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Saddle Progression: What have you tried? Where are you now? Where are you going?

1. Mantis and JX3 at similar time frame
2. Fleece
3. Trophyline Ambush Lite and Pro L/XL
4. Recon (small)
5. Battle belt / Sit drag (a friend now has it and loves it.)
6. Recon (medium) traded for a Mantis as a back up.
7. Cruzr XC (size 2) and done but may try a Merlin or Flex eventually.
 
Mantis, Ambush Pro, Phantom, Evolution (only sold because I got orders, and then they got cancelled), Phantom, TX5 (current), ESS in tomorrow. Felt I had to try a two panel before I called it and stuck with one.
 
H2 slingshot
Kite
CruzrXC

Love the H2 for my first year. Haven’t used the kite yet. But I like the cruzr so far this year


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I used an old canvas belt to lean on 45 years ago. It worked but was totally unsafe.
Bought a Sneaky Sak over 30 years ago and converted it to a face the tree saddle, the hip pinch was terrible. That stopped me from using saddles until 2 years ago. I bought a Kestrel and hunted exclusively out of it last year. Definitely a very good saddle but still felt fidgety at times so I bought a JX3.
Extremely comfortable, so much so that I couldn't stay awake in it early season. But I found that I couldn't hunt every tree that I normally use with it. Big trees or the split trunks that I would normally Nestle in were a problem for offside shots with my longbow.
I just got a large Recon yesterday, hunted out of it last night. It's too big for my 34" waist which is what I wanted. I put a 16x16 piece of OSB in it for seat and as soon as I sat down I knew this is it. As long as I can maneuver the thing around to get all my shot angles it's going to be perfect!
I'll be hanging this morning so more to follow.
 
I'm one of those got to have it all and I'll try it over time. I don't like to rush into anything except my saddle purchases or trades. Now I hunted out of a saddle system years ago, it was a relatively local small start up way ahead of its time (two counties over from me) back in the mid to late 1980's and I also still have the original and the second iteration of the Tree Suit systems. So my point in that is that I've hunted out of saddles off and on since the 1980's. I started up again in the early 2000's with the treesuits and then saddle hunting again in earnest last year with the newer systems. So far, here are my experiences:

Mantis- very light and minimalist but the hip belt was too narrow and I felt like I was wearing ripped tighty-whities
TL Ambush Lite- Very comfortable and bigger which I liked for bulky winter clothes. I still plan on using this again in the colder temps
Tactisaddle- I have used this saddle with a EWO One Tigres BB to keep the weight of my dump pouches off this saddle. So far I have probably put the most diversified time in this saddle going from multiple stick climbing to one sticking and rappelling down this year exclusively. Due to the ability to adjust this saddle up and down, you're kind of getting a hybridized two panel traditional one piece saddle all in one package. It has been comfortable for sits up to 4 to 6 hours and I really like it so far. The materials and sewing in my opinion are top notch. With something like the Rut Roost I'm pretty sure any saddle will be able to be sat in from sunrise to sunset but I have not done that yet. Quite honestly, I'm not sure it is even a good strategy to stay in the exact same location the whole day. With a saddle system, you can break down and set up again with much less bulk and noise then ever before. I have other ones I haven't tried yet but I plan on doing so over time. I'm always more about hunting then playing with the saddles and my time constraints hamper my R&D efforts.

Now, @bj139 is totally on to something with his DIY saddle which is very similar to the Treesuit saddles of yesteryear and also extremely similar to the JX3 concept. They were/are super comfortable and you totally could sit in one all day and even wear them in and your tether and lb are all together and you just wrap them around you on the walk in. I'm thinking the next real "progression" in all day saddle comfort with the ease and minimalist approach to walking in and setups for the public land cruising bowhunter would be a rigid "slide in" delrin style (think: the white half-inch thick cutting boards you can buy) panel that you are able to incorporate into a webbing sheath or even cowboy suede type material with a zipper much like the treesuit saddles. The difference is that it isn't completely sewn into the system so you can use it as a minimalist type one panel saddle to wear into your setups and then at the base of the tree you slide in the delrin panel into a webbing sheathing system that allows you the comfort of the older treesuits and the newer JX3 type saddles without the back seat configuration of the JX3 to cut down on bulk. The treesuits just had material with the waistbelt that came up just above your kidneys and provided enough support where you are sitting most of the time in this system. It would be superlight and super-comfortable. You were able to push it up to lean and then pull it back down to sit. It would certainly add some fiddle factor on the front end of getting set up but if you're planning on being there all day, it may really turn out to have the benefits of comfort outweigh the initial setup time.
 
Saddle:

1. Sit drag / with muddy harness - realized I liked saddle hunting and sold all my stands except my summit climber.
2. DIY Wraptor - super comfortable, super lightweight. Just didn’t trust my own stitching at hunting height.
3. Tethrd Mantis - comfortable but seemed to ride up a lot.
4. Tethrd ESS - lightweight, comfortable, and super adjustable. Everything that I liked from the wraptor but now commercially sewn. This is my current saddle. I’ve folded up the leg straps and taken the g hooks off for now. I cut off the bridge and did a diy utilibridge and love that mod. I honestly think I would have been happy with a tree hopper recon or Latitude method also but have always liked tethrd as a company.

I don’t plan on switching for a very long time.

Platform:

1. Top of hawk helium sticks - Ouch and missed a couple opportunities for deer because they were on my weak side.
2. SLO-MO Scooter Platform. Finally had a platform. Super solid on the tree. Didn’t like dealing with the cam strap though.
3. Tethrd Predator - lightweight, comfortable, everything I needed.

The only potential of me switching is if I get an Out On a Limb scout for the top of my stick.

Climbing Method:

1. Climbing spikes - hated climbing down, always gaffed out. (May come back now that I repel)
2. Primal V steps / Wild Edge Stepps - compact and lightweight. Hated tying the knot.
3. Bolts - lightweight and versatile. Still have them and will use this if I am able to preset.
4. Hawk Heliums - love them. Added 7/64 daisy chain and chopped them down. Never had an issue. I use 3 sticks and a movable 3 steps aider.

Future:

I want to really give 1 sticking a try. Not sure if I’ll purchase a separate stick or modify a hawk helium. I now have the repelling stuff and highly recommend it. I may even look into SRT.
 
I am new to the saddle game. I bought a Kestral Aero Evo to use while I waited on my Cruzr XC. The first time I tried the Cruzr, was the last time I even thought about the EVO. I sold it the next day.
I really like the Cruzr. It's incredibly comfortable. I can sit for 6-8 hours and not have any issues. The only thing I would like to try is a JX3 Hybrid. My only reservation about it is that You cant change position anywhere as easy as a conventional saddle.
 
What have you tried?:
- Climber + Death trap "safety" harness.
- Climber + RCH.
- Hang on + 3 full size Heliums + RCH.
- Sit drag + 3 full size Heliums + RCH.
- Kestrel + 3 full size Heliums + Aiders.
- Kestrel + 3 full size Heliums + Aiders + Pseudo-ROS.
- Kestrel + 3 mini APIs + Aiders + Pseudo-ROS.
- Kestrel + 1-STICK mini API + Aider + Pseudo-ROS.
- Kestrel + 1-STICK mini Helium + Aider + Predator.
- Kestrel + 1-STICK mini API hybrid w Scout + Aider + Rappel.

Where are you now?:
- Cruzr S + 1-STICK mini API hybrid w Scout + Aider + Rappel.

Where are you going?:
Nowhere...other than up and down the tree quicker, quieter, more comfortably, and more efficiently than ever...


Screenshot_20201106-083330.png

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WHAT I'VE TRIED...
1. Sit drag + rch... Killed out if it, but didn't like having multiple parts

2. H2.... Sat in for a 6 hour hunt once but it was constantly riding up and scrunching up

3. AH Kestrel.... Didn't care to the material and had similar problems as H2

4. Tethrd mantis.... Good from far but far from good

5. Guido's Web.... Bulk/packability got to me. Didn't give it a fair shot

6. AH kite.... So far I had like this one the best, but still couldn't find all day comfort.

7. Old leather Trophyline.... This is still the most comfortable soft saddle I've sat in. Did 3 all day sits back to back to back. By day 3 my knees were begging for a day off.

8. New Trophyline pro.... Was comfy, but hated the leg straps/ bridge

9. "Sally" from @always89y..... Sally made me believe that I could make the phantom be my go to "half day sit" saddle.

10. JX3.... Got this in the off season to tinker with. Ended up working harder then a fat stripper so sold it to fund other gear before season even started.

11. Tethrd phantom.... Got this because of Sally. It was good for short hunts, but anything longer then 2 hours and I was forgetting to much.

WHERE I AM NOW...

12. Trophyline Ambush.... I cut the leg straps and bridge off. Put a oplux bridge connected to the lineman's loops. I can hunt in this for 3-4 hours comfortably, but it doesn't ride up/bunch up a bit. After a while, my knees are sore, even with a pad on the tree.

WHERE IM GOING...

I'll be giving the jx3 another go around. I'm a sitter, and I think if I actually give it a shot, the jx3 will give me that all day comfort I'm after


I'm almost embarrassed to see how many saddles I've gone through in just 2 years... Almost haha
 
1. Rock Climbing Harness - no hip pinch
2. Sit Drag with attached nylon belt - used this extensively climbing SRT - small amount of hip pinch, manageable.
3. Aero Evolution Saddle size 2 - only hunted once and aluminum pieces dug into my ribs. I tucked it to make a size 1 but only used it once after that.
4. My DIY Yellow Jacket Saddle with board sewed in it - Currently using this one every hunt now - no hip pinch with board added medium amount before.
5. Trophyline Ambush Pro that had the waist belt and leg loops cut off before I bought it - haven't had it in a tree yet.
 
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Started with the Phantom and Predator.. realized my optimal tether height is between my waist and chest, I’d like a bigger platform than the XL, and I’d like to sit every once in a while.

Now I’m on a LWCG .5 with a RHC and I can hunt the stand like a saddle, it’s a bigger platform, I can sit whenever I want, and I’ve eliminated a traditional backpack altogether for a very small pack and sticks that are more streamlined than ever.


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I went from a Tethrd Mantis to a Tethrd Phantom to a CRUZR XC.

I have found my saddle. The CRUZR XC is very comfortable and I don't get the hip pinch and riding up like the Tethrd saddles did.
 
katiesmom said:
I went from a Tethrd Mantis to a Tethrd Phantom to a CRUZR XC.

I have found my saddle. The CRUZR XC is very comfortable and I don't get the hip pinch and riding up like the Tethrd saddles did.
Click to expand...

My Cruzr XC still rides up some. I have to periodically stand on my platform and pull it down. I might have my waist band too tight on it.
 
Where I’ve been
86-94 Amacker and Warren Sweat No harness, maybe a lead rope tied around me and the tree closer to 94
94 Homemade Ol’ Man lead rope sometimes
95-2017 Ol’ Vision, Grand Vision, a few loc ons. Ol’ Man safety belt and tree strap until about 2001 when I got a full body harness. Went to Ropes I in 2002 and learned about suspension trauma and got a relief strap. In 2004 I bought a Guido’s Web and loved the comfort, but didn’t know of a simple way to ascend, so ditched it. 2015 got a Alpine Bod for harness.
2017 Got annoyed from toting climbers and loc ons and researched different ways to ascend to utilize my Web. Found Sam Potter’s video on Sam’s Stealth Climb which led me here.

Where I’m at
Now use SD/RC and Web. Tried spurs, not really, conducive to pines. Hated multiple sticks. Now One stick or SRT. Always have a few means of self rescuing with me.

Where I’m going
Making an Anderson copy.
 
Started with sit drag and rch combo.

Got a deal on a tactisaddle

Bought a H2 it is comfortable

Caught and released a phantom

Picked up a used trophyline ambush pro.

Currently playing with the TL. I like the simplicity of this saddle and the materials. Trying to work out comfort issues.

Something from aero hunter is probably next on the list.


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gcr0003 said:
I am still on the search for the perfect saddle for me. In 1 year since I bought my first saddle I have tried many different saddles in the search for the perfect combo of bulk/weight/comfort ratio. I will share my progression through saddles I have bought and sold to get where I am now (which is still unsatisfied). Share what saddles (in order) that you tried and tell us if you have found the perfect saddle for you, or at least one you are satisfied with. I have tried other saddles not on this list but I am only listing ones I have owned and used.

  1. Trophyline Green's Leather Tree Saddle XL - I bought this knowing it would be too big. It was extremely comfortable but fairly heavy and bulky! It was made of thick leather for pete's sake!
  2. Trophyline Ambush - Fit very well on me. Was lighter than the green's but still kinda heavy. It was a very well (overkill) built saddle. I liked it a lot but I couldn't escape the hip pinch.
  3. Trophyline Ambush Pro - Also fit very well. Less hip pinch than the mesh Ambush but enough that I wanted to try something else.
  4. DIY Fleece - Light weight, low bulk (aside from wearing a harness) and they most comfortable saddle for sitting. I didn't like not having everything in one package.
  5. Aerohunter Kestrel - Very well built, Slim feeling, all in one package saddle that I loved but also couldn't escape hip pinch from.
  6. Recon - Relatively comfortable but didn't keep long enough to see how it performed in a tree for hours on end. I wasn't a fan of the belt and didn't like how it wanted to slide while using a LB. (I've owned two so far but may give one one more shot)
  7. Aerohunter Kite - Pretty light and a all around great package. Was very comfortable over the summer climbing with it but began to develop hip pinch after about an hour.
  8. Battle Belt + sitdrag: Cool combo conceptually but I was so uncomfortable after the first couple sits that I sold it all. I think with a adjustable bridge you could get this to work.
  9. EVO - modified per @Red Beard I was most hopeful that this saddle would be the one. It did take a lot of work to find the sweet spot; however, I still developed annoying hip pinch. This may have been due to me wearing a belt. Once I was able to get it dialed in(and not wearing a belt) it really was a great feeling saddle and I had relatively no hip pinch. I did change where I was hunting this year and the EVO just was too bulky and heavy to be hauling up and down the steep hills.
  10. Aerohunter Flex (with rubberized coating coming off): Super comfortable saddle for a limited amount of time. No matter what I do I still have to fold the pannels our or bring them in. No matter what I do I still end up getting hip pinch.
  11. WHERE I AM TODAY: I am not satisfied with the flex so my journey continues. I just tried the Latitude Classic that a buddy had and though I only sat in a few minutes it felt like a real winner. I didn't feel any pressure on my hips at all. I am going to be picking one up to try for so extended hunts. I also will be trying the new Aerohunter Flex. I will not stop until I find the perfect saddle thats meets the most of my needs as physically possible!
Click to expand...
Bought and tried the classic. It was better than the mantis but didnt feel long enough, meaning it didn’t go far enough around the hips (I’m size 34) as I still got a bad punch after about 2/3 hours. The “adjustable bridge” of Amsteel on oplux is cool but doesn’t really work well. The prussics lock down hard and it’s next to impossible to get them loosened enough to adjust the bridge.

Next I tried a Aerohunter flex new for 2020 and went to a size one. It was uncomfortable at first sit but after I figured it out it was probably the most comfortable saddle I have been in thus far. For some unknown reason I sold it just I was beginning to love it. Solid saddle with nice secure feel. I sat there 6+ sits with no hip pinch and great comfort. I’ll probably be buying another one soon.

I’m trying a latitude method Buckless right now and I’m not really satisfied. The rope belt will bite into your hips if you’re walking for any amount of time. The thin webbing creates hot spots. You can move the two pieces around but the comfort didnt last long and I kept having to adjust. Looks cool but I don’t like the cheap thin webbing they use. The leg straps do keep the saddle in place while climbing sticks but become cumbersome once you’re set up and wanting to adjust the panel. I hunted with and without them. Not much on hip pinch but it had plenty of hot spots and I felt sore after every sit. The top piece also had a tendancy of folding up on itself and creating hot spots. Not great for one sticking since if you don’t have the equal pressure on both piece the saddle can slide up or down on you.

Just bought another Kite tonight. I climbed with the kite all summer and really liked it but didn’t feel like I gave it a fair shake since I got rid of it before I hunted with it. I’m going to try some long sits and see how she does. If I get the feeling it sags I may think about adding some vertical strips like the classic has. I think those vertical strips are something the latitude got right on the classic and I think it’s a main contributer to the comfort. The insanity continues.

The buying and selling continues but the luster of new gear has started to fade. I feel like I’m stuck in an endless loop. I don’t care about the saddle anymore I just want to kill big deer.
 
Regular Kestrel, was a good introduction. didnt like how i had ot keep pulling it down to cup my ass. Now I have a Kestrel Flex which I love.

Use bolts to climb, which took me a year to get the hang of I space the bolts out knee high so its easy to climb with my Artcryx kneepads, i carry 18 bolts and use two at the height i use to hang my platform which makes it a breeze. I always have 2-5 left over. Predator platfrom which works for me but I have a lwcg .5 coming beacuse I want more space to turn for weakside shots.

I have the bolts on a small eberlstock pouch on the molle close to my left hand. I hang my platform off the middle back of teh saddle with two S carabiners I have in the molle webbing and two zip ties attached to the platform to hang it. I have a eberlestock mini me pack that carrys my bow and stuff i need of rthe hunt and has a water bladder. I walk in hands free which i need to climb over fallne trees and under brush and trees etc.

The weight of the platform and bolts kinda sucks and I use the bridge over my neck to hold it up. Its not the best but I have a muscular yoke so I can handle it, but its not ideal.

My plan for the .5 is to take the bow bucket off the mini me and attach it to the paltfrom seat so I have still attach my bow to my back and it will take half the weight off my saddle and will take the strain off my yoke. Im also going to take the bolt pouch and attach it to the molle belt that will be used to carry my .5.

I can see this being my final form.........
 
My saddle experience started with the Guidos Web 7-8 years ago. I killed out of it the 1st hour of the very 1st sit. Loved that part, but the Guidos was to clumsy and heavy. I didn't like sitting in it with my knees to the tree, and back then there wasn't a movement with plateforms. I sold it the next season.

I started using a rock climbing harness for my LW hand climber, and I quickly realized I liked that set up. I discovered I could set that up so I could lean back in it just like a saddle and take shots at angles I couldn't do by simply standing on the LW stand. So to me it has been a nice hybrid set up.

This year I realized I can not take my LW set up into thick areas and NOT make noise! To much bulk and weight. So, I'm back to consideirng a Saddle. Most likely going with a SHIKAR Mini Stick 1 stick repel down set up. Lighter all around, and quieter going up AND really quiet safe and fast coming down.

Using my rock climbing harness like a saddle

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The Guidos Web

 
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