Saddle and Sticks Recommendations?

[Upstate Nerdneck]

I think it's time.  Really hoping I get into the alcove program this year, but even if I don't, I want the option to go mobile during bow.

Seems like the 2 big players in the game are Tethrd and Latitude.  I really don't know that much about this stuff.  I have a couple pairs of sticks but they're clunky metal F&S heavy ones.  I really like the idea of just grabbing a 20# lb pack and doing an evening sit anywhere I want.

Tethrd is pretty pricey, Latitude is a bit cheaper and made in the USA.

 

I like these latitude sticks especially, 4 sticks plus extensions for 400$:

 

https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/products/carbon-fiber-climbing-sticks

I know a couple guys on the site have gone this route and would really appreciate tips/advice/recommendations!

[Swamp_bucks]

My Buddy has the latitude I think and loves it. I tried it and it was comfortable I just prefer hang ons. We both run XOP sticks, he uses their platform and it sinks in just like my XOP stand does.   Only one I’ve heard some iffy things on is the hawk helium saddles but that was a year or 2 ago. 
 

good luck though best thing I ever did was started going mobile. 

[Upstate Nerdneck]

7 hours ago, Swamp_bucks said:

My Buddy has the latitude I think and loves it. I tried it and it was comfortable I just prefer hang ons. We both run XOP sticks, he uses their platform and it sinks in just like my XOP stand does.   Only one I’ve heard some iffy things on is the hawk helium saddles but that was a year or 2 ago. 
 

good luck though best thing I ever did was started going mobile. 

What kind of hanger do you use?  I'm not 100% sold on the saddle thing.  Main worry is this hip arthritis I've got going on being an issue with it.

[Swamp_bucks]

6 minutes ago, Upstate Nerdneck said:

What kind of hanger do you use?  I'm not 100% sold on the saddle thing.  Main worry is this hip arthritis I've got going on being an issue with it.

Mine is the XOP vanish and I only run 3 sticks so my entire setup is 15lbs but I honestly I can’t even tell I’m carrying it.  Lone wolf, and Novix make the same exact thing.  XOP is cheaper because it is Chinese made. Only thing I don’t like is the paint comes off easy.  This coming year will be my 3rd with it and I don’t expect to change any time soon.
 

I don’t like the saddle because I’m not coordinated enough to stand on a little platform. 

[BowmanMike]

I have a tethrd phantom saddle and it is alright and comfortable enough for me. A lot of people say great things about the cruzer xc,I will buy one of those when I need to replace mine I think. I am on saddlehunter.com and I hardly ever see one of the cruzer saddles come up for sale and if one does it is gone fast. 

There definetely is a learning curve switching to saddles but the biggest aspect was the climb for me. I never used sticks and wasn't too interested in those because I don't think a linemans belt is a safety device i like to depend on. So I got into rope climbing and love that for its safety and convenience coming down. Rappelling in the dark is hard to beat as far as safety goes. I can let go of everything at any point and will stay where I am.

 

[Buckmaster7600]

I have a buzzard roost saddle. It’s the best I’ve found. I hate carrying sticks so if I’m on private I use screw ins but I do have a set of tethrd sticks for when I need them.

 

I don’t use a platform.

Edited September 2, 2023 by Buckmaster7600

[BowmanMike]

1 hour ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

I have a buzzard roost saddle. It’s the best I’ve found. I hate carrying sticks so if I’m on private I use screw ins but I do have a set of tethrd sticks for when I need them.

 

I don’t use a platform.

What do you use at height? you can't be standing on the top of the sticks for long...screw in steps at the top? I do like my predator platform a lot and can't quite imagine doing without it...And I have size 13 feet.

[Buckmaster7600]

7 minutes ago, BowmanMike said:

What do you use at height? you can't be standing on the top of the sticks for long...screw in steps at the top? I do like my predator platform a lot and can't quite imagine doing without it...And I have size 13 feet.

I sit in saddle and put my knees into the tree. If I need to stretch I stand on the top of the sticks, if I’m using screw ins I only use the stop step. My feet are only size 12 maybe that matters?

Edited September 2, 2023 by Buckmaster7600

[BowmanMike]

47 minutes ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

I sit in saddle and put my knees into the tree. If I need to stretch I stand on the top of the sticks, if I’m using screw ins I only use the stop step. My feet are only size 12 maybe that matters?

I guess i stand/lean more than I am sitting. Probably depends on the saddle which position is more comfortable.

[Buckmaster7600]

6 minutes ago, BowmanMike said:

I guess i stand/lean more than I am sitting. Probably depends on the saddle which position is more comfortable.

I’ve had a saddle for 11or 12 years and am on my 3rd one now and have never used any sort of platform unless I’m using it where an existing stand was. 
 

I got into using a saddle for a funny reason, my dad shot right handed and everyone of his stands were setup to shoot sitting over his left shoulder. When I first saw a saddle at the Harrisburg show back around 2011 I knew I would use it in dads stands so I could face the tree and put my feet on the seats. That was before the lightweight sticks and the lightweight craze so I just always used screw ins on new sets and there weren’t any platforms available so I made it work. I’m sure if I started with platforms I would like them too.

[Upstate Nerdneck]

Well, it just got real.  I got into the alcove this year, so time to price out a saddle, steps, stand platform and everything in between.

[LET EM GROW]

Lot of guys love their Latitude saddles. as far as platforms go, i would pick one the your feet work best with. I made my own platform from 1/4" x 1" thick 6061 welded up, super lightweight and super strong. and use Muddy pro sticks. Tad heavy but solid and stable 

[Upstate Nerdneck]

38 minutes ago, LET EM GROW said:

Lot of guys love their Latitude saddles. as far as platforms go, i would pick one the your feet work best with. I made my own platform from 1/4" x 1" thick 6061 welded up, super lightweight and super strong. and use Muddy pro sticks. Tad heavy but solid and stable 

Yeah Latitude is sold out of their "rebel" aka regular shaped platforms right now.  I don't care for the look of the X-Wing, so I'd hold off on that.

I might have to look into other options for the platform.  

 

[LET EM GROW]

54 minutes ago, Upstate Nerdneck said:

Yeah Latitude is sold out of their "rebel" aka regular shaped platforms right now.  I don't care for the look of the X-Wing, so I'd hold off on that.

I might have to look into other options for the platform.  

 

I have a one stick setup to try this year as well with the EWO PLatform a top. I was using the EWO platform on top as my platform with the rest of my sticks as well. Just easier than setting a platform

 

[Upstate Nerdneck]

Maybe I should change the topic to "Platform Recommendations".  Ordered saddle, sticks, stealth strips.  All I should really need is a platform and that's sold out on lattitudes site.  So is the Buzzard one.  I would like to stick with a carbon model so there's nothing to clang!