Ontariofarmer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2015
- Messages
- 5,249
-
The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
-
We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules
TX5 Saddle by Matthew Tompkins
- Thread starter SETXsportsman6
- Start date
SETXsportsman6
Well-Known Member
Ontariofarmer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2015
- Messages
- 5,249
I like the mesh cordura mix in yours. I like the fabric type in mine
I have not sat in my saddle, it is still in Texas. Matthew makes the nicest looking saddles made with the features you want and the material you want and camo you want and bridge you want for a reasonable price
I can’t speak for comfort yet but the design suggests it will at least equal the Cruzr.
Also the sizing may be more precise to your butt.
By my calculations the size I got is a size 2.5 Cruzr.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Ontariofarmer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2015
- Messages
- 5,249
SETXsportsman6
Well-Known Member
I haven't gotten to put much time in it yet, but I spent about 20 minutes in it and honestly I felt like the adjustment on the bridge loops (the prusik version of comfort channels?) to be able to change the angle for pressure points was an unnecessary added feature because I literally could not get uncomfortable in this thing. I'm sure in longer sits, having that adjustment would come in handy just to mix it up.
But seriously, he built me a pleated saddle prior to this one. And that thing was great. I just lost a bit of weight and had to downsize on the saddle. I sat in one at his house identical to mine minus the added first lite material, and immediately was sold on getting another one from him. I will tell you, the spandex material is fairly stiff. It's not an issue with comfort, and I personally would rather it be stiff than floppy because when you cinch that adjustable bridge down for walking in, it pulls in tight to you and there's no flop. That was for me one of the biggest selling points. Anybody who has had a pleated saddle knows that keeping the pleat closed was a problem due the inherent flexibility of mesh or cordura. I'm sure there are plenty of folks that have done the spandex pleat that could vouch for the rigidity of it, but me personally I just got the non pleated version because for me it felt perfect. And just for reference, when I sat in the one at his house I was a solid 330 lbs and was comfortable in his size large. It was ok the verge of being too small but I had just started my diet and I went ahead and got a large and now at 292 it is perfect. I'm 6'4" 292 lbs as of now and it fits well. I carry my weight fairly well to be as heavy as I am. I would say my saddle size is very comparable to a Kestrel Flex size 2. If there are any more questions that anyone has I'll be glad to answer them to the best of my ability. Flat out, you can't go wrong with a saddle built by Matthew, and the guy is super knowledgeable about sewing, and a mastermind at building saddles. He isn't just throwing stuff out there to sell saddles.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
SETXsportsman6
Well-Known Member
The material on mine is actually all mesh, with the spandex band, and just has a layer of first lite material sewed over the top of the spandex.
The material used was from an area on the pants that wouldn't hinder the stretch of the spandex, like knee, upper leg area, etc. A small detail that would have never crossed my mind, and could have potentially hindered the saddle from being able to stretch as it would have without that material overlayed. That's the kind of detailed thought process that goes into each build that he does. I don't just support TX5 because I know him personally and he's local to me, I support him because his s*** is top notch IMO.
Hope this helps anyone who may have been on the fence about TX5!
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Aaronpaul14
Well-Known Member
You guys have sold me on one of these. Sounds legit quality, comfort, and they look bad a**!! Blown my hunting budget by a lot already this year so might have to put it on my Christmas list.
Where are you guys at in TX? Worth in person design?
SETXsportsman6
Well-Known Member
South east Texas. About an hour east of Houston, right on the Louisiana line. Honestly, he just had an order form built, and you couldn't get any more out of an in person interaction than what you get from his order form. Of course talking on the phone a bit and maybe some picture exchange of different things may be in order.
By the way, something I've been meaning to tell folks about but haven't gotten around to it yet. He has been building some versa hangers out of webbing that hook onto your molle loops, essentially the same principal as the versa hangers that are being 3D printed, but they're made out of webbing. And they work awesome! And can be done for different versa button sizes. I definitely reccomend getting some with your order. I was going to have mine sewn on but he brought up a good point, I have different sticks with different sized buttons (lone wolf originals, and shikars) so having the ones that can be removed and changed out depending on the sticks I'm using is a great option. They work great, and they're cheap enough to not even give a second thought to when you build one. Just get them. You won't regret it. I know this is starting to sound like a fanboy post because I'm preaching everything he does, but I'm telling you guys, you will understand why I'm such a strong supporter of his stuff after you experience it.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Aaronpaul14
Well-Known Member
Sweet thanks... if it was more Dallas area thought 5 hours drive might not be bad.
I just saw the video of the versa hangers on FB and looked pretty sweet! Thanks for the info!
SETXsportsman6
Well-Known Member
South east Texas. About an hour east of Houston, right on the Louisiana line. Honestly, he just had an order form built, and you couldn't get any more out of an in person interaction than what you get from his order form. Of course talking on the phone a bit and maybe some picture exchange of different things may be in order.
By the way, something I've been meaning to tell folks about but haven't gotten around to it yet. He has been building some versa hangers out of webbing that hook onto your molle loops, essentially the same principal as the versa hangers that are being 3D printed, but they're made out of webbing. And they work awesome! And can be done for different versa button sizes. I definitely reccomend getting some with your order. I was going to have mine sewn on but he brought up a good point, I have different sticks with different sized buttons (lone wolf originals, and shikars) so having the ones that can be removed and changed out depending on the sticks I'm using is a great option. They work great, and they're cheap enough to not even give a second thought to when you build one. Just get them. You won't regret it. I know this is starting to sound like a fanboy post because I'm preaching everything he does, but I'm telling you guys, you will understand why I'm such a strong supporter of his stuff after you experience it. I'm all about well thought out products that are designed with comfort and convenience in mind. That's what you're gonna get.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk