We use to make most of our ladder stands out of wood,as years go by You have to maintain them and they tend to get weak and can be a hazzard if You don't keep them up.For the price of a metal ladder stand it is better to go with one of them and You can always move them more easily and take them down to repair and check them.I use the smaller 1-man ladder stand for Bow Hunting so I can move it by myself and the cushion is usually pretty comfortable,I also like the ladder stands with the side rails/arm rest because the seem safer then some of the stands that have a seat only with no rails.If your wanting a better ladder stand I would reccomend a Rivers Edge 15' or even the 17' ladder stand,they are made a lot better and are a little wider and more comfortable then the smaller Big Dog ladder stands,some of the Rivers Edge ladder stands have the seats that fold up,a shooting rail,side bags for gear and a wider platform and leg rest.It is also a good idea to put up a 2-man ladder stand in case Your Wife or Kids want to hunt with You and they are made very well and have plenty of room for 2 people or if you hunt there by yourself you have even more room to move around or put your gear.