Which climbing stand?

[Dannon]

What climbing stands do you guys like? I’ve been hunting out of my loggy bayou and it squeaks every time I shift my weight. Plus it’s pretty noisy getting set up.

[Rock 'N Bow]

I've been using a Lone Wolf hand climber for almost 20 years.  It's lightweight, quiet, and easy to set up. However, it might be a bit uncomfortable for all day sits.

[Ron Haines]

x2 on the Lone Wolf.  Very open all around.

I started with a Summit but the bars limited my shots with my longbow. 

[J. Cook]

I've got a few I use.  They all have good points and bad points.  The one I use the most is my Summit Cobra (open front).  Its a bit heavy, but very comfortable, solid, an versatile.  Its a bit noisy to set up initially at the base of the tree. 

I have an old Loggy Lite that I hug the tree with (no climbing aid).  Super light and fast up the tree and rock solid once set.  The big weakness is the transition from climbing to being set...very sketchy.

I also use an API open front - very similar to Summit.  Quieter to set up, but smaller "V" that connects to the tree makes it wobbly during climb.  Comfortable and solid once set though.

The Summit Viper is most comfortable and easy to climb with.  Probably too comfy - too many knaps!  The downside is the bar in front.

I used a Lone Wolf hand climber and wanted to love it - but sold it after one season.  It was quiet, light, packed great, and solid once set.  But very uncomfortable in my opinion.  Most of all - I'm very broad shouldered, and to bend my elbows in to properly climb was super awkward.  (Like collapsing my chest to make it work).  I think the sit and climb LW would be good with a seat modification.   But the others I mentioned are MUCH cheaper.

If I was buying a new one today - it would be the new Summit with the sound dampening technology and lighter aluminum frame.  That new stand is 5+ lbs lighter than my steel one.

[Orion]

Hmmmm.  I've been using a LW hand climber for about 20 years now, too.  Guess I must be oblivious to discomfort.  I often sit dark til dark days on end during the rut.  I don't think it's particularly uncomfortable.  Backside would get to feeling a little tender with just about any stand with that much sitting, i think.  Then again I haven't tried the stands that others are recommending. 

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I don't use a tree stand as much as a lot of the folks here but when I asked the same question about 8 years ago 95% said Lone Wolf and I have a climber and a hang both are awesome.

[Cory Mattson]

Lone Wolf - completely quiet climbing and when shifting around to make a shot. I would not sit all day in one spot. for the 3 hour sits mine works perfectly. Put your seat height so your thighs are horizontal to the ground and circulation should be good. Sometimes I move the seat way up so I am almost standing last  30 minutes. I have had Summits -
 plenty of others and started with a Baker LOL  I use climbers vs Set Stands 50 / 50 and when climbing I only use my Lone Wolf - I think it might be 25 years old and still looks new. We hunt 3 or 4 times a week Sept thru Dec.
<><
<-------------------------<<<<<<

[Possum Head]

I use a Summit Specialist, similar to Open shot but with a web seat. Each are bow hunting stands that are light but noisy. Once you’ve used one a few times you learn how to do it quietly. Summit could well be the loudest aluminum in the industry. I’m not fond of it for all day sits but it’s my go to for 5 hrs or less. I need to give LW a fair chance next time. My steel Ol Man is quiet and very comfortable for long hunts but 8lbs heavier.

[GCook]

I have a Gorilla and it's solid but heavy.  No squeaks.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[Dannon]

Thanks for all the replies! I’ve been looking and about narrowed it dow to the API bow hunter or the lone wolf.
Thanks again.

[Turkhunter]

I just bought a Muddy Stalker. I have only got to use it 4 times but so far, it has been great. Very quiet and stable. It climbs very well once i got the foot straps adjusted properly. All my sits have been 4 hrs plus and it is extremely comfortable.  Highly recommend and its only $200.

[H1tman7]

Any of the lone wolf products are great in my experience.  I would expect XOP is also good, maybe even better.

I’ll let y’all in on a secret on the hand climber... don’t bother trying to rest your elbows on it.... I put it farther up over my head and hang from the seat like your going to do a pull up... can cover some SERIOUS ground that way. 6 maybe 7 bites and I’m 20+ feet up.

[Chad Orde]

Old Man all the way have more deer on the wall because of that stand and the fact I can sit still all day yet adjust if the wind switches. Can’t go wrong with them. I’ve tried others too but it’s my go too.

[Gdpolk]

I own and use a Lone Wolf hand climber with the larger foot platform.  I have a gel core Hunt Comfort seat cushion that I bring whether I am ground pounding it, in my climber, or my hang on.  With that I can make it a full day without problems. 

The most comfortable climber I've sat in is a Summit Viper but I find my Lone Wolf to be superior in weight, packability, adjustability, quietness, ease of shooting from it, and it just feels more sturdy.  Given that I can get a full day out of it with my Hunt Comfort pad, I don't see the need to go back to the Summit when the only advantage it had was comfort and I don't need that anyway given my comfort in the LW.

I gave my Lone Wolf a rattle can camo job to knock down the reflection off the raw aluminum.  I don't know if it actually helps anything but it made me feel better.  Another nearly identical product that may be worth looking into is the product line from XOP.  I have no direct experience with them but believe them to be basically an updated version of the Lone Wolf products that have been put out by a former owner of the Lone Wolf company.

[Dannon]

Chad, are you able to shoot out of the ol’ Man ok with a traditional bow?

I checked out the muddy stalker but I don’t like the rail that goes around the front of the stand.

[Chad Orde]

Chad, are you able to shoot out of the ol’ Man ok with a traditional bow?

I checked out the muddy stalker but I don’t like the rail that goes around the front of the stand.

It’s nice not perfect but can be done. I have the one with the foot rest not he shooting rail. I keep my feet on the rest all day and sink into the seat and it’s like heaven to me.

I have the base / foot platform close to the seat so when you stand up it clears bow limbs.

[Dannon]

Thanks Chad, I had the same Ol’ Man several years ago and loved it, very comfy stand. It was stolen off of my deer lease. I may have to consider another one of them also. I just wasn’t sure about my lower limb clearing the side rails of the seat platform.

[DarrinG]

Very satisfied with my Summit Open Shot SD. A few modifications and at 15lb, its doable to pack in longer distances. Very comfortable and setup is a snap.

[Jubu]

One Lone Wolf platform with 2 different seats: hand climber for quick hunts, and the sit&climb for longer hunts!

[Bamboozle]

Another shout out for Lone Wolf. Had a hand climber for 15 years and it was as good when I sold it as when I bought it. It saw solid use and numerous critters shot from it. Injuries just made me feel I didn't want a climber any longer. Sure wasn't a decision to sell due to effectiveness....Very effective!