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Latitude Method - metal free or buckle

nyarcher

New Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
6
Newbie to the saddle game, but I think this will be my first saddle. About to order and wondering if anyone has an opinion on the metal free version/rope belt vs. the buckle version? Was also looking at the cruzr XC and aerohunter flex but I think the method is gonna be the one. Thanks for any help on the decision, much appreciated.
 
I recently purchased a L. Method saddle. I chose the metal free. I can say it holds extremely well on the waist and doesn't create any slack. I have nothing to compare to as this is my first saddle.
 
I was not a fan of the method. I was very much a fan of the new flex despite some critical review it got from people on here who hadn't even used one yet. I have read nothing but positive reviews on the CRUZR XC so that might be the way to go.

Cons
The method with the rope belt will dig in if you don't loosen it once you are in the tree. If you loosen the belt in the tree and need to adjust the panels be careful because the whole saddle does have potential to fall down which can be sketchy. The leg straps are pointless and flimsy. They are not weight to hold your weight in a fall and they do not keep the saddle from rotating while using the linemans loops. Additionally, the g hooks that they use on the leg loops are very hard to get one and off because the hook on the is so tight, the webbing is so flimsy, and the spring gate is too strong. The adjustable bridge which features amsteel type prussics on both sides on oplux are not very adjustable. They lock down extremely tight and I had a terrible time loosening them enough to adjust the bridge. You have to have the bridge completed un-weighted. I had to complete transfer to my linemans belt if I want to change the bridge length. I didn't find this saddle to be very comfortable despite the two panel desiign and the ability to move the panels around. I could get comfortable but only for about 30 min at a time, which resulted in me moving around a lot. I did kill a deer out of this saddle this year. It was a weakside shot and it wasn't very pleasant and I didn't feel all that secure or supported.

Pros
The method is extremely light weight and doesnt make much noise since there isnt any metal there. If you keep to no bags hanging from the saddle I think you would be pleased with this as a run and gun saddle. I one stick climb and as long as you keep the belt tight you can bring the bottom panel down and comfortably sit as you progress up the tree. Rappelling down was no different. It works fine but I would prefer a little more security that you get from rated leg straps.

Again this is just my opinion, I am sure for my one negative review there are 10 glowing ones. I am just telling you what it was like for me this season. I am 6' 2" 200lbs and have been saddle hunting for just 2 years. I have tried just shy of 20 saddles in my short career.
 
thanks for the input gcr0003! any downside to the buckle version that you know of? only thing I would worry about is potential for noise.
what saddle you running now? I def will not have bags/pouches on it as I will likely just keep my stand hunting setup and use that to store linemans rope, as I cant hunt without my pack. need my binocs, rangefinder, grunt tube, rattling antlers, water, battery for phone charging, etc. Was planning on skipping the dump pouches and wear my pack with sticks attached to back of my pack, wear the saddle, and carry my bow.
 
thanks for the input gcr0003! any downside to the buckle version that you know of? only thing I would worry about is potential for noise.
what saddle you running now? I def will not have bags/pouches on it as I will likely just keep my stand hunting setup and use that to store linemans rope, as I cant hunt without my pack. need my binocs, rangefinder, grunt tube, rattling antlers, water, battery for phone charging, etc. Was planning on skipping the dump pouches and wear my pack with sticks attached to back of my pack, wear the saddle, and carry my bow.
I haven’t used the buckle version but like you said the only downside I could think of would be a little potential for noise. I think the weight would be negligible.
 
I have a metal free version. I don’t use the leg straps. I removed them. One nice thing is you can take them on and off on this saddle. I personally find this saddle very comfortable sitting and leaning. I really don’t have any negatives. I don’t know about the buckle version. I really only loosen the belt in the tree occasionally if I want to raise or lower the top section for some reason. I never really adjust the bridge at all, pretty much set it and forget it the way you like it.
 
I wanted to try the metal free version but, chose to buy the metal buckle version. The reason was because the belt can be removed. I figured I would purchase the version with the buckle and then buy a couple feet of Oplux off of EWO for a few dollars and make the rope belt myself. This way I could try both versions. It's cheaper to buy the rope then a load rated buckle.

However, it only took one sit to realize the saddle wasn't for me. My experience echos @gcr0003 above. I'm not a fan of Amsteel bridges or removable leg straps but, was willing to give the saddle a try anyway. The biggest thing for me is the saddle was just too small. I have a 34" waist and the bridge loops sit right on my hips which caused pretty intense pressure points pretty quickly, no matter how I adjusted it.

If you do get the Method I would wait until the new version comes out. They supposedly made a few design changes and are coming out with a bigger size.
 
Thanks so much for the info! I am also 33" -34" waist , depending upon what type of beers I've been getting into. GCTerpfan - what saddle you running now? Havent settled on this one yet, thought it was gonna be my first but still up for discussion.
 
I was not a fan of the method. I was very much a fan of the new flex despite some critical review it got from people on here who hadn't even used one yet. I have read nothing but positive reviews on the CRUZR XC so that might be the way to go.

Cons
The method with the rope belt will dig in if you don't loosen it once you are in the tree. If you loosen the belt in the tree and need to adjust the panels be careful because the whole saddle does have potential to fall down which can be sketchy. The leg straps are pointless and flimsy. They are not weight to hold your weight in a fall and they do not keep the saddle from rotating while using the linemans loops. Additionally, the g hooks that they use on the leg loops are very hard to get one and off because the hook on the is so tight, the webbing is so flimsy, and the spring gate is too strong. The adjustable bridge which features amsteel type prussics on both sides on oplux are not very adjustable. They lock down extremely tight and I had a terrible time loosening them enough to adjust the bridge. You have to have the bridge completed un-weighted. I had to complete transfer to my linemans belt if I want to change the bridge length. I didn't find this saddle to be very comfortable despite the two panel desiign and the ability to move the panels around. I could get comfortable but only for about 30 min at a time, which resulted in me moving around a lot. I did kill a deer out of this saddle this year. It was a weakside shot and it wasn't very pleasant and I didn't feel all that secure or supported.

Pros
The method is extremely light weight and doesnt make much noise since there isnt any metal there. If you keep to no bags hanging from the saddle I think you would be pleased with this as a run and gun saddle. I one stick climb and as long as you keep the belt tight you can bring the bottom panel down and comfortably sit as you progress up the tree. Rappelling down was no different. It works fine but I would prefer a little more security that you get from rated leg straps.

Again this is just my opinion, I am sure for my one negative review there are 10 glowing ones. I am just telling you what it was like for me this season. I am 6' 2" 200lbs and have been saddle hunting for just 2 years. I have tried just shy of 20 saddles in my short career.
Thanks for that rundown as I too was considering a Method. I’m pretty set on a TX5 when his website gets up and running. I have a Phantom now and I don’t dislike it, just wanna try some others. I do have a Recon too but haven’t played with it much yet. Also considering a CRUZR XC and the new Trophyline Covert Lite. Have you tried the Covert yet? Any information is appreciated.
 
Thanks so much for the info! I am also 33" -34" waist , depending upon what type of beers I've been getting into. GCTerpfan - what saddle you running now? Havent settled on this one yet, thought it was gonna be my first but still up for discussion.

I keep coming back to my Aerohunter Kite. It's been the most comfortable saddle I have found. Followed closely by the Aerohunter Kestrel. Both in Size 2.

If your interested in a two panel saddle I would also consider the Tree Hopper Recon. It might not have some of the 'options' of the Method but, its also $100 cheaper and comes in multiple sizes.
 
I haven't had much chance to sit in mine I got few weeks ago, but for the 10-15 mins i sat in mine, I couldn't tell much difference than what my kestrel felt. But it was limited. I'm a 40 waist and didn't feel any more pinch either. I had the bridge all the way out. I like the adjustable 2 panel system. Seems like I can have more options when sitting for a longe time. I like how much lighter is wears than the kestrel. Which is what I hated about walking in on public with the kestrel. More time will tell after I get a chance to use it some more. So in not giving up on it yet. So far I like what I have seen.
 
I have the metal free version. Just got it and only have one sit but I have 0 complaints with it. It's amazing. Use or don't use the leg straps, they're easy to take off. Never felt the belt digging in. I have a 30" waist so maybe that helped but I don't see how a saddle could get any comfier.
 
I have the buckle version but did a diy metal less mod. It’s easy to swap between all you need is an extra piece of rope for the belt. So if you buy a buckle one you can easily change where as with the metal less you would have to get webbing and a buckle as apposed to just a short length of rope. If you go this way pm me and I’ll give you detail but I’m sure you can figure it out. I got some 6mm rope to that I could send you.
 
I have the metal free method. I've no issues with the rope belt digging in and I've had it really tight. I did remove the leg straps, no need for them. I also 1 stick and had no issues with the saddle while climbing or rappelling. The rope bridge is difficult to adjust but that's expected (prussic knot w/ small diameter rope) so no surprises there. Once you find your sweet spot you don't have to worry about adjusting it anyway. It is light and packable. I found it comfy while sitting or leaning. So far it's my favorite saddle and I don't plan on tinkering with anything else for awhile.
 
I have the buckle version (just came in today) it took about 30 min in the tree to dial everything in and I have to say this is an amazing product!! I probably will do away with the leg straps but time will tell. Yes the amsteel prusiks are pretty stiff but once set you shouldnt need to adjust much if at all. I srt or one stick and repel and I couldn't be happier with this saddle. Also I'm 5'10" about 220lbs with a 38 in waist and even with the bridge tightened all the down the saddle was tight but still comfortable and no pressure point issues that I could see. I will be doing alot more testing over the next several days so we'll see if any issues develop.
 
Not to hijack, but after reading this thread i’m wondering (Concerned) if other 33/34” waist ppl are having hip pinch with the method?? Also wondering about metal free vs metal preference like the op
 
Maybe I’m just too slow....but why the buckle-less? Doesn’t every other saddle use some type of buckle? Have others had issues with the buckles being loud in the field? Only thing I can think of is the folks that carry the saddle in rather than wear it.

Not trying to cause and issue, we don’t know what we don’t know so please share and thank you.
 
Not to hijack, but after reading this thread i’m wondering (Concerned) if other 33/34” waist ppl are having hip pinch with the method?? Also wondering about metal free vs metal preference like the op

When the method first came out there were a lot of reviews from people with 34-in + waists that thought it was too small. That's initially why I held off on purchasing one until the Black Friday sale suckered me in. It's also the reason latitude came out with a size two that will supposedly be available this coming year.
 
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I say go with the buckle version. If you change your mind you can slide out the webbing and replace it with rope. I like the rated d-ring on the buckle and I use it as a backup tether point.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I say go with the buckle version. If you change your mind you can slide out the webbing and replace it with rope. I like the rated d-ring on the buckle and I use it as a backup tether point.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've read this from several people. So you can remove the belt and buckle and make a rope belt without any cutting or sewing?
 
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