XOP Ride Climbing Sticks: The Rut-Season Field Verdict

November 8, 2026 · by Cole Barrett

Climbing sticks don't get the glory. The saddle gets the Instagram post, the platform gets the YouTube teardown, and the sticks just sit there in the dark while you grunt-call a buck into range. But here's the thing — your sticks are the first decision you make every single morning. Get them wrong and your whole rig suffers. So when XOP dropped the Ride for the 2026 season, it was worth paying close attention.

What XOP Built With the Ride

The Ride is XOP's most technically engineered stick to date. It's built from a proprietary alloy blend — designated I7 and I6 — that the company says balances stiffness, strength, and weight in a way their older aluminum formulas couldn't. The result is a stick that weighs in at 1.7 pounds per section, which puts it squarely in the ultralight-to-mid-weight conversation without crossing into fragile territory.

The attachment system is where things get interesting. XOP went with their new XR2 and NANOCORE rope attachment system — a low-profile, quick-connect setup designed for fast, repeatable installs in the dark. No fumbling with straps, no noise. If you've ever tried to silently strap a stick to a gnarly-barked oak at 5:45 a.m. while your knuckles are freezing, you understand why this matters. The XR2 is a real-world solution to a real-world problem.

The step geometry lands at a 10-inch wide double step with 17-inch spacing between sections, and a 5-inch standoff from the tree. That standoff is enough to keep your feet comfortable and your body clear through the whole climb. The Slide Lock stacking system — carry them side-by-side or stacked — means these pack tight and won't rattle in your pack on a long walk-in.

What Makes the Ride Different: Aider-Ready Architecture

This is the detail that separates the Ride from the rest of XOP's lineup, and honestly from most of the market right now. The Ride ships with aider-ready attachment points and is built to work directly with XOP's Reactor aiders. That means if you hunt big timber, tight-barked trees, or just want to push your height ceiling on a multi-stick setup, you can bolt aiders on and extend your reach without swapping platforms or rigging a workaround.

For saddle hunters in particular, this is a big deal. Getting that extra foot or two of height on a pressured public-land buck — the kind that consistently hangs up at 30 yards — can be the entire difference between a chip-shot and a blown opportunity. The Ride gives you that flexibility baked in, not bolted on as an afterthought.

Who Should Run These Sticks

Straight talk: the Ride is purpose-built for technical, backcountry, and ultralight saddle hunters. It's rated to 300 pounds, so heavier hunters carrying big packs should run the numbers on their total load before committing. The XOP X2 — rated to 350 pounds — is probably the smarter call if you're on the edge of that limit.

But if you're a run-and-gun saddle hunter who moves fast, covers ground on public land, and wants a stick with legitimate technical chops — aider-ready, dead-quiet XR2 attachment, dialed-in standoff — the Ride belongs at the top of your short list. It's not the cheapest option on the shelf, but it's not trying to be. It's trying to be the best tool for a specific style of hunting, and it largely succeeds.

Weight: 1.7 lbs per stick
Step width: 10-inch double step
Step spacing: 17 inches
Standoff: 5 inches
Weight rating: 300 lbs
Attachment: XR2 + NANOCORE rope system
Aider compatible: Yes, Reactor aider ready
Stacking: Slide Lock system, side-by-side or stacked

Bottom Line for Rut Season

November is the worst time to be messing with gear that doesn't work. Bucks are moving, windows are short, and every botched setup costs you. The XOP Ride won't let your sticks be the reason you blow a chip-shot opportunity. Fast attachment, solid standoff, aider-ready versatility — this stick was built for hunters who move with purpose and climb with confidence. Send it.