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Saddle recommendation: Talk me out of my irrational biases

Look...I know u wanna hang out and be buddies and all but ....there is no moderators in real life. U seem like a nice guy and u wouldn't want to be associated with the likes of me...and the fact u say "this 1 works" I can only assume u got more than 1 and if that's the case I'm not sure I wanna associate with the likes of u....
You asked for an SNS. I offered to help you out. You refused my help... 1-7.jpg
 
Or to put it another way, talk me out of buying a Cruzr XC :)

I think I'm one of the few who has stuck with a Tethrd Mantis since it came out in 2019. I upgraded it with a Cruzr adjustable bridge, which was a big improvement, but it's now time to get something new. I'm mostly a leaner, I usually spend a lot of time walking while wearing my saddle, yet I've done numerous all day sits in my Mantis. I think I'm leaning towards a Cruzr XC as my #1 option, because it's been popular for years and has a reputation for unmatched comfort. However, I'm willing to consider alternatives, but each seems to have one or two drawbacks (in my own biased opinion, without actually trying each of these saddles). Please, talk me out of my biased opinions and assumptions. Here are other saddles I've considered, along with my reasons why I think I'd prefer the Cruzr.

CGM Cobra. Looks great, closest comparable pleated option, but:
  • Unsure about a rope belt. A metal buckle doesn't bother me, and just the idea of a rope belt seems sketchy (I know, a lot of people love them)
  • Oplux bridge. I think I prefer an amsteel bridge (because it's all I've known, and I love the Cruzr version)
Overwatch Orion. Looks great, and likely a good pleated option, but:
  • Not sure if I'd like the pleat adjusters
  • Sterling 9mm bridge, when I think I prefer the Cruzr amsteel bridge
  • More expensive than the Cruzr
  • Currently sold out?
TX5, has the reputation of being the best, but:
  • Lonestar is expensive. Don't think I can justify it when the Cruzr has such a good reputation
  • How does the Rayder compare to the Cruzr XC? Understand pleated vs. non-pleated is somewhat apples & oranges
  • Floating waist belt. Cool feature, but not necessary for me, and structurally less secure?
  • What is the bridge material?
Wood Saddle, looks nice, but:
  • Newer, less information, doesn't have the popular reputation as Cruzr
Ok, what aspects am I over thinking? Which of my assumptions are stupid? Why should I buy something other than the Cruzr? Or just tell me to buy the damn Cruzr :)

Thank you for your advice !

EDIT: I don't want this to sound like I'm looking for a reason to dislike a Cruzr. On the contrary, it seems to have been the most popular for years, but now it seems like so many guys are trying other saddles - and I'm unsure why.
If you like the Overwatch build, I have a new, only used for a test sit Kestrel Flex clone built by Jamie. Top notch, but I went with Orion when it came out (my timing was poor haha)

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Lots of great saddles out there today and you picked one known for comfort. Not sure why you would you want someone to talk you out of it.

These are the things that I like about the XC as opposed to the Phantom that I came from. It’s easy to find the comfort in the XC without have to spend a bunch of sits constantly fiddling with it. Instant comfort is a good description. The XC actually goes around your waist and fully covers your butt. I had to wear the Phantom low on my hips like hip hugger jeans just to get any fabric over my butt. I was constantly pulling it down to try and cover my butt because it felt like I was about to fall out of it then pulling it up because it felt awkward to have it so low on my hips, after all, I’m used to wearing things around my actual waist. The XC feels and wears like your favorite pair of jeans.

Set the bridge on the bridge loops and that’s where they stay, which I consider to be a key to comfort. Additionally, the positioning of the upper leg loop straps contribute to the comfort of the saddle as well. I can cinch them down for one sticking up the tree and feel secure in the saddle and then I can pop a little slack in them on stand and not even know they are there. The leg straps in conjunction with the bridge/bridge loop adjustment, work in tandem to give you a custom fit on the lower saddle band, which keeps it from cutting into the back of your legs. And the buckles on the leg loops are so nice. At the end of the hunt when you want to get the saddle off and go home, just reach down with one hand, pop, pop and you’re done. No more fiddling with G Hooks.

Personally, I’ve never had a problem with the pleat or the belt while walking in with my XC. Never notice the pleat and never have to tighten the belt, and I carry two full dump pouches on it. I’m 6’ 175….maybe that’s the difference.

XC is a great, comfortable, hard to go wrong saddle. Admittedly, I haven’t owned 5 or 6 saddles. I went from the Phantom to the XC. No doubt that there are probably several other great saddles out there, I just haven’t needed another one because the XC has everything I need. One thing is for sure, whatever you buy will be way more comfortable that what you have. Good luck!
 
Here’s another vote for the wood hunting saddles. Both models are excellent and you can’t go wrong. I’ve had an original for a couple years and love it. I’ve recent picked up a deluxe model and it’s going to be my new favorite for most hunting applications. The deluxe design is comparable to the great saddles new tribe used to put out, but in my opinion addresses the design imperfections.

where do you live? Maybe you could summon a saddle hunter meetup and everyone could try each others saddles.
 
Here’s another vote for the wood hunting saddles. Both models are excellent and you can’t go wrong. I’ve had an original for a couple years and love it. I’ve recent picked up a deluxe model and it’s going to be my new favorite for most hunting applications. The deluxe design is comparable to the great saddles new tribe used to put out, but in my opinion addresses the design imperfections.

where do you live? Maybe you could summon a saddle hunter meetup and everyone could try each others saddles.
Thanks for the comment, and I must say, this discussion has totally changed my thinking. Not that a Cruzr would have been bad by any means - surely a huge upgrade from a Mantis. But someone in the forum said "fit and finish is king" or something to that effect. The comments about Wood Saddles "not having a misplaced stitch" really spoke to me.

I'm in Southern WI. There's usually a saddle meetup in August, but I've never been able to make it to one.
 
Ok guys, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who responded here, and especially to everyone who recommended the Wood Deluxe by @Fl Canopy Stalker. It's everything I was looking for in a new saddle: built like a tank, top-notch craftsmanship, VERY comfortable, easy to walk in, and at a very fair price. I sat in it for an hour today, and am very pleased. Bow season can't get here soon enough!
 

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Ok guys, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who responded here, and especially to everyone who recommended the Wood Deluxe by @Fl Canopy Stalker. It's everything I was looking for in a new saddle: built like a tank, top-notch craftsmanship, VERY comfortable, easy to walk in, and at a very fair price. I sat in it for an hour today, and am very pleased. Bow season can't get here soon enough!
Can’t wait to see some pics of your deer slayed in it!!!!
 
Ok guys, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who responded here, and especially to everyone who recommended the Wood Deluxe by @Fl Canopy Stalker. It's everything I was looking for in a new saddle: built like a tank, top-notch craftsmanship, VERY comfortable, easy to walk in, and at a very fair price. I sat in it for an hour today, and am very pleased. Bow season can't get here soon enough!

we told you so!....lol.....glad it's working out so well for you
 
All great options.
Only point I will make, I n regards to the CGM belt, there is a webbing belt with Frame Buckle option that can be selected when purchasing at no additional cost.

I will echo that both Wood and Overwatch saddles are awesome. While we have a Cruzr in the shop for folks to try, I haven't spent enough time in it to give an opinion.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 
All great options.
Only point I will make, I n regards to the CGM belt, there is a webbing belt with Frame Buckle option that can be selected when purchasing at no additional cost.

I will echo that both Wood and Overwatch saddles are awesome. While we have a Cruzr in the shop for folks to try, I haven't spent enough time in it to give an opinion.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
Be expecting some Floridians to reach out after this weekend. Last years SH3D tournament and demo day had a huge turnout and we believe this years will be bigger. We only had a sidewinder at last years, hope to introduce people to your cobra this year!!! It was definitely popular at the Flaooza in February. A guy traded a pair of Tethrd one sticks, and a couple other things to the guy who won the cobra in the raffle.
 
I'll go out on a limb and claim, with no proof whatsoever, that other than Mr wood, I have logged more miles on his saddle than anybody else. I wear it from the truck walking thru some pretty yucky terrain and the pleat has always remained "closed". The waist belt may need to be adjusted couple times during the day but considering the amount of bending/stooping/riding a bicycle etc I'd call it a non-issue. IMO u cant go wrong with wood or CGM.
The Wood dude built me one with a rope belt, a feature which I prefer. In the event it loosens a bit, one tug and we're tight again. I've owned/tried over one dozen saddles, and so far, NONE are better.
 
I have the Cruzr XC, ESS, Overwatch outdoors Transformer and the Arrow Hunter Flex. The Cruzr is very comfortable but I like a two panel saddles. My Eberhart Signature Series saddle is my favorite with the Transformer a close second. Give a two panel saddle a try you won't be disappointed.
I've had the Treehopper Recon and currently have the ESS but am looking to switch to a pleated single panel or hybrid 2 panel (like a Buzzard Roost). I don't have any comfort complaints, but I don't like that they can fall to your knees when using different rope climbing methods. If I were exclusively climbing with sticks/steps/ladders and using a linesman's belt rather than a tether or rappel rope, I don't think that I would be looking to switch. I don't like all the metal on my ESS either.
 
I've had the Treehopper Recon and currently have the ESS but am looking to switch to a pleated single panel or hybrid 2 panel (like a Buzzard Roost). I don't have any comfort complaints, but I don't like that they can fall to your knees when using different rope climbing methods. If I were exclusively climbing with sticks/steps/ladders and using a linesman's belt rather than a tether or rappel rope, I don't think that I would be looking to switch. I don't like all the metal on my ESS either.

I'm mostly a leaner, so I feel all the adjustment of a 2 panel would be lost on me.
 
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