strap-on recommendations....

[toddster]

For years I used the old ameristep strap on steps, they had a tendacy at the time to slip.  Had and slight accident with them, so began looking around.  went back to stick ladder but heavy.  I hunt public property and gets old toting around.  I got a set of the Old Jim Stepp system that worked great but takes a little time.  Got the gorrilla steps and they was good on crooked trees, but had to carry four so was back up to weight.  I got the rapid rails, fairly light and easily go on, can get up a crooked tree, good foot placement, easy to tote.  Haven't tried the new gorrilla or lone wolf, price little high for me.  But I did find a little cheaper climbing paws.  they are a new made in usa steps that strap on, and gives you great room, light and quick.  I am awaiting the order I placed to try them with my new chippewa wedge loc.

[Doc Nock]

BTW, on the Rapid Rails by Ameristep now, be careful... they also make an all-steel version that is terribly heavy but cheaper...go for the aluminum!

I don't know if you google Performance Outdoor Products in Searcy, Arkansas, if you'll get a valid # anymore...but if so, ask if they still have the prototype "platform" that went on the Rapid Rail. He didn't really market them but had them at the H-burg PA sport show some years back.

I can't count the times my bacon was saved with the box foot rung vs. the open style of the Lone Wolf...

[DannyBows]

I just received, but haven't tried yet, some Climb Paws. I'm very impressed with the looks of them. I don't like the weight/bulk of sticks, can't use screw-in's, and have read too many horror stories about steps. The Climb Paws will fit in a smallish pack, are not heavy, don't make noise, and they even offer something called TOP PAWS, angled Paws for the top row for use with Treesuits etc, gotta be easier on the feet than steps. I think it will be just what I wanted for use with my Treesuit or Hang-on stand. I believe Mitc-in-NJ mentioned he was using them, maybe he will chime in with a better review. They are not sponsors here, so you'll just need to do a search to find their site. They have some nice videos showing their use.

[Looper]

Danny, I was looking at those climb paws. They would be a little slower to put up, but they look like a good product.  I think I'll try them and, if they don't work well, try something else.  I think they'll be a lot easier to tote through the woods where I hunt, too.