A saddle setup collects add-ons fast. Most of them are cheap, and a lot of them work fine at the low end. The line to draw is simple: if a part holds your weight or connects you to the tree, it isn't the place to save money. If it just makes the hunt quieter or more organized, cheap is often all you need.

Here's what I run on the cheap side, and where the line sits.

The rule: does it hold you?

The Treestand Manufacturers Association tells hunters to use only equipment that meets the industry standards it recognizes, to inspect fall protection before every use, and to replace a harness after any fall. That covers the parts that keep you in the tree:

  • the saddle and bridge
  • the tether and lineman's belt
  • the carabiners and other connectors that carry your weight
  • climbing sticks and the platform

Buy those from a maker that lists a weight rating and a safety standard, and follow its instructions. Everything below sits outside that list, or it's in the gray area and called out as such.

Cheap stuff that works

Accessory What I use Approx. cost Why cheap is fine
Stick silencing Cut bungee cord on each stick, plus Stealth Strips A few dollars per stick It only cuts noise. It doesn't hold weight.
Metal contact noise Renfrew hockey tape, 1 inch camo, on all my carabiners and metal touch points A roll covers a lot of gear Tape on the outside of gear doesn't carry load
Saddle carry CAVEKEAP MOLLE hook. I carry my saddle on it Low It carries the saddle on the walk in, not you
Gear hanger Pursuit Gear Hanger 13 inch, kept in my pack. Super easy to install Low It holds a pack or bow, not a hunter
Bow hoist Doyle's Deer Gear Huntin Hoist, retractable Low to mid It lifts gear, not people
Camo Ginsco 3D leafy ghillie suit with face mask and gloves Low I'm cheap with my camo

Prices change often, so these are rough ranges, not quotes. Silencing details are in how to silence climbing sticks. The pack items are in what's in my pack.

The gray area: aiders

An aider is a short rope step that hangs from a stick to stretch your reach. You do stand on it, so it isn't just an accessory. I use a ZIVOXIA aider. Its Amazon listing says it's hand braided from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, weighs 1.6 ounces, and holds up to 800 pounds. It was about $9.99 on October 10, 2026. That's a seller claim, not a TMA certification, so treat it the way the listing itself does: practice at ground height first, and stay tethered while you climb.

If you want an aider from a stick maker, Latitude notes that its single step aiders ship separately from its Carbon SS sticks. Check the maker's listing for a rating.

Where cheap is the wrong call

  • Carabiners that carry your weight. Use the connectors that came with your saddle or ones the maker specifies. Tape them for noise; don't swap them for a gear clip.
  • Ropes and tethers. Use rope the maker rates for that use, in a diameter that fits the hardware it runs through.
  • A used harness with unknown history. TMA says to replace a harness after a fall, and you can't know that from a listing.
  • Homemade or modified stands and sticks. TMA says never use homemade stands and never modify a purchased stand without the maker's written permission.

Accessory checklist

  • Does it hold weight? If yes, buy rated gear from a known maker.
  • Does it touch metal? Tape it.
  • Does it rattle on the walk in? Cord it or strap it.
  • Is it a seller claim or a standard? Know which one you're trusting.
  • Practice every new piece low before you take it high.

Other good options

Researched, not first-hand.

FAQ

Can I use a cheap carabiner on my saddle? Not for anything that holds your weight. Use the maker's connectors or ones it specifies. Cheap clips are fine for hanging gear.

Is a cheap aider safe? It holds weight, so read the listed rating, practice low, and stay tethered while you climb. A seller rating isn't the same as a TMA certification.

What's the cheapest upgrade for noise? Tape on metal and cord on sticks. Both cost a few dollars.

Sources