The ultimate ultralight saddle?

[sojourner]

What's everybody's favorite ultralight rch?

Alpine harnesses are the lightest. I use an older version black diamond couloir (the orange one) and it is my preferred harness.

Just google “alpine harness” and you will see multiple offerings.

If not using alpine, I think the Misty Mountain Gym Dandy is the easiest to setup with lineman’s belt loops and adjusts over a large range of sizes.

All that said, rch or alpine harnesses are individual choices.

 

[Rpd3d]

Alpine harnesses are the lightest. I use an older version black diamond couloir (the orange one) and it is my preferred harness.

Just google “alpine harness” and you will see multiple offerings.

If not using alpine, I think the Misty Mountain Gym Dandy is the easiest to setup with lineman’s belt loops and adjusts over a large range of sizes.

All that said, rch or alpine harnesses are individual choices.

How are you adding loops for lineman’s belt?

 

[sojourner]

How are you adding loops for lineman’s belt?

Misty mountain waist strap is 1-3/4”. I take a length of 2” and 1” tubular webbing and slide the 2” through the waist strap and 1”. Then I tie a loop at both ends of the tubular webbing.

 

[bj139]

How are you adding loops for lineman’s belt?

 

[Tater]

Great, now i feel like i need to try this . . . . . Dang saddle hunting.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

I have a couple Q's.

Do the RCH's get uncomfortable while wearing in the saddle?

How much bulk does a 2nd layer of fleece add to the saddle for packability?

Does anyone use a prusik knot tied in a figure 8 for 2 loops (1 for rch 1 for saddle)?

Kind of excited to make one of these and was hoping to piggyback of all y'all's first hand experience. Have the idea of doing kind of a hybrid with 2 layers of fleece and hexon hammock material in spots between the layers like back, under butt and between legs but not on sides and under legs to take advantage of fleeces stretch where needed. Not sure if I'm over thinking it or not but cant get the idea out of my head. Also thought it would be cool if something could be slid between the layers maybe. Like the double layer hammocks you can slide a sleeping pad into. Wouldn't have to but could if desired.

Something like this......

REI Co-op Flash Trail Seat | REI Co-op

Easy to throw in your pack for music festivals and weekend camping trips, the lightweight, abrasion-resistant REI Co-op Flash Trail seat transforms any spot into perfect place to sit back and relax.

www.rei.com

 

[robanna]

Do the RCH's get uncomfortable while wearing in the saddle?

I have to fidget a bit to get the RCH in just the right place but I've found I can get the leg loops below the saddle to remove any pressure points. Never an issue with the waist band.

Does anyone use a prusik knot tied in a figure 8 for 2 loops (1 for rch 1 for saddle)?

I think it's best to have them separate. That way I can move the saddle bridge tight and let off all of the tension to the RCH. Not to the point where there is a bunch of slack, just enough to remove the tension. That puts all of the weight into the comfy fleece There are times when I want to remove the tension from the saddle and put my weight into the RCH (ie. taking a piss, repositioning my platform, general stretching, etc.).

 

[Aeds151]

For you bigger guys, check out the Mammut Ophir 3 Slide. It has a wider array of waist sizes than most RCHs. Im about to go back to rch and fleece for weight and comfort over my Flex.


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[243SuperRC]

Have the idea of doing kind of a hybrid with 2 layers of fleece and hexon hammock material in spots between the layers like back, under butt and between legs but not on sides and under legs to take advantage of fleeces stretch where needed. Not sure if I'm over thinking it or not but cant get the idea out of my head. Also thought it would be cool if something could be slid between the layers maybe. Like the double layer hammocks you can slide a sleeping pad into. Wouldn't have to but could if desired.

Something like this......

REI Co-op Flash Trail Seat | REI Co-op

Easy to throw in your pack for music festivals and weekend camping trips, the lightweight, abrasion-resistant REI Co-op Flash Trail seat transforms any spot into perfect place to sit back and relax.

www.rei.com

I've put a piece of foam between two layers of fleece. I haven't hunted out of this, but it is comfortable. I've been hunting out of a DIY mesh sit drag that is very comfortable.

 

[sojourner]

For you bigger guys, check out the Mammut Ophir 3 Slide. It has a wider array of waist sizes than most RCHs. Im about to go back to rch and fleece for weight and comfort over my Flex.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As a bigger guy, the Misty Mountain Gym Dandy is a good option for RCH. And easy to add lineman’s loops too.

In general, I hear a lot of people fussing about getting “comfy” in commercial harnesses and all the things they change seeking the elusive “comfy”. And I hear many people that hunt out of a fleece saddle. But not once, ever, have I heard of anyone hunting out of a fleece saddle and going back to a commercial harness due to lack of comfort. Maybe some have gone from fleece to commercial for other reasons, e.g., adjustment in the tree, belt, molle loops. But I have never heard of anyone leaving the fleece nation and going to commercial due to comfort reasons.

I use sit drag and fleece saddle (sheet bend knots on each end) and both with RCH backup.

 

[Woofron]

As a bigger guy, the Misty Mountain Gym Dandy is a good option for RCH. And easy to add lineman’s loops too.

In general, I hear a lot of people fussing about getting “comfy” in commercial harnesses and all the things they change seeking the elusive “comfy”. And I hear many people that hunt out of a fleece saddle. But not once, ever, have I heard of anyone hunting out of a fleece saddle and going back to a commercial harness due to lack of comfort. Maybe some have gone from fleece to commercial for other reasons, e.g., adjustment in the tree, belt, molle loops. But I have never heard of anyone leaving the fleece nation and going to commercial due to comfort reasons.

I use sit drag and fleece saddle (sheet bend knots on each end) and both with RCH backup.

Agreed! I wanted a commercial saddle but got in the game too close to deer season. So I got a RCH ( Mammut Ophir 3). I tried a sit-drag and found it uncomfortable. After 3 times, I purchased some fleece and made the saddle described above (my post). Single layer of Walmart purchased fleece. It is strong and amazingly comfortable. My ONLY reason for thinking of a commercial saddle now is to reduce the saddle to a single item, not a separate RCH. I also just got a thread puncher, so I now may have more options.

 

[raisins]

I'm going to do the fleece saddle. I'm interested in opinions on pros and cons of various ways to attach the bridge.

The ones I've picked up on are

1. double sheet bend where the bridge is tied onto the fleece
2. create a wide point on the end of the fleece and then girth hitch the bridge behind it
3. triple stitch a channel and run the bridge through it

If I do #2 above, I'm considering using a scaffold knot instead of a girth hitch because I'm thinking a scaffold knot doesn't work loose in transport as easily.

Thanks for any help.

 

[gcr0003]

I'm going to do the fleece saddle. I'm interested in opinions on pros and cons of various ways to attach the bridge.

The ones I've picked up on are

1. double sheet bend where the bridge is tied onto the fleece
2. create a wide point on the end of the fleece and then girth hitch the bridge behind it
3. triple stitch a channel and run the bridge through it

If I do #2 above, I'm considering using a scaffold knot instead of a girth hitch because I'm thinking a scaffold knot doesn't work loose in transport as easily.

Thanks for any help.

I think it depends on what bridge material you plan to use. I concur with your assumption for the #2 option. Try it out and let us know how it works. The nice thing about the fleece is its cheaper and you can always start over.

I just had a crazy thought to try double fishermans knot for the hammock to the bridge. I might try it out and let you know how it goes.

If that doesnt work maybe a hybrid blood knot/hybrid double fishermans

 

[raisins]

I think it depends on what bridge material you plan to use. I concur with your assumption for the #2 option. Try it out and let us know how it works. The nice thing about the fleece is its cheaper and you can always start over.

I just had a crazy thought to try double fishermans knot for the hammock to the bridge. I might try it out and let you know how it goes.

If that doesnt work maybe a hybrid blood knot/hybrid double fishermans

If I use a scaffold knot, then I won't use amsteel (I only splice that). I'll use that strong 6 mm or 8 mm static line that Dano is selling.

 

[bj139]

As a bigger guy, the Misty Mountain Gym Dandy is a good option for RCH. And easy to add lineman’s loops too.

In general, I hear a lot of people fussing about getting “comfy” in commercial harnesses and all the things they change seeking the elusive “comfy”. And I hear many people that hunt out of a fleece saddle. But not once, ever, have I heard of anyone hunting out of a fleece saddle and going back to a commercial harness due to lack of comfort. Maybe some have gone from fleece to commercial for other reasons, e.g., adjustment in the tree, belt, molle loops. But I have never heard of anyone leaving the fleece nation and going to commercial due to comfort reasons.

I use sit drag and fleece saddle (sheet bend knots on each end) and both with RCH backup.

I sat up a tree for about 4 hours in a fleece saddle with a RCH. I had hip pinch which I don't experience with my sitdrag. The fleece bunches up, we bunch it up at the ends, to get the bridge attached. The rest of my fleece wanted to bunch up as well. The sitdrag is flat and doesn't bunch up. I didn't try the fleece while hunting again.

 

[raisins]

I sat up a tree for about 4 hours in a fleece saddle with a RCH. I had hip pinch which I don't experience with my sitdrag. The fleece bunches up, we bunch it up at the ends, to get the bridge attached. The rest of my fleece wanted to bunch up as well. The sitdrag is flat and doesn't bunch up. I didn't try the fleece while hunting again.

Thanks. The sitdrag is tempting because you know it is pretty strong and also it is more clear how to attach things.

 

[bj139]

I'm going to do the fleece saddle. I'm interested in opinions on pros and cons of various ways to attach the bridge.

The ones I've picked up on are

1. double sheet bend where the bridge is tied onto the fleece
2. create a wide point on the end of the fleece and then girth hitch the bridge behind it
3. triple stitch a channel and run the bridge through it

If I do #2 above, I'm considering using a scaffold knot instead of a girth hitch because I'm thinking a scaffold knot doesn't work loose in transport as easily.

Thanks for any help.

I vote for double sheet bend with the fleece and bridge sewn together with a speedy stitcher.

 

[raisins]

I vote for double sheet bend with the fleece and bridge sewn together with a speedy stitcher.

So you mean fold the knot and then sew the tag end of fleece back to itself so it can't slip free through the amsteel....or were you being comical and trying to get me killed?

 

[Jtaylor]

I have zero hip pinch in my fleece saddle and I'm a bigger guy. The knots need to be above your hips so make sure the material is wide enough so the knots are above your hip bones where you may be prone to pinching. This will leave you with a shorter than normal bridge but the most comfort IMO.

 

[gcr0003]

Figured I’d make another