sold all but 1 of my summits this summer and ordered a tethrd mantis saddle and a set of 8 wild edge steps. i finally received the steps a few days ago and have been playing around with them and can tell you i can climb a tree in half the time it takes me to set up and climb in a summit. just got an email today saying my saddle should be here on Wednesday after a 5 week wait. I"m pretty excited to get up a tree with 8-11 pounds of gear that fits in my pack instead of lugging 15 and 20 pound vine catchers around on my back.

I’ve thought about this. I climb with tree gaffs mostly and use the light millennium lock-on. I’m torn on what to do.

I also got a mantis and 8 wild edge steps. It’s awesome, I don’t think I’ll ever carry a climber on public land again

I’ll comment how i like it after i get it but i can guarantee that the saddle will be lighter and make less noise than setting up a loc on.

I have been strongly considering it. At this point, will hold off until next year

I agree. Just having a hard time hitting that “buy now” button. If you get the platform and the other doodads with it, this isn’t your normal $200 tree stand.

Yeah, i haven’t bought any kind of platform and I’m up to $500 so far but at this point i plan on using 2 or 3 wild edge stepps to go around the tree with. The platform almost defeats what i was going for which is cutting down the bulk and being super mobile. I just made a knaider and swaider yesterday and got to try them out this morning and got a little over 16 feet high with 3 steps.

That’s getting up there for 3 steps! Sounds like a lite setup. I’ve hunted out of the older saddles and tried steps to stand on, but they were all noisy, and just not enough to stand on and move around the tree. Maybe those wild edge steps will be better. I hunt private land mainly, and don’t have to walk 3 miles behind a gate, so I don’t mind the platform. I enjoy ropes, knots, heights, etc. and learning different ways of doing things. I think I’m gonna try this out.

I went with the predator platform. So far I really like it. Super comfy, light, and really not that bulky.

I’ve got an H2 saddle and climbing spurs, shoot me a text one day and I’ll let you try it out. I ordered a predator platform but haven’t gotten it yet. Total setup with a primal step instead of platform is 7lbs. With platform it will be about 10lbs

Yeah, I’d like to do that. Haven’t seen the primal step, but I’ll look it up. Let me know when you get that platform in. I’d like to see the difference.

Are these saddles okay for a big guy? I'm 6'1" and weigh a 255#. Would this set up work for me? I also shoot traditional gear. I assume the there are no limitations on shooting a trad bow.

There are guys much bigger than that saddle hunting. I’m 6’3” and 245 so I’m right there with you. From what I’ve seen there are no limitations to shooting a bow out of a saddle like there is in a tree stand. You can shoot 360 degrees around the tree.

that’s the way to be. That’s what i had to do is take the plunge. Now watch it actually suck and we’re gonna hate it. Lol

I'm 6' 2" and pushing 300. Never had a problem in the saddle. I run a Aero Hunter Kestrel. My only complaint is the Kestrel makes my ass sweat when it's hot outside, or when I layer up.

I use the wild edge steps, but I think I'm going to beast sticks. I just don't like farting around with the rope and knot, and trying to get it just right to cam over, in the dark when I'm climbing. I do plan on still using 2 as a platform. I also have the WEI Perch, but I'm undecided on that.

How hard is it to piss out of one ?

Pissing is easy. Taking a dump might get a little dangerous.

Looks like it would be about as hard as peeing with a safety harness on

It may very well, but I went ahead and ordered it too. I’m $540 dollars lighter. 🤪

Welcome to the madness!