Heath Wood
As more bowhunters adopt a mobile hunting approach, tree saddles continue to be central to the discussion alongside the treestand. Today’s mobile hunters prioritize comfort, efficiency, and lightweight gear, and the latest saddle innovations offer all three.
After a couple of hunts, one on public land with a few buddies and another during a managed hunt on government ground, I realized my setup needed a serious overhaul. I work full-time at a small-town, family-owned hardware store, where we still have an old-fashioned scale once used to weigh bulk nails and screws. Out of curiosity, I tossed my hunting pack, loaded with my platform, steps, and other essentials, onto the scale. It came in just shy of forty pounds. No wonder I was worn out before I even got settled in a tree.
Like many new saddle hunters, a few outings were all it took for me to start trimming down my setup for better comfort and easier carry. That’s when I began looking into new saddle designs built for all-day sits, along with carbon climbing sticks and lightweight platforms that pack down tight. The result? Gear that makes it easier than ever to stay mobile and stay in position when it matters most.
More Comfortable and Lighter-Weight Saddle Designs
One of the most buzzworthy advancements in saddle hunting is the new two-panel designed saddles that have hit the industry in recent years. These newer-designed saddles are ideal for longer sits when deer hunting. The independent panel adjustability allows for a more customized and comfortable fit, which can reduce pressure points and improve weight distribution, making it easier to stay all day, not missing any action, especially during the rut, when activity is higher. New saddle designs, such as the Method 3 from Latitude Outdoors, allow hunters to recline back during midday hours or shift to a more upright, engaged posture to be able to stay in their saddle longer until the action heats up. “With every launch, our mission to push the boundaries of saddle hunting continues,” said Alex Chopp, Co-Founder, and Chief Brand Officer at Latitude Outdoors. “We designed the Method 3 to ensure hunters have the most versatility in the woods, combining comfort, mobility, and durability into one system. It’s a reflection of everything Latitude stands for and ready to meet the demands of any hunt.” What sets the Method 3 apart is that it doesn’t sacrifice mobility for comfort. At under 4 pounds fully rigged, it’s ultra-lightweight and low-profile, making it perfect for backcountry hunts or deep public land treks where every ounce counts.
This past season, one of the changes in my saddle hunting gear was a single-panel design saddle. The Latitude Lonestar is a simple, rugged, and effective saddle. Also designed with the minimalist mobile hunter in mind, the Lonestar features a wider seat, breathable materials, and a contoured shape that supports your lower back and hips for extended comfort. This was one of my top priorities when I was looking for a different setup. In late October, during the pre-rut in my home state of southern Missouri, I made multiple all-day sits in hopes of finding a mature buck up on his feet during midday. The extra-wide support was the answer to sitting comfortably for an extended period.
Lighter and Faster: Platforms and Carbon Climbing Sticks
When looking for ways to lighten my pack for long-distance walking, the two things I changed were my platform and my climbing sticks. Tree saddles are only part of the mobile hunting setup. Today’s platforms and climbing sticks are just as important, and they’re improving every year.
Modern saddle platforms are strong, compact, and lightweight, often machined from aluminum or carbon to provide a solid base with minimal bulk. New industry designs feature angled edges and non-slip surfaces to boost stability in the tree while reducing noise and setup time. Even more impressive is the rise of carbon fiber climbing sticks. These sticks weigh less than traditional aluminum options and offer superior strength and vibration dampening. With quieter stacking systems, easier attachment mechanisms, and streamlined profiles, today’s carbon sticks are perfect for hunters who are always on the move. When I switched to carbon sticks and a lighter-weight platform, I experienced faster setups, quieter ascents, and less fatigue after long hikes. I took my new setup back to the scale and was impressed to weigh in at under twenty pounds with my upgraded gear.
One of my most memorable hunts last season took place during the peak of the rut in mid-November. On the 17th, temperatures were unseasonably mild, but I knew the bucks were chasing hard, and it was a day to be in a tree. After a quick lunch, I climbed back into my saddle around 1:00 p.m., earlier than my usual 3:00 p.m. start, because I had a feeling things could kick off at any moment.
At 2:00 p.m., the woods came alive. I heard grunting in the ravine below, and moments later, two does burst out of a thicket with a smaller buck in hot pursuit. By 3:30 p.m., the action had ramped up even more. Five does poured out of a deep bottom, trailed by a buck just shy of being a shooter. He chased and grunted, weaving a figure-eight directly under my stand. The rest of the afternoon was a blur of bucks and nonstop rutting activity.
Usually, I wouldn’t have been in position so early; past seasons, my back and legs would have been screaming by then, but with my new, more comfortable saddle setup, I stayed put all day and was right in the thick of the action.
It turns out the drive to slim down setups with better, lighter, and more practical gear is a movement far bigger than my own experience. This past summer, it’s been inspiring to watch three of my co-workers, who, like me, have become avid saddle hunters in recent years, upgrade their setups. They’ve invested in new saddles, handy accessories like knee pads and ascenders, and compact packs specifically designed for saddle hunting. The most significant change has been swapping to lighter climbing sticks, which has kept our local delivery driver making plenty of stops at the store.
Now, with another season on the horizon, we’re all counting down to mid-September and the start of archery season. After two years of fine-tuning our gear, there’s a real sense of satisfaction and confidence that we’re more than ready for opening day.
The Demands of the Modern Saddle Hunter
Saddle hunting isn’t just a trend; it’s a complete shift in how hunters approach the woods. Whether it’s scouting new public land, adapting to shifting deer patterns, or chasing rutting bucks in unfamiliar territory, mobile hunters need gear that keeps up. Saddles like the Method 3 and Lonestar, paired with lightweight sticks and platforms, allow hunters to move efficiently, going deeper into public land or farther into hard-to-hunt areas on private land. After an easier pack-in, modern designs in saddle hunting gear enable hunters to stay comfortable once they settle in and remain that way throughout the hunt. Gone are the days of choosing between comfort and mobility. With today’s gear, you can sit longer, move quieter, and hunt smarter, all while carrying less. For mobile hunters aiming to refine their system this season, investing in the latest saddle technology is more than just a gear upgrade; it’s a strategic upgrade.
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