Tethrd Predator V Arrives: Fifth-Gen Platform Raises the Bar for Mobile Hunters
If you've spent any serious time on a saddle platform, you know the difference a well-engineered foot surface makes. Tired ankles, sketchy toe-cams, a knob you can't turn with gloves on — small stuff that adds up to a long, miserable sit. Tethrd clearly heard the feedback, because their Predator V platform landed in early 2025 carrying a handful of targeted upgrades that address exactly those pain points.
What's New on the Predator V
The Predator V is the fifth generation of Tethrd's Predator series — the platform that's arguably done more to define what a saddle hunting foot rest should feel like than anything else on the market. Built from high-pressure die-cast aluminum with a dark powder-coated finish to kill glare and add traction, the V keeps the bones of what made the original series work while making some smart tweaks where they matter most.
The most notable change is the angled front edge. Where older Predator platforms had a sharper, more abrupt lip, the V's sloped front is designed to take pressure off your feet, ankles, and lower back during extended sits. If you've ever come out of the tree after a four-hour morning hunt with a numb arch and a sore back, you already understand why this matters. It's a geometry fix, and geometry fixes are permanent.
Tethrd also updated the traction tread pattern for a more positive grip, revised the stomp pad for better toe-caming when you're shifting for a shot, and improved the adjustment knob so you can actually level the platform without taking your gloves off in the cold. That last one sounds minor until it's 28 degrees and shooting light is five minutes away.
The Predator V ships in both Regular and XL sizes. The Regular checks in at 11.8" x 11.5" and weighs around 3.4 pounds, while the XL stretches to 11.8" x 15.75" and lands near 3.8 pounds — both with a 300-pound weight rating.
Where It Fits in the Early-2025 Platform Picture
The Predator V didn't drop in a vacuum. Early 2025 turned out to be a legitimately stacked season for saddle platforms across the board. Trophyline introduced their Hyperlite platform built from Magnite — a material claimed to be lighter and stronger than aluminum — and Hunter Safety System made their full debut in the saddle market with the Legend Platform, positioning it as a comfort-first option for hunters who want a slope-front edge. More options, more competition, more innovation. Good time to be a mobile hunter shopping for platforms.
Still, the Predator V holds a particular place in the conversation because of the ecosystem it plugs into. Pair the Regular with a three-pack of Tethrd ONE sticks and you're looking at a climbing setup that comes in under six pounds total. That's a legitimate go-light system that doesn't ask you to compromise on platform footprint or weight rating.
The Bottom Line
The Predator V isn't a reinvention — it's a refinement. Tethrd took a platform that was already trusted by a huge swath of saddle hunters and tightened the screws on the details that actually affect your hunt. The angled edge and improved stomp pad are the headliners, but taken together, all the small changes signal a brand that's listening to the people sleeping in the mud to get on deer every fall.
If you're running an older Predator and it's working fine, no urgency to chase the V. But if you're building a new setup or replacing a beat-up platform, it's the version to get. The upgrade path is clear, and the improvements are real.
