saddle preference

[nmelliott]

Hi, I know this has been posted before but couldn't find the thread. I'm looking to purchase a saddle and was just wondering what some of you may suggest and why.
Thanks

 

[RacerX]

What's your budget and intended useage? Saddles can run from less than $100 to $600.

 

[TDunk]

The most popular are:
Weaver Cougar-$200
Komet Butterfly-$289
Buckingham Master Deluxe-$295
Buckingham Glide Lite-$329

The Weaver Double D is a popular one too, for about $165. It's a good starter saddle, and alot of veteran climbers still use them. There tough as nails. I was looking for a new saddle here a short time ago and settled on the Komet Butterfly (don't have it yet). It depends on your personal taste and how much you want to spend.

 

[nmelliott]

I plan on using it for work. I've been borrowing a basic saddle from someone and would like to get my own. Price range up to 400 or so, I know it's an investment. I also don't need anything super fancy.

 

[TDunk]

For $400 you can get a pretty decent saddle. My vote goes for the Komet. If you use the search function, you can read all kinds of other posts about what's comfy, what's not etc......... The Gilde lite was my second choice but i heard of leg buckles coming un-done in the tree and tends to pinch "man land" a little more often.

 

[nmelliott]

thanks, those were the two I have been looking at. I don't really have to worry about "man land" being pinched, so that's not a problem.

 

[B_Turner]

thanks, those were the two I have been looking at. I don't really have to worry about "man land" being pinched, so that's not a problem.

I guess that means your a woman.

I bought a cougar I like, esp for the money. I liked the way the sequoia fit a little better, but wanted much more padding for comfort in the back and legs.

A challenge is to find something that is in one's leg and waist range and has the d rings slightly forward of the hipbones. My hips must be a little wide for my waist size, and that's makes for a challenge. The next size of saddle fit me better in terms of the d rings, but the waist and legs were too big then. So a compromise is needed.

I recommend going somewhere where you can hang in a bunch of saddles before you buy.

 

[B_Turner]

I am still liking my cougar although immediately after I started using it the rope bridge started developing two growing bumps on the top of the bridge in the center.

Might just be the rope cover. I contacted weaver and they said it's cosmetic only. I asked them if I could buy a replacment bridge from them but they told me to go through a dealer. I think a replacement bridge is around $60.

 

[clearance]

I have a Buckingham with the seat. Its nice.

 

[tree md]

I started out with a weaver double D back in the early 90's and used that same model for years. I still have an old one hanging around. I have owned other saddles and had other saddles bought for me by employers but I always go back to a saddle with a seat instead of the leg straps. Never could get used to the leg straps and if you read through the threads on saddles you will find most of the complaints about comfort are with leg straps. When I started out most tree climbers used saddles with seats and most rock climbers used harnesses with leg straps. Most of the tree climbers have gone for leg strap saddles these days as they are supposed to give one more mobility in the tree. I get around just fine with a seat saddle though and have found it is just more comfy for me. I went to a Petzl Mini Boss earlier this year. Most comfortable saddle I have ever worn (see reclined pic in my avatar). They don't make them anymore but I dare say you will find any saddle with a seat more comfy than one with leg straps. Take that for what it's worth.