Tell ya what I've never used a back tension but I know they make you better shooters. However I don't think I could hike all over the mountains in colorado all day worryin about the darn thing or even here in wi for that matter. I know you can put tethers on em but still worry me hunting wise. Maybe some others who use them huntingnin those situations can beg to differ. Depends what you wanna use it for I guess. I've used thecopperhead for 2 years now and love it!! WCL