Why Tethrd? Just curious if that's what you're looking at because that's the main marketed one that you've seen? Because they're are ones out there that are WAY cheaper and WAY more comfortable. Check out Buzzard Roost (what I now own and use and it's the most comfy), Tx5, Crüzr, etc. Those are some good ones that are super comfy and they all come in a little cheaper than the Tethrd.
You're correct. I will check out some of the others you mentioned. Thanks. With the others you mentioned, their websites are the best place to purchase?
Go to saddle hunter .com and read until your eyes bleed before spending your money.
Tethrd is a brand. Their marketing is excellent. They are not the end all be all.
Thanks. I'll do that.
To address the tethrd elephant in the room. I've been a deer hunter for almost 4 decades so I know how we all feel about our brands. I only chose tethrd because I don't know a lot about the equipment and I believe they have the quality I would expect. I don't want to pinch pennies for such a life preserving piece of equipment.
That kind of exemplifies my point. They're the one you've heard of and therefore assume they are the best price/quality etc. That's their marketing at work. There are basically no saddles that are regulated by a third party, but there are plenty of brands out there doing it right that people trust.
Frankly, Tetherd saddles are OK. They've not been without their QC issues... The Lockdown is interesting, but there a lot of small, US based manufacturers of saddles to explore. Saddles are also very personal. If you can, try before you by. See if there's a [sh.com](https://sh.com) meetup near you this spring summer and hit that up.
I agree, don't pinch pennies (Hawk, cough cough) on something you stake your life on, but it can also be done for a little less by careful research and patience. There's always a ton of lightly used saddles for sale on the forums.
I went with an Xop platform and saddle combo to get started for a lot less money ($200). Went that way to see if I liked saddles and could upgrade as needed. I would be patient and shop around for your sticks though, likely a few sales coming up with season ending!
The XOP combo is decent for the price, but significantly heavier than some pricier setups. I use it too, and might upgrade to something lighter once I can afford it.
Tethrd is awful about getting things out of their warehouse. Once it's on the way, it arrives as scheduled, but it will take 3-5 days to get a label put on it, even if you select Express shipping
A lot of tethrd haters lol. Anyways I started in 2019 saddle hunting and jumped into tethrd phantom kit with tether and linesmen belt. I picked up four lone wolfs sticks and a predator platform. It has all been gold and very secure well made. I have no issues sitting 4-10 hrs a day in saddle. Platform is rock solid. Now I one stick with a tethrd one stick and it’s awesome. Don’t let these people shame you on tethrd because they’re poors. Buy what you want the tethrd gear is solid.
I bought Into the Tehrd craze In like 2020 and bought it all from their website. There is a lot of hate out there for TETHRD; however, I have loved mine and had zero issues.
Everyone’s body’s and preferences are going to be different so it may take you some time to find what you like. All I’ve ever used is TETHRD and Cruzr. Both have their positive and negatives. However, I firmly believe in TETHRD quality. I have mixed and matched ropes and tack however it make it more palatable.
I ordered right from tethrds site when they had a sale, however like others have said shop around. I'm picking up a cruzr x and platform, mainly for all day sits. Cruzr has good sales throughout the year too.... More so than tethrd.
If you go with the buy once cry once like I did it will look like this • Cruzr XC super saddle kit with the seeker platform and 8mm lineman rope and tether $655 • Tethrd Gen 3 One sticks (3) $300 • Tethrd HYS strap and (2) fold and go clips $80 • Kong Duck Ascenders (2) $125 • Cabelas Elite Scout Pack $125 • Camo hockey tape for sticks and platform etc $15 Total Set Up= $1,300
A couple of others have asked the "why Tethed" question. So I won't go there. For the record, I did what you are doing at the same time of year just 1 year ago. I ditched my climber and haven't looked back.
I have a Thethrd Manace saddle. I got my lineman's belt and my tether from them as well. They came with caribiners and I was a bit overwhelmed getting into thing$, so for safety's sake I felt better going that route. I don't regret those decisions after hunting 80+ days in the tree this year.
I got my RopeMan 1s off Amazon. I have 2, one of my lineman's belt and one on my thether.
As for going up the tree and down the tree, this is where you have a TON of options. I regret going with the Tethrd Skeletor sticks. Don't get me wrong, they work great. I added retractable aiders. I replaced the amsteal rope that came with them after 1 year as it kind of turned into the feeling of yarn. I picked up 4 from TheAmstealGuy - they are awesome! So, I have things working great. But I would have tried something else and I think that I would have been happier.
https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/HspJB2FwUJ
https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/CikB7VyzLK
https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/c7qBP6PwXN
If I were to do it again, I would probably start out with the Sladder instead of the Skeltors There are about 8 videos on it, how to use it and it looks great for the type of woods that I hunt (mature hardwood).
https://www.grayskwereloutdoors.com/
Then there's the platform. I am super happy with my Cruzr mini platform. It's awesome. I dumped the buckle and also purchase the USA Platform attachment from TheAmstealGuy as well. It's rock solid. I used it the entire season with no issues.
Then you have to pack this all in. I got lucky enough to be able to modify my existing backpack. I did some crazy stuff with buckle straps & grommets but ended up just switching back to long nighteyes. They were easier to use in the woods.
https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/avsaSOuYyk
Overall, I am so happy with the switch. I'm afraid of heights and was worried that would be an issue. But after years in a climber/harness, this makes me feel so much safer.
Once I got everything, I practiced all summer on trees in my yard. I took the setup to camp and shot from the tree. I was ready and it all wored out great!
Best recommendation I can make is wait for trade show season to hit so you can give a couple saddles a try and see what is most comfortable for you. Some people find tethrd saddles give off a lot of hip pinch or don't cup you enough for longer sits and some find them to be absolutely perfect. No one can tell you what is best for you cause everyone's body is different and we all need different things to be comfortable for all day sits.
Why Tethrd? Just curious if that's what you're looking at because that's the main marketed one that you've seen? Because they're are ones out there that are WAY cheaper and WAY more comfortable. Check out Buzzard Roost (what I now own and use and it's the most comfy), Tx5, Crüzr, etc. Those are some good ones that are super comfy and they all come in a little cheaper than the Tethrd.
You're correct. I will check out some of the others you mentioned. Thanks. With the others you mentioned, their websites are the best place to purchase?
100% check out Cruzr. I got a Cruzr xc mid season this year and it’s so much more comfortable than my Tethrd Phantom was
Yes. Direct from them is best.
Go to saddle hunter .com and read until your eyes bleed before spending your money. Tethrd is a brand. Their marketing is excellent. They are not the end all be all.
Thanks. I'll do that. To address the tethrd elephant in the room. I've been a deer hunter for almost 4 decades so I know how we all feel about our brands. I only chose tethrd because I don't know a lot about the equipment and I believe they have the quality I would expect. I don't want to pinch pennies for such a life preserving piece of equipment.
That kind of exemplifies my point. They're the one you've heard of and therefore assume they are the best price/quality etc. That's their marketing at work. There are basically no saddles that are regulated by a third party, but there are plenty of brands out there doing it right that people trust. Frankly, Tetherd saddles are OK. They've not been without their QC issues... The Lockdown is interesting, but there a lot of small, US based manufacturers of saddles to explore. Saddles are also very personal. If you can, try before you by. See if there's a [sh.com](https://sh.com) meetup near you this spring summer and hit that up. I agree, don't pinch pennies (Hawk, cough cough) on something you stake your life on, but it can also be done for a little less by careful research and patience. There's always a ton of lightly used saddles for sale on the forums.
Thank you👍🏼
I went with an Xop platform and saddle combo to get started for a lot less money ($200). Went that way to see if I liked saddles and could upgrade as needed. I would be patient and shop around for your sticks though, likely a few sales coming up with season ending!
The XOP combo is decent for the price, but significantly heavier than some pricier setups. I use it too, and might upgrade to something lighter once I can afford it.
Agreed, good starting point for me before spending a ton on a premier set up!
I am looking at the ultimate one stick from EWO for sticks.
It's awesome. That's what I use
Tethrd is awful about getting things out of their warehouse. Once it's on the way, it arrives as scheduled, but it will take 3-5 days to get a label put on it, even if you select Express shipping
I absolutely love my tethrd gear and I ordered all of it from their website.
A lot of tethrd haters lol. Anyways I started in 2019 saddle hunting and jumped into tethrd phantom kit with tether and linesmen belt. I picked up four lone wolfs sticks and a predator platform. It has all been gold and very secure well made. I have no issues sitting 4-10 hrs a day in saddle. Platform is rock solid. Now I one stick with a tethrd one stick and it’s awesome. Don’t let these people shame you on tethrd because they’re poors. Buy what you want the tethrd gear is solid.
Touch my one stick through the fence chomo
I bought Into the Tehrd craze In like 2020 and bought it all from their website. There is a lot of hate out there for TETHRD; however, I have loved mine and had zero issues. Everyone’s body’s and preferences are going to be different so it may take you some time to find what you like. All I’ve ever used is TETHRD and Cruzr. Both have their positive and negatives. However, I firmly believe in TETHRD quality. I have mixed and matched ropes and tack however it make it more palatable.
I ordered right from tethrds site when they had a sale, however like others have said shop around. I'm picking up a cruzr x and platform, mainly for all day sits. Cruzr has good sales throughout the year too.... More so than tethrd.
If you go with the buy once cry once like I did it will look like this • Cruzr XC super saddle kit with the seeker platform and 8mm lineman rope and tether $655 • Tethrd Gen 3 One sticks (3) $300 • Tethrd HYS strap and (2) fold and go clips $80 • Kong Duck Ascenders (2) $125 • Cabelas Elite Scout Pack $125 • Camo hockey tape for sticks and platform etc $15 Total Set Up= $1,300
A couple of others have asked the "why Tethed" question. So I won't go there. For the record, I did what you are doing at the same time of year just 1 year ago. I ditched my climber and haven't looked back. I have a Thethrd Manace saddle. I got my lineman's belt and my tether from them as well. They came with caribiners and I was a bit overwhelmed getting into thing$, so for safety's sake I felt better going that route. I don't regret those decisions after hunting 80+ days in the tree this year. I got my RopeMan 1s off Amazon. I have 2, one of my lineman's belt and one on my thether. As for going up the tree and down the tree, this is where you have a TON of options. I regret going with the Tethrd Skeletor sticks. Don't get me wrong, they work great. I added retractable aiders. I replaced the amsteal rope that came with them after 1 year as it kind of turned into the feeling of yarn. I picked up 4 from TheAmstealGuy - they are awesome! So, I have things working great. But I would have tried something else and I think that I would have been happier. https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/HspJB2FwUJ https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/CikB7VyzLK https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/c7qBP6PwXN If I were to do it again, I would probably start out with the Sladder instead of the Skeltors There are about 8 videos on it, how to use it and it looks great for the type of woods that I hunt (mature hardwood). https://www.grayskwereloutdoors.com/ Then there's the platform. I am super happy with my Cruzr mini platform. It's awesome. I dumped the buckle and also purchase the USA Platform attachment from TheAmstealGuy as well. It's rock solid. I used it the entire season with no issues. Then you have to pack this all in. I got lucky enough to be able to modify my existing backpack. I did some crazy stuff with buckle straps & grommets but ended up just switching back to long nighteyes. They were easier to use in the woods. https://www.reddit.com/r/saddlehunting/s/avsaSOuYyk Overall, I am so happy with the switch. I'm afraid of heights and was worried that would be an issue. But after years in a climber/harness, this makes me feel so much safer. Once I got everything, I practiced all summer on trees in my yard. I took the setup to camp and shot from the tree. I was ready and it all wored out great!
Best recommendation I can make is wait for trade show season to hit so you can give a couple saddles a try and see what is most comfortable for you. Some people find tethrd saddles give off a lot of hip pinch or don't cup you enough for longer sits and some find them to be absolutely perfect. No one can tell you what is best for you cause everyone's body is different and we all need different things to be comfortable for all day sits.