Yall still loving it or has it passed now? My son said something about it a while back. Im mulling over getting him a setup for christmas. If i decide to, what is a good one i wont have to take out a loan to buy? Point me in the right direction.

Been in a saddle for four seasons now and I don't see myself ever going back to a climber. Depending on how big he is he might be ok in a tethrd mantis or other single panel saddle. I'm 6'1 220lbs and couldn't stand my mantis though. I'm in a latitude method now and absolutely love it.

Hes about 5'10" and 175lbs

I just got into it this year. Love it so far. Still trying to get use to getting up the tree easier. I hunt public land and love the mobility you have with it vs my climber

2nd season for me. 1st season doing the one stick method. I probably could climb faster in a climber but I still love hunting out of the saddle for quietness and ease and ability to climb any tree I want.

I want to try it

I like it very much. Use one stick to climb. Only carry about 7 lbs of stuff, and it’s all held around my waist. You can climb any tree in the woods, no matter how big around or how many limbs.

I see alot of used ones for sale…im still hangin a lock on…ive watched a bunch of videos..an it seems like they cost folks deer on account of it bein awkward to draw back a bow..just an observation..ive never sit in a saddle exactly. The one stick thing…well..missed my chance..dadgummit.

How do you draw back if you are facing the tree? Guess you lean out to the side?

Is the major draw just the weight, getting to your tree and getting set up? Less weight to carry?

Lightweight and less bulky were the main draws for me. This is my 6th or 7th season using one. If you have stands everywhere you normally hunt, I wouldn't bother getting one. If you bounce around a lot on properties with no stands or have long walks on public, I'd recommend one. As another member said, there's very few trees you can't get in with a saddle.

Also being able to climb any tree, and being able to shoot 360 degrees around the tree. A saddle also satisfies the fall protection requirement for public land.

10-4, thanks

4th year for me also. Main reason I switched was lower back issues. The weight of carrying a climber and sitting all day absolutely killed my back. (L3,4,5/S1 issues) By going to the saddle I got rid of both those problems. I have 2 Summit Goliaths and 2 Ol Man Grand Visions that haven’t seen daylight in 3 seasons.

I have an H2 saddle and a Trophy Line Mission platform. I started with 3-30” Hawk Heliums and switched to XOP X2 sticks this year with aiders. I have only used 4 sticks once this season. I would say I more often than not, I only use 2 sticks to get where I wanna be.

I have a Trophy Line Platow pack and the way it fits it’s like I don’t even have anything on my back.

I am on my 5th year with a saddle and I have no intention of going back. But I also exclusively hunt public land and hike a good ways so the lightweight and compact style of saddle hunting really works for me. I have had many different brands and styles of saddles and the one I like the best is also one of the best priced saddles out there. I have a CGM (custom gear modifications) cobra and I am on my 2nd season with it. They are a small company out of Tennessee. When I have called in the past I have spoke to the owner who is hands on with building the saddles. Pretty cool. The cobra has a lot of really nice features that make it really comfortable.
For climbing I used to use 3 or 4 sticks but have since started one sticking and have no plans to go back. I can get up the tree pretty fast and down even faster and quieter. But it’s not for everyone. Nothing wrong with using several sticks. The tethrd skeletors are pretty nice and they are not too pricey.
As far as platforms I use 2 set ups. I have a tethrd predator platform in a predator pack backpack for my ultralight set up. For a bit heavier but more alll day set up I have been using a hybrid style system this year. I have an xop retrograde lock on that is only about 6lbs and I use it as my platform and also have the option to fold the seat down and sit down when I want to. Has been working out pretty nice so far. I still use my saddle for fall protection and I still one stick up with both set ups.
Feel free to pm me any questions. I will do the best I can to answer them and help you figure out what you need if you decide to go that route. It’s kind of intimidating at first but it’s really super simple and will probably be pretty natural for an arborist like yourself.

I hate hunting from a climber about as much as I hate anything in this world.

I have never bow hunted much for that very reason. Finally broke down and bought a saddle this year, and it's much easier carrying in and out of the woods, more comfortable, quieter, etc. All my hunting is private land so I just hang permanent sticks for a bunch of setups and replace the straps as needed. I got a bunch of 20' sticks for like $40 each before this season. It may seem like it would be hard to shoot out of, but when you actually get in one, it's very natural and easy.

I would go with a Latitude Outdoors or a Cruzr. I personally have a Latitude and my brother has a Cruzr. I also have the Trophyline Mission platform which is dang near as big as a lock on platform (just not as deep). It's big enough you can shoot off of it the same you would a climber or lock on. I carry everything I need on my person except my bow.

Saddles have got to be a young man’s game but I’m gonna check’m out.

Check out jx3, they have a rigid bottom in the seat part. Super comfy
https://jx3outdoors.com/jx3-hybrid-hunting-saddle/

RCHRR for sure give it a try. It’s not only a young man’s game even though youth helps in just about anything physical. I use a Latitude method 2 which is a two piece saddle that helps with my jacked up lower back. I can’t sit all day in my saddle with my one stick but I can definitely be comfortable with a 5-6 hour sit. If I used a platform and maybe a ring of steps it would extend how long I can hang.

How do you take a nap in one? Are you basically standing the whole time? Seems so in the videos I’ve watched.