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Saddle purchase?

Swamp said:
Will be getting a saddle before deer season next year should I get a used trophy line, mantis, or aero? Waist is a 38/40 have sticks, platform, and linemen belt. Will need tree tether and saddle.

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I have a Large TL with tether and pouch that will fit you perfectly. Let me know if you're interested.
 
rakbowhunter said:
I started with a Mantis and then got a Kestrel to compare. Kestrel seems to fit me better and is more comfortable. Seems pretty indestructible as well. I find it comfortable wether sitting or leaning. Should last a long time. Wanted to try the Kite, but actually liked the cordura fabric and structure better. In Illinois, hottest temps would be early October 70-80 degrees. Very happy with it!
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How would you compare the Kestrel to the Mantis? I have the Mantis but I am thinking about trying the Kestrel. I just not sure I want to spend the money...
 
enkriss said:
How would you compare the Kestrel to the Mantis? I have the Mantis but I am thinking about trying the Kestrel. I just not sure I want to spend the money...
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The Mantis had some minor hip pinch for me, but that wasn't a huge concern. It just felt like the pressure along the main webbing under my bum and along my back was much more pronounced. I definitely had more pressure in that specific area than the kestrel. The Kestrel seemed to have the pressure spread throughout the whole seat. I didn't notice where the main webbing was on the kestrel. Obviously the cordura provides more structure, less stretch, and it was very evident to me. I also like that it's built like a tank. Not saying a mesh saddle won't hold up, but I definitely don't have any concern going through briars with the kestrel. The built in Adjusters are a plus. I found with the Mantis they would occasionally work out. Some say the kestrel is loud and I don't seem to share that opinion as it seems fine to me. I was going to try the Kite as well, but liked the Kestrel so much that I'm not going to anymore. I did like the amsteel bridge of the Mantis though. Still figuring out how I'm going to move forward on that. The Kestrel is heavier, but that becomes an afterthought after sitting in it.
I bought a medium Mantis and followed it up with a large. Traded the medium for size 1 kestrel. Compared the kestrel and large Mantis and sold the Mantis the following week. Again, nothing wrong with the Mantis. I just personally found the Kestrel had much more uniform support. I like it so much that I just ordered a new size 2 to compare which I like best. Not sure it's possible for me to get much more comfortable without going to the JX3.

I decided to make this jump into saddle hunting and wanted to get the saddle that fit me best. In the long run, I probably paid 50-75$ more through shipping cost via trades than what one new saddle would cost....but this way I have zero questions about which saddle is right for me. If at all possible, I would try to find someone close and test them out. Most guys are more than will to help.
 
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ImThere said:
It completely depends on you.
I think the trophyline is the most comfortable. Comfortable comes with weight cost.
Mantis is the most minimalist and weighs nothing
The aero ? Evolution , Kestrel or Kite. 3 different animals if you ask me. Imho the Evo is most comfortable not minimalist and heaviest of the 3. The kestrel is middle ground of weight and comfort. I haven’t had the kite but I hear it’s fits a lot like the kestrel but most from what I read don’t like the buckles.
It may depend on where you hunt also. Down south a Mantis may be right up your alley where if you hunt in extreme cold you might want a trophyline.

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From what I understand you can get the same buckles that are on the Kestrel on the Kite. Alot of guys like the TL and it was ok but for comfort for me my Kestrel is more comfortable. Looking back I wish I would have keep the TL just for my collection. The Guido's Web is the most comfortable saddle I have used. Every saddlehunter has his or her favorite saddle there is no right one or wrong one it's all personal preference .
 
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