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

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.