the thing about ladders and then tree steps is no matter what tree step you buy you can pack them into a large back pack which also will hold your stand, make sure you have some room for a spare jacket and some other things and you have a pretty nice urban assault pack!!
sticks I like too but they are long and yes they can stick out the tops of my packs but instead I cover the entire stick with hockey tape and then bungee it to the stand which is also covered in hockey tape.
here is a pic of the Jim stepps with a loc-on stand and how I packed it in and out, the hockey tape makes everything non metallic sounding, don't have to worry about dinging something at first light.
http://imgur.com/a/p8MlP also with ladders remember when you get to the top and hanging your stand how do you prefer the rungs or steps,,,, Lone wolf is every other step so your legs will always be in the 1/2 step position,,,,,, other steps like muddy, summit or infinity (?) I think they are called your feet are side by side like on a step ladder which I prefer especially if i'm having a hard time getting the stand hung where I want it.