Treestands

[PrimitivePete]

Time to elevate my game from the ground, looking for advice on a climbing stand, needs to be safe, and lightweight, been a while since I climbed trees so any help would be appreciated

[Orion]

Lone wolf, or XOP for almost the same thing, but a little cheaper. 

[Bowguy67]

I agree Lone Wolf. I’ve got 3 summits too. They’re decent but the Lone Wolf is better climbing, easier packing, much quieter. Just a better stand. Summit is good though

[Yooper-traveler]

I currently own a LW sit and climb and a summit viper.  The LW is lighter and easier to pack, but less comfortable on long sits.  I take a thicker pad to use.  Some folks replace the seat with an after market like Hazmore. 

The LW is a touch quieter when climbing and packing but not a lot.  the LW has the bar you use to sit and climb out of the way (under my legs when sitting) so you get the open shot.  The summit you just need to remember your bar in front. 

[mec lineman]

Lone wolf hand climber is the quietest and also the best packing.  I have the assault model and love it.

[northern lights]

L/W assault x2 also have L/W sticks and M-7 microlight and chippawae fixed cause there's never the perfect tree where you want to be. Don't hunt the perfect tree hunt the perfect  spot seems to work for me.

[JJ198]

Summit open shot is great and it does not have the bar like the Viper.

[Bowguy67]

Just so the op understands. Not sure what kind of shape you’re in, the summits w open fronts are harder to climb. You basically rest on your forearms. Not crazy hard but harder. The lone wolf you sit while you jack up, similar actually to the viper yet no bar in the way once up. Best of both worlds

[JJ198]

You are correct bowguy.  You do need to use your elbows or use your arms like a dip exercise.  It does take a bit of effort and I have never used a LW so can't be objective there.  I've only used Summit stands, Viper and Open shot and prefer the Open shot because of weight and I don't like the bar and my longbow does not like it either!!

[supernaut]

Another vote for the Lone Wolf. I've been hunting out of climbers for 36 years and the LW is the safest, quietest and easiest portable I've ever used. I have the Assault hand climber. Good luck on whatever you decide and please make sure you are using a lifeline system that allows you to be attached form the time you step a foot off the ground.

[DanielB89]

I have owned almost all of them and imo the absolute best is the lone wolf sit and climb.  It does have one drawback compared to the summit viper though.. If you're in an area with larger trees, the summit will climb a larger tree.  I hunt one area of public land that I can't take my LW due to that.

[Lefty]

Love my Lone Wolf Alfa hand climber, but if I had to do I all again,  I would probably go with 4 sticks and an assault stand.  I think it is more versatile.  If I had a lot of small trees I might go for a saddle, but man on the videos those guys get picked out a lot and I believe it is because of the light between them and the trees. 

[Stringwacker]

I love the LW stands. I've always used the hand climber model but recently sold it to get the fliptop LW model. The Flip top is a sit and climb stand that sits you pretty much the same as the hand climbing model. The bar can be swung below you, next to you, or behind your feet.

You can shoot a traditional bow easily out of it and it packs flat.

[Yooper-traveler]

One more thing Pete, make sure you get a set of straps that attach the top to the bottom.  The type that lock the top and bottom together once you are up.  I don’t know if they come with them now as it’s been years since I bought my last LW. 

They make sure you don’t lose the bottom during you climb and really make the climber secure once you tighten them up while hunting.  You can make your own or buy them.  Mine are just nylon straps with a loop and plastic adjustable clips.