Latitude Method 2 Hunting Saddle: Tested and Reviewed

Latitude Outdoors is one of the most well-know names in the saddle hunting community, so when I decided to try a two-panel saddle at the beginning of the 2023 deer season, the Method 2 seemed like the logical choice. 

Now, just to be clear, I wasn’t having any issues with my single-panel Tethrd Phantom. Like lots of saddle hunters, I just suffered from FOMO and wanted to try something different.

And while this article is not a comparison of the two saddles, I’ll share some thoughts at the end of which I ultimately preferred and what direction I may go from here. 

But for now, let’s get to the review!

Quality and Design

Right away, I was impressed with the overall quality and design of the Latitude. The stitching and craftsmanship were excellent, and it had some pretty ingenious features that really stood out to me, including:

Overlapping Panels

The relatively small, individual panels of the Method 2 overlap with each other, allowing you to use it like a small single-panel saddle.

While I rarely wore it that way in the tree, it’s nice for the walks into your hunting spots. It has such a small footprint on your backside, that you hardly notice it’s there.

Built-in Magnets

The saddle has six small, but strong magnets sewn into the panels of the saddle — two in the middle, and two on each side — that hold the panels together when they’re overlapped.

This eliminates the issue of the lower panel dropping down while you’re walking in or out, or while climbing up or down the tree.

Rope Waist Belt

Instead of your standard metal cobra-style buckles on the waist belt, the Method 2 uses an Oplux rope waist belt with a friction hitch. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this feature, but I definitely did once I got used to using it.

First, it eliminates any noise concerns that come with a big metal buckle. And secondly, it’s super easy to adjust the belt as needed. I’m honestly surprised more hunting saddle companies haven’t moved to a similar setup.

Breathable Mesh Construction

Nothing groundbreaking here, but as a southern deer hunter who often has to endure hot weather during the early season, the breathable mesh construction is nice.

It’s a durable mesh material that not only breathes, but seems to hold up to the elements and is easy to clean if needed. 

Girth Hitched Bridge Loops

These are pretty common on most saddles today, but coming from the Tethrd Phanton with the Comfort Channels on the bridge loops, I found I preferred the more solid girth-hitched bridge setup. 

You can still adjust panel pressure by moving where the hitches connect to the bridge loops, but once you have them where you want them, they are locked in.

Removable Leg Straps

The Method 2 is often referred to as being “metal free”, but it’s really not. While there is no big metal belt buckle to contend with, the leg straps to have metal clips on them.

Not a big deal, but it’s worth noting, because those metal clips can still make plenty of noise when they hit your platform or climbing sticks.

The good news is that the leg straps are easily removable for the walk in and out of the woods. Some guys forgo leg straps all together, but I’m not one of them.

Before I start climbing the tree, the leg straps go on, and they stay on until I get back down.

I don’t tighten them tight enough to cause discomfort, but if I were to take a fall, I want something there to keep me from completely coming out of the saddle.

Method 2 Specs

For those of you looking for all the technical information on the Method 2, the specs are as follows:

• Type: Two-panel
• Weight: 1 pound 13 ounces with the leg straps attached (actual weight as tested)
• Capacity: 300 pounds
• Sizes: Regular (up to 37” waist) and XL (37” and up waist)
• MSRP: $299.99
• Made in the U.S.A.

Performance in the Field

I just finished up my first full season in the Method 2, so I had lots of time to get a feel for how it performs and what I liked and didn’t like about it.

What I Like

Overall, I enjoyed using the Method 2. It was my first two-panel hunting saddle, and it definitely provided a level of comfort well beyond my previous single-panel saddle. Spending long hours in the tree was not an issue.

But it did take a few hunts to find my sweet spots and get the saddle dialed in! 

As I mentioned earlier, I also really liked the metal-free rope waist belt, and the overlapping panels with Quick Connect magnets for a streamlined fit when walking to and from my hunting spot. It doesn’t feel bulky or cumbersome to wear on the walk in or out.

What I Don’t Like

While the Method 2 was a great saddle overall, there was a couple things I didn’t care for. The primary issue being the increased “fiddle factor” of a two-panel saddle. This isn’t a knock on Latitude, but just a factor of two-panel saddle design. 

I feel like I was moving more, adjusting the panels where I needed them, which made me more prone to getting busted by an approaching deer.

That issue was compounded by the fact that when I’d stand up from a sitting position, or anytime I took the tension off the tether rope, the bottom panel of the saddle would fall down to the back of my legs. 

This was sometimes an issue when climbing up and down the tree, especially if I had any gear (climbing stick or my tether rope) attached to my lineman’s loops. To fix the problem, I would often wear suspenders with the saddle. It helped. 

Some two-panel saddles, like the Buzzard Roost, have adjustable straps that tie the two panels together to eliminate the issue of the bottom panel falling down and having to readjust all the time.

I definitely think the Method 2 could benefit from such a feature, although it would likely add a little more weight to the setup.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I’m still not sure if I’m a single-panel or two-panel hunting saddle guy. I loved the added comfort, but I’m not sure it was enough to overcome the extra movement I experienced. 

I still want to try the Buzzard Roost two-panel saddle, as well as a single-panel pleated saddle like the CRUZR XC or Tethrd UltraLock (formerly the Tethrd Lockdown), to see if I can find the comfort and simplicity I’m ultimately looking for.

You know us saddle hunters. We’re never completely satisfied with our gear, and even if we are, we still want to try something different!

About Latitude Outdoors