The Biggest Two Panel Saddle Comparison Yet! 

Well it's about time you made this 😆. I really appreciate all the time you put into these reviews, it is priceless.

I’m looking to buy my first saddle this year and these videos are very helpful, I appreciate all the insights!!! Just when I think I have my mind made up I watch another video and start changing my mind. Thank goodness I have time. Great video, thanks again.

Outstanding video, thank you. I’m looking seriously at saddle hunting for next year and this video was very helpful. Thanks

This is an excellent review! I have found everything you have said to be true for myself when it comes to these saddles.

This was a very nice video, Spencer; well done!

Great video and explanation. I bought the ess and subscribed. I will have plenty of time for the learning curve I hope!

Dang I. Just looked you up like two days ago because I haven’t seen you in a while. Glad two see your back to putting out content.

I just watched you demonstrate your method for sitting in the Overwatch Outdoors Transformer; and I’ve been sitting with the 2 panels widely separated. I’ll be back in the trees in February trying out sitting with your method. Mostly I lean; and this may make sitting more comfortable. Thanks!

Enjoy your videos…. You do an outstanding job… from Ashville, Alabama keep up the great videos

I've been using the Tactisaddle for a couple of years now. One tip I suggest, is the bridge positioning. In this video you have them very very high on the bridge loops...what you should do, is move them down to the point where all straps are equalized...which is right in the middle of the bridge loops. This allows you to loosen the waist strap and slide that top strap down below your lower back and evenly space all three straps on the rump. Makes it very comfortable that way. Yes, when slack, the bridge will slide up and down the loops, but once weight is applied, it locks down tight and stays there until you manually break the tension to adjust it.

Lot’s of great options out there!

Excellent and very informative video!!!!

Great reviews. 👍

I’ve enjoyed watching many of your videos, and they helped me pick the recon as my first (and only) saddle a year ago. After spending a season in it and fine tuning, I had no issue wearing it in on my walks up to 1.5 miles. If you slide both panels up above the waist and tighten the belt, they stay put

I use the Eberhart saddle and I use my safety through my d-rings and tighten it up and wrap it around me and have no problem with the saddle. I also use the Clips in the back for the lower panel when I walk in and I seen a guy on Facebook that actually put magnets in his to keep it together when he walked in and to move it apart once he's to where he needs to be.

I bought the new version of the Transformer. All I can say is it's AWSOME!!! The stitching is flawless. I am 5'8" an weigh 230lbs and it was recommended I purchase the larger version which I did. I find myself switching back n forth between sitting n leaning out of boredom and this saddle is comfortable either way. I'm even thinking about buying a second one in case they go out of business. I don't see that happening provided people give it a try but ya never know.

I ended up going with the Overwatch Transformer last year. I am extremely happy with it. I wear it in and it makes zero noise.

Useful video 👌🏽

Curious? Watched your comparison video of the ESS saddle and the Recon, from a year or so ago. That video you seemed to prefer the Recon over the ESS. Then your video of about 5 months ago, you compared about 5 double panel saddles. In that video, you seemed to have preferred the ESS over the Recon. Your main beef with the Recon was with walking in and the saddle sagging. I myself will probably be carrying the saddle in a backpack walking in. So in that case, would the ESS still be your preference, or would you go with the Recon? PS I'm 74 y/o and just trying to get into saddle hunting. I presently am getting experience with an Aero Hunter Kite saddle, but thinking I'd like something more comfortable for sitting. Thanks, Ron

Awesome info thanks

I wonder if the larger Latitude would improve sitting comfort. It seems like if would then it’d be a top contender. You’d be the right man for this test. Hint hint. You do great work. I hope you keep finding it rewarding enough to continue. Shine on.

There are some with the same style features and you say one is harder to adjust than the other. It was the last one with the lower panel clips and the other on with the same style clips. You said the earlier one was hard to adjust with one hand while that last was easy but they’re the same. Great video btw

Have you tried the larger sizes in the models that offer it to see if it fixes the pinch issues. Also do you have any videos that show issues or lack of during cold Weather and fit.

Good stuff, thanks!

I’m down to the ESS or Recon for my next purchase, is the ESS worth the additional $ or go with Recon

Help. Can’t decide between the achron and the overwatch. I mostly like to sit and need good back support. ( also take naps). I value your opinion. Thanks

In your opinion, how do CGM’s saddles match up to these two-panels?

I got the method 2 xl , when I sit I center my hip between the two straps on the bottom panel or maybe just up from there to keep the bottom strap from cutting too low, and bring the top panel up pretty high in my back. I don’t use the panel straps n let the top panel go up as high as needed, pretty comfortable for me

I have a cobra belt that I use when working and I always have to tighten it as it will come loose.

For reference I bought and used the Tethrd Mantis for 3 seasons. I could see the benefits of a saddle for the way I hunt so I jumped into the saddle game back in 2019. I cannot overstate how far the saddle game has come since I bought the Mantis. I've been able to borrow saddles from friends and I've known for some time an upgrade was in my future. I've gotten to use the Tethrd Phantom, Tethrd ESS, AeroHunter Kestrel, Dryad Drey, Cruzr XC & Cruzr Archon. I find myself liking the 2 panel options best. I bought a back band from Tethrd when I bought the Mantis and it helps but with the 2 panel options I find the back band obsolete. The Tethrd ESS is comfortable but I think its too complicated to keep the panels together when walking in/trying to step into the saddle and I don't like the webbing bridge material. I always hear good thrings about the Cruzr XC & I have nothing bad to say about it but when I used it side by side with the Cruzr Archon I thought the Archon was easily the winner. I purchased the Cruzr Archon for myself out of all those options. Those same friends who allowed me to borrow their saddles have since used my Archon and they all really like it. I'm a gear nut. I'd love to demo some others just because I'm always curious but I'm going to be happy hunting from the Archon for a good while.

If you had to design a new saddle with your favorite features from the ones that you showed, what would it be like ?

If you change the bridge on the recon to a rope bridge that you can tighten it'll wear very good on the walk.

Tell us more about the Cruzr bridge install. The videos out there aren’t from start to finish.

Question I was told that for one sticking a single panel Saddle is easier to climb then with the double panel do you find that true?

Thank you.

The panel adjustments are easy to use when you’re in the tree and have weight in the saddle. How’d you get the removable leg straps? Mine didn’t come with that.

ESS with a ring of steps is pretty dope

Definitely missing the Buzzard roost in that mix.

I like the latitude features . But no big with a rope wast belt to hold to saddle pouches that have wight

I can save you all a bunch of worry and research...The ESS should be your number 1 pick closely followed by the Recon. End of the story!

I had the same impression of the Latitude saddle. I sent it back.

Love my E.S.S

Sefty yang bagus 👍

This saddle is $347 now!

Look everyone, I’m telling you, the Tree Hopper recon with a Tethrd suspenders kit is a game changer. No sag, no issues, even with multiple bags! No bungee mods! It’s amazing. It bow blows everything out of the water in my opinion.

Where is buzzard roost

do you sell all of these saddles after trying them? give em away on a platform like patreon? hold on to the ones you like? have a stack of em in a closet?

So, you’re wearing the ESS and the Transformer like a single panel saddle. Why not just use a single panel saddle?

Tried the Eberhart saddle 3 times. Throwing it out. Waste of money.

Let's just get real the method 2 is the best period