I got the tethrd mantis saddle

Looks like I'd have multiple numb spots in less than an hr.
and still have a lot of crap to carry seems like, Steps/sticks/platform/saddle.

Well, after all my pessimism about saddles, I’ve actually decided to buy one. Found a guy on Facebook who is selling them for $150 new. My biggest hold up with saddles has been weight, but I’ve been looking at 1 stick climbing and the drt rope climbing system. Drt system would cut my total weight down to about 5lbs without a platform. Supposed to be in Wednesday, so I’ll give it a shot and report back.

I bought a kestral, right after season last year. Now I have done bought a perch, lone wolf sticks and a badlands backpack. Got into more money than I expected and not sure im sold on it yet. I have spent a little time in it and shot 10 arrows or so from it. I set in it one day for close to a hour just seeing how the comfort was. It seemed ok but I would sit a while and stand or lean a while. Shooting doesn't seem quiet as easy as they say. Didn't have any trouble hitting the target but sure seems like a lot of movement right off. I mean if you have a deer sneak in on your off side and a little behind you, you have to swing your whole body around to the side towards the deer to shoot that direction. Shooting say in front and a little to the right side is also gonna take more movement and practice than a lockon or whatever, I am honestly a little disappointed but trying to stay optimistic and really looking forward to season to really do some real testing. It is a little cumbersome starting out also but I am thinking like anything else a little time and practice I will get a system down.

I put everything in the cart to purchase one and backed out. I was concerned with how I’d take a leak out of the thing.

Taking a leak wouldn’t be much trouble. I don’t think anyway

Those of you that have them did you buy a platform or did you build your own

I built one out of a cheap lockon seat but then bought a podium when he had them on sale for 99.00

I built one of of a old loc on stand for private but might get a ring of squirrel steps for public.

This year will be my first in a saddle. After a lot a research I’m going the ring of step route first mainly because of packing and also i got some of the non recalled ameristeps to make it. I don’t know from experience but the ring of steps seem to allow getting around the entire tree easier.

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can you get someone to move your targets around while your up a tree? I think I would want to get it all sorted about before season. I am looking forward to hearing your experience as well as the others using saddles for the first time.

I also might go with the Cranford scaffold ring of steps for public over squirrel steps. For price reason and also the comparison I seen that both about the same very solid. Cranford Scaffold is noisy but you can eliminate most with some kind of wrap on steps. Squirrel steps are a little pricey $25 per step need probably 4 to 5 can get Cranford scaffold for about $70.

I don't use a platform yet, I actually made a couple steps from pieces of 2x4. I can get far enough around the tree in either direction. Plus I just made a double top step for my top lone wolf stick. I feel like the platforms are pricey for what they are and i'm not sold on any step system yet.

One way I've reduced weight recently is by adding a two step aider to my bottom stick, and one step aiders to two other sticks, eliminating the need for a fourth stick. I can get the top of my third stick to 19' and if I want to get higher have the option of the fourth stick.

If I could go back i would by wild edge steps and use the knaider/swaider climbing method(google it), or get hawk helium sticks but they are always sold out, and i already bought lone wolf sticks.

To all those worrying about hot spots, numb spots, etc., here's some info from me:

I hunted all last year out of a saddle. I'm a big guy (have gotten fat 300lbs, slowly loosing though thank God), and was medically retired from the military because of a back injury, failed surgery, etc. I never have experienced pinching, numbness, etc. Matter of fact I'm WAY more comfortable in a saddle than I am in a lock on. The only thing that can rival the comfort is my 20-year-old Tree Lounge, but my back doesn't let me carry it in very far before it flares up.

The one thing I have noticed, and it's not a deal-breaker, but my ass does seem to sweat a little in the early season.

If you're waffling on whether or not to try it, I'd be happy to demo mine for you. I live near I-65 and Hwy 31. Also, don't wait too long because you don't want to be waiting during the season for your shipment.

I have no affiliation with ANY manufacturer or anyone associated with a manufacturer.

My setup:
Aerohunter Kestrel, with Ropeman 1 mods on lineman's belt and tree strap to replace Prussik knots
Wild Edge Step Ladder System for climbing
5.11 Tactical Mag Dump pouches for keeping ropes, etc, tidy during walks in

Y’all arent getting any sleep in those tree cocoons are ya?

I've fallen asleep in mine a few times. You can lay your head down on the bridge. Pretty comfy.

Well after years of kicking it around, this thread finally tipped me over the edge. I just ordered the full Mantis saddle kit with a predator platform from Tethrd. Planning on getting some willd edge steps and a knaider/swaider setup. Hopefully I can get it all in and together before bow season.

Welcome to the madness!

Hope you do, looks like insane wait times right now. If your goal is lightweight, I’d seriously consider spurs or a 5 step aider for the wild game steps. I’m going to use spurs as my primary method and 1 stick climb with muddy sticks for public land on occasion.

How much does your kit/setup weigh?