Do y’all really like these things or just trying to like it? I been hunting out of one this year. Comfort is fine but getting set up is aggravating as all get out compared to a climber. I’m carrying 3 sticks with aiders but still about 20 foot is a push. Sure you can shoot 360 but do you really think you can get swung all the way around without a deer seeing you? I can shoot 360 out of a climber just takes movement probably less than a saddle. I want some honest opinions just to see if I’m really only one that feels like this. If you say a saddle is anything but the bee’s knees on saddle hunter pages they go absolutely crazy.

Let me know if you’re trying to get out of it. I’m trying to get in with a used one. I have a LW Alpha II Id trade if you’re done with saddles.

Other than the annoying set up, how has the comfort been for you? What saddle do you use? How long have you used it (in total sits)?

Did you go from a climber straight to sticks and a saddle? I went from a climber to sticks and a lock on this year and it has taken some time to adjust. What I mean is that transitioning from a climber to not only sticks but a saddle too was large change and it may take even longer to get use to.

The key to hunting out of a saddle is telling everyone every chance you get that you are a saddle hunter 😂

Sorry saddle hunters, I couldn’t resist.

I’m not quite ready to give up yet. Is a aero kestral. I have used it 6 times I think. Around 4 hour sits each probably. Comfort is so so. I catch myself moving a lot more than a stand. Sit a while lean a while, adjust it on my butt a couple times. I got my setup backpack and all to about 16 pounds and it packs quiet so that’s a plus. I’m thinking about trying one of them rope climbing methods that works like a climber. Sticks are just aggravating to me. I do think it will be good on WMA hunts where I walk a long ways so not giving it up yet

Gcr I sorta did. I hunt out of lock-ons some but there preset like a ladder stand.

Sure I can climb any tree but we in Alabama. When your limited to 15 to 18 feet you gotta look hard for a tree with some cover that low. Sorry I can go on and on.

😂😂😂

By god, if you run across one that does uses a saddle and does CrossFit you ain’t gonna have to guess about it!

y’all speaking the truth. I jumped in this head first end of last season. I done spent a ton of cash learned how to tie all kinds of cool knots with amsteel. Definitely put some extra excitement into waiting for season.

😂😂😂 I about spit coffee!

I’m reading and cyphering on getting one. I can use one of my old loc ons at about <6#, drill and bolts, plus cold weather gear, snack and water bottle and still be pretty light. I figure a saddle will cut about 4#. I am supposed to get up with Hoss and demo his saddle.
I’m concerned about hip pinch, remember the old rubber swings on the playground with rubber sling seats?

Climber is easier setup but real big and bulky to carry thru woods allowing stand to hit every tree branch. It is easy to transport a saddle and sticks with a lot less bulk, weight and also quieter. On my lease I have pre set trees with screw in steps and sticks already in place so all I have to carry is saddle and platform. I keep a set of sticks at home for when I want to try a new spot. Seems to help me with setup. I try and setup with a lot of back cover so I can get away with alittle movement.

Hey RTH, what saddle are you using? And what are pros cons so far on the saddle ?

JMO but I cannot understand how people think you're more "mobile" and quite with one of those setups than any lightweight climber.

David, look into buying and learning how to use tree gaffs. It’s much easier. I think I enjoy not toting a stand more so than hunting out of my saddle. I bought into the saddle deal because I’m a knot, rope, repel, type of guy, and enjoy that type stuff.

How could it not be? I have the lightest climbing stand made, my saddle setup shaved 4.5lbs off that and doesn’t make any noise walking through the woods. I can also hang from any tree that will support my weight.

Just for reference I don’t use a saddle but I want to. When this happens y’all gonna hear about it 😂

Sounds like saddles are the "6.5cm of treestands"

To answer your question, if I could wiggle my nose and be sitting in a summit or a saddle, I’d probably pick a summit. If I had the choice between a standard lockon, an x stand, or a saddle, I’d pick the saddle. I was real skeptical of a saddle because of the weight/ climbing sticks. Just as heavy as an x stand and more of a pain to get up the tree. That’s why I went with tree spikes. It’s the only way that made sense to me. Lighter than sticks, way more compact, easier to get up the tree, faster than a climber, etc. I’ve used a saddle every hunt this year. Last night I had time for a quick hunt. I had my summit in my truck, but grabbed my saddle to walk 200yds and run up a tree.