When it comes to hunters, bowhunting gear generally falls into two categories. There are items we love to tinker with every single season, like arrows, broadheads, and sight setups. Then there are pieces of gear where, once we find something that fits and works, we refuse to touch it.
For the past few seasons, my saddle rig fell squarely into that second category.
My go-to setup was built around a Tethrd Ultra Lock. I paired it with a set of beat-up Gen 1 One Sticks wrapped in Stealth Strips, and a CFX platform.
It was comfortable, bulletproof, and familiar. Whether I was stepping out of the truck on public land in Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, or Kentucky, that was the kit I grabbed ten times out of ten.
There was only one problem: The Ultra Lock’s giant side pockets.
The trouble with big pockets is that you inevitably find stuff to put in them. It is like buying a bigger house or carrying a larger backpack. You fill the space simply because it is there. Before I knew it, my lightweight mobile rig had gotten incredibly heavy.
I needed a system that kept the comfort of an expanding panel while cutting out the bulk for long public land hikes. That brought me to the Tethrd Phantom XP.
The Blueprint: Combining Three Saddles into One
If you have followed saddle hunting over the last several years, you know the original Tethrd Phantom was a landmark design. In fact, six years ago, I killed my very first saddle deer on my first sit out of an original Phantom.
The new Phantom XP is essentially the culmination of three different saddle evolutions: The Phantom, the Ultra Lock, and the Carnivore 2 Panel.
From the Phantom – It retains the lightweight, streamlined footprint and classic shape that made the original Phantom famous.
From the Carnivore Bridge – It incorporates an updated Micro Quad-Lock bridge system offering precise micro-adjustments, uses the same Lay-flat Bridge loops to reduce hip pinch, and utilizes the free floating Freedom Belt for maximum adjustability.
From the Ultra Lock Panel – It integrates a 3.5-inch expanding panel to save weight while providing lumbar support.
One additional feature is their Lace Lock Tensioner for the expanding panel. This elastic cord system allows you to dial in the tension used to hold the expandable panel closed when walking in and yet allow for easy deployment in the tree by pulling on the thumb loops.
My Final Setup
Out of the box, the Phantom XP is built for speed and minimalism. Because the saddle ships without built-in bulk, you can customize your storage.
Personally, I’ll skip the oversized zippered pockets and attach a couple of Sys Haulers strictly for my tether, lineman rope, straps, and bow hanger. Everything else needs to go into my pack.
Getting the Phantom XP dialed in on a tree takes less than two minutes, but small adjustments make a massive difference in all-day comfort.
The Verdict: Tethrd Phantom XP Performance
Last season, I tested a dedicated two-panel saddle setup. While it worked fine, I found myself constantly wanting to go back to a single panel with an expanding body.
The Phantom XP hits that middle ground I was looking for. You get the weight savings and mobility of a minimalist saddle on the hike in, paired with the lower-back support of a wide-panel saddle when you drop into a long sit.
If you are a public land bowhunter who hikes miles into remote spots and wants to stay comfortable without hauling unnecessary bulk, the Phantom XP is worth a serious look this season.
