Thoughts on Tree Climbers

[JL]

I have a degentative(Sp?) disc in the L5 region that puts constant pressure on the cyitic nerve. Not fun...

I have had a lot of different stands including all the brands already mentioned, and then some. The two hanging in the shed are a Summit Bullet backpacker and a API Supreme something. Both have climbing bars (must have for my condition as the hand climbers kill me). If the stand isn't comfortable, I can't sit still. My back start spasming and my day is over. The LW I had was the handclimber model with the V bar. It was a solid stand and carried well but that little hard seat would kill my back.

The Summit and API is like having a Lazy boy 20ft up a tree. They are a bit heavier and don't pack as slight as the LW but the ability to let me stay on stand is well worth the trade off. I hunted the Summit last year in high winds, 30ft up. The tops of the tall trees were banging together hard but I never felt unsafe and rode it out. Then again, that kinda stuff doesn't bother me.

If you want real light, look at Timbertall stands. I had one of their stands also but I'm a bit,um...lets say thick, yea thats the ticket, and found their stands nice but a bit small for my liking.

Whatever you do, stay away from the cheap stands. They will creek and pop when you stand up. Buy the best harness and use it every time you go up in that stand. I have met guys that are perapalegics(sp?) in wheelchairs due to falling out of treestands. It ain't no joke. Always play it safe and remember that your family needs you to come home safe!

JL

[Otto]

Hour glass?....More like a pumpkin in my case.

[Shawn Leonard]

Again the problem with the loggy and summits and APIs is that they are a pain to carry. I am 5'11"s and when on your back even positioned up very high they almost hang down to my knees. I have put all my weight on one side in a Loggy and I feel safer  doing so in a LW, they by far our the most stable stand I have tried. Shawn

[Tom Uselding]

I have three Lone Wolfs - two hangs ons and one Alpha Climber.  I do not give them high marks for comfort.  After 4 hours in my Lone Wolf I begin to squirm.

I haven't hunted out of the sit and climb Lone Wolf but just looking at it I get the impression it's more comfortable than the Alpha.  

I think when you design in the portability, quietness and weight advantages found in a Lone Wolf you can't help but sacrifice comfort.

Another stand I use, I rate very high on comfort and safety but it's heavy, cumbersome and not the quietest - but, it's one I am comfortable and secure in from before sunrise to after sunset.

[Doug R]

I have a Summit and agree with Shawn its not the quietest to pack or put on a tree. But it is very comfortable. I feel like I'm sitting in a lazy-boy chair. You can sit all day and its very solid. I've thought about selling my Summit trying another brand that would be quieter packing and when putting on a tree my biggest complait with the Summit. I am looking into treesling type stands with clibing sticks but realy cant get much feed back on any.

[Gator1]

I have the summit goliath.

It has a 350 Weight Rating, I'm 5-11 and 310lbs.

From the base of the tree, even I can climb to my hunting height in less than 5 minutes set up.

Absolutely love my Summit...

[BigHink66]

Shawn,

I'll take your word for the stability of the LW, but don't see how it is possible over the loggy bayou.

The loggy when in position has a strap around the tree to the seat which is part of the platform.  It is the only climber that I have seen that has two points of connection, which eliminates rocking that is typical of most stands that have a strap set at a pitch going around the tree.

Another thing is you can situate your shoulder straps so that the stand rides high on your back and puts it up over your head more.  It will probably get caught on brush but it is more comfortable and better for your back.

Kingstaken,

My best advice is to get a cabelas mag and check them all out.  Make a matrices of certain attributes you want in a stand and grade the importance of how each feature ranks for each stand.  The stand with the highest grade will be the one that best meets your needs.

[mmgrode]

My brother-in-laws family actually does all the machining for lone wolf treestands and will soon do all the assembly. They are coming out with a light ladder stand also for this fall, it was revealed this spring. Should be sweet for long hikes back into the thick stuff. Take care, Matt

[LBR]

'Reckon it's like bows:  several high quality products out there, some like one, some like the other, and for different reasons.

I'm 6'3" and 300+ lbs (working on that part).  I haven't tried the LW, but I do have a Summit Goliath and love it--easy to climb with, and very comfortable for long sits.  Summit has excellent customer service to boot.

Chad

[WestTnMan]

Another vote for the Summit. I have an Ole Man, quiet and comfortable but not too stable, better to keep seated it that one. An older Loggy Bayou which is very stable and quiet but is absolutely the most uncomfortable stand I have ever had, if you want to stand most of the time it's great. I have a Summit Viper that is the best. The summit is quiet, stable, comfortable and is definately a stand you can stay all day in if you want (ie: you can safley take a nap in it). I would go with the Summit.

[BobCo 1965]

Exacly what is the seat size on the LW sit and climb? Doesn't seem to mention anything on their site.

[Tom Uselding]

I have four stands I use.  Three are Lone Wolf - two are hang ons one is an alpha climber.  I don't consider my Lone Wolfs to be comfortable.  After 4 hours I start to squirm.  The sit and climb looks more comfortable than the alpha but I think I would still squirm on a long day.

When you design in portablilty, quietness and  lightness; comfort suffers.  

My other stand is cumbersome, heavy and not the quietest but it is the most comfortable and safest I've ever used.  When I plan to sit from before sunrise to after sunset it's the stand I use.

[PhilFloyd]

I have been using the Summit Open Shot and really like it.  Light weight, stable, and comfortable.  

I did try a friend's Lone Wolf hand climber model and liked it OK, but I liked the Summit better.

[BillW]

I have an API Grand Slam and it has both good and bad points IMHO. It is very comfortable and I can sit all day with the sling seat. It was loud walking in when I first got it but I got a few bungi cords and wrapped everything up. It is quiet now. The supplied back pack straps are not that comfortable but OK. I don't like the chain's that wrap around the tree. I just don't trust that as much as I would the cable system of Summit. I have replaced the shrink wrap on the chains and it is a pain to think it wore out so fast (first year I had it). It is stable in the tree but I add an extra ratchet strap on both halves just for piece of mind and yes I can move around the edges.

With any climber you do need to watch the diameter of the tree you are climbing. Too big and you don't engage enough teeth so watch that regardless which stand you choose.

With all that said if I was going to buy a new stand today. I think I would look long and hard at the Summit line up. My buddy has one and he says it is comfortable and I know he has had no issues with the cables as I have had with the API chain shrink wrap.

Bill

[Curveman]

I have a Summit "Python" Sit N' climb. Good stand. I want to get a Lone Wolf hand climber. A better stand and I don't use the sit piece anyway.

[strick9]

Summitt goliath,  you can do a jig on the platform, weighs nothing, climbs like it is motorized, sticks to a tree like its bark, drink some coffee it is almost too comfy,,,can be noisy upon assembly to tree and takedown from tree to pack out, I am 6'4 235 so no problems with length when packing but can see that it may be an issue for the gravity impaired. I would love to try a lone wolf sit and climb. The platform looks better for noise prevention and traction.

[Longbowwally]

Lone Wolf Hand Climber. Love it and I've tried a lot of stands. Very safe and quiet. The only change I'll make to mine is I'll get the longer belt this year so I can climb larger trees.

[Shawn Leonard]

Lone Wolf offers or has stabilzing strap, but that is my point. It is not needed as other stand need it to make them that stable. I agree with everyone about the comfort issue, but the question was what is the best out there and to me nothing is better all around than LW. Shawn

[Tom Uselding]

I watch a lot of bowhunting videos.  I'm always amazed at the noises coming from the stands these hunters use.  The Lone Wolf calls itself your silent partner.  It is.  It's the quietest stand I've ever hunted out of.

[BigHink66]

Loggy Bayou Stalker
 
 17  Lbs
18 x 17  padded  seat
 20 x 36"  platform
300 lbs capacity
TMA full body harness included
Climbing aid included in price.
 $210

 LW Sit and Climb
17.5 Lbs
19.5 x 30" platform
 350  lbs capacity
TMA full body harness included
$360.00