Best packing platform

[DOMMA]

I'm researching new platforms. The most important criteria for me, providing that they are all safe, is the packability. What platforms have the lowest profile, weight and ease of transporting in a small pack. I have a couple of hunting locations that require a long walk (miles) and I need a platform that will fit in a small pack and not clang around when hanging on my saddle.

 

[TCaltagirone]

Tethrd predator platform for sure

 

[Patriot38]

X2 predator

 

[Bigterp]

EDP

 

[RCMB3]

LWHC - Sling it over your shoulder and go.

 

[Plebe]

Wouldn’t it be the OOAL Solo Scout?

-“Lowest profile, weight, ease of transporting in small pack.”-

Though, I think there are pretty good packing solutions for most of the platforms out there.

 

[MNFarmHunter]

Wouldn’t it be the OOAL Solo Scout?

-“Lowest profile, weight, ease of transporting in small pack.”-

Though, I think there are pretty good packing solutions for most of the platforms out there.

Came here to mention this but it also depends on how you use your platform. Once at height, I stand and fully carry my weight on the platform while setting up the tree strap or shooting weak side. The solo scout is the best minimalist platform IMO but would force me to change my setup. Funny thing is that I only use the outer edge of my predator 99% of the time which would make the solo scout a better choice overall.

 

[Plebe]

Came here to mention this but it also depends on how you use your platform. Once at height, I stand and fully carry my weight on the platform while setting up the tree strap or shooting weak side. The solo scout is the best minimalist platform IMO but would force me to change my setup. Funny thing is that I only use the outer edge of my predator 99% of the time which would make the solo scout a better choice overall.

I only mention it because it fits OP's stated requirements. I have no aspirations to hunt off a small platform.

 

[mtsrunner]

LWHC - Sling it over your shoulder and go.

Don’t disregard this comment just because you aren’t actually ‘packing it’ and because it’s not the smallest. I have tried almost every climbing method and platform/ROS out there. I always come back to LWHC as my climbing method and platform at hunting height.

4 pounds and you only need to add a saddle and a tether. When you consider that you don’t need sticks, steps or rappel gear, it actually makes a lot of sense for run and gun or long distance walks.

Like [mention]RCMB3 [/mention] said, just sling it over your shoulder. You can still use your favorite pack.

 

[Plebe]

Don’t disregard this comment just because you aren’t actually ‘packing it’ and because it’s not the smallest. I have tried almost every climbing method and platform/ROS out there. I always come back to LWHC as my climbing method and platform at hunting height.

4 pounds and you only need to add a saddle and a tether. When you consider that you don’t need sticks, steps or rappel gear, it actually makes a lot of sense for run and gun or long distance walks.

Like [mention]RCMB3 [/mention] said, just sling it over your shoulder. You can still use your favorite pack.

Great platform option, though I'd rather pack it than sling it.

 

[bowhuntr09]

A ROS...now hear me out cause I know you said platform. I was gifted a set of squirrel steps for Christmas a year ago. I own the Predator, the Mission, the EDP and have owned Ridge Runner and Solo Scout in the past. I never even tried the ROS and on the last two hunts of this season I pulled it out and gave it a try. OMG! This is super comfortable, easy to pack and truly gives me 360 access around the tree. On one hunt I paired them with my UOS with flat scout and it was amazing. On the last hunt I used them with my JX3 (which also sat all season with no use except the very last hunt of the year).

I just mention this because I always discounted the good old ROS having never tried it even though I owned it for a year. I won't make that mistake again. In fact I may be listing a platform or two.

 

[GeoFish]

Don’t disregard this comment just because you aren’t actually ‘packing it’ and because it’s not the smallest. I have tried almost every climbing method and platform/ROS out there. I always come back to LWHC as my climbing method and platform at hunting height.

4 pounds and you only need to add a saddle and a tether. When you consider that you don’t need sticks, steps or rappel gear, it actually makes a lot of sense for run and gun or long distance walks.

Like [mention]RCMB3 [/mention] said, just sling it over your shoulder. You can still use your favorite pack.

I like the idea, but with the breakage issue I have not tried it and I own two of them.

 

[mtsrunner]

I like the idea, but with the breakage issue I have not tried it and I own two of them.

Yeah, that is in the back of my mind, but I always keep a foot tether (can be seen in the black mesh bag in my picture). If my LWHC ever broke, I could still get down the tree by 2TC.


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[GeoFish]

Yeah, that is in the back of my mind, but I always keep a foot tether (can be seen in the black mesh bag in my picture). If my LWHC ever broke, I could still get down the tree by 2TC.


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If they came out with a climbing platform the size of a Mission that weighed 6 lbs, I would be very interested.

 

[Pilk64]

Predator platform nite ize geartied to molle works well for me

 

[Plebe]

An Out On A Limb Ridge Runner XL in a backpack...

 

[Hall17]

My vote is for the EPD as well. I have not used a Predator though either. I loved my Mission but this EDP is pretty amazing

 

[boyne bowhunter]

The predator has a slight edge on packability but the EDP is not much thicker and it has a definite advantage in adhering to the tree as well as foot positioning options. I didn't think anything would replace the Predator in my arsenal after using it exclusively the two previous years but you'd have a hard time getting me to give up my EDP after using it this season.

 

[Dewey]

Tethrd Predator. Hard to beat that packability.

Love my Mission but that thing is like packing in a small treestand.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Some comparison pics. I carry either in the pouch of my turkey vest with no issues. That's along with my one stick, rappel rope and outer layers.