i have two older hawk climbers(metal) they are great all except the weight,1 1/2mile walks are a chore so i just leavethem where i hunt also.
i replaced the foot straps with bungees and always put 1 bungee around the back of my heels when climbing do this with all my climbers..
cant say what the new ones are like,they may have changed,but 6 years or so with a $99 stand, got my moneys worth.
very steardyand comfy, quieter than my viper but little harder to strap on a tree in the dark.