if you take your time while climbing it should be quiet..i find that if i attach the bottom platform tightly to my feet it works better than say the stirrups at least for me ...i like using the staps around my feet to the stand i feel like it gives me better control of the platform and feels more secure to my feet..
watch scraping the tree or dragging the stand up the side of the tree.lots of noise. i have ol man climber,summit climber,and two old hunters view hawk climbers...the hawks for $99 were my best buy of the three, they are heavy like over30 something pounds..all three do a great job..