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Giving saddles another look

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Feb 3, 2022
Messages
177
I looked at saddles a few years ago and decided not to due to the cost, I didn’t want to pay all of that money and end up with a saddle that wasn’t comfortable. I was looking for more of a specialty option instead of general use.
Now due to spine issues and not being able to carry a stand in I’m thinking of giving a saddle another look. There seems to be so many more people making them as to just a few years ago. The Cruzr XC looked good back then when I was looking at saddles.
Are those saddle kits some companies offer a good option?
 
Stay away from the XOP. I bought a Mondo and regret it. Uncomfortable, and you can get a much higher quality from pretty much anyone else. It's adequate, and suitable for a backup or loaner, but not as a primary go-to.
 
What about sizing, I’m 220#? I heard to reduce hip pinch to get the largest size saddle.
 
Stay away from the XOP. I bought a Mondo and regret it. Uncomfortable, and you can get a much higher quality from pretty much anyone else. It's adequate, and suitable for a backup or loaner, but not as a primary go-to.
I had a similar experience with the XOP. Waiting now for CGM Cobra to arrive. Wish I had done my homework better before that purchase. It did show me that the saddle was a viable option but the provided ropes used for the bridge leaves something to be desired. Excited for a step up with the new Cobra.
 
I looked at saddles a few years ago and decided not to due to the cost, I didn’t want to pay all of that money and end up with a saddle that wasn’t comfortable. I was looking for more of a specialty option instead of general use.
Now due to spine issues and not being able to carry a stand in I’m thinking of giving a saddle another look. There seems to be so many more people making them as to just a few years ago. The Cruzr XC looked good back then when I was looking at saddles.
Are those saddle kits some companies offer a good option?
I have a cruzr xc it's a great choice from my experience. My previous saddles where aero hunters kestrel flex and the tethered phantom. The the reason why I bought the Cruzr xc was because it had so many good reviews on YouTube and Facebook. This year I plan on buying a 2 panel CRÜZR Archon tree Saddle from my research they are supposed to be even more comfortable.

I bought my accessories from Tethered Nation. I bought my ropes from them and pouches. They are the best one stop for tree saddle accessories in my opinion. For the record I don't work for Tethered and I am not sponsored by them either.
 
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I looked at saddles a few years ago and decided not to due to the cost, I didn’t want to pay all of that money and end up with a saddle that wasn’t comfortable. I was looking for more of a specialty option instead of general use.
Now due to spine issues and not being able to carry a stand in I’m thinking of giving a saddle another look. There seems to be so many more people making them as to just a few years ago. The Cruzr XC looked good back then when I was looking at saddles.
Are those saddle kits some companies offer a good option?
Fellow member of the Back Problems club here. I think you might find the saddle is easier on your back, especially if you use a back band. I can hang all day with minimal discomfort whereas a hang on or ladder stand would have be climbing down after a couple hours.
Fortunately most of the saddle builders are smaller more approachable companies so I’d give them a ring and discuss your concerns. CGM has a long reputation of working with the customer to tailor items to the customers specs and they make a larger saddle for us bulkier types. You don’t necessarily have to purchase a kit as there’s other companies that offer your tether, linemans and such but it does tend to make things easier if you’re new to the concept.
You said you can no longer carry the stand, you didn’t mention if you have a climbing solution locked down yet so that’s something else to think about - sticks, steps, one stick, 2TC, etc. It seems like weight is an issue for you so maybe one sticking or 2TC is in your future.
 
I am a new guy to all this also. I have done lots of research and reading on what to get. Seems to me the more I read the more confusing it all gets. I bought a used saddle from one of the fellow members here and will give it a try. I would expect to buy another, but you never know I might get lucky. I think lots of members here just want the latest gear, so that's why you see so many opinions. Just like any other sport what works for one may not work for the other. I recently found a thread on different knots, boy what a mistake, so many but at the end of the day if you find something that works for you, stick with it. I like simple and no need for all that hi speed, low drag stuff.
I will also be setting up my 14-year-old daughter, so another bunch of trying things and expenses, but if we have a good time, it will all be worth it. I spend lots of stupid money on way more stupid things. If it gets you to the woods, it's well spent. You can always sell here in the classifieds and get some of your money back. Keep moving forward, you(I) will get there.
 
Fellow member of the Back Problems club here. I think you might find the saddle is easier on your back, especially if you use a back band. I can hang all day with minimal discomfort whereas a hang on or ladder stand would have be climbing down after a couple hours.
Fortunately most of the saddle builders are smaller more approachable companies so I’d give them a ring and discuss your concerns. CGM has a long reputation of working with the customer to tailor items to the customers specs and they make a larger saddle for us bulkier types. You don’t necessarily have to purchase a kit as there’s other companies that offer your tether, linemans and such but it does tend to make things easier if you’re new to the concept.
You said you can no longer carry the stand, you didn’t mention if you have a climbing solution locked down yet so that’s something else to think about - sticks, steps, one stick, 2TC, etc. It seems like weight is an issue for you so maybe one sticking or 2TC is in your future.
I haven’t really looked at any climbing methods much but I did see some that relied on a rope thrown over an unknown branch to climb up, to me that’s a safety risk I won’t take. The tree people tell me a tree branch is like ice, in that there is no such thing as safe ice or a safe branch, it’s always a roll of the dice. I have a lot of big trees at my house and there are one or two large branches that end up on the ground every year that looked fine and healthy from the ground.
I have a Cruzr XC and a set of Skeletors that I will be using.
 
I am a new guy to all this also. I have done lots of research and reading on what to get. Seems to me the more I read the more confusing it all gets. I bought a used saddle from one of the fellow members here and will give it a try. I would expect to buy another, but you never know I might get lucky. I think lots of members here just want the latest gear, so that's why you see so many opinions. Just like any other sport what works for one may not work for the other. I recently found a thread on different knots, boy what a mistake, so many but at the end of the day if you find something that works for you, stick with it. I like simple and no need for all that hi speed, low drag stuff.
I will also be setting up my 14-year-old daughter, so another bunch of trying things and expenses, but if we have a good time, it will all be worth it. I spend lots of stupid money on way more stupid things. If it gets you to the woods, it's well spent. You can always sell here in the classifieds and get some of your money back. Keep moving forward, you(I) will get there.
I figured I want to keep things simple and safe. I am 69 and decided I will give it just one shot, if it doesn’t work out I’m done with it. I of agree, many make it more difficult than it needs to be. I figure if I buy new and well known quality I can sell them and not loose much. I got a good deal on my Cruzr saddle and a fantastic deal on my Mission platform. It’s been too cold to real play with them but sitting in the saddle feels fine.
 
I haven’t really looked at any climbing methods much but I did see some that relied on a rope thrown over an unknown branch to climb up, to me that’s a safety risk I won’t take. The tree people tell me a tree branch is like ice, in that there is no such thing as safe ice or a safe branch, it’s always a roll of the dice. I have a lot of big trees at my house and there are one or two large branches that end up on the ground every year that looked fine and healthy from the ground.
I have a Cruzr XC and a set of Skeletors that I will be using.
When we climb rope climb, SRT, we really arent actually using the branch to climb on. The branch is just there to hold the rope in position. The trunk of the tree is what is taking the weight of the climber once you cinch it down.
 
When we climb rope climb, SRT, we really arent actually using the branch to climb on. The branch is just there to hold the rope in position. The trunk of the tree is what is taking the weight of the climber once you cinch it down.
That’s much safer for sure. I have used climbing sticks for many years so I’m not wanting to learn new climbing methods with a rope, I’m going to have to work on trusting a tether rope as it is o_O.
 
When we climb rope climb, SRT, we really arent actually using the branch to climb on. The branch is just there to hold the rope in position. The trunk of the tree is what is taking the weight of the climber once you cinch it down.
I watched a guy on YouTube and it looked very involved with extra gear, he did rope a tree branch also. I think it’s that knot guy.
 
The great American outdoor show is in a week if you are anywhere near PA. THere should be a bunch of saddle companies there. Its in harrisburg PA. Should be able to see a bunch of products there instead of seeing them on the computer.
 
I started 3 years ago with a Trophyline Covert saddle kit, and some Hawk 3 step sticks. XOP Edge platform. Since then, I have added other platforms, since a lot of mine are presets. Only changes I have made have been added 2 Tethrd platforms, and changed from a Prusik to a Swabisch on my Tether. Did pick up an extra tether in 8mm Oplux. Knowing all the different hitches, trying different platforms, learning one-sticking or 2TC is great and all, but not necessary to me. Got a really bad back like a few of the other guys on here, and as long as I can comfortably and safely sit, I'm good. Might change a few things up IF I had to walk in for a long distance, or had to haul out everything each time though.
 
I started 3 years ago with a Trophyline Covert saddle kit, and some Hawk 3 step sticks. XOP Edge platform. Since then, I have added other platforms, since a lot of mine are presets. Only changes I have made have been added 2 Tethrd platforms, and changed from a Prusik to a Swabisch on my Tether. Did pick up an extra tether in 8mm Oplux. Knowing all the different hitches, trying different platforms, learning one-sticking or 2TC is great and all, but not necessary to me. Got a really bad back like a few of the other guys on here, and as long as I can comfortably and safely sit, I'm good. Might change a few things up IF I had to walk in for a long distance, or had to haul out everything each time though.
Keeping it simple works for me ;).
 
I haven’t really looked at any climbing methods much but I did see some that relied on a rope thrown over an unknown branch to climb up, to me that’s a safety risk I won’t take. The tree people tell me a tree branch is like ice, in that there is no such thing as safe ice or a safe branch, it’s always a roll of the dice. I have a lot of big trees at my house and there are one or two large branches that end up on the ground every year that looked fine and healthy from the ground.
I have a Cruzr XC and a set of Skeletors that I will be using.
From what I can tell - and I have no expertise in this, just going off of what I see in videos online - arborists tend to use branches this way. They're generally climbing in warm weather, with full foliage, making dead branches stand out easier. They're also generally selecting very stout branches, in very tall trees. My preference is to girth hitch the trunk - instead of looping my paracord over a branch, I pass it around the trunk above a branch or two which hold the paracord at height. I also carry steel rings to make "false crotch" presets, but prefer using branches. To be clear - my line is girth hitched to the trunk; the branch just holds it at height until it's cinched down.
 
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I DSRT climb with my line through a crotch of a branch. I only pick ones formed by a live healthy branch, that’s bigger than my bicep and never have been concerned about it holding me. My weight isn’t out on the length branch pulling it like a lever. Think how strong a 4x4 is, and then imagine trying to shear that in half without bending it.

I also give it a few good bounces from the ground before any climb to feel for any give. Those bounces load it with probably 2x-3x my body weight in force.

When at height I tether to the trunk, mainly for ease of positioning but it also means my weight is only on the crotch for a few minutes ascending and descending as well.
 
Where I live we have tall trees and the big limbs with nice green leaves that fall has me believe what the tree guys say, “there are no safe branches “. The risk may be minimal but not one I want to assume. I ave watched quite a few videos and it seems like a lot of work and risks. I’m not sure why it’s so popular, maybe I’m watching the wrong videos.
There are a few people on other bow hunter sites that prefer that kind of climbing.
 
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