Climbing tree stands, opinions wanted / got one

[Wheels2]

I have a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb with the wide climber.  The wide climber makes a difference when sitting in heavy clothes.  Sadly, it sits in the basement as I have been hunting from a ladder stand the last three years.
But you never know when I will move to another spot where it can be used...

[limbshaker]

I worked for and built Summit Treestands for almost 10 years. And I bought Lone Wolf stands even when I got Summits practically for free.

Does that tell what my favorites are? LOL

I use the LW Hand Climber combo. Fit a lightweight sprayer harness to it and you are ready to go. Packs flat, about as light as you will get, climbs great, and is very quiet.

Negatives? They aren't cheap, and won't climb as big a tree as others will.

[limbshaker]

My first and only "climbing" tree stand was the Baker.  That was enough for me.  I now relegate myself to private land where I use ladder stands.   

My first car had a single pot master cylinder and no seat belts. Brakes failed one time, and I almost died. Now I walk or ride horses everywhere I go because cars haven't gotten any better since 1965.............

Enjoy your private land, it's not an option for a lot of us.

[ron w]

Thanks for the responses  a fella read this post and offered me a deal on an unused lone Wolf climber. So I will be elevated for next season and will be using what I learned this year to try try and seal the deal.

[Tajue17]

I use the LW hand climber but man that stand will let you know if you are out of shape I go up no higher than 12'... packs so small and super quiet getting on tree and when up in tree theres nothing around you its like being in a portable with a custom seat heigt option !    I have the gorilla too which is modeled after the Ole Man which can be noisy getting on tree  but once on and ascending no sound at all,,, the Ole Man climber with the mesh seat and foot/gun rail option was and still is the most comfortable climber Ive ever used,, it was heavy at 26lbs but I sat it that from dark to dark with no problems. 

[michaelschwister]

Lone wolf alpha climber. I hang a belt off the front of the handclimber, which allows you to sit in the sling while climbing, i.e. sit and climb

[1Canvas]

My first and only "climbing" tree stand was the Baker.  That was enough for me.  I now relegate myself to private land where I use ladder stands.   

I had one 45 years ago, much has changed since then.

[Rustic]

Climbers are nice. I had a Summit Cobra for many yrs. Just keep maintain your upper body strength... Dont ask how I know this...

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good luck Ron. I have a lone wolf climber I used a lot in NY.  I have only used it 2 x since. I find the hang and hunts are more versatile.  Often trees that can be climbed by a climber offer little cover and never grow in the right spot.

That being said it's a great tool. Pick the trees you want to use in advance.  Dont go trying to find one in the dark.  When you go looking for trees, bring the stand and a saw to make sure nothing will hang you up. You'd be surprised how a little twig is easy to go up over and will hang you up on the way down

[ron w]

I had one in NY Charlie, never was comfortable in it but I think I have to suck it up and use it down here !!

[Longbowwally]

For climbing stands with trad gear I like the Lone Wolf or XOP sit-n-climb with a summit seat in place of the Lone Wolf seat. I got an XOP with the sit-n-climb top this past year because the cross bar allows more adjustability on the tree - which I considered a negative in the design of the LW - and the XOP mod did improve on that.

I also have the hand climber but use the sit-n-climb because of shoulder and elbow issues - the hand climber puts more stress on those areas and I'm just getting back to shooting pretty regular after a fairly long bout with shoulder and elbow issues and don't do anything that will affect those areas of my body...

I'm 6' 175 lbs and the wide sit-n-climb is much more comfortable for me than the regular width.

I like the way you adjust the LW strap better than the XOP design but the XOP is fine once you've used it a few times and dialed in your process....

I also have the XOP tree stand transport systems and it is really nice - makes the stand feel lighter on your back.

[ron w]

  Thanks to all for your thoughts and opinions !!!

[ron w]

My new to me alone Wolf sit and climb came this week!! It’s never been used and I got a great deal on it. Real nice web type seat that should be real comfy!!  I’ll practice with it in the yard to get familiar, a brand new harness came with it, much better than my old one. So next year we will be up about 12 feet or so and wait for a shot.