XOP Complete Tree Saddle System Review: A Whole Setup in One Box
Buy the XOP Complete Tree Saddle System if you hunt public land, move stands often, or want to shoot around a tree instead of being locked into one direction, because buying the saddle and platform together removes the most common beginner mistake of assembling an incompatible kit. Skip it if you hunt one or two established stands on private ground, because a hang-on stand with a quality full-body harness is more comfortable for long sits and much easier to learn.
Saddle, platform and the connective gear, bought together instead of assembled from forums.
XOP Complete Tree Saddle Hunting System with Platform and Mutant Saddle Harness
Under $250
A saddle harness and platform kit sold as a system for mobile, pack-in hunting.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Kit contents | Saddle hunting platform and Mutant saddle harness |
|---|---|
| Intended use | Lightweight, mobile hunting setups |
| Budget | Under $250 |
Specifications above come from XOP's published product description on the current listing, which is brief. Confirm weight ratings, sizing and connective gear directly with XOP before use. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Buying a system rather than parts removes the compatibility guesswork that catches most people starting out in a saddle.
- Saddles are lighter and pack flatter than hang-on stands, which is the entire reason mobile hunters use them.
- You can shoot around the tree rather than only in front of it, which changes what a marginal tree is worth.
- A saddle is far quieter to set and take down than a climber, which matters on pressured ground.
- At under $250 it is one of the cheapest routes into a complete saddle setup, where premium kits cost several times more.
Where it falls short
- The listing publishes almost no specifications. Weight ratings, sizing and exactly which connective components are included need confirming with XOP before you buy, and that is a real mark against it.
- Saddle hunting has a genuine learning curve. Practice at ground level with the tether short before you go up, and expect several sessions before it feels natural.
- Long sits in a saddle are less comfortable than a good hang-on stand for many people, particularly for legs and hips.
- Shooting from a saddle is a different motion. Practise it from a low height before the season rather than discovering it on an animal.
- The cheapest complete kits are cheapest somewhere. Compare the harness build and the platform size against premium options before deciding.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of budget saddle systems, including XOP's, consistently praise the value of getting a complete kit for the price of a premium saddle alone, and consistently note that the components are heavier and less refined than the specialist brands. Owners describe the platform and harness as functional, and reviewers who have used premium saddles generally place XOP as a way in rather than a destination.
The most useful theme in owner discussion is not about product at all. It is that saddle hunting is a skill. Reviewers repeatedly recommend practising at ground level, learning the lineman's belt and the tether before leaving the ground, and going up low the first several times. That advice comes from experienced saddle hunters rather than from marketing, and it is worth more than any specification.
The straight decision is saddle or stand, and it depends on how you hunt rather than which is better. Our treestand harness versus tree saddle comparison works through mobility, comfort, shooting angles and cost. If you decide a stand suits you, a quality full-body harness is not optional equipment, and the Hunter Safety System X-1 listed below is the affordable end of that.
Safety is where we defer entirely. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for every component, use a lineman's belt on the climb and stay connected from the ground up, inspect webbing and stitching before every use, and get instruction from an experienced saddle hunter or a certified tree stand safety course before you hunt from one. Rules on tree stands, screw-in steps and leaving equipment overnight vary by land manager and by state, so confirm the current rules for the ground you hunt with your own wildlife agency.
Who it suits
- Mobile hunters who move setups frequently or hunt public ground.
- Bowhunters who want to shoot at any angle around the tree.
- Anyone packing in on foot who wants the lightest way up a tree.
Who should skip it
- Hunters with a few established stands on private ground.
- Anyone who sits all day and prioritises comfort.
- Beginners unwilling to practise at ground level first, since a saddle is not an intuitive system.
Alternatives worth considering
Tethrd Phantom XP Hunting Saddle
Under $500
The specialist brand most saddle hunters end up on, with a published 300 lb rating and comfort channels in the panel. It is a saddle only, so you supply the platform, and the comfort difference on a long sit is the reason people pay it.
Check price on AmazonXOP Complete Tree Saddle Hunting System with Aluminium Platform
Under $500
XOP's fuller kit, stated to include the bridge, tether and lineman's belt along with an aluminium platform. Buy this if you would rather not discover a missing connective component after the box arrives.
Check price on AmazonHunter Safety System X-1 Bow-Hunter Harness for Tree-Stand Hunting
Under $100
If a hang-on or climbing stand suits you better, this is the harness to use with it. Cheaper than any saddle system, and a full-body harness is required equipment for stand hunting rather than an accessory.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is saddle hunting safer than a treestand?
Neither is inherently safe, and both are only as safe as the discipline of the person using them. A saddle keeps you connected to the tree continuously once you are tethered, which removes the fall-from-the-platform risk that injures stand hunters. It introduces its own failure points in the bridge, tether and platform attachment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for every component, stay connected from the ground up with a lineman's belt, and take a tree stand safety course.
Do I need a platform with a tree saddle?
In practice, yes. A platform is what you stand on and what makes shooting comfortable and repeatable. Some hunters use ring-of-steps setups instead, which is a more advanced and less forgiving approach. If you are starting out, buy a system that includes a platform so the components are designed to work together.
Tree saddle or a hang-on stand for bowhunting?
Saddles win on weight, packability and shooting around the tree, which is why mobile public-land hunters use them. Stands win on comfort over a long sit and on being simple to learn. If you hunt a small number of known trees, a stand is easier. If you relocate constantly, a saddle is lighter on your back. Our treestand harness versus tree saddle comparison covers the trade in full.
How much practice does a saddle need before hunting?
More than most people give it. Rig at ground level with the tether short until the sequence is automatic, then hunt low the first several times. Practise drawing and shooting from the saddle at realistic angles, because the body position is different from standing on a platform and it changes your anchor if you have not rehearsed it.
What is not included in a cheap saddle kit?
That varies, which is the problem with a listing this brief. Bridges, tethers, lineman's belts, climbing sticks and ropes may or may not be in the box. Confirm exactly what ships and what the weight rating is with XOP before ordering, and never substitute non-rated rope or webbing for a missing component.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews, and pro shop guidance. We do not test gear in person. Draw weight and arrow spine affect safety, so follow your bow manufacturer's specifications and have setup work checked by a qualified pro shop.
