I use almost exclusively... ladder stands. I have 9 stands of all styles. I only buy the ones for about $60 - $70. They are all similar except and of the same quality, butI have foundone big difference. You can shop around and find them for as I said, about 60 - 70 bucks.

Look for the ones that have the seat bolted to the ladder. The seat will stack on top of the frame as itdecends down the ladder. The other kind will just be a 90 degree arc and decend the down the ladder.

The difference is the seat that is bolted on sets you away from the tree furtherproviding a much deeper seat area and much more comfortable. If the tree isn't perectly straight or leans toward you it make a huge difference.

Here is an example of the styleyou do not want:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/zoom/zoompop.asp?i=151270%5Fts%2EJPG&h=320&w=32 0&bgc=FFFFFF&ui=3&mz=2&cf=2&nv =3&c=&mode=zoom&adid=473858

Here is an example of the style you do want: (minus the shooting bar, ect.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/zoom/zoompop.asp?i=138778%5Fts%2EJPG&h=320&w=32 0&bgc=FFFFFF&ui=3&mz=2&cf=2&nv =3&c=&mode=zoom&adid=450105

You also do not want the ones wherethe ladder part narrows down about half as wide as the actual seat because you can not put both feet side by side.

Hope this helps!