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What’s on under the saddle?

Ballistic_Sam

Ballistic_Sam

New Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2019
Messages
32
Location
West Arkansas
So my sit Sunday was my 3rd in the Mantis XL and my highest. 3 wild edge steps for a platform and Ropeman 1 on my tether. The steps were solid, saddle under side comfy, had plenty of lean and swing but man I had the hip pintch bad! The only difference from the other sits was I was using the Ropeman vs the prusic with my tether on this stand. So as for the title, I don’t have my wallet in back pocket, or pocket knife or keys , nothing in my pockets except cargo pockets. I am however wearing a belt to hold the pants up and that is riding under the top edge of the saddle. Same as other sits so besides the Ropeman being used which should not be a thing, why was there so much pinch? I’ve read all the things and had them all running thru my head as I sat there trying to be a man and stay till dark. So far that’s the only bad thing about my first few sits. Just wondering what’s under the saddle for you guys and if maybe it was my belt and not so much the saddles fault.
 
Definitely lose the belt once at height. It creates a hot spot that will kill you.
 
I have to hike my pants up Steve Urkle style to get my belt out of the way of where my saddle naturally wants to sit. A lot of people (seemingly the flat butt crowd) wear their saddle lower like a really saggy pair of pants. I think you just find that place where your center of gravity is based on your build. And tweaking the tether height. And the stock Mantis bridge is a few inches too long for me because it forces my tether too high on some trees.. Regardless, just keep tweaking and you'll find the sweet spot.
 
elk yinzer said:
I have to hike my pants up Steve Urkle style to get my belt out of the way of where my saddle naturally wants to sit. A lot of people (seemingly the flat butt crowd) wear their saddle lower like a really saggy pair of pants. I think you just find that place where your center of gravity is based on your build. And tweaking the tether height. And the stock Mantis bridge is a few inches too long for me because it forces my tether too high on some trees.. Regardless, just keep tweaking and you'll find the sweet spot.
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Man that's one thing that surprised me, how high my tether needs to be. Also I'll try to remind myself to pull my pants up before I climb. might look into softer belt material.
 
I’ve been going no belt or one of the cloth types that often comes with cargo shorts.

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Started not wearing my belt and just cinching the saddle down tight with my pants waistband above the saddle. Kinda using the saddle as my belt if that makes sense. It keeps my pants up and the saddle’s not pushing against that belt.
 
I just got my saddle a month ago and found out just hanging in the back yard that a belt doesn’t sit well with my body type in a saddle. I normally leave the belt off, but I habitually conceal carry appendix style and wear my belt buckle off to one side to make it more comfortable/concealable. Doing that with my belt in the saddle (without my firearm, of course) did alleviate some pressure/ pinch for me.
 
I found that putting my tether between chin and collarbone height relived a lot of comfort and pinching issues. I still have some hip pinch on my right hip, but my body seems to be adapting to it. My saddle seems to want to sit high on my butt/hip, I want it lower but it is most comfortable on or a little over my belt line. I ditched my belt the first time I put the saddle on, it just seems to present more comfort issues.
I've had my saddle for a while and there is definitely a thing called "saddle shape"; it's kind of like skiing, you'll find muscles you rarely knew where there start to burn some.
 
Do you have the micro fit adjusters? I've had good luck tightening those down they immediately helped. Although i didnt have a lot of hip pinch the little bit i did have went away.
 
Yooper14 said:
Do you have the micro fit adjusters? I've had good luck tightening those down they immediately helped. Although i didnt have a lot of hip pinch the little bit i did have went away.
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I don’t but they are on the list of other things I need. Besides the pinch I’m really liking the saddle and this way of hunting from a tree! Thanks for the help guys!
 
I have recently lost 50 lbs and now my hunting pants are 2 sizes too big. A good problem to have I guess. But have the same issue with my belt. Just have to make sure it is above the belt of the mantis and it makes for a more comfortable sit. But get it in the wrong spot and its impossible to get comfortable. Will be looking for new hunting clothes after season on clearance...
 
My experience between a mantis and fixed bridge and a flex with adjustable bridge was: fixed bridge (short) = lots of hip pinch, adjustable bridge (made it longer) less hip pinch. Also, longer bridge (above my head) offers comfortable resting spot for my head when taking a nap.

Again, it’s all personal preferences and we should tinker around for what’s comfy for us, not adjusting to a predetermined setting, such as a fixed bridge. The length of the fixed bridge might work for Ernie and Greg, thats why they determined the length, but it does not have to work for all of us. Be adventurous and play around with the setting. You could use the lineman’s belt as an adjustable bridge once you’re up in the tree and see if you get more comfortable.
 
I wear almost exactly what I wore in the Summit. Camo jeans, belt and yes, a wallet. I align my saddle straps so that they don't lay over those things and they don't cause me any issues. I do have a special, separate wallet I carry hunting that has only my hunting licenses, last expired D.L. for ID purposes and my CPL so it's really thin. I just hate the thought of losing and/or soaking my normal wallet while hunting. I never wore it in my back pocket in the climber, I hated sitting on it so I put it in a pocket of the vest. The only problem is I would forget and leave it there if I went for a midday scout and I'd find myself carrying the pistol with no permit. In the saddle I don't even notice it and I actually think the wallet helps keep the lower strap from riding up when I'm sitting in the saddle.

Funny thing is I typically don't carry my normal wallet in my back pocket unless I'm actually going into a store or restaurant where I know I'm giing to need it. Again, I hate sitting on it. It always rides in the truck and, since the truck is where I am, its always available.
 
I used my linemans belt with Ropeman 1 as a adjustable bridge on my last sit and tightened it up a few inches shorter than the stock Mantis bridge. Made a huge difference in comfort for me. Will keep doing that or totally replace the mantis bridge for a shorter/adjustable bridge.
 
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