Saddle Hunting Buying Guide

A saddle lets you hunt almost any tree with a setup light enough to carry a mile, quiet enough to hang in the dark, and flexible enough to shoot all the way around the trunk. That's why more Wisconsin bowhunters switch every season. This guide walks through the gear a saddle system needs, how to choose each piece, and the setups our staff hunt out of themselves.

New to saddles? Stop by the shop in Dousman. We'll fit you in a saddle and get you set up before you climb your first tree.

Saddle vs. hang-on vs. ladder

If you hunt public land, move often or hunt crooked trees, a saddle wins. A ladder stand wins if you want a set-and-forget spot on a field edge, and a hang-on sits in between.

	Saddle	Hang-on stand	Ladder stand
Weight to carry	Lightest	Moderate	Heavy; usually left in place
Tree choice	Almost any tree, including crooked or limby ones	Fairly straight trees	Straight trees only
Shooting angles	Nearly 360° around the trunk	Mostly in front and to your strong side	Mostly in front
Noise to set up	Very quiet	Moderate	Loud; set it up ahead of time
Comfort on long sits	Good once dialed in; takes practice	Good	Best for beginners
Learning curve	Highest	Moderate	Lowest
Best for	Mobile, public-land and pressured-deer hunters	Hunters who move a few times a season	Set spots, youth and new hunters

Want the long version? Read our blog post: Saddle Hunting vs. Hang-On & Ladder Stands: Which to Buy.

The saddle system: what you need

A saddle is a system, not a single product. Your climbing method gets you up the tree. The lineman's belt keeps you attached while you climb and set up. Then the tether and bridge hold you once you're in the saddle.

Part	What it does	Need it?
Saddle	The seat you hang in, worn like a harness	Must-have
Bridge	The rope or strap between your saddle and the tether	Must-have (usually included)
Tree tether	Wraps the tree and holds your weight once you're set	Must-have
Lineman's belt	Keeps you attached to the tree while you climb and hang gear	Must-have
Platform	A small step to stand and pivot on	Strongly recommended
Climbing sticks	Your ladder up the tree, usually 3–4 sticks	Must-have (or another climbing method)
Aiders	Rope steps hung from a stick for extra height	Optional
Bow hanger and gear hooks	Somewhere to hang your bow, pack and calls	Recommended
Knee pads	Comfort when you lean into the tree	Optional, nice on long sits
Rope and hoist	Pulls your bow up safely after you're attached	Recommended
Pack	Carries sticks, platform and saddle quietly	Recommended

Many saddles come as a kit with the bridge, tether and lineman's belt included. Check what's in the box before you buy those pieces separately.

Choosing a saddle

Comfort decides whether you'll actually hunt out of your saddle all season, so fit matters more than any spec.

Single-panel vs. two-panel

	Single-panel	Two-panel
How it sits	One wide seat that cradles your back and seat	Separate panels support your back and seat
Weight and pack size	Usually lighter and packs smaller	A bit heavier and bulkier
Long-sit comfort	Some hunters feel pressure on long sits; a back band helps	Generally more supportive for all-day sits
Best for	Mobile hunters who walk in far and value light weight	Hunters who sit long hours or want a "chair" feel

Other things to weigh

• Fit and sizing: Leg loops and waist adjustment should fit over your hunting layers, including your November bibs.
• Weight: Lighter is better on the walk in, but not at the expense of comfort.
• Noise: Look for quiet fabrics and buckles; metal-on-metal is the enemy.
• What's included: Check whether the bridge, tether and lineman's belt come in the kit.
• Storage: Pockets or pouches keep calls, release and rangefinder within reach.

Our advice: Try saddles on in the shop before you buy. We'll hang you on a tree so you can feel the difference between models.

Platforms, climbing sticks and aiders

Platforms. You can hunt a saddle off just a stick step, but most hunters want a platform. It gives you a stable place to stand, pivot and shoot. Look for:

• Size: Bigger platforms are more stable and comfortable; smaller ones pack lighter.
• Grip: A textured or traction surface for icy November mornings.
• Attachment: A fast, quiet cam buckle or rope attachment you can work in the dark.
• Pack fit: A platform that nests with your sticks keeps the walk in quiet.

Climbing sticks. Most hunters run 3–4 sticks, plus aiders for extra height.

• Weight: Carbon and aluminum both work; carbon is lighter and usually costs more.
• Steps: Single steps are lighter; double steps are more comfortable and easier to climb.
• Nesting: Sticks should stack tightly and quietly. Stealth strips or felt cut down on clanks.
• Attachment: Rope or cam strap. Practice whichever you choose at home before the season.

Aiders. An aider is a rope step that hangs below a stick so you get more height from fewer sticks. They weigh a few ounces and are an easy way to add height without adding another stick.

Tip from the shop: Practice your full setup on a tree in your yard at least five times before the season. Your first setups will be slow and noisy, and it's better to work through that at home than in the woods.

Our picks

These are in stock now. Prices are from our Saddle Hunting collection as of Oct 16, 2026.

Saddles

Saddle	Price	Good fit for
Latitude Maverick Saddle	$199.99	Trying saddle hunting without a big spend
Latitude Method 3 Saddle	$299	A proven all-around saddle
Arsenal Cloud Freedom	$329	Hunters building an all-Arsenal system
Trophyline Covert Lite Saddle Kit	$349.99	A complete Trophyline kit in one box
Trophyline Venatic Saddle Kit	$399.99 (sale, was $499.99)	Upgraders, at a discount right now
Trophyline Nimbus Pro Saddle Kit	$449.99	Top-end Trophyline comfort

Platforms

Platform	Price
Trophyline The Mission Platform	$199.99
Latitude Outdoors Profile Gen2 Saddle Platform	$209.99
Latitude Outdoors Profile XL Gen2 Saddle Platform	$219.99
Arsenal RZR Mag3 Platform	$299
Arsenal RZR Elite Platform	$349

Climbing sticks

Sticks	Price
Arsenal CARBONLITE Climbing Sticks	From $129
Arsenal ICON X20 Climbing Sticks	From $140
Latitude Outdoors Carbon Synergy Climbing Sticks	$399

All-in-one

• Arsenal Saddle Hunting Bundle, from $849: Cloud Freedom saddle, RZR Elite platform and CARBONLITE sticks in one purchase.

Add-ons worth having

• Latitude Vapor Line Lineman Belt (from $52.49) and Tree Tether (from $49.99)
• Arsenal MAXX Step Aider ($39) or Latitude Single Step Aider ($15.99)
• Trophyline Back Band ($29.99) for single-panel comfort
• Latitude Bite Bow Hanger ($34.99) and Arsenal Micro Retrax Hoist ($39)
• Latitude Knee Pads (from $56.24)
• Arsenal Agile Pack ($149) or Trophyline Sling Pack ($89.99) to carry it all

Safety essentials

Most treestand accidents happen while climbing up or down, not while sitting. A saddle system keeps you attached the whole time if you use it right.

• Stay attached from the ground up. Put on your lineman's belt before your first step and keep it on until you're tethered in.
• Three points of contact on every move, up and down.
• Inspect everything before every hunt: ropes, stitching, buckles and carabiners. Retire ropes on the maker's schedule or at any sign of wear.
• Keep your tether above your head when you sit, so a slip doesn't drop you far.
• Haul up your bow and pack with a rope once you're secured. Never climb with them in your hands.
• Store gear indoors after every hunt. Sun, rain and mice damage rope and webbing.
• Tell someone where you're hunting and when you'll be back, and carry your phone where you can reach it.
• Follow the maker's instructions for every piece of gear, and practice at low height first.

FAQ

Is saddle hunting comfortable? Yes, once it's dialed in. Most discomfort comes from bridge height and tether height being set wrong. A few practice sits fix most of it, and a back band or knee pads help on long sits.

Can I shoot all the way around the tree? That's one of the biggest advantages. With practice you can shoot to both sides and even behind the tree. Practice from your saddle before the season.

How many climbing sticks do I need? Most hunters use 3–4 sticks, plus aiders for extra height, depending on how high you like to hunt.

Is saddle hunting safe? It can be one of the safest ways to hunt from a tree, because you're attached from the ground up. Follow the safety essentials above and practice at low height first.

Can I use a saddle for gun hunting? Yes. Plenty of hunters use their saddle setup during gun season too.

Will you help me set up? Yes. Stop by the shop and we'll fit your saddle, adjust your bridge and tether, and walk you through setup on a practice tree.

Ready to get started? Shop saddle hunting gear, call us at (262) 965-2825, or visit 109 N. Main Street in Dousman. Free shipping over $150, or order online and pick up in store.