I love climbing stands.They offer you stealth,and manuverability.What if you kept seeing a big buck 100 yds out of range.You would have to go make all that noise,and bring down the lock on.Lord help you if you have to use screw in steps..instead of a climbing stick.I just like it better.I have permanent stands,ladders,and lock ons in my honey holes,but when hunting public land it is not advisable to leave a stand in the woods.Even from the morning hunt to the evening hunt.Because you might come back to hunt that afternoon,and it may be gone.It seems to me if you get into a routine,it gets easy to do,and after a few hunts becomes second nature.I do routinely walk 400-500yds with my climbers.They average about 23lbs each.A good set of padded straps are well worth the money.They distribute the weight evenly,and cushin your shoulders.Like others have said...whatever floats your boat.