That’s a light stand for sure. I didn’t like several things about the stand, the biggest was tree options.

None. The saddle is your harness

The saddle is your stand not your safety harness. Good luck with that.

Yeah the whole point of a safety harness in a stand is so that you don’t have the opportunity for a single point failure.

Thank you so far so good

Statistically speaking, there is a probability of both your stand and safety harness failing. Better add another safety harness, just to be safe.

Tree saddle came in today boys! Already messed around with it in the backyard hanging on a tree. I think I'm REALLY going to like using this setup versus humping in a heavy climber. Will try to get some pictures if I can figure out where I can host them.

Stay tuned!

Following this thread, hope it works out well

Just ordered one, I made the decision after sweating like a geyser carrying my climber today, even though it is very lightweight.

Let me know how the learning curve is for comfort. I heard it can take some tweaking. I'll be using it for both bow and gun hunting.

First saddle hunt today. Setup is the Aero Hunter Kestrel and climbing system is Wild Edge Stepp Ladder.

Hung out in the tree from about 2:15pm to dark. No real issues other than I forgot my knee pads and had to use my pack as a cushion, but that actually worked out pretty well.

There's a bit of a learning curve associated and I practiced going up and down trees in my yard before hitting the woods.

Oh, and didn't see any deer. Pretty sure some poaching was happening in the cutover behind me, since nobody should be shooting a gun on Cahaba WMA today.

Hanging out


Wild Edge "Stepp" Ladder system


Jerry Rigged Bow Holder

So how do you rate the comfort? Comparing it to a lock on stand.
Can you use this system with cold weather bibbs and jacket etc?
Weight of steps and your system?

Comfort was about a 7.5/10 (I'd consider the Tree Lounge to be a 10/10, but I have no experience with lock on stands) and that discomfort was certainly due to the failed back surgery I had back in 2014. Sometimes, I get a cramping sensation in my right piriformis muscle. I didn't realize that I still had my wallet in my back right pocket, and the saddle was causing it to press into me pretty good. Once I got it out, the "pain" started to subside.

You can definitely wear cold weather gear, as the waist and thigh adjustments have plenty of let out. You can add top layers while in the tree since all the attachments are around waist height.

I wore my saddle in, so that weight really isn't really felt, but I think my saddle, ropes, and carabiners weigh around 5-6lbs. Set of 10 steps weighs about 11lbs. Water bottle was probably another 1lb, knife, .45, bow hanger, probably another 3lbs. It was definitely lighter than packing in the only climbers I have, which are tree lounges.

Some lessons learned from practicing in the yard and yesterday:

1) You need footwear that has a shank to it. The arches of your feet will be sore the next day if you're using something like Merrell hiking shoes or something. I wore my Kennetreks yesterday and they were great.

2) Prusik knots can be a bit of a PITA. I've already ordered Ropeman 1 ascenders to replace them so I can have 1 hand operation on my lineman's belt and tree strap.

3) Knee pads are a must. I lucked out and was able to strap my pack to the tree so I could rest against it, and it actually worked out pretty well.

4) A platform would be even better than steps or climbing sticks. I'll probably add a Predator platform, or end up making something.

5) You'll need to practice to find the optimum height above your head for the tree strap. Obviously, there's an upper limit (how high you can reach), but for me higher was better as you're not leaned back as far.

6) I'm not 100% proficient on getting the loop tension correct on the Wild Edge Stepps, so climbing was a little slower than normal since I had to re-tie

7) SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY - check and re-check your gear. Back in the day I was a high ropes safety instructor, and this was drilled in me.

that's about all I can think of right now. Check out YouTube for saddle review / instructional videos.

I see that first lite camo! Best stuff I’ve ever worn.

Hell yeah it is! First Lite has the best customer service I've ever experienced. They basically gave me $140 of store credit because the jacket I bought went on sale the next week. Couldn't believe it...

Anyways, another good hang yesterday in the saddle out on public land. I'm still dialing in my system and where to hang things, etc...

About 16:15 I had a doe dead to rights at 27yds, but she still had a fawn (karma) and the pack out would've been more than I wanted on account of it being so warm. I was also hoping a buck was trailing her. I took a video with my iPhone, but I'm not sure I can post it here. I'll try to put up a You Tube link or something...

I also used the Ropeman 1's on my tree strap AND my lineman's belt. Let me tell you, it makes adjustment a breeze. It's MUCH more simple since you can use only 1 hand to take in or let out rope. I won't be going back to friction hitches, but I may try to find a way to back up the Ropeman 1 ascender.

This is a Ropeman 1 Ascender (no affiliation with REI)

https://www.rei.com/product/115422/wild-country-ropeman-1-ascender

Takeaways:

Pros: 1 handed operation (even with gloves), quick adjustments give higher confidence (I've had a couple times trying to tighten a Prussic where I felt unsafe), won't get unnecessarily tight like a Prussic knot / friction hitch when it gets wet

Cons: more money to spend (about $44 a piece), not intended to be a life saving device (you can read all about their specs and failure modes. Bottom line, ascenders aren't made to take the shock of a long fall, but that shouldn't be a problem since you're already on tension), weigh more than a Prussic / friction hitch.


Short video of the doe milling around. Be prepared to see a deer, in the woods, don't get your hopes up for anything cool!!!!

https://youtu.be/WMsUqGYeXDY

You won’t need a back up for your ascender. Just keep an eye on your rope for wear and inspect your ascender regularly. Should be fine. I’ve got to get me one of these saddles.

As already mentioned, the ascender is great on the lineman’s belt I use. 1 hand adjustment makes it easier

Anybody on here have a saddle or know anybody that wants to sell.

Check out www.saddlehunter.com, there are always people selling stuff over there.

I ordered a mantis Dec 7th. I'm hoping it gets here soon. I've got several options for getting up a tree already. My plan right now is to use 4 to 5 wild edge steps with a knaider and swaider. I should be less than 10 lbs with that system. I can't tote a stand anymore due to back issues.

On Sunday, I got about 35' (too high) with 7 steps and an aider, 3 steps as a platform. Going up with an aider was easier than descending with one. Make sure you have a good headlamp.