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Are you looking for the best climbing treestands? Are you finding it difficult to decide which climbing tree stand to buy? In this guide, we review some of the best climbing treestands on the market. We also explain the factors to consider when choosing a climbing tree stand. It is our hope that this guide will help you find the best climbing treestands for your hunting needs.

1.  81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand

The Viper SD climbing tree stand is the most popular model from Summit. It is designed to keep you unnoticed, quiet, comfortable, and safe. The Viper SD is a closed-front aluminum climbing stand.

Its design allows it to be a sit-down and stand-up climber thereby making it an easy climbing tree stand. You get a comfortable and padded seat that has suspended foam. This comfortable seat is quiet and easy to move out of the way. Moreover, it is lightweight and portable as it weighs only 20 pounds. It supports weights up to 300 lbs.

       What We Like:

  • Lightweight & Portable
  • Closed-Front Climbing Treestand
  • Weighs 20 lbs.

2.  Guide Gear Extreme Deluxe Climber Tree Stand

The Guide Gear treestand is made of sturdy steel that makes it long-lasting. Its foot platform provides enough room to move around for a clean shot. Its dimension is 19 x 26 inches. It is one of the best climbing treestands for hunting.

This climbing tree stand features thick one-inch padding on the seat plus a padded backrest and armrest for comfort. It also features adjustable nylon foot straps for quick and easy climbing. It weighs 33 lbs.

Moreover, this climbing tree stand features cam-buckle straps that lock the foot and seat platforms in place. Its nesting design makes packing and storage easy as it folds down for easy and convenient transport. To read a review on the best trail cameras, click this link.

       What We Like:

  • Nesting Design
  • Long-Lasting

3.  Summit Treestands 180 Max SD Climbing Treestand

The 180 Max SD is designed to easily accommodate bigger hunters. It provides more room and space to maneuver and move about quickly. It features a height-adjustable Surround Seat that allows you to sit facing the tree or with the seat against the tree. Summit treestands are some of the favorites for hunters and this is one of the best climbing treestands on the market today.

Moreover, the 180 Max SD features the larger Titan platform. It gives you plenty of room to move around and not make noise while moving. It also features an extended top frame that is well-suited for tall hunters. It weighs 23 lbs and supports up to 350 lbs. You can read a review of the best crossbow cases when you click on this link.

        What We Like:

  • Height-Adjustable Surround Seat
  • Titan Platform
  • Weighs 23 lbs.
  • Extended Top Frame

4.  Summit Treestands SU81119 Goliath SD Climbing Treestand

The Goliath SD climbing tree stand is referred to as the “Original Big Man Stand”. It provides more room for larger framed hunters. It is also designed to keep you unnoticed, comfortable, quiet, and safe. It is a closed-front aluminum climbing stand with a camouflage finish. This climbing tree stand also features a suspended foam-padded seat with a backrest. It weighs 21 lbs. and supports up to 350 lbs.

       What We Like:

  • More Space For Big Hunters
  • Closed-Front Climbing Treestand
  • Weighs 21 lbs.

5.  Summit Treestands Summit Viper Steel Climber

The Viper Steel Climber features the QuickDraw Cable Retention System for quick and easy securing to trees. This climbing tree stand is designed to be quiet.

Moreover, it is designed to provide you with improved safety as a sit-down or stand-up treestand. To reduce tiredness during long sessions, it features a thick seat cushion. This climbing tree stand also has a height-adjustable seat.

For added protection and concealability, the Viper features a tough brown powder coat finish. Its steel frame holds up to 300 pounds and it weighs 29 lbs.

       What We Like:

  • QuickDraw Cable Retention System
  • Height-Adjustable Seat
  • Brown Powder Finish

6.  Summit Treestands Titan SD Climbing Treestand

The Titan SD is the Summit’s most spacious climbing tree stand. It features a bigger top and a larger platform. This climbing tree stand has a front climbing bar that doubles as a gun rest and a padded, adjustable seat that can be moved so you can take a standing position.

The Titan SD features the QuickDraw Cable Retention System. This attachment system is very quiet, simple, and quick. Moreover, it features the DeadMetal Sound-Deadening Technology. This ensures that critical parts of the tree’s platform are filled in with expanding foam to get rid of unintentional noises.

This climbing tree stand is rigid and strong with its high-quality extruded aluminum and precision welds. This is achieved by each joint being “locked” in place before welding and designed so that stress is reduced. This makes the treestand strong, safe, secure, and silent.

Moreover, this climbing tree stand features RapidClimb Stirrups. The stirrups allow you to quickly and securely to the height you want to reach. It supports up to 350 lbs and weighs 25 lbs.

      What We Like:

  • Most Spacious Treestand
  • DeadMetal Sound-Deadening Technology
  • QuickDaw Cable Retention System
  • Summitlokt Structural Enhancement

7.  Lone Wolf Assault II Hang On Tree Stand

The Lone Wolf Treestand is the leanest treestand from the Lone Wolf line of treestands. It provides plenty of room for maneuvering. It is ideal for mobile hunters or hunters who place a stand in a tight spot.

Its platform dimensions are 26 x 19.5 inches. It weighs 11 pounds and supports up to 350 lbs. It also fits trees with a diameter of 4 – 22 inches in diameter.

      What We Like:

  • Spacious
  • Ideal For Mobile Hunters

8.  Summit Treestands OpenShot SD Climbing Treestand

The PowerShot SD is a bowhunter’s dream. It is ideal for hunters who want to set up in the deepest parts of the woods. It is a compact and very portable treestand. It weighs 15 pounds and supports weights up to 300 lbs.

This climbing tree stand features a folding seat that folds up when you stand up against the tree. It allows you to stand comfortably for long periods as the seat cushion becomes the support for your back.

       What We Like:

  • Compact & Portable
  • Spacious

9.  X-Stand Treestands The Jayhawk 20′ Two-Man Ladderstand

The Jayhawk 20′ is a two-man ladder stand. It features a unique comfort-flex mesh seat that flips up and out of the way. This gives you ample room to maneuver for your shot.

Moreover, it features an adjustable padded shooting rail that can be removed or flipped back. The Jayhawk 20″ also has a padded armrest for more comfort and a footrest that flips back.

This climbing tree stand features helix oval tubing that makes it very strong and sturdy. It is also powder coated with the weather defender to protect it and get rid of the sound. It weighs 122 pounds and supports up to 500 lbs.

       What We Like:

  • Adjustable Padded Shooting Rail
  • Helix Oval Tubing
  • Two Man Ladder

10.  BIG GAME Hunter HD 1.5 Treestand

The Hunter HD 1. 5 is made of 100% steel. It is 23.5 x 29 inches in dimensions thereby providing enough space to maneuver for your perfect shot. This climbing tree stand also features a flip-up Flex Tek seat for comfort during long sessions.

Moreover, the Hunter HD 1. 5 features a flip-up shooting rail and 4 single-rail oval tubing ladder sections. This climbing tree stand also has a flip-up footrest that gives you additional comfort and stability while hunting. The Hunter HD 1. 5 weighs 61 pounds and supports up to 350 lbs.

       What We Like:

  • Flip-Up Flex Tex Seat
  • Flip-Up Shooting Rail
  • Flip-Up Foot Rest
  • 4 Single-Rail Oval Tubing Ladder Sections

11.  X-Stand Treestands The Comrade X 18′ Two-Man Ladderstand

The Comrade X 18′ is a two-man ladder stand with the Jaw Safety System. It features a unique v-shape platform and seating configuration. It also has comfort-flex mesh seats that provide comfort for both hunters. The seats are angled out for a different hunting field of view.

Moreover, the Comrade x 18′ allows you to quickly access your equipment and accessories with a middle console. It also features two fully adjustable shooting rails that can flip back or can be removed. The shooting rails and armrests are padded and camouflaged for comfort and concealment.

The Comrade X 18′ also features helix tubing that makes it strong and durable. This two-man ladder stand is also powder coated with weather defenders thereby protecting it and eliminating sound. it also has stealth silencers for hunting.

       What We Like:

  • Two-Man Ladderstand
  • Helix Tubing
  • Stealth Silencers
  • Weather Defender Powdercoat

What To Look For In The Best Climbing Treestands?

1.  Type

When choosing the best climbing treestands, you want to consider which type of treestand you want. There are three main types of treestands: hang-on stands, ladder stands, and climbing treestands.

2.  Size

The size of the treestand is very important. You want to buy the best climbing treestands that give you enough space to maneuver for your shot. Some manufacturers have designed the treestands with seats that flip up giving you more space. You must also consider if you will always be alone or will be accompanied by another hunter. For that, you might consider a two-man treestand.

3.  Comfort

Choosing a comfortable tree stand is very important. You will be on the treestand for long periods of time. You need to have a comfortable treestand. Many of the best climbing treestands today have padded seats, suspended foam seats, padded backrests, and armrests as well as padded footrests for your comfort.

4.  Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is a safety issue. Always check the weight capacity of the treestand you want to buy to make sure it can safely accommodate you or someone else who might use it. You don’t want a situation in which the treestand breaks and you fall 15 feet to the ground.

5.  Height

The height is usually related to ladder stands as hang-on and climbing stands are flexible with regards to height. Some of the best climbing treestands have height-adjustable features. You will have to consider the height the treestand accommodates before you buy one.

6.  Camouflage

How well you are concealed is a very important factor. You want to determine if you want a camouflaged climbing tree stand or not. Getting a buck could come down to your treestand being camouflaged or not. The best climbing treestands are designed with camouflaged material to keep you undetected from the game animals.

7.  Shooting Rest

A shooting rest is another important factor to consider when you choose the best climbing treestands. If you are using a rifle, a crossbow, or a muzzleloader, then a shooting rest is important. If you bow hunt using a compound or recurve, then a shooting rest may not be needed. To read about the best recurve bows, click this link.

8.  Light & Portable

You don’t want to carry a heavy treestand into the woods and back home. You want to buy a lightweight and portable climbing tree stand. Many of the best climbing treestands are designed with aluminum which makes them lightweight and portable.

9.  Safety

Safety is one of the most important factors to consider when you choose the best climbing treestands. Climbing tree stands are designed with different safety features to keep you safe and secure while you hunt.

10.  Noise-Deadening

An important factor in hunting is concealment and being unnoticed. You want to buy a climbing treestand that is designed to not produce any significant amount of noise. The best climbing treestand is designed to produce little to no noise when you climb.

11.  Ease Of Setup

Another factor to consider is how easy it is to set up the treestand. You want to make sure the climbing tree stand you choose will not be difficult and time-consuming to set up in the woods.

Types of Climbing Treestands

1.  Climbing Stand

Climbing stands are two-piece stands that are used to climb a tree. they are less stable than ladder stands but are very portable.

2.  Hang-on Stand

Hang-on stands are simple stands that are attached to a tree using a chain or belt and require climbing sticks. Some hang-ons are stable while others are not so stable

3.  Ladder Stand

Ladder stands are usually stable and the ladder is attached to the stand. They are heavy and usually require two people to set them up.

4.  Tower Stand

Tower stands don’t require them to be connected to a tree. They are freestanding and are usually made of metal or wood construction.

Climbing Treestand Accessories

1.  Tree Stand Bow Holder

The tree stand holder allows you to easily have access to your bow when hunting and will make you more versatile in the stand.

2.  Treestands Storage Bag

The storage bag allows you to take along other hunting gear and accessories.

3.  Safety Harness Tree Strap

The safety harness tree strap will provide another layer of safety when you are in the tree.

Are climbing tree stands worth it?
If you are a mobile hunter and hunt from a number of areas, then a climbing treestand will be a very good asset.
Do deer look up at tree stands?
Deer pick up movement at or just below the horizon. They are much less adept at picking up movement above the horizon; hence, you can remain undetected in a tree stand.
Do deer see tree stands?
Deer will quicker smell you before seeing or hearing you if you are on a treestand.
How early should you get in your deer stand?
Sneak into your climbing treestand at least an hour before shooting light.
Do ladder stands spook deer?
The deer may be spooked when the ladder is first installed but a ladder itself doesn’t really spook a deer.
How far away can a deer see you?
Deer have 20/100 vision which means that at 20 feet, a deer can see as well as a human at 100 feet.

Best Climbing Treestands

The Bottom Line

Climbing tree stands is very important in hunting. Today there are much different climbing tree stands on the market. It is our hope that this guide will be helpful in you choosing the best hunting treestands.

Our recommendation for a climbing tree stand is the 81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand. We reviewed the best climbing sticks that you can read if you are interested in climbing sticks.