Just to add confusion to your decision. If you look closely you'll see the top of the stand has a wide step right at the same height as the platform up right against the tree. This stand just folds upward against the tree. you climb the stick, step onto the step on which ever side you want to enter from, flip the platform down and step on....not up to it. You'll also notice they have a couple handles at the top of the stick to grab ahold of to pull yourself in. When I use a stand like this with sticks I usually place a double loop rope or an old climbing belt around the tree just above the seat so the body loop hangs down. As I near the top I slide into the belt as I climb up and it eliminates the most dangerous time.... getting on or off the platform. The straps will hold just fine. If you want you can do what I did to several sticks... replace them with ropes that I dye. Reduces weight and clang clang. The thing has possibilities as I see it... except it's a tad heavier than I'd expect.

I circled the platform step on one side.