I bought a set of Tree Styx at the Southern Mobile hunter expo in Dalton. I absolutely love them. I used Tethrd One sticks for 2 years, and I was never satisfied with the room on the stand offs. The Tree Styx solved this issue and in a lighter package. The weight might not seem like a big deal to some folks, but I have back issues and I save ounces everywhere I can. I will probably use a removable 2 step aider on the bottom stick to be able to get to my normal hunting height.
My biggest complaint with the Tree Styx is that I can't get as high as I would like with only 3 sticks. I may use a 2 or 3 step aider on the bottom stick as well.
Great video. I have both and for me these new tree Styx take the cake. I put a small strip of stealth strips on the back of the standoffs which takes out the play between the sticks when nested together. I do think they will eventually come out with a version without the aiders which will probably drop the price. I personally will use a 3 step wider in the bottom stick then the built in wider on the remainder sticks. This way in on not need to carry in 3 sticks to get 18’ + depending on the time of year and layering. I’ve found after adding shipping, stealth strips, aiders, and aider containment system the price difference is within $20.
Great points. My biggest complaint with the tree styx so far is not being able to get to my normal height with only 3 sticks. a 2 or 3 step aider on the bottom stick should solve that problem. Great tip about the small stealth strip.
Great detailed review. That price breakdown sent me towards the Latitude SS Sticks. Got them on a 4th of July special for $65 per stick, which felt unbeatable value wise.
I just got my tree styx in the mail this past week. They shipped incredibly quick. I had been keenly eyeing the one sticks all last season but I'm so glad i waited. the tree styx are the exact stick i had been trying to turn my beast sticks into for 3 years. I'm super excited to see how they pack and use this season. I will say it's quite difficult to get the tree styx back together quietly and consistently. I'm going to be experimenting with stealth stripping to see if I could quiet them down.
Another commenter mentioned putting a bit of stealth strip between the stand-off to prevent noise when stacked. It might help with stacking noise. I’ve also found that how I wrap up the attachment method contributes to how easy/difficult it is to slide them together. The way o showed in the video is not exactly the same as the way tree Styx shows. I think their way helps with easier stacking.
@@TheBudgetSportsman i had noticed that when you wrapped them but I haven't found it to make a meaningful difference. I did place a square between where the button hits the back of the other stick and it's helped but there's possible contact at the top and bottom of the steps themselves. I'll be messing around with some more stealth strips. not worried about the extra ounces on a stick so light.
Great comparison but I would also mention that carbon doesn’t transfer the cold as well as any metal. So at the end of the season putting them up or taking them done your hands won’t freeze as they would with any metal stick. I’m going to wait for the gen 2 or 3 they’re always way better for the close the same price.
I own the TreeStyx and have hunted with them multiple times. I believe they are the best sticks on the market and certainly the most innovative with the built in aiders and attachment method. They are rock solid on a tree. I would highly recommend.
Glad you did this video. I had been contemplating upgrading my sticks, and both of these were contenders. After this video, I’ll be sticking with my Skeletors
@@TheBudgetSportsman for me it’s the foot room. I love how much space that the fold way from the tree stand-off give me. Last year I tried a few different sticks at a hunting expo(including the latitude sticks); I liked how light they felt, but I’m just so used to the foot room on the skeletors.
I would like to see the difference when weight is applied to them while climbing. I’ve seen some videos with carbon sticks flexing a little more than I would like.
If you want a single step aider, then yes, I think it is worth it. You will probably pay $15-20 per aider to buy them elsewhere and they won't be retractable. You can make your own for less money, but if you are paying that much for the sticks I would just go ahead and pay for the convenience of the retractable aider. The only case where I can see not paying for the aider is if you want a multi-step aider.
In case anyone is wondering about the Tethrd standoffs - I have size 13 feet and no issues whatsoever climbing the Tethrd One sticks. The standoffs are noticeably smaller but I have not seen that to be an issue unless you're laying it on a tape measure. The advantage to the smaller standoffs as mentioned at 11:45 is that the stack of 3 Tethrd One sticks is TINY compared to the Tree Styx or most any other climbing stick other than maybe the Trophyline Hyperlite or the Lattitude Carbon SS. Everything has a trade off. I spend less than 5 minutes on my climbing sticks each hunt and up to an hour carrying them in to my spot and back out again.. As long as they are safe and functional, size and weight are far more critical than huge standoffs. Just my 2 cents.
You make some fair points. The problem here is the weight advantage goes to the Tree Styx and the size advantage goes to the One Sticks. It's going to come down to personal preference on which is more important.
@@JennRFL16 Do you mean you’ve tried all of the sticks you listen and none of them have enough standoff space for you? To each their own, but I can’t understand that. I have very large feet and all of the sticks I have ever used in my life have plenty of space. It’s never really been a consideration for me.
@@galinswigart yup I used them all hurts my feet using them I have size 12 I asked my doc and the responses was that it maybe because how flat my feet are not sure if that’s it but all I got to go on I do know that when my feet are wet and I walk on the concrete after getting outta a pool there is no arch mark
Those seem nice. Will certainly work well for hunters. But I’ll just hang on to my gen 3 ONE sticks. No stealth strips on mine and my aiders stay in my side pocket and get installed on each stick as I climb the tree. That’s the easiest, simple and quickest method I’ve found so far.
Bought a set of one sticks year before last after the recall between seasons. While climbing one opening day the next season, the right side step on the one stick sheared off and slide down the tree. After my initial contact with tethrd, I was done. The guy I spoke to was just a jerk. The second guy who contacted me was much better. He told me that they knew that "some" of the recalled sticks had slipped through. While I appreciate the honesty, still didn't sit well with me. They replaced the my 3 set of sticks with a 4 set of sticks. They also offered a discount on the lockdown saddle but when I called to order it, they didn't follow through on it. Buy them at your own risk. I now hunt with XOP sticks and the One Sticks sit in my garage.
I think paying $600+ just for sticks is dumb when you can get a 4 pack of XOPs with tons of foot room for $180 and carry a few extra pounds...that being said your review was great and very well done.
I won’t argue that $625 for climbing sticks is a little crazy, but it’s also tough to compare them to X2 sticks. They just aren’t in the same league. If people out there have the money these are (to my knowledge) the lightest sticks on the market and are ready to hunt out of the box.
How are you getting 9lbs. XOP X2 sticks around 2lbs each (lighter with an aftermarket attachment). That’s 8lbs total. Tree Styx are sub 1 lb each but basically 4 lbs total. You cut 4lbs or 50% of the weight for about 4x the amount of money. Not saying they aren’t worth it, just saying it’s not 9lbs.
I like the tree Styx but the fact that they're $650 for 4 and only comes with a 1 year warranty? Makes me believe they don't have faith in their product, so why would I 😢
Yes you are correct. In fact I’ll have a video coming out later this summer on making Amsteel aiders. I was trying to compare out of the box solutions as close as possible.
The prices on these sticks is really getting out of control, the average person can't afford most of the new gear. They are pricing things way too high in my opinion. I understand manufacturing costs are up and inflation and all that but man it's disheartening to see that young hunters wanting to get into hunting but feel like they cant afford to get the gear they need. I know you don't need the top of the line gear to get out and hunt but I wish these manufacturers offered their gear at a more affordable price.
Eddie, I totally hear you. Unfortunately, hunters want the lightest weight possible setups. Manufacturing lightweight products with specialty materials is expensive. I started saddle hunting for several seasons with hawk sticks which can usually be had for $100. Yes they are significantly heavier than the sticks in this video but they absolutely will get the job done and still be lighter than most climbing trees stands. They key is to differentiate between need and want. A young guy just starting doesn’t “need” premium sticks. A guy could buy the XOP mutant for $120 (comes with ropes), the XOP edge platform for $100, and hawk sticks for $100 and have a decent starter setup for $320 There are affordable options, they just aren’t the same as premium options.
After adding stealth strips and genesis 3D clips, my tethrd one sticks basically costs as much as the tree Styx, and the tree Styx solves all the issues with the tethrd one sticks. I’m having a bit of buyers remorse atm.
Can't go wrong with the tried and true. There is something about the look and feel of the one stick that I really like. Not to mention the dynalock tab is great.
Great video with a through break down and comparison. I do think that the Latitude sticks should have been included here though. At 19 oz a stick with 18 in step height they are hard to beat coming in at less than 350 for a set of 4.
I agree, unfortunately, I can only review what I have my hands on and up until now I haven't been able to test the latitude sticks. Something I hope to be able to do in the future.
I'll keep my skeletors. If 4lbs keeps you from being able to carry them out, you probably shouldn't be climbing a tree. With the 350 i saved, I'll buy more gear.
While I definitely support your decision, I think your being a bit barrow minded to say you shouldn’t be climbing a tree if 4 lbs makes a difference. At one point do you draw the line. What’s the need for saddle hunting at all? What about saving weight to hike further? What about saving weight to be able to haul gear and meat out in one load? What about people who just have a different opinion for you? I don’t think it’s about the ability to carry them, it’s about the enjoyment of carrying them and the feeling of being able to go in light and mobile with minimal effort.
Everyone wants made in America until it's 200 a stick. Gotta find a way to stay competitive, at least with a premium product, or you end up with a very small market.
Nathan, great review and comparison. Those Tree Styx are very cool and innovative. Thanks for sharing.
I bought a set of Tree Styx at the Southern Mobile hunter expo in Dalton. I absolutely love them. I used Tethrd One sticks for 2 years, and I was never satisfied with the room on the stand offs. The Tree Styx solved this issue and in a lighter package. The weight might not seem like a big deal to some folks, but I have back issues and I save ounces everywhere I can. I will probably use a removable 2 step aider on the bottom stick to be able to get to my normal hunting height.
My biggest complaint with the Tree Styx is that I can't get as high as I would like with only 3 sticks. I may use a 2 or 3 step aider on the bottom stick as well.
If I ever go back to stick climbing, I am going to get one of these two.
Great video. I have both and for me these new tree Styx take the cake. I put a small strip of stealth strips on the back of the standoffs which takes out the play between the sticks when nested together.
I do think they will eventually come out with a version without the aiders which will probably drop the price. I personally will use a 3 step wider in the bottom stick then the built in wider on the remainder sticks. This way in on not need to carry in 3 sticks to get 18’ + depending on the time of year and layering.
I’ve found after adding shipping, stealth strips, aiders, and aider containment system the price difference is within $20.
I'm like you, I'll add my usual 2 step aider to the bottom stick so I can get as high as I normally do.
Great points. My biggest complaint with the tree styx so far is not being able to get to my normal height with only 3 sticks. a 2 or 3 step aider on the bottom stick should solve that problem.
Great tip about the small stealth strip.
Great detailed review. That price breakdown sent me towards the Latitude SS Sticks. Got them on a 4th of July special for $65 per stick, which felt unbeatable value wise.
That sounds like a great buy.
I'm curious how you feel about the stability and bite of the Styx.
Great review, definitely tree Styx a clear winter 👍🏻... for a private land not really needed but for a public land guy we definitely worth it!
Love that you did this! Great video!
Thank you
I just got my tree styx in the mail this past week. They shipped incredibly quick. I had been keenly eyeing the one sticks all last season but I'm so glad i waited. the tree styx are the exact stick i had been trying to turn my beast sticks into for 3 years. I'm super excited to see how they pack and use this season.
I will say it's quite difficult to get the tree styx back together quietly and consistently. I'm going to be experimenting with stealth stripping to see if I could quiet them down.
Another commenter mentioned putting a bit of stealth strip between the stand-off to prevent noise when stacked. It might help with stacking noise.
I’ve also found that how I wrap up the attachment method contributes to how easy/difficult it is to slide them together. The way o showed in the video is not exactly the same as the way tree Styx shows. I think their way helps with easier stacking.
@@TheBudgetSportsman i had noticed that when you wrapped them but I haven't found it to make a meaningful difference. I did place a square between where the button hits the back of the other stick and it's helped but there's possible contact at the top and bottom of the steps themselves. I'll be messing around with some more stealth strips. not worried about the extra ounces on a stick so light.
Great comparison but I would also mention that carbon doesn’t transfer the cold as well as any metal. So at the end of the season putting them up or taking them done your hands won’t freeze as they would with any metal stick. I’m going to wait for the gen 2 or 3 they’re always way better for the close the same price.
Great point!
7:34 All that is is a standard rope mod you can use on any stick with a button 👍
I own the TreeStyx and have hunted with them multiple times. I believe they are the best sticks on the market and certainly the most innovative with the built in aiders and attachment method. They are rock solid on a tree. I would highly recommend.
Glad you did this video. I had been contemplating upgrading my sticks, and both of these were contenders. After this video, I’ll be sticking with my Skeletors
Interesting. What made the decision for you? Foot room? I love my skeletors but after playing with both of these sticks the skeletors sure feel heavy.
@@TheBudgetSportsman for me it’s the foot room. I love how much space that the fold way from the tree stand-off give me. Last year I tried a few different sticks at a hunting expo(including the latitude sticks); I liked how light they felt, but I’m just so used to the foot room on the skeletors.
I would like to see the difference when weight is applied to them while climbing. I’ve seen some videos with carbon sticks flexing a little more than I would like.
I have found the tree Styx to be solid so far.
Do you think the built in aider is worth it on the Tree Styx? I see on their website you can buy the sticks for $20 less without the aider.
If you want a single step aider, then yes, I think it is worth it. You will probably pay $15-20 per aider to buy them elsewhere and they won't be retractable. You can make your own for less money, but if you are paying that much for the sticks I would just go ahead and pay for the convenience of the retractable aider.
The only case where I can see not paying for the aider is if you want a multi-step aider.
Very good presentation! Thanx and safe hunting
Extremely informative and detailed video. Nicely done
Thank you
Love the tree Styx!!
They are impressive!
Love my one sticks but, struggled with the stacking system in the dark. So, added the stick/stack/stow (G3D item I believe) and VERY smooth now.
In case anyone is wondering about the Tethrd standoffs - I have size 13 feet and no issues whatsoever climbing the Tethrd One sticks. The standoffs are noticeably smaller but I have not seen that to be an issue unless you're laying it on a tape measure.
The advantage to the smaller standoffs as mentioned at 11:45 is that the stack of 3 Tethrd One sticks is TINY compared to the Tree Styx or most any other climbing stick other than maybe the Trophyline Hyperlite or the Lattitude Carbon SS. Everything has a trade off. I spend less than 5 minutes on my climbing sticks each hunt and up to an hour carrying them in to my spot and back out again.. As long as they are safe and functional, size and weight are far more critical than huge standoffs. Just my 2 cents.
You make some fair points. The problem here is the weight advantage goes to the Tree Styx and the size advantage goes to the One Sticks. It's going to come down to personal preference on which is more important.
I had the one sticks and the skeletors I have the carbon as now so far every set is not enough standoff for me going to be trying the tree Styx’s
@JennRFL16 are you saying the skeletors are too small? Because the tree Styx are not as generous as the skeletors.
@@JennRFL16 Do you mean you’ve tried all of the sticks you listen and none of them have enough standoff space for you? To each their own, but I can’t understand that. I have very large feet and all of the sticks I have ever used in my life have plenty of space. It’s never really been a consideration for me.
@@galinswigart yup I used them all hurts my feet using them I have size 12 I asked my doc and the responses was that it maybe because how flat my feet are not sure if that’s it but all I got to go on I do know that when my feet are wet and I walk on the concrete after getting outta a pool there is no arch mark
Those seem nice. Will certainly work well for hunters. But I’ll just hang on to my gen 3 ONE sticks. No stealth strips on mine and my aiders stay in my side pocket and get installed on each stick as I climb the tree. That’s the easiest, simple and quickest method I’ve found so far.
I’m considering both. I think the attachment with the one stick is easier. Every other point Tree Styx seems better
Bought a set of one sticks year before last after the recall between seasons. While climbing one opening day the next season, the right side step on the one stick sheared off and slide down the tree. After my initial contact with tethrd, I was done. The guy I spoke to was just a jerk. The second guy who contacted me was much better. He told me that they knew that "some" of the recalled sticks had slipped through. While I appreciate the honesty, still didn't sit well with me. They replaced the my 3 set of sticks with a 4 set of sticks. They also offered a discount on the lockdown saddle but when I called to order it, they didn't follow through on it. Buy them at your own risk. I now hunt with XOP sticks and the One Sticks sit in my garage.
How they do on crooked trees ?
Hope you do a review on the sladder climbing system one day
You’re not the first person to ask. Let me see what I can do.
Anybody know about the PRIMAL SNAP ALUMINUM TREE STIX
Thanks!
Thank you!!
I think paying $600+ just for sticks is dumb when you can get a 4 pack of XOPs with tons of foot room for $180 and carry a few extra pounds...that being said your review was great and very well done.
I won’t argue that $625 for climbing sticks is a little crazy, but it’s also tough to compare them to X2 sticks. They just aren’t in the same league.
If people out there have the money these are (to my knowledge) the lightest sticks on the market and are ready to hunt out of the box.
you’re cutting 9 lbs lol. it’s not a few extra … it’s 9 lol
How are you getting 9lbs. XOP X2 sticks around 2lbs each (lighter with an aftermarket attachment). That’s 8lbs total.
Tree Styx are sub 1 lb each but basically 4 lbs total.
You cut 4lbs or 50% of the weight for about 4x the amount of money.
Not saying they aren’t worth it, just saying it’s not 9lbs.
@@TheBudgetSportsman couldn't have said it better myself
@@lizzleyt math was a little off there lol. Still 5 lbs is a lot !
For $80 more it’s an absolute no brainer the Tree Styx. That’s why I own them 😂
They are a great stick for sure!
I like the tree Styx but the fact that they're $650 for 4 and only comes with a 1 year warranty? Makes me believe they don't have faith in their product, so why would I 😢
Not arguing with you, but what warranty would make you feel that they believe in their product?
@@TheBudgetSportsman id feel better about the buy with 3-5 years warranty on them. They're prob the nicest sticks I've seen out though
Good video, very descriptive. Thank you.
However, the irony of $600 sticks being reviewed on the “Budget Sportsman” is not overlooked.
It is certainly not overlooked by me either, which is why I addressed that very concern within the first 40 seconds.
Why pay high$ for an aftermarket aider when you can make your own out of chineema?
Yes you are correct. In fact I’ll have a video coming out later this summer on making Amsteel aiders. I was trying to compare out of the box solutions as close as possible.
The prices on these sticks is really getting out of control, the average person can't afford most of the new gear. They are pricing things way too high in my opinion. I understand manufacturing costs are up and inflation and all that but man it's disheartening to see that young hunters wanting to get into hunting but feel like they cant afford to get the gear they need. I know you don't need the top of the line gear to get out and hunt but I wish these manufacturers offered their gear at a more affordable price.
Eddie, I totally hear you. Unfortunately, hunters want the lightest weight possible setups. Manufacturing lightweight products with specialty materials is expensive.
I started saddle hunting for several seasons with hawk sticks which can usually be had for $100. Yes they are significantly heavier than the sticks in this video but they absolutely will get the job done and still be lighter than most climbing trees stands.
They key is to differentiate between need and want. A young guy just starting doesn’t “need” premium sticks.
A guy could buy the XOP mutant for $120 (comes with ropes), the XOP edge platform for $100, and hawk sticks for $100 and have a decent starter setup for $320
There are affordable options, they just aren’t the same as premium options.
After adding stealth strips and genesis 3D clips, my tethrd one sticks basically costs as much as the tree Styx, and the tree Styx solves all the issues with the tethrd one sticks. I’m having a bit of buyers remorse atm.
That’s a bummer. Truth is you still have a great set of quality sticks.
You have a video of how you made your aider
I have a video in the works showing how to make single and double step aiders. It should post in the next few weeks.
@@TheBudgetSportsman awesome thanks
I will keep tethrd stick
Can't go wrong with the tried and true. There is something about the look and feel of the one stick that I really like. Not to mention the dynalock tab is great.
Great video with a through break down and comparison. I do think that the Latitude sticks should have been included here though. At 19 oz a stick with 18 in step height they are hard to beat coming in at less than 350 for a set of 4.
I agree, unfortunately, I can only review what I have my hands on and up until now I haven't been able to test the latitude sticks. Something I hope to be able to do in the future.
I'll keep my skeletors. If 4lbs keeps you from being able to carry them out, you probably shouldn't be climbing a tree. With the 350 i saved, I'll buy more gear.
While I definitely support your decision, I think your being a bit barrow minded to say you shouldn’t be climbing a tree if 4 lbs makes a difference.
At one point do you draw the line. What’s the need for saddle hunting at all? What about saving weight to hike further? What about saving weight to be able to haul gear and meat out in one load? What about people who just have a different opinion for you?
I don’t think it’s about the ability to carry them, it’s about the enjoyment of carrying them and the feeling of being able to go in light and mobile with minimal effort.
Everyone wants made in America until it's 200 a stick. Gotta find a way to stay competitive, at least with a premium product, or you end up with a very small market.
An I phone weighs 6.5oz. Just an fyi.
Beast stick 🎉
So your comparing a 1.7lbs stick to a 15 ounce stick?
Not even comparable…. As good as Beasts are, they’re not in the same league as Tree Styx. I’ve had both, and kept the Tree Styx.
Lmao! 😂beast deez nutz like u do dans
Ain’t no way in hell I’d pay 190-200$ per stick! Idc how little they weigh!
U must not hunt swamps😅
@@1999mike all I hunt is swamps! Don’t have any other terrain around south louisiana where I’m at