Finest Tree Saddles for 2022

Though many individuals are simply studying about tree saddles, they’ve been round for many years and are making an enormous comeback. So are tree saddles only a returning fad or are they right here to remain? 

One factor is for positive, saddle searching is again, if it ever left, and many hunters at the moment are hanging in timber by ropes, carabiners, and a saddle. The recognition brings many new merchandise with sensible designs and superior supplies. 

I’ve been looking for almost 40 years and have tried the whole lot from climbing stands, lock-ons, tripod, ladder stands, and some elevated field blinds and floor blinds. Nevertheless, over the previous couple of years, I’ve bought 15 totally different saddles and have examined and reviewed 25 thus far. I’ve made it my mission to assist hunters discover the most effective tree saddles for them. Of the 25 I’ve examined, listed here are my prime picks:

How I Examined Tree Saddles

I connected loaded dump pouches to the MOLLE webbing and appeared for any waist belt sagging or leg strap pulling. 

I examined the lineman’s loops and belt for ease of use and performance as I ascended and descended the tree. 

Whereas at searching top, I examined the bridge changes up and down the bridge loops to see in the event that they held their positions and the way simple it was to make these changes. 

Whereas making bridge size changes, I appeared for the smoothness of the bridge by the carabiner. 

I sat in every saddle for one hour and rated their total consolation. A consolation rating of 1 to five was used, with 5 being essentially the most snug. 

Worth and weight are listed as cons on any saddle that prices greater than $200 or weighs greater than 2 kilos.    

Finest Single Panel: CRUZR XC

Why It Made the Minimize

The CRUZR XC was extraordinarily snug, useful, and simple to make use of.

Key Options

• Single panel
• Weight: 1 pound 13 ounces
• MOLLE webbing: Two rows on prime of the panel, one unfastened and one tight 
• Waist belt: ADF Raptor Buckle 
• Leg straps: Webbing strap with quick-release buckles, not detachable from the saddle  
• Bridge sort: Adjustable AmSteel 
• Particular options: Xpansion Chamber mesh pleated panel, grey or black choices
• Consolation: 5

Execs

• MOLLE loops are simple to make use of and in a great location
• Saddle doesn’t sag with weighted dump pouches
• Vertical lineman’s loops simple to make use of
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Bridge holds all positions on the bridge loops
• Bridge size changes made simply

Cons

Product Description

I used to be impressed with every of the saddles reviewed, however the CRUZR XC stands out as essentially the most snug single-panel saddle. It has a pleated mesh panel which is breathable in the course of the hotter early season temperatures, and the MOLLE loops had been simple to make use of and in a great place to entry dump pouches. The CRUZR XC’s snug leg straps have quick-release buckles, and the webbing waist belt makes use of an ADF Raptor buckle. 

Throughout my climbing check I discovered the lineman’s loops simple to make use of whereas ascending and descending the tree. The saddle additionally felt mild and was snag-free with weighted dump pouches.

The AmSteel bridge easily slides by the carabiner, is simple to shorten or lengthen, and it holds in each place up and down the bridge loops permitting you to make changes for added consolation. The performance and luxury of the CRUZR XC are prime notch, and the one con it obtained was its worth.

Why It Made the Minimize

The Latitude Technique 2 was extraordinarily snug, very useful, and comes with distinctive options.

Key Options

• Two panel, however could be worn as a single panel 
• Weight: 1 pound 15 ounces
• MOLLE webbing: Single row on prime panel
• Waist belt: Steel free patent-pending Oplux rope bridge
• Leg straps: Webbing strap with G-hook & retainer spring, utterly detachable
• Bridge sort: Adjustable AmSteel
• Particular options: Panel magnets, two-panel strap attachment factors 
• Consolation: 5

Execs

• MOLLE loops are simple to make use of and in a great location
• Lineman’s loops are simple to make use of 
• Doesn’t sag with weighted dump pouches
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Bridge holds all positions on the bridge loops
• Bridge size is adjustable

Cons

Product Description

The Latitude Method 2 is a two-panel saddle that wears like a compact single-panel saddle when you’re climbing. When you’re able to hunt you possibly can deploy the second panel, which is held in place by magnets. One other distinctive function is the metallic free design, which cuts noise. 

Panel attachment “set straps” could be added to maintain the panels at a set distance if desired. The waist belt is a free-floating rope belt that slides to your required match. The saddle is extraordinarily snug whereas strolling, and it didn’t sag with loaded dump pouches. The leg straps are snug and utterly detachable because of the G-hook attachments and could be shortly placed on on the base of the tree. 

The one row of MOLLE webbing is simple to entry, and the dump pouches are in a great place. The fade-away lineman’s loops working from the highest panel to the underside panel are simple to make use of whereas ascending and descending the tree. The mesh panel is breathable and makes use of two vertical webbing straps for added consolation.

The AmSteel bridge is adjustable in size, slides simply by the carabiner, and holds all positions up and down the bridge loops for good pitch changes. The one con for the Technique 2 is its worth, whereas it’s a particularly snug saddle with quite a few adjustment choices.

Why It Made the Minimize

The Shrike provides some distinctive options included with the worth of the saddle. 

Key Options

• Single panel
• Weight: 2 kilos 6 ounces
• MOLLE webbing: Single row on the highest panel
• Waist belt: ADF Raptor buckle
• Leg straps: ADF Raptor buckles, which aren’t detachable from the saddle
• Bridge sort: Webbing bridge with AustriAlpin adjuster buckle
• Particular options: Pleated mesh panel is sewn on outdoors of webbing, extra row of webbing backside of the panel, built-in lineman’s belt and carabiner, floating leg straps
• Consolation: 5

Execs

• MOLLE loops simple to make use of and in a great location
• Doesn’t sag with weighted dump pouches
• The built-in lineman’s belt is completely connected and included with the worth of the saddle
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Bridge holds all positions on bridge loops
• Bridge size is adjustable
• Panel expands 

Cons

Product Description

The Shrike uniquely contains a completely connected lineman’s belt with an AustriAlpin adjuster buckle, floating leg straps, AustriAlpin bridge buckle, a pleated mesh panel and lots of different options that make it the most effective worth to your buck though its worth is listed as a con for the saddle total. These options, as cool as they’re, do add noticeable weight to the saddle.

The saddle doesn’t sag with dump pouches, and the MOLLE loops are simple to make use of and in a great location. The AustriAlpin buckles on the bridge and lineman’s belt simply enable for fast changes, and the bridge slides by the carabiner simply and holds all pitch changes. The floating leg straps make the most of bungee cords to carry the straps up and are snug whereas strolling and whereas within the tree.   

Why It Made the Minimize

The Phantom’s light-weight, streamlined design and Consolation Channels make for a useful and comfy saddle.

Key Options

• Single panel
• Weight: 1 kilos 7 ounces
• MOLLE webbing: One row prime of panel and one row backside of the panel
• Waist belt: Webbing with fast join buckle
• Leg straps: Webbing with G-hook attachments, not detachable from the saddle
• Bridge sort: Adjustable AmSteel Utilibridge
• Particular options: Soccer form design, lineman’s loops pull from prime and backside of panel
• Consolation: 4.9

Execs

• High row of MOLLE loops are in a great location
• Lineman’s loops are simple to make use of
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Comfy

Cons

Product Description

Tethrd is thought for main the cost on this new saddle-hunting period; their innovation and advertising are second to none. They make a number of contenders that may very well be on the most effective tree saddles record, however the Phantom is my decide from their catalog. 

The Phantom is light-weight and provides two rows of MOLLE webbing, and has little or no sag with dump pouches connected. The leg straps are snug, fabricated from webbing, and join with G-hooks. The lineman’s loops are massive and stiff and simple to make use of to ascend and descend the tree. The AmSteel bridge slides easily by the carabiner, and size changes are simply made as effectively. 

Preset pitch changes are made by shifting your bridge into any one of many three Consolation Channels alongside the bridge loops. The Phantom is a really snug saddle and the one con I may discover was the worth.     

Why It Made the Minimize

Customization on the time of ordering and the adjustability of the patent-pending twin panels makes the Buzzard Roost a one-of-a-kind.

Key Options

• Two panel
• Weight: 2 kilos 1 ounce
• MOLLE webbing: Single row prime panel, customizable at time of ordering
• Waist belt: ADF Raptor buckle / Doesn’t sag with weighted dump pouches
• Leg straps: Webbing strap with G-hook & retainer spring, utterly detachable
• Bridge sort: Adjustable 8mm Teufelberger Resc Tech Rope
• Particular options: Twin adjustment bridge loops with no lineman’s loops 
• Consolation: 5
• Worth: $259

Execs

• Might be worn as a single or two-panel saddle
• Limitless changes for consolation
• MOLLE loops simple to make use of and in a great location
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Bridge holds all positions on the bridge loops
• Bridge size changes made simply
• Leg strap loops double as security cease loops for rappelling 
• Comfy

Cons

• Worth
• Weight
• Leg straps pull barely whereas strolling 

Product Description

Regardless of three minor cons, the two-panel Buzzard Roost saddle provides an infinite variety of adjustment choices, is useful, and really snug. Buzzard Roost additionally provides a pair choices to customise the saddle on the time of ordering. You possibly can select unfastened or tight MOLLE webbing and a proper or left-hand bridge adjustment choice. 

It additionally provides a patent-pending twin panel adjustment system which is in contrast to every other saddle in the marketplace. There are 4 bridge loops that assist you to change the pitch of the highest panel and the underside panel independently of one another. On account of that, there aren’t any lineman’s loops on the saddle, as you could have the choice to make use of any of the bridge loops to connect your lineman’s belt. 

The MOLLE are in a great place, and the saddle doesn’t sag with loaded dump pouches. The leg straps do pull barely whereas strolling however placing them on on the tree is a fast and simple repair. The leg straps are additionally utterly detachable from the saddle, and the gear loop attachment factors additionally double as a backup tender for these desirous to rappel down from the tree. 

The 2 panels are held along with two buckles and webbing straps that assist you to deploy the panels at searching top. The bridge slides by the carabiner very properly, and size changes are simple to make utilizing the included poor man’s ascender. Bridge changes maintain in each place as effectively.   

Why It Made the Minimize

The Hotshot is light-weight and smooth and but packs in lots of good options.

Key Options

• Single panel
• Weight: 1 pound 5 ounces 
• MOLLE webbing: One unfastened row on prime of the panel and one tight row on the underside of the panel
• Waist belt: Webbing with AustriAlpin fast launch buckle
• Leg straps: Webbing with G-hook attachments, not detachable from saddle
• Bridge sort: Webbing or TriAd AmSteel 
• Particular options: Mesh panel, lineman’s loops pull from prime and backside of panel, bridge size adjusts from each side
• Consolation: 4.6

Execs

• MOLLE loops simple to make use of and in a great location
• Proper and left handed TriAd bridge changes 
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Bridge holds all positions
• Bridge size changes made simply
• Comfy

Cons

• Worth
• Flimsy lineman’s loops

Product Description

Coming in at 1 pound 5 ounces, the Hotshot is a light-weight saddle with a breathable mesh panel and two rows of MOLLE webbing. It holds the load of dump pouches with none sag, and the leg straps are snug, fabricated from webbing, and related with G-hooks. Though the lineman’s loops are a bit flimsy, they operate simply high quality to ascend and descend the tree. 

The TriAd AmSteel bridge slides simply by the carabiner, and adjusting the bridge from both aspect is well executed. The TriAd bridge is the one bridge in the marketplace that enables for proper and left-hand size changes, and the bridge additionally holds in all positions up and down the bridge loops for pitch changes. Total the Hotshot may be very useful and simple to make use of with the one con being the worth.   

Why It Made the Minimize

The Black Belt provides padded panels for excellent consolation and many good options. 

Key Options

• Two panel
• Weight: 2 kilos 9 ounces
• MOLLE webbing: One unfastened row prime panel and one unfastened row backside panel
• Waist belt: Webbing with metallic aspect launch buckle
• Leg straps: Webbing with G-hook attachments, not detachable from saddle
• Bridge sort: Adjustable Oplux rope 
• Particular options: No slipping, free-floating waist belt, padded panels
• Consolation: 5

Execs

• Might be worn as a single or two-panel saddle 
• Waist belt holds tightly as soon as set
• MOLLE loops simple to make use of and in a great location
• Lineman’s loops are massive/stiff and simple to make use of
• Bridge slides by carabiner simply
• Bridge holds all positions
• Bridge size changes made simply
• Comfy

Cons

• Worth
• Weight
• Bridge pitch changes slip barely 

Product Description

The Black Belt is a two-panel saddle that comes with padded panels for added consolation. The 2 panels are held along with webbing straps and plastic side-release buckles and could be deployed at searching top. The webbing waist belt is free-floating by the higher panel, which lets you transfer the metallic aspect launch buckle wherever you prefer it. The waist belt additionally has a tri-glide buckle for measurement changes, and after getting it set,  it doesn’t slip or loosen up. 

It provides one row of MOLLE webbing on the highest panel and one on the underside panel, that are in a great location and simple to entry. The webbing additionally holds the load of dump pouches with out sagging the saddle. The webbing leg straps join with G-hooks and are snug. The lineman’s loops are massive and stiff and simply used to ascend and descend the tree. 

The Oplux bridge slides simply by the carabiner, and bridge changes are simply made. Though the bridge pitch changes slip barely, they maintain in all positions up and down the bridge loops for added consolation. Though the worth and weight of the Black Belt had been additionally listed as cons, its weight wasn’t noticeable as a result of its consolation.   

How To Select A Tree Saddle

Mobile hunting gear is all about private choice. One of the simplest ways to decide on a saddle is by attempting one at a sportsman’s present in your space or by trying out a neighborhood saddle hunter meetup. Saddle hunters often get collectively to speak about new strategies, and people on the meetup can check out any of the saddles that every particular person introduced. It is a nice approach to get your ft moist. You’ll find these meetups on most saddle-hunting boards and Fb.  

FAQs

Remaining Ideas

There are extra tree saddles in the marketplace at present than ever earlier than, and discovering the proper one generally is a difficult and daunting job. When you really feel overwhelmed with the variety of choices on the market, merely slim it down from my record of the most effective tree saddles by selecting the saddle that most closely fits your searching model.