Looking to start out right

[Penn_Native]

I have been reading up and researching saddles for about a year now on and off. I almost pulled the trigger a few times but am hesitant because I like to really be certain on what I want. I don't mind buying good gear but it needs to right for me. I completely understand it's an individual type thing.

I wanted to give a few specifics.
I have the climbing method I want right now already being a hang and hunt guy.
I'm specifically looking for a saddle and platform right now.

I have been drawn to the phantom. But seem to lean towards the cruzer saddle because of so many good review I came across.
Now I typically do the after work morning evening sits. 3-1.5hr. And longer sits on the weekend and all dayers near rut. I like to stand mostly but I do like sitting as well.
I'm a feather weight compared to many guys at 5' 9" and 150. I'm in good shape and nimble. The reason I bring this up it to help paint the picture of fit and saddle type for me.
I feel that a saddle may be safer than my hang ones and I really like the concept of feeling secured to the tree with leaning into pressure of the saddle. Where as in treestand I sometimes get funny after being up there a while. Especially being on a single tree.

I hunt Pennsylvania and usually walk a maximum of 2 miles. Average hunt distance is 500 yards to 1.25 miles. I like to walk in and scout and hunt. So some days I may walk a long ways or walk the entire time and never set up. So I need a saddle I can wear and walk in. I don't have to do that but thats what I would like. I typically wear my rock climbing harness the entire time carrying my treestand.

I come across saddles I never seen or heard of some times. A list of the main saddle builders would be nice. Obviously some are on top of there advertising game and those are the big ones guys like me come across most.

If you could offer any saddles to research or advice or could point me in the direction of any threads I would appreciate it.
Like I said this I new to me and I want to do it right the first time.
Thanks, God bless

 

[Hunter260]

Welcome to the site man. I think to really answer your question instead of just saying saddle A is best or saddle B is best tell us what you don’t like about your current setup and what you’re looking to gain? Sounds like you’re already a mobile hunter so your learning curve hopefully isn’t as steep.

 

[melocal]

Don't stress it! Just get one used, try it, and if you want to try a different one then sell it and you can probably recover 75% of the cost. Catch and release!

 

[Penn_Native]

Weight- I get tired of lugging around stuff. I currently use beast sticks and a lone wolf assault with molle straps.
Hanging my stand as compared to what I think it will be like hanging a 3lb or less platform. Like I said I also like to sneak around and hunt fresh sign. So I want stuff I can slip around with and be even more mobile.
I have been mobile hunter all my life. From climbers to now 90% hang on. I have a system I already like.

I sometimes, depends on the day and setup get uncomfortable in my hang on. After not moving for so long I get I guess scared of height? Not sure if I'm explaining that correct. But I feel very safe and secure when just hanging in my rock harness on the side of the tree leaning into it. As compared to standing upright on a small platform with nothing holding tension on me. Hope that makes sense?

Speed of setup/ easy of setup- I like a rock climbing harness. But they usually don't come equipped with lineman loops. So I run off and on with standard harness. It makes setup easier sometimes having loop on each side of hip instead of the center hanging stand n stick with lineman loops.
I like to get setup quick.

I like to hide. When I can. I try to get in amongst double tree or triple trunks. I feel a saddle I could hide better. I am a little concerned about moving while in a saddle. I have heard many guys say they moved and shifted to much in a saddle. I'm very good at remaining motionless and sometimes too much as I get stiff from not moving at all for long periods. Wether it be standing or sitting. I don't want to be fidgety or not be able to get comfortable to stay still.

I also would like to be able to make a pack system so I can bring my stuff in a nice pack and use it to field quarter an animal and leave in one shot.
With bow, I now harvest an animal and go back out with my gear and stand, come back to get the deer. I have not fully decided on that but that's something I have wanted to do. I just am trying to shave weight of my system this is why I'm not sure about it.

 

[Jtaylor]

I really don't think you can go wrong with a Cruzr XC. I've bought and sold a decent amount and the XC seems to be it for me. I understand not everyone has the same body shape or build but it really seems like it's the easiest to get comfortable in with little to no adjustment needed. I came from a mobile stand hunting background too and thought I had my climbing method down going into saddle hunting until I started reading posts on here and tried new and different things to me. I've settled on a couple different ways to climb that are most effective to me depending on the area (I don't think there is a great one and done climbing method out there yet.)
As others have said, if you don't find comfort in what you buy, there's no need to settle since most manufacturers offer a return policy or you can sell on here relatively easy. Coming from a mobile stand hang on background, the JX3 might be a good transition for you too. @kyler1945 has plenty of threads how to make one work great. Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[Hunter260]

Weight- I get tired of lugging around stuff. I currently use beast sticks and a lone wolf assault with molle straps.
Hanging my stand as compared to what I think it will be like hanging a 3lb or less platform. Like I said I also like to sneak around and hunt fresh sign. So I want stuff I can slip around with and be even more mobile.
I have been mobile hunter all my life. From climbers to now 90% hang on. I have a system I already like.

I sometimes, depends on the day and setup get uncomfortable in my hang on. After not moving for so long I get I guess scared of height? Not sure if I'm explaining that correct. But I feel very safe and secure when just hanging in my rock harness on the side of the tree leaning into it. As compared to standing upright on a small platform with nothing holding tension on me. Hope that makes sense?

Speed of setup/ easy of setup- I like a rock climbing harness. But they usually don't come equipped with lineman loops. So I run off and on with standard harness. It makes setup easier sometimes having loop on each side of hip instead of the center hanging stand n stick with lineman loops.
I like to get setup quick.

I like to hide. When I can. I try to get in amongst double tree or triple trunks. I feel a saddle I could hide better. I am a little concerned about moving while in a saddle. I have heard many guys say they moved and shifted to much in a saddle. I'm very good at remaining motionless and sometimes too much as I get stiff from not moving at all for long periods. Wether it be standing or sitting. I don't want to be fidgety or not be able to get comfortable to stay still.

I also would like to be able to make a pack system so I can bring my stuff in a nice pack and use it to field quarter an animal and leave in one shot.
With bow, I now harvest an animal and go back out with my gear and stand, come back to get the deer. I have not fully decided on that but that's something I have wanted to do. I just am trying to shave weight of my system this is why I'm not sure about it.

I think you’ll be disappointed in the felt weight reduction of the setup. Your stand is about 12lbs and most platforms weigh close to 4. Thats 8lbs you save, but then add linesman, tethers, 3-4 carabiners, prusik tenders or Ropeman, backband, or other crap that we all carry but don’t really need. A big advantage is like you said bulk reduction and the ability to hide. I think you have more ability to setup in different tree types too.

I think the most game changing thing a saddle brought to me was the ability to one stick climb. I know the first time you watch someone do it it seems crazy, and hard, and loud and too much trouble. I’m not a small guy, 6’2” and 270 and I can climb with my ridge runner platform and a 3 step aider just as easily as running sticks. Rappelling down is fun, safe, and so much faster. You don’t know weight savings until you platform climb. Just a 4lb platform and 2lb of rope is all I need to go 30ft plus. At least give it a shot in the yard.

To answer your actual question I love my ridge runner platform, the tree hopper tree suit platform is pretty decent once it’s on the tree but the attachment is not so great. For smaller people the tethrd predator is awesome but had too much flex once you get close to 300 lbs on it. Coming from a stand, you might like the extra room of the trophy line mission platform and everyone on here says it’s awesome.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I have been reading up and researching saddles for about a year now on and off. I almost pulled the trigger a few times but am hesitant because I like to really be certain on what I want. I don't mind buying good gear but it needs to right for me. I completely understand it's an individual type thing.

I wanted to give a few specifics.
I have the climbing method I want right now already being a hang and hunt guy.
I'm specifically looking for a saddle and platform right now.

I have been drawn to the phantom. But seem to lean towards the cruzer saddle because of so many good review I came across.
Now I typically do the after work morning evening sits. 3-1.5hr. And longer sits on the weekend and all dayers near rut. I like to stand mostly but I do like sitting as well.
I'm a feather weight compared to many guys at 5' 9" and 150. I'm in good shape and nimble. The reason I bring this up it to help paint the picture of fit and saddle type for me.
I feel that a saddle may be safer than my hang ones and I really like the concept of feeling secured to the tree with leaning into pressure of the saddle. Where as in treestand I sometimes get funny after being up there a while. Especially being on a single tree.

I hunt Pennsylvania and usually walk a maximum of 2 miles. Average hunt distance is 500 yards to 1.25 miles. I like to walk in and scout and hunt. So some days I may walk a long ways or walk the entire time and never set up. So I need a saddle I can wear and walk in. I don't have to do that but thats what I would like. I typically wear my rock climbing harness the entire time carrying my treestand.

I come across saddles I never seen or heard of some times. A list of the main saddle builders would be nice. Obviously some are on top of there advertising game and those are the big ones guys like me come across most.

If you could offer any saddles to research or advice or could point me in the direction of any threads I would appreciate it.
Like I said this I new to me and I want to do it right the first time.
Thanks, God bless

Where in PA are you located?
There's a bunch of us around and most of us would be happy to show you our systems.
I'm personally sold on the Recon, Predator platform, and bolts (private land). But there are dozens of ways to mix and match gear and climbing systems. I doubt very many of us have systems that are identical. Some of us get dialed in quickly and others seem to never get it right for their tastes.

 

[Penn_Native]

Hunter260,
I have watched video of guys climbing with one stick and the method used with climbing with a rope. I forget the name. But I would have no trouble climbing one stick I have played around with that before. I never realized you repelled down though! That wouldn't be bad.
I use all ropes and carry both line mans and tree tether now along with ropeman. And beal dynaclip.
But I only use 3 carabiners. I some time use step aides as well. But not real long ones only 1 or two steps.

AlleghenyTom,
South central Pa
Yeah the predator platform was the one I had been looking at and I almost bought the phantom again for the 3 or 4 th time last night when they was only $200. I'm just unsure and I have lots of patience....

 

[Mschmeiske]

My vote would be Cruzr if choosing between the two, and ring of steps with your top stick. If you’re using sticks that is.

 

[Penn_Native]

My vote would be Cruzr if choosing between the two, and ring of steps with your top stick. If you’re using sticks that is.

Yeah I'm using beast sticks.
I would love to use the wood pecker type drill and bolts but we can't. I hunt all public land.
I'm not stuck on those two saddles. But those seem to have been the two most popular models that I've come across.
Why do you recommend the ring of steps along with my stick over using a platform?

If you guys have any other recommendations I'll research them.

 

[Mschmeiske]

Yeah I'm using beast sticks.
I would love to use the wood pecker type drill and bolts but we can't. I hunt all public land.
I'm not stuck on those two saddles. But those seem to have been the two most popular models that I've come across.
Why do you recommend the ring of steps along with my stick over using a platform?

If you guys have any other recommendations I'll research them.

I personally feel more stable swinging around the tree for a shot when the opportunity arises!

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I use the Predator platform with my stick positioned on the backside (about 10-11 o'clock) on the tree to allow me to walk around the tree as necessary. I can get about 270 degrees of shooting just off the Predator and the other 30 by walking around the tree.

As far as saddles go, they seem to be really individual in their nature as to what works for each. As others have suggested the best bet is to try to find some local saddle hunters willing to let you try their options and narrow down what works best for you.

 

[Bowmanmike]

This was my first year as a saddle hunter and i got the phantom and predator platform. I find i can get around the whole tree pretty easy with just the platform,and the saddle seems comfortable to me,but i dont know any different. I am 6'2" and 200#.

 

[mejer]

I have the JX3 and in my opinion is the perfect saddle. I have no problem walking through brush with it on. It basically is the pack you need to have I have a small pack that John from JX3 outdoors recommended that goes in between the seat and the back. And I use the space built into the seat back for items not needed often. And it is a great way to pack meat out also.
And just about any climbing method is possible with the JX3. Take the time to check out @kyler1945 threads about the JX3 very informative. And the comfort level on the JX3 is great.

 

[JC3]

Come to the light, the JX3 tree saddle light..............
Don't be afraid, you will sit from dark to dark very comfortably, be able to snooze when you want, no dreaded hip pinch, no back aches, you can shoot 360° around the tree.
No platform required, only a ROS, no knee pads required, no sore knees, built in pack frame for carrying all your needs.
Come to the light, the JX3 light...........