Hello
I have the hang on, had the hand climber, but upgraded to the sit-n-climb by buying just the top portion. Out of 5 climbers I've had, nothing else compares. Comfort wise, I have little problem standing on a wedge in a tree crotch for 11 hours, so comfort isn't even a thought to me.
The lone wolf is super quiet even in sub zero weather. However after three years my climber started to get a little creak once and a while when shifting positions. I went to the hardware store and bought new nylon washers, new bolts and locking nuts(About $3) and replaced the old ones. Once again not a peep out of the stand. It amazes me its this quiet since I had another well known brand before this and it creaked every time I moved.
Yes, I think these stands could last a lifetime.

Dan