Saddle Hunting Vs Climber – Which One To Go For In 2025

Climbers, also known as climbing tree stands, are a common deer stand used for elevated hunting. On the other hand, saddle hunting is a more versatile and flexible way. Climbers consist of two significant parts: seat platforms and foot platforms. Both are compulsory and attached to a tree with cables. 

Climbing stands are becoming increasingly common as they provide comfort and perceived safety. However, experienced hunters still use saddles for run and gun-style hunting and portability.

Tree Saddle Vs Climber – Brief Comparison

Let’s understand different factors and decide which is good for you: hunting using a saddle or a climber. We will compare comfort, safety, weight/size and usage flexibility. This will help you decide based on your physical stature and budget.

1. Sound & Noise

While setting up a climber, the metal parts produce noise that can spook nearby bucks. It is therefore advised to set up a climbing stand before dawn and first light. During this time, deer are primarily in bedding areas.

On the other hand, a saddle with climbing sticks doesn’t produce sound while it is set up. However, how you carry climbing sticks and your movement can create noise.

2. Comfort 

Without a doubt, climbing stands are better for comfort. It lets you rest your arms and legs while sitting. It also provides cushioned support for the back and a pretty comfortable seat. It is pretty good to stay up above for hours.

On the other hand, the saddle doesn’t provide any of these. You are dangling in the air with a sample pouch attached to a rope holding you from behind. Longer stays on trees are not recommended when using the saddle.

3. Size And Weight

Climbers with two platforms; one for sitting and one for foot/standing, have more size and weight. It is difficult to carry over long distances. The weight of the climbing stand varies but averages around 25 lbs. 

The climbing sticks, which come with a saddle, weigh around 5 lbs. The saddle itself doesn’t have much weight. The saddle is definitely more compact and easy to carry over long distances and challenging tracks.

4. Safety of Climber Vs Saddle For Hunting

As long as you are attached to a tree with a safety harness, you are safe. However, safety is a personal choice. Some hunters like to rest their feet and consider it safer. Those who do run and gun-style, public land hunting prefer hanging with trees. It is better to test both saddle and climber before finalising your choice.

5. How Common – Saddle Hunting Vs Climber

As per my experience, saddles are standard in public land hunters who are more athletic and tend to walk longer distances. Climbing stands are typical among experienced hunters and those who own hunting properties.

6. Price Comparison Between Climber And Saddle Hunting

Prices for hunting saddles vary from $100 and go up to $300. You will have to purchase climbing sticks, which start at $100 and go up to $200. On the contrary, a good quality climbing stand costs around $500. You may need to purchase a safety harness in both cases.

Overall, there is a slight difference in cost when we include all the components.

7. Flexibility of Usage

The climbing stand can’t be used on all trees. Moreover, you will have to find perfectly straight trees that don’t have branches and can hold climbers without slipping. Maple and oak trees are good. Avoid dead trees or ones with weak/falling branches.

Saddle is perfect for all types of trees. Trees with branches provide extra footrests and green camo for you.

Saddles are rotatable 360 degrees, and you can hunt on all sides. This does not apply to climbing treestand.

8. Set-Up Options

To set up a saddle, you will need climbing sticks, also known as climbing steps. You can also use climbing screws (which damage trees and thus are not allowed legally in some places). Upon reaching a desired height, you will hang your face towards the tree and place your back on the saddle. You can also purchase a platform to put your foot on.

The climber is a self-supporting, complete unit, and there is no need for separate accessories to climb a tree. It has foot and seat platforms, and both need to be lifted using all of the hunter’s four limbs. Once it reaches the desired height, it is locked in and ready to use.

Which one should You choose – Hunting Saddle Vs Climber

Both have pros and cons; try both to see which one fits you best. Go on a hunting trip with an experienced person and use both in real scenarios. See which fits your needs perfectly per the above reasons and then make a purchasing decision.

Summary

To summarise, both saddles and climbers are suitable for elevated hunting. Both provide good cover and are usable in different scenarios. There is a bit of a learning curve in each. However, one should test and try before getting one. In some areas, there is extreme cold. However, with good layering, this won’t be the issue.