I think it’s a fad. Just like I think saddle hunting is a fad. Hear me out before you hoist the pitchforks and torches. How many folks hunt? Millions, according to license data. Of that how many hunt from trees? I dunno but MAYBE half? Now of that portion how many are saddle hunters? I’d wager a sliver. And by saddle hunters I mean folks that either hunt exclusively from saddle or 50/50 saddle and tree stand. IMHO folks, I won’t say many or most cuz I don’t know the numbers, are introduced to a saddle, fool with it and either it sticks or they move on. Of those whom take it up it seems like many start with sticks and fiddle with either 2TC, SRT/DRT, 1 sticking or any combo of the above and inevitably return to sticks. My thought process on this is two fold: sticks just work and are simple, and stick technology has gotten better. You’ve got stacking sticks, locking sticks, sticks in different lengths, sticks that fold, carbon sticks, aluminum sticks, sticks in different colors, build to order sticks, mini sticks, sticks with cleats on one side, etc heck there’s a stick for every hunter. Even tree stand tech has gotten much better with the hush, ambush, vanish, m100 etc. Even climbers have gotten lighter and smaller. I think many folks messed with a saddle cuz they wanted something lighter or more packable and as a result the industry responded in kind. So to make a long story longer I think it’s a fad, I think many folks tried it either out of curiosity or cuz they wanted a lighter set up but once they got it out of their system they’ll return to sticks since for many they’re easy to set up and convenient.