Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Tree Saddle System...does anyone use it

I was curious to know if anyone on here uses a tree saddle system? If so what is your set up if you do not mind sharing? I was looking at Tethers website and could not make heads or tails out of what is exactly needed to be safe and comfortable.

Used a buddy of mines and it for me

im using one i had made out of a muddy harness. still have to climb with something, rope,screw in steps, sticks or what ever your method. I have put some effort into it but at this point i feel like im quicker and less noisy with my climber. it feels safe to me, just a lot of stuff to keep up with and use, tether, linemans rope, sticks and there straps im having to use a pack to carry it all. I aint give up but leaning back towards my climber. Lots of different brands out there.

Yeah I am not sure about them myself. I have found some public land areas that are a pretty good walk and I'm considering trying one so I do not have to carry a stand into these places. I have a lone wolf loc-on and 4 of their quick sticks. The set up is put together with a lumbar waist belt and quality back pack straps. Might just stick with it even though it's heavier than I'd like for long walks.

I switched to a saddle this year. It’s quite the investment, but I’m liking it so far. If it’s between a lock-on and saddle, I’ll use the saddle 10/10 times. I just find it more comfortable and I can kind of swing around and stuff when I’m bored. I don’t have to sit cramped in the lock-on (I have a lone wolf assault).

I pack it all in a badlands 2200 pack. I’d say it’s a good 8lbs lighter than my lone wolf setup, but i couldn’t stand carrying the lock-on around. It hurt my back even with a hip belt and good straps.

I've been using one for two seasons now. Will not ever go back to toting a climber. I am more mobile, lighter, and way more quiet with a saddle and can get set up in about the same amount of time as putting a climber on a tree and climbing. I have tried almost every climbing method imaginable with it and have narrowed it down to my two favorites, climbing spikes and single stick with an aider.

The gear that I use on a daily basis:
Tethrd Mantis saddle with upgraded adjustable amsteel bridge
Tethrd lineman belt
30' of Sterling Ivy climbing rope (doubles as my tether and rappel line)
MadRock Safeguard (mechanical belay for rappelling)
Tethrd Predator Platform
Homemade gear strap
30' of paracord (for gear hoist/rappel line retrieval)

Climbing methods:
Tree hog climbing spikes or a Lone Wolf Custom Single Stick with 4 step aider

I carry all of my stuff either in the pouches on the saddle or in my Badlands Super Day pack. Hunted in FL last week and was making 3.5 mile hikes with it all to get into a tree. Definitely had it made compared to my buddy who walked in with me with his summit AND pack on his back.

To add to my previous statement, there’s really no extra gear required that you aren’t (or should be) using with a lock on other than the saddle itself and the platform. You should already be using lineman’s ropes and such. I will say if you go with a saddle, get two of the side bags. It put my lineman’s ropes in my left, and all my straps for the climbing sticks and such on my left. It makes it easy to just pull a strap out and throw it on the stick than having the buckles clanging as you climb with them. I will also say if you don’t already have an ascender on your lineman’s belt, get one. It’s not a saddle specific thing, but I went ahead and bit the bullet on two when I switched to a saddle. It makes my life a lot easier

My set up is:

Platform: tethrd predator XL
Saddle: cruzer XC
Sticks: Hawk Helium’s.
Side packs: I have one cruzer and one Tethrd. Go with 2x tethrd is you can.

I’ve been using a saddle for 2 years. I’ve tried just shy of 20 different saddles and only a handful were truly comfortable. I think size and shape play just as much into your comfort level as your tether and bridge height. I do carry a back pack because I don’t like walking long distances with the extra weight on my hips. So I don’t use pouches. I’m fairly minimalistic as my climbing stick is also my platform. I can get to hunting height 20+ feet in four moves. Your best bet is to check out saddlehunter.com and meet some guys that live near you and check out their gear to see what you like. Like others have said depending on what route you go it can be a big investment. The major trade off is weight and bulk. You can shave that down even more by climbing with a single stick. It took me some time to get used to but it’s all I have used this year. With The saddle I feel like you sacrifice some comfort. That said, in the right saddle I’ve made all day sits without any problem and plenty of 6 hours sits. Regardless, I’m not planning on changing anytime soon.
I bring a backpack mostly to hold my stick platform and all my cold weather gear since I don’t walk in with any heavy clothes on.

And props to coosa because the Tethrd mantis is by far the most uncomfortable saddle I’ve ever sat in

There are lot of people biting on the hype train and then not spending enough time to get their system down so I would also recommend buying used.
The basics are
A climbing method (sticks or steps)
A platform (these range from minimalistic ring of steps too fairly roomy ones like the Trophyline mission platform)
A saddle (there are more brands then tethrd they just have done the best at marketing, that doesn’t mean the make the best)
A tether (8-12mm rope which you girthhitch to the tree and connect to the saddle with a caribiner
A linemans belt (pretty standard for anyone that has climbed stick before and is essentially the same as a tether).


My set up is currently





Saddle: Latitude Method (subject to change)
Stick/platform: 18” lonewolf post, Doublestep standoffs from doublestep.com, scout angled platform from OOAL, double step off a old stick, and a tied 3 step webbing aider.
I rappel down with a figure 8 and autoblock.

As far as safety goes the saddle is your safety system but it is Not a fall arrest system. At hunting height since you should be weighted in your tether And saddle at all times you don’t present The risk of falling and subjecting your system to dynamic loads. There are ways to mitigate other risks but you should understand fully what those risk are before trying saddle hunting. I’m not sure where you located but I’m in Cullman/Huntsville if you need any help getting started. I sell everything I try though so I wouldn’t have a whole lot of options for you to try.

Also, though it seems a little silly and I haven’t personally been busted for it per Alabama law/regs require anyone suspending/hanging from a tree tO wear a full body harness. As you can probably tell the saddle is not a full body harness, but more akin to a rock climbing harness or a arborist saddle.

I’ll be trying a Latitude Method after this season is over. I don’t think the Mantis is uncomfortable but I’ve definitely had my eye on that Method for a while now.

I use a latitude method. It’s a learning curve at first but worth it.

Thank you guys for the detailed information. I know have some solid info to dig deeper into a saddle set up. My goal is to be light as possible due to distance of these areas. Some are well over an hour at a steady walk with no gear so it would be miserable toting a heavy stand into these areas. My goal is to have something light, packable, comfortable that will get me to at least 18' to 20'. I'm around 210/215 and 5' 11' so not to bad over weight but have had both hips replaced.

Ain't that mad at them anymore

Take a look at the JX3 too. It's like sitting in a chair while hanging from the tree. I have problems with sciatica and my summit killed my back if I had to walk any distance. So far, no problems with the JX3. Also, there is no need for knee pads as it has a feature that keeps you away from the tree and you can use your top step as the platform.

I bought a Merlin saddle, tree-suit platform. I had ropes, carabiners , sticks, and bolts to climb with. It is gonna be a learning curve so I didn’t embark on it mid season, just been sitting in it out in my back yard.
I will definitely be looking at climbing with 1 stick in places I haven’t pre drilled for bolts.
I haven’t weighed it but I would guess I am about 8 pounds or so with the ability to climb 20+ feet.
If you get up north, gimme a shout and you can demo the one I have.

I`m kinda intrigued by saddle hunting myself. I`m sure I can figure out most of the pros and cons. One of my main questions is, realistically how comfortable is it for long sits? I routinely sit 6-7 hours in my climber as well as some all day sits with zero comfort issues. I have other questions as well but comfort is my #1 priority.

I sat in mine last week in FL for four days straight from daylight till dark. Only came down for an hour or so at noon to stretch a little and lay on the ground for a cat nap in a sunny spot lol

I’ve had mine 2 months or so and done quite a few 6 hours sits in mine and i find it more comfy than the lock on. The key is to adjust it. If I feel like the back of my legs hurt, I can adjust the points where the bridge attaches to the saddle and make it more on my hips. If I feel my hips are pinching, I can move it the other way. Once you find the sweet spot, you’re good to go. The only thing more comfortable than my saddle is my turkey lounger I use for ground hunting.