Every year, we see gear get lighter, smaller, and sleeker. But every once in a while, a product pops up that makes you pause, smile, and appreciate the sheer creativity of bowhunters trying to solve everyday problems.
Enter the XP3 Pocket Stick from B7 Outdoors.
See Todd & Justin reaction to the Pocket Stick on this clip the Watering Hole Podcast
Instead of the standard rigid aluminum post catching on branches during your walk in, the XP3 takes a completely different approach: it folds.
These 17-inch climbing sticks use a mechanical scissor-linkage design to collapse down to just 9 inches. That is roughly the size of a standard water bottle. You can slide them into a backpack, stow them in a dedicated holster, or literally drop them into the cargo pocket of your hunting pants.
When you reach your tree, you unfold the stick to its full length and lock it down using an Amsteel rope and a Dual-Button locking system that sets the frame tight against the bark.
To keep the folding mechanism functional, the stick uses a single-step setup with offsetting top and bottom steps. It is a wildly unique approach to solving the age-old problem of bulk and packability for mobile hunters.
While we have not had our hands on a set, you have to respect the out-of-the-box engineering. It is awesome to see small companies pushing the boundaries and coming up with fresh ways to streamline our pack-in setups.
Would you trade traditional stacked sticks for a set that fits directly in your pants pocket?
