• 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 for leaners advice

67elmustang

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 7, 2014
925
160
43
Looking to get some feedback on a New saddle For leaning.
Needs to be comfortable for walking And not bulky As I’m on public.
Using Latitude Classic 2 Now .
Had Cruzr,TX5 minimalist,Method 1 And Method 2
 

TreeCreep

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 13, 2020
787
864
93
46
Most will work , really depends on your build.

I find a back band is the key for leaning it really helps you settle in and spreads pressure which keeps me from fidgeting.

there are a few saddle vendors active here that you can message in the vendor section

good luck
 

67elmustang

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 7, 2014
925
160
43
Could anyone give feedback on Overwatch Orion .
Like that the leg straps are removable.
Per video from Spencer is he changed out the bridge.
 

The_Fit_Ness_Monster

Well-Known Member
Jan 31, 2022
1,021
1,910
113
N. Louisiana
Could anyone give feedback on Overwatch Orion .
Like that the leg straps are removable.
Per video from Spencer is he changed out the bridge.
I love mine! I got rid of my Cruzr xc for it. Better built, stronger built. Very comfortable. I’m a leaner almost always. Key to the lean is a back band it changes the game for sure. I would imagine most saddles if not all are good to lean in but the back and is the factor in this equation.
 

Jammintree

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 5, 2021
2,208
4,641
113
45
I love mine! I got rid of my Cruzr xc for it. Better built, stronger built. Very comfortable. I’m a leaner almost always. Key to the lean is a back band it changes the game for sure. I would imagine most saddles if not all are good to lean in but the back and is the factor in this equation.
I’ll second the back band - at least for longer leans.
 

Bogle

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Aug 22, 2014
307
227
43
Tampa, FL
LOCATION
Tampa, FL
I haven't tried all of them, but I just keep coming back to my Anderson sling (Recon by Treehopper). So light, versatile and comfortable. I lean about 90% f the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GeoFish

raisins

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 17, 2019
6,284
8,115
113
47
Looking to get some feedback on a New saddle For leaning.
Needs to be comfortable for walking And not bulky As I’m on public.
Using Latitude Classic 2 Now .
Had Cruzr,TX5 minimalist,Method 1 And Method 2

I lean mostly. My two saddles are a Cruzr XC and a Deluxe Wood Hunting saddle.

They are both 1 panel, pleated designs. I have the feeling that 2 panels are somewhat lost on a leaner, but I could be wrong. The only saddles I've tried are Tree Hopper Recon (2 panel sling), Cruzr XC, Deluxe Wood, and a few Tethrd saddles.

Of the two, the Cruzr is my backup and the Deluxe Wood is my primary. The Deluxe Wood is as well made with as good of materials as can possibly be expected for a saddle you would buy (to make it much better you'd probably have to charge like a grand or something). The materials are heavy duty (within reason...don't want a 10 lbs saddle), the buckles are Cobra rated buckles, and the stitching is as close to perfect as a human can achieve when sewing up 4 layers of webbing at a time (on the loops you will see the lines become slightly less parallel because the fabric is doubled over and the stitches there are not for body weight support but rather to keep loops in their doubled over shape).

The best made saddles are from the smaller companies where the owners are directly involved with saddle production and were the ones that currently do or did make the saddles themselves.

Wood Hunting, TX5, CGM, and Overwatch saddles fall in this category and all but TX5 are owned by folks that are active members here.
 

Plebe

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 14, 2020
5,990
10,261
113
44
I have a backband and have never used it on a hunt. I remember it being comfortable, just have never found myself needing it during a hunt.

For those who like a backband when they lean, a two panel has some upside imo.

I agree with @raisins that those named companies have absolutely top notch construction. Aero Hunter saddles were finely crafted as well.
 

Plebe

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 14, 2020
5,990
10,261
113
44
I never walk in/out with my saddle on, but it's worth noting that some models have retaining devices that collapse the saddle into something like an oversized belt.

Also the type of belt and buckle can impact if a saddle slides down or not when walking..and if suspenders will be needed..If you load your saddle with pouches and stuff matters too.
 

shmelton

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 5, 2020
540
1,201
93
44
Could anyone give feedback on Overwatch Orion .
Like that the leg straps are removable.
Per video from Spencer is he changed out the bridge.

I just purchased one last month. It is by far the most comfortable Saddle I ever put on. The quality and craftsmanship is top notch. Most importantly the customer service is very impressive. Every question I asked before my purchase was answered quickly and honestly. What more can you ask for? I now have several buddies getting ready to purchase one also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

bfriendly

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2021
1,115
949
113
57
I have a backband and have never used it on a hunt. I remember it being comfortable, just have never found myself needing it during a hunt.

For those who like a backband when they lean, a two panel has some upside imo.

I agree with @raisins that those named companies have absolutely top notch construction. Aero Hunter saddles were finely crafted as well.
This^^^ I used to use my backband, but haven’t got it out in a while. I’ve been in a Hawk saddle and IMHO, it’s more about getting everything dialed in. I did just buy a new saddle though and it’s a two panel.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Plebe

Mitchellfarmer1982

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2018
335
672
93
41
Arkansas
I have the method 1...with magnets I did but I put the upper panel higher up my hip into my lower back and the lower panel on my bottom and it distributes the weight nicely. Almost like a built in back band just not as high.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BTaylor

JCLINE84

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
Oct 31, 2017
921
1,956
93
40
I generally tell people that are exclusively leaning to buy the cheapest saddle they can find that has the options that fit their hunting style. I think if price is a big factor you can’t go wrong with CGM. Jerry is doing some awesome stuff for a great price. If you want to spend a little more, Woods would be the next on my list. It doesn’t take much to get comfortable leaning as long as you’re using a platform of some kind. Going to a ring of steps will add hip pinch into the equation for most folks and then you’re gonna have to swap saddles til you find the one that works for your hips.