I have had Muddy, Chippewa and Lone wolf, stands and sticks. My go to stand is the Chippewa, it is the easiest stand to set up (strap around tree, then stand ). The Chippewa is rock solid, and the quietest stand I have ever used. It takes a little while to get use to carrying it in vice the others. As far as sticks, I liked the Lone wolf, they was lighter and little quieter in they interlocked. But, with a knee replacement, I like the Chippewa better as it gives me a step on each side. I hunt just public land, so being able to leave the strap and take the stick and/or stand, then come back is important to me. When I leave, I take the stand and the bottom step, when I come back, slip the step in the strap, climb up, slip the stand on, then harness and hunting. Worked good this year, as I slipped in to area little late, set up and in 10 minutes had a Doe down. She had no idea I slipped in. I placed some pipe foam on all my stands to quiet them, and a little "bag" under the seat for back up mask/gloves and place for carrying the strap.