Full disclaimer: Trophyline gave me the saddle and some swag. Guess I "sold out" and went prostaff. Sorry guys, saddle gear ain't cheap.
That being said, I like to think of myself as a laid-back, "anti-hype" kinda guy. I let them know during our first conversation that I wasn't interested in blowing smoke and glitter up folks' crack. I hate hashtaggin', fist-pumpin', "couldn't have killed him without XYZ Uber Product" BS as much as the next guy. Obviously I'm not going to bash their stuff if they're giving it to me for free. But I'm not going to say I like something if I don't
I answered a lot of questions about the new saddle last night on a stupid-long live video, but I wanted to start this thread to give folks an opportunity to ask questions, and for folks to add their thoughts as the saddles start coming in. As of right now, I have about 2 hours in the saddle, so I'm honestly still forming an opinion, but here's the first impressions.
First, it's not a high speed, low drag, weightless wonder. If you're looking for the absolute lightest saddle, this ain't it. Sorry. Try a mantis, tactisaddle, anderson, DIY fleece, etc. It weighs a bit over 2lbs on my scale. That being said...
It's pretty dang comfortable. I'm 2 hours, going on 3 hours into my first sit with 0 issues. I think I could sit all day in it with minimum discomfort. I've really been digging my size 2 kite, and I think if you like that you'll like this. It's also built like a brick outhouse. Those of you familiar with the old trophyline know they're super-solid (which is why so many are still around on the classifieds) and this one is no different. Stitching is stout, and the webbing is stout.
That being said, it's nowhere near the chunky monkey that the old TLs were. I'd compare my L/XL model to a size 3 kite, with 2" leg loops. Not bad at all.
You stand to shave way more weight and bulk off of your platform, climbing methods, and ropes than you do on your saddle.
It wears in nice. I wore mine this morning a out a mile through the woods with my bolt setup and stock ropes in the included pouches, and it never sagged or slid. Once to be able to just reach in the bags and grab my stuff and climb.
The pouches are nice. You get a "standard" drawstring bag and a bigger zippered pouch for free. Plus 2 ropes with sewn eyes and Black Diamond biners. All for $280. Price all that plus the saddle anywhere else, and you're getting a pretty dang good price. Ready to rock, just add climbing method and platform.
Personally, I'll be going with Oplux or webbing for my ropes, since that's what I am familiar with and love. But for guys who like 10mm ropes, you'll like these, provided you're ok with them being black and red. Gotta have that branding on fleek.
The fixed leg loops you'll either love or hate. I ran my kestrel with fixed leg loops for a season, and if I'm going to have them I actually prefer them sewn in 0lace permanently. Less weight, less noise, and bomb proof. Some folks will hate stepping through them. I'll probably dislike trying to do it knee deep in floodwater at some point. But they didn't get tangled walking in this morning, and they don't cut off circulation.
The webbing bridge I personally like. It's adjustable, and on the old model served as the waist belt, which to me is super slick. The new one has an additional waist strap that utilizes a 2" slider buckle to secure it. I believe it was added so that if you induced slack into the system on a platform, the thing wouldn't fall down. I run a ring of steps, and pretty much physically can't make that kind of slack happen, so I'll probably cut it off and have a simpler, slightly lighter system.
Those are my thoughts so far. Not the lightest, "sexiest" saddle, but rugged, comfortable, and a very solid choice. If you're looking at buying one on the 9th and have questions, have at 'em. I'll answer what I can.
That being said, I like to think of myself as a laid-back, "anti-hype" kinda guy. I let them know during our first conversation that I wasn't interested in blowing smoke and glitter up folks' crack. I hate hashtaggin', fist-pumpin', "couldn't have killed him without XYZ Uber Product" BS as much as the next guy. Obviously I'm not going to bash their stuff if they're giving it to me for free. But I'm not going to say I like something if I don't
I answered a lot of questions about the new saddle last night on a stupid-long live video, but I wanted to start this thread to give folks an opportunity to ask questions, and for folks to add their thoughts as the saddles start coming in. As of right now, I have about 2 hours in the saddle, so I'm honestly still forming an opinion, but here's the first impressions.
First, it's not a high speed, low drag, weightless wonder. If you're looking for the absolute lightest saddle, this ain't it. Sorry. Try a mantis, tactisaddle, anderson, DIY fleece, etc. It weighs a bit over 2lbs on my scale. That being said...
It's pretty dang comfortable. I'm 2 hours, going on 3 hours into my first sit with 0 issues. I think I could sit all day in it with minimum discomfort. I've really been digging my size 2 kite, and I think if you like that you'll like this. It's also built like a brick outhouse. Those of you familiar with the old trophyline know they're super-solid (which is why so many are still around on the classifieds) and this one is no different. Stitching is stout, and the webbing is stout.
That being said, it's nowhere near the chunky monkey that the old TLs were. I'd compare my L/XL model to a size 3 kite, with 2" leg loops. Not bad at all.
You stand to shave way more weight and bulk off of your platform, climbing methods, and ropes than you do on your saddle.
It wears in nice. I wore mine this morning a out a mile through the woods with my bolt setup and stock ropes in the included pouches, and it never sagged or slid. Once to be able to just reach in the bags and grab my stuff and climb.
The pouches are nice. You get a "standard" drawstring bag and a bigger zippered pouch for free. Plus 2 ropes with sewn eyes and Black Diamond biners. All for $280. Price all that plus the saddle anywhere else, and you're getting a pretty dang good price. Ready to rock, just add climbing method and platform.
Personally, I'll be going with Oplux or webbing for my ropes, since that's what I am familiar with and love. But for guys who like 10mm ropes, you'll like these, provided you're ok with them being black and red. Gotta have that branding on fleek.
The fixed leg loops you'll either love or hate. I ran my kestrel with fixed leg loops for a season, and if I'm going to have them I actually prefer them sewn in 0lace permanently. Less weight, less noise, and bomb proof. Some folks will hate stepping through them. I'll probably dislike trying to do it knee deep in floodwater at some point. But they didn't get tangled walking in this morning, and they don't cut off circulation.
The webbing bridge I personally like. It's adjustable, and on the old model served as the waist belt, which to me is super slick. The new one has an additional waist strap that utilizes a 2" slider buckle to secure it. I believe it was added so that if you induced slack into the system on a platform, the thing wouldn't fall down. I run a ring of steps, and pretty much physically can't make that kind of slack happen, so I'll probably cut it off and have a simpler, slightly lighter system.
Those are my thoughts so far. Not the lightest, "sexiest" saddle, but rugged, comfortable, and a very solid choice. If you're looking at buying one on the 9th and have questions, have at 'em. I'll answer what I can.