A saddle setup has a lot of small parts, and most of them have to work together. A kit takes the guesswork out of that. The question is whether it saves money, and whether "complete" really means complete.

I started with a kit. My saddle came as part of the XOP Complete Tree Saddle Hunting System, and it had everything I needed for a first season. Below is what three makers put in their kits, what they leave out, and what the math looked like when we checked prices on October 10, 2026.

The short answer

For a first saddle, a kit is worth it if it matches what you'd buy anyway. It saves you from mixing ropes, bridges, and hardware that weren't made to work together. It usually doesn't save much money. And "complete" doesn't always include a way to climb, so read the list before you buy.

What three kits include

XOP Invader & Mutant Tethrd Phantom XP Complete Starter Kit Latitude Method 3 Complete Saddle Kit
Saddle Mutant Phantom XP Method 3
Ropes Bridge, tether, lineman's belt, 2 carabiners, 2 prusiks 11mm lineman belt and tree tether 7mm Vapor Line tether and lineman belt
Platform Invader Predator V Profile platform
Climbing sticks Not included Skeletor sticks, 4 pack Carbon SS sticks, 3 or 4 pack
Extras None listed Elite SYS Haulers Knee pads, two dump pouches, gear strap, Bite bow hanger
Maker's price (approx.) $249.99 (XOP) $899.99 (Tethrd) $1,079.90 with 3 sticks (Latitude)

Contents and prices are from each maker's product page, last verified October 10, 2026. Prices are approximate and change with sales. XOP lists a full system weight of 5.7 pounds and a 350 pound rating for the Invader & Mutant combo. Amazon listed the Medium version of the same combo at about $229.99 on the same date.

Does a kit save money?

We added up each maker's own prices for the same parts bought one at a time.

Kit Kit price Same parts bought separately Difference
XOP Invader & Mutant $249.99 Invader $149.99 + Mutant $119.99 = $269.98 About $20 less as a kit
XOP Edge & Mutant $199.99 Edge $99.99 + Mutant $119.99 = $219.98 About $20 less as a kit
Tethrd Phantom XP Complete $899.99 Saddle $274.99 + 11mm lineman belt $43.79 + 11mm tether $69.99 + Predator V $189.99 + Skeletors 4 pack $249.99 + Elite SYS Haulers $63.99 = $892.74 About the same
Latitude Method 3 Complete (3 sticks) $1,079.90 Saddle $299.99 + Profile $209.99 + 3 Carbon SS sticks $249.99 + knee pads $74.99 + Vapor Line ropes $154.98 + gear strap and Bite hanger $64.98 = $1,054.92 before the two dump pouches About the same

The Mutant already comes with its bridge and ropes, which is why the XOP math is so simple. On the bigger kits, the savings are small or zero at list price. What you're paying for is a matched set and one box.

What a kit gets right

  • Matched parts. The ropes, bridge, and connectors are chosen by the maker to work with that saddle. The Treestand Manufacturers Association tells hunters to use fall protection the way the manufacturer describes, and a kit from one maker keeps that simple.
  • One set of instructions. Read them before your first climb, and practice low.
  • Fewer missed pieces. It's easy to buy a saddle and forget a lineman's belt or a second carabiner.

What a kit can get wrong

  • "Complete" may not include sticks. The XOP combo has no climbing sticks. I added a Hawk Helium 4 pack and a ZIVOXIA aider. See climbing sticks compared.
  • Sizing. Saddles come in sizes. XOP lists Medium for 28 to 38 inch waists and XL for 38 to 48. Some kit listings ship one size only, so check which one you're getting.
  • Parts you'd swap anyway. If you already know you want a different platform or rope diameter, buying the pieces may make more sense.

Who should buy a kit

  • Buy a kit if it's your first saddle, you don't own any saddle gear yet, and the kit's platform and rope are ones you'd pick anyway.
  • Build your own if you already own sticks or a platform, need a size the kit doesn't come in, or want a mix of brands.

Either way, never cut corners on the parts that hold you: the saddle, bridge, tether, lineman's belt, and carabiners. TMA says to use only equipment that meets the standards it recognizes, inspect it before every hunt, and replace a harness after any fall.

Other good options

These are researched from the makers' pages, not first-hand.

  • XOP Edge & Mutant. The same saddle and ropes with the cast Edge platform, about $199.99 at XOP. XOP lists the full system at 9.9 pounds, so it's heavier than the Invader combo.
  • Latitude Method 3 Starter Kit. Saddle, Vapor Line belt and tether, and a large dump pouch, about $429.96 to $479.96 depending on rope size. No platform or sticks.
  • Tethrd Phantom XP Starter Kit. Saddle, a lineman belt or tree tether, and Elite SYS Haulers, about $494.96 to $514.96. Add your own platform and sticks.

FAQ

Is a cheap saddle kit safe? Look for a stated weight rating and a safety standard, and follow the maker's instructions. XOP lists the Mutant as tested to ASTM F1772-17 with a 350 pound rating. TMA recommends only using equipment that meets standards it recognizes.

Do saddle kits include climbing sticks? Some do. The Tethrd and Latitude complete kits include sticks. The XOP combos don't.

Can I mix brands later? Yes, many hunters do. Check that your rope diameter fits the hardware it runs through, and follow each maker's instructions.

Does a kit save money? In our October 10, 2026 price check, the XOP combos saved about $20. The bigger Tethrd and Latitude kits cost about the same as the parts bought separately.

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