to adjust them? If not, you really can only change your tether height and bridge length.

I hate to say it but sometimes it's just that the saddle isn't the right one for you and you may have to find another one. We are all built different and some saddles just won't work no matter how much you play with all the features and try to dial it in. Do you have any meetups scheduled in your area where you could try out a few different saddles?
 
Bridge adjustment
Get in saddle shape - practice
Try a platform.

I practice throughout the year and as the season starts I begin with shorter sits. By the time the rut hits I’m able to be in the saddle from predawn to post dusk, multiple days in a row - if that’s what a situation requires. I have back issues and can’t sit much, but I can lean all day - if I have a platform.
 
Some saddles just suck for some people and are great for others. But I’ve never heard anyone that was uncomfortable in a Cruzr XC… just saying. Add a backband and I bet you could hunt daylight until dark in it.

I’m a similar size to you OP and no doubt that the Cruzr saddle will almost eliminate your issues.


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Op’s been gone….probably sold his stuff.

ecc1c09c491ed536567ae4dcc8206286.jpg



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Man I’m was with you… I just got the method 2 two months ago. Been practicing a dozen times now. More now that weather here in PA broke. It’s all about adjusting. I’m thinking about taking a magic marker and mark my bridge for leaning. So I can hit the spot perfect every time. this does depend on teather height also. A lot of possibilities. I was back and forth with XC and Method 2
 
Man I’m was with you… I just got the method 2 two months ago. Been practicing a dozen times now. More now that weather here in PA broke. It’s all about adjusting. I’m thinking about taking a magic marker and mark my bridge for leaning. So I can hit the spot perfect every time. this does depend on teather height also. A lot of possibilities. I was back and forth with XC and Method 2
^in my opinion this is the key to successlly hunting from a saddle. Knowing your gear and being really familiar with all the details from practicing translates to smooth and seamless operation during the hunting season.
 
Bridge adjustment
Get in saddle shape - practice
Try a platform.

I practice throughout the year and as the season starts I begin with shorter sits. By the time the rut hits I’m able to be in the saddle from predawn to post dusk, multiple days in a row - if that’s what a situation requires. I have back issues and can’t sit much, but I can lean all day - if I have a platform.
I missed the OPs 5 squirrel steps, but no mention of the platform. I’d get a platform. I cannot do a ROS by themselves. But two on the side of my platform and I’m golden. I bet it makes a world of difference. Leaning is so easy and comfortable with your legs together. I don’t think you can do that with just a ROS.
 
Saddles are not a "one size fits all". I've tried multiple kinds and I find something like a Dryad Drey the most comfortable for me. Spreads the pressure over a larger area.
Agree to this by a million. Lots of hate on Thethrd but I love my Phantom. Many all day sits last season without issue but it just fits my body style and I'm ok with that. Test out as much as you can. Best of luck, brother.
 
Hey all. My setup is as follows:

1. Tether at forehead height (Sterling C-IV Canyon Rope, distal hitch with sterling 6mm TRC.) (I've moved this up and down, and forehead height is most comfortable.
2. Saddle (homemade, bought here, aero hunter style)
3. 5 squirrel steps.

Anything over two hours, the pain gets rough in my hips, legs, and back. Four-plus hours is painful enough to make me want to go on a Facebook marketplace and sell all my ****.

If it matters, I am kinda in shape; My squat/bench/deadlift is 1100 lbs. My cardio is ok, although I am in my mid-40s. I also weigh 220 lbs, am 6'2", and have a waist of 38 inches. Honestly, not sure which info is helpful, lol.

What can I do to make saddle sits more comfortable?

Thanks
It’s probably the steps if you’re using them on a big tree. Try them on a skinny tree and see if it helps. For bigger trees a platform keeps you from having to spread your feet really wide which puts all the pressure on your hips and thighs. Another thing I do differently than you is I put my tether as high as I can reach up the tree then tie into it with the carabiner about nose/eye brow height. And I keep my bridge pretty long because the shorter it gets the more pressure it puts on my hips.
 
Was that kidney pain like a backside kidney punch? I will get that sometime if I turn just my upper torso to look behind me. It scared me the first time it was so painful. It’ll flare up if I make that move……
I get this too its kind of a lower rib pinch or so the dr says but, it is very uncomfortable
I get to where i want and my adjustments right then i actually take my belt off or loosen it all the way
this helps a lot its like sitting in a sheet lol. not though I use suspenders which i highly recommend for most bigger fellas its just that much easier to not keep pulling youre saddle up like loose set of jeans lol
check company sizes too You may need a bigger sized saddle like me I am all belly no but so thats
 
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