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What is your favorite saddle? ...and why?

DB4x4

DB4x4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2018
Messages
1,870
I know a lot of guys have multiple setups, but if you had to pick one saddle to hunt from for the rest of your life, which one would it be, and why?

Bonus points for action photos...Go!
 
Ranking of all I've tried (commerically available):

Tier 1: Hunt all day comfort
1) AH Flex
2) Cruzr XC

Tier 2: Good enough for an evening hunt
3) AH Kite
4) Tether Mantis

Tier 3: Not comfortable enough while walking I never spent time in a tree with it
5) AH Kestrel

Tier 4: Windows 95. It had a time and place, it's not now
6) AH Evo

Currently own 1 -3, the rest I've since parted with. My Flex is my go to, it just fits me. I love a webbing bridge and the sewn webbing with a triglide is cats tiddies. Really don't care for amsteel bridge. I have the first batch, the one that everyone whined and moaned about the inner cordura coating peeling off...talk about NBD. I don't follow super closely but I think they may have since screwed it up with more fabric?
 
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1)Yellow Jacket

My First Yellow Jacket (tm) Saddle Build *** Complete 1 lb 7 oz

Edit: People have asked me what I was going to name it and then I thought of a name. It is "The Yellow Jacket(tm) Saddle". Good enough. :D Today was the first time I took something that wasn't a saddle and made it into a saddle. I have been practicing with my sewing machines to good effect...
saddlehunter.com

2) @always89y Phantom Clone, AKA Sally.

3)Sit Drag

4)Aero Evo

5)Trophyline Ambush
 
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I like my Flex and Cruzr XC it's hard to pick between the two. I use the Cruzr in the early season and when the temperature gets little cooler the Flex. I like Predator camo so I'll go with the Flex but that's the only reason. My Kestrel is sitting there like a abandoned child. Also I do like my Guido's web and Treesuit.
 
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1. Jx3 hybrid - it does all the stuff all the other saddles try to do, better.

2. Kestrel - it does all of the stuff all the other available saddles try to do, good enough, and will last forever. None of the rest do anything for me that’s worth making a switch.
 
I like the Aero Hunter Kestrel/Kite platform: (Cobra style belt buckle / Push-thru style leg buckles)

- I like the easily modifiable/adjustable rope bridge (See Photo Below)
- I like the quality of Aero Hunter materials and workmanship
- I like that they have rated leg straps
- "Butt Cupping" adjustment straps are included
- MOLLE and Lineman loops are in the right place for me
- Comfort is great once you find the "sweet spot"

1596029062884.png

This was my first saddle platform (not counting Sit Drag) and I have never felt the need to change or upgrade. I love a girth hitched knot on one side and girth hitched prusik on the other. No metal, plus it allows you to adjust the "angle of the dangle" and length of the bridge easily without sacrificing safety.

I shorten the bridge all the way when walking and the tightened bridge acts like a second belt.
 
Pain is weakness leaving the body.

Therefore I love the Mantis. People are slaves to comfort. That being said, once you get used to the Mantis i find it perfectly "comfortable".

I also have a Flex and my original, the old Evolution. Flex is great but a little bulky.
 
Sequoia said:
Pain is weakness leaving the body.

Therefore I love the Mantis. People are slaves to comfort. That being said, once you get used to the Mantis i find it perfectly "comfortable".

I also have a Flex and my original, the old Evolution. Flex is great but a little bulky.
Click to expand...

You sound like a Marine. Old retired farmer likes comfort.
JX3. CruzrXC. TX 5. Recon.

Like them all for different purposes

Mantis. Made for a marine


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Kestrel Flex
Tx5

I have a thing for small batch produced items in the hands of American workers who care about their name and reputation

Didn’t like mantis just wasn’t comfortable at all
Haven’t tried phantom

H2 and cruzr seemed too much like a kite to purchase
Kite was ok but not a buyer

Yes pain is weakness leaving the body I get it but that same pain also disrupts ur all day sits
I go in
No food and small bottle of water for end of hunt so no need to use bathroom or make noise
If I’m in a tree all day u better believe I’m going to have a comfy sit
My all day is 430 am to dark


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