A saddle setup is five things: a saddle, two ropes, a way to climb, something to stand on, and a pack to carry it all. Get those right and the rest is details.
This is my first season in a saddle after hunting from a Millennium M50 hang-on. Here's how each piece works, what I run, and where the budget, mid, and premium lines fall. Each section links to a deeper comparison.
The five parts at a glance
| Part | What it does | What I run | Deeper dive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saddle | The harness you hang in, facing the tree | XOP Mutant (from an XOP complete kit) | Saddles compared |
| Ropes | Lineman's belt for the climb, tether for hunting | Included in my XOP kit | This guide |
| Climbing method | Sticks, sometimes plus an aider | Hawk Helium 4 pack plus a ZIVOXIA aider | Climbing sticks compared |
| Platform | Where your feet stand | Platform from my XOP kit | Platforms compared |
| Pack | Carries everything | Cabela's Bow and Rifle 2500 V2 | What's in my pack |
1. The saddle
You hang in it facing the tree, with your feet on a platform. Look for a published weight rating and a manual. Mine is the XOP Mutant, which XOP sells with a lineman's belt and tether, an adjustable bridge, and two carabiners.
- Budget: a complete kit like the XOP Complete Tree Saddle Hunting System, which is how I started.
- Two panel: a saddle like the Latitude Method 3, which replaced the Method 2.
- Premium: a lighter saddle like the Tethrd Phantom XP.
2. The ropes
Two ropes keep you on the tree. Tethrd's Saddle Hunting 101 describes them this way: the lineman's belt connects you while you climb, and the tree tether connects you at your platform. Many saddles and kits include both. Don't cheap out by using rope that isn't rated for life support.
3. Climbing sticks and aiders
I climb a Hawk Helium 4 pack with a ZIVOXIA aider and end up at about 20 to 25 feet. I silence them with bungee cord, Stealth Strips, and hockey tape on the carabiners (full write up).
- Budget: XOP X2, 26 oz each, 350 lb rating per XOP.
- Mid: Hawk Helium Gen 2, 2.5 lb each, 300 lb rating per Hawk.
- Premium: Tethrd One Sticks, 1 lb each, 300 lb limit per Tethrd.
4. The platform
Your feet stand on it all sit. If I'm not conscious of foot placement, my arches hurt, and how it's oriented makes some shots far more comfortable than others.
- Budget: XOP Edge, 5.4 lb, in the Edge and Mutant kit.
- Mid: XOP Invader, 2.6 lb.
- Premium: Tethrd Predator V, 3.4 lb Regular without strap, 300 lb rating per Tethrd.
5. The pack and small gear
I carry a Cabela's Bow and Rifle 2500 V2 with a Doyle's Huntin Hoist, a CAVEKEAP MOLLE hook, and the rest of my list. Full kit is about 25 to 30 pounds by my estimate, and I over-pack by choice. See what's in my pack.
What a setup costs, roughly
Approximate maker list prices as of October 10, 2026, saddle plus sticks plus platform. Ropes are extra unless your saddle or kit includes them.
| Tier | Example build | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | XOP Mutant about $120, XOP X2 4 pack about $180, XOP Edge about $100 | About $400 |
| Mid | XOP Mutant about $120, Hawk Helium Gen 2 about $220 list, XOP Invader about $150 | About $490 |
| Premium | Tethrd Phantom XP about $275, Tethrd One Sticks 4 pack about $500, Tethrd Predator V about $190 | About $965 |
Prices change often and retailers run below list. Check the links above, and remember that the budget tier is a perfectly safe way to start as long as every life support piece is rated and you follow the instructions.
Compatibility questions
- Rope diameter. Match your lineman's belt and tether to what the saddle maker lists and to the rope-grab or hitch you use. XOP lists 10 mm rope for the Mutant system; Latitude sells Method 3 kits in 7, 8, or 10 mm.
- Stick to saddle. Carry systems differ. The Predator V has a MOLLE tab for 1 inch webbing per Tethrd, and the Mutant has MOLLE on its waistbelt per XOP.
- Weight on your back. By maker specs, a budget build like the one above is roughly 13 pounds for saddle, four sticks, and platform before ropes and pack; the premium build is roughly 9 pounds.
Safety: how to climb and hang
From Tethrd's safety section, in plain terms:
- Put on your lineman's belt as soon as you leave the ground and move it up as you climb.
- Attach your tether before you step onto the platform. Most accidents happen during that transition, so stay double connected.
- Only remove the lineman's belt once the tether is on and the platform is secure.
- Reverse it all on the way down.
- Inspect everything before every hunt.
And practice. My early mistakes were not practicing the climb, forgetting something, and making too much noise. Practice can make all of the difference.
Setup checklist
- Saddle with a published rating and manual
- Lineman's belt and tether rated for life support
- Sticks (and aider if you use one), silenced
- Platform set for your likely shot
- Pack with hoist and essentials
- Full climb, transition, shooting, and descent practiced low
Other good options
This section is researched, not first-hand. These are well-supported alternatives to what's above, with sources.
- One-stick method. Fewer sticks, moved up as you climb. Tethrd's One Sticks are built for it.
- Ring of steps instead of a platform. The XOP Orbit is one option.
- Ropes-up climbing. The lightest setup of all, but a technical skill to learn low and slow, per the rope and saddle maker's instructions.
Safety first
This part is researched, not first-hand. The Treestand Manufacturers Association safety guidelines call for a full-body fall-arrest harness every time you leave the ground, including the climb up and down, attached the way the maker says, inspected before every use, and replaced after any fall or past its expiration date. They also recommend practicing at ground level, carrying a way to call for help, and having a plan for getting down after a fall. For saddle hunters, Tethrd's Saddle Hunting 101 guide says the same idea in saddle terms: be connected to the tree from the moment you leave the ground. A lifeline or ropes-up system, like the Hunter Safety System Lifeline, keeps you clipped in from the ground to your hunting height. Tell someone where you'll be and when you'll be back.
FAQ
What do I need to start saddle hunting? A saddle, a lineman's belt, a tether, a way to climb, and a platform. A complete kit covers most of it.
Is saddle hunting safe? Tethrd's view is that when used properly, you're connected to the tree from the moment you leave the ground. Use the gear as the maker instructs and inspect it every time.
How high should I hunt in a saddle? I hunt at about 20 to 25 feet with my full setup. Go only as high as you've practiced.
Where should I spend money first? On anything that holds your weight. Silencing, hangers, and comfort add-ons are where you can save.
Sources
- Maker product pages, specs and prices verified Oct 10, 2026: XOP Mutant, XOP X2, XOP Edge, XOP Invader, Hawk Helium Gen 2, Latitude Method 3, Tethrd Phantom XP, Tethrd One Sticks, Tethrd Predator V
- Tethrd Saddle Hunting 101 (rope roles, climb and transition steps)
- TMA Treestand Safety Guidelines
- CPSC recalls (see the sticks, saddles, and platforms comparisons for results)