Tree saddle

I am looking at buying a saddle for public land archery hunting. What models are you guys using.

I run the original tethrd phantom. Theres probably better options out there. I have never tried anything else. I run their xl predator platform too. I like the bigger platform vs the smaller one because you can use it as a small stand if thats the way to make the spot work. Not sure if you have picked a climbing method but the lone wolf custom gear doubles are tough to beat for packability.

I really tried to like My tethered saddle and I just don’t. Maybe for a hour or so but that’s it. I am way happier with my beast portable and sticks and my lone wolf alpha and sticks. 5 minutes to set up in a tree. 3 sticks and a platform with a seat is way better then standing in a saddle all day. And like I said I stay mobile. I’m just launching my boat on the Croix going to the back woods where I don’t see any one else. Once I find a tree I will be siting comfortably in 5 or 6 minutes and I’ll be good for 12 hours. No way to stand in a saddle without being uncomfortable for me. I don’t want to be in a diaper. The tethered saddle is one a few of my buddies went with as well. Most of them have gone back to light weight platforms and sticks as well. I did have a tethered stick give out on me the first use but they sent me a 3 pack as a replacement, but that was pretty lame and could have been a bad deal if it was my 2nd or 3rd stick up, luckily it was my first step. I spent the rest that morning 8 ft up the tree.

This is my lone wolf alpha and lone wolf sticks. Not sure on weight. But I put the xop back pack straps on this and can carry it in a couple miles without getting worn out

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I run a latitude method 2 XL and a JX3 hybrid.

Saddlehunter.com is a good resource for you

I have a TX5 I got a couple years ago and it has been the most comfortable saddle Ive tried. I have tried 3 different saddles. TX% has a black Friday sale going on now all week.

I run the same set up now. Was thinking a trying a saddle. Just not sure a want to spend the money on it

Nitrodog wrote:

I run the same set up now. Was thinking a trying a saddle. Just not sure a want to spend the money on it

I like my saddle for certain situations. But even if I can only get a 2 hour sit 90 percent of the time I’ll go with the platform. This morning I found a spot my saddle would have been sweet and my stand didn’t work there. But I was able to set up in a different tree 15 yards over.

I run the Tethrd Phantom as well. My set up is a little different. I still use a stand. I run the Novix helo stand. I do have the Tethrd predator platform. Just don’t use it.
For sticks I love my 20” Beast gear double steps. They stack together perfectly and with 2 night eyes wire ties they are secured together nicely. I don’t run straps on the sticks. I use Amstel rope. With one aidsr on the bottom stick and a 20” spacing I am in the 17’ range to the platform of my stand. I also run 2 – 22’ pieces of paracord. One for my bow and one for my pack to pull up once I climb. On the stand I installed a set of Kifaru x ray shoulder straps.
Climb once and defend once. I hate climbing up a tree more than once.
Oh and pick up an ascender. It makes adjusting your linesman rope while you climb or come down way easier. You can adjust while climbing one handed with one.

Stand with sticks and pack.
In the Jack is my boot blankets, Kuiu proximity jacket, bibs and music gear I use for deer hunting.

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After trying every climbing method except SRT. I’ve now used SRT and won’t be going back to anything else. Bees knees. Fast and light up. Rappel down.
JX3 is an all day comfort sitter.

BTW, jX3 company is amazing customer service. Had a small part break. They responded same day and shipped out same day. No cost. Over a year from purchase.

Weighing in light, high comfort, quiet, safe from the time you leave ground until your back on the ground.
2c

I use CT quickroll hand ascender
Maddock safeguard
Homemade footloop for SRT.
45′ of rope.
It’s less work than standing up.
Can be 30′ up lickedy split

I’m still on my first saddle setup so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I have a Tethrd ESS saddle and predator platform with hawk helium sticks. If I could do it again, I would buy a phantom or similar saddle that I can walk in. I always put my saddle on at the bottom of the tree.

As noted above, if you want to go deep down the rabbit hole, saddlehunter.com will take you there.

And I second that you should buy an ascender and throw an aider on the bottom stick.

I bought the super cheap XOP saddle & platform combo pack last year with the idea of trying out saddle hunting. It’s insanely cheap and has everything you need to saddle hunt – saddle, platform, 3 ropes and carabiners. The platform is a little heavy, but overall solid. The saddle itself is really cheap and gimmicky compared to nice ones on the market and I wasn’t intending to use it long term. But after using it I really have no complaints and still haven’t bought a “real” saddle yet. I have probably 20 sits with the setup, including a few all days sits, and still using it. Not saying that I recommend it, but for the price and simplicity of a turn key package deal, it’s way better than I was expecting for just a way to try out saddle hunting.

Here’s a technique I pioneered over a decade ago.

I used the hand portion of my Lone Wolf hand climber as my platform and as my climbing aid.

Since then, a few companies took my idea and have come up with their own product to do the exact same thing.

I thought about taking off with it before I posted the video, but the market is so niche (especially at that time) that I figured it would be hard for it to gain traction or really go anywhere to make it worthwhile $$$$$$$.

YouTube comments never fail

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Cruzr XC is by far the best i have used. I wont be going back to a hang on unless its a season long preset

tswoboda wrote:

YouTube comments never fail

As I’m climbing a red pine