in areas that we have hunted for many many years and we know where we will stand we use wooden stands and personally i like them better because i can build them to my exact size and height i want. and they are more steady. however you do have to check them every year and do a little fix ups. and my uncle cuts his own wood from trees on his property so i have never had to pay for anything more then the nails to build these stands. but the metal ones are lighter and easier to move. however when i set up a ladder stand i normally don't look to move it anytime soon.

if you think you may be moving it around just get a hang on or a climber