Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I'm finally joining the climbing treestand group (after 17 yrs. hunting) and want some suggestions on the best possible climber.
Two requirements:
1)Lighter the better. 20 lbs. max, 15 lbs. or so would be ideal.
2)Ease of use.
I'm only 5'10", 145lbs. so it can be small and price does not matter.
Any small tips would also be appreciated!

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I don't own one, but will eventually. Lone Wolf gets my vote. I just need to get myself to put up the $$$

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

hey, i was just going to make the exact thread. weird. curious to see what people say. i don't really like lugging my big climber around. i want something light for those way backwoods trips.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

i just picked up the gorilla grey back, light at 19 lbs, folds fairly flat, set up is easy, giving it a shot this morning during bow season. will give you more feedback once i get out of the woods. oh, just got a vest with the safety harness built in, easier to use then trying to figure out all those straps.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I've been using the Lone Wolf hand climber for a couple of years and wouldn't change anything! 14lbs!!

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

Loggy Legend. It's the best for bow hunting. I've been using one for 20 years.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

If price is no problem ,this looks like a dandy.It's a little over 16 pounds.
I may get me one too. It's teh Alpha by Lone Wolf. 359.00

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

However...IMHO I do believe the Summit is the best. I would go with 22 pounds and get a Summit.
A.I like the way the Summit bites into the tree.
B.I like the cable set up.
C.I like the comfort.
D. I like the stability of the platform
E. I like the safety harness that comes with it.
F.I did alot of review searching before i bought it. There has to be no discounting of prices when your safety is on the line. I highly recomend getting a Summit.
mine stays locked up in a WMA during the season.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I would buy a Summit they are some of the lightest on the market and by far I think they are the best.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

summit openshot 14 pounds and easy.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

Take a look at these links...

www.olmanoutdoors.com

www.simmonssportinggoods.com

www.wingsupply.com

www.mackspw.com/sort.asp?id=447_643&d=Climbing_Treestands

The links are for a few places that stock them, to get description and prices.
Ol' man stands are great. Been using them since the early 90's. The gorilla's are a copy of the ol' mans.
Ol'man stands come in steel or aluminum.












Ol'Man Grand Multi-Vision Alum

Our Price: $299.99[/b]








Ol'Man Multi-Vision Aluminum Stand

Our Price: $269.99[/b]


OL'MAN GMV GRAND MULTI VISION
STEEL CLIMBING STAND
Price $199.99

OL'MAN GOMDX GRAND OL'MAN
DOUBLE X STEEL CLIMBING STAND
Price $169.99

OL'MAN MV MULTI VISION STAND
STEEL CLIMBING STAND
Price $189.99



GORILLA 47001 GREY BACK
CLIMBING STAND
Price $199.99

GORILLA 47011 PRO SERIES
GREY BACK DELUXE CLIMBING STN
Price $239.99

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I've tried a few climbers now and I feel sometimes that lightest isn't always your best bet. I first started bowhunting out of a Loggy Bayou. While it was ridiculously light, it wasn't the most comfortable stand to spend 12 + hours in. I've since switched to a Summit Cobra x4. I don't use the climbing bar and it weighs in right around 20lbs, but is extremely comfortable and stable. I'll cary an extra 5lbs into the woods each morning knowing its gonna be comfortable to sit in as long as I need to. Just my 2 cents.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I just bought a lone wolf hand climber, It broke the 1st time I tried to use it. I weight 230 lbs. and it was rated at 350 lbs. what's up with that ? I took it back to the bow shop and took home a summit razor, it weighs a little more but much more comfortable. API also makes a nice comfortable stand.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I have had the API bow hunter for a few years now. I realy like it so far. It's under 20 lbs. and easy to setup quick and quiet.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I use a SUmmit also and you can't beat the comfort. Theymay be a couple pounds heavier than a Lone Wolf, but I think you will be thankful for that when you want to sit for a long time. The friends of mine that use Lone Wolf say they are nice, but that they are not very comfortable. Since you are not very big though, you may be comfortable in one. Guys with big asses need Summit though!

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I wouldn't trade my Summit viper for any other treestand ,it's one of the most comfortable treestand's I've ever used .I alway's feel safe and i agree it bite's into a tree like no other.

nubo

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I've never used a Lone Wolf, but I'd take a couple extra pounds with my "lazy boy" summit anyday. SOOOOO comfortable!

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

This is my second season with a Lone Wolf Hand Climber. It weighs 14 pounds and packs completely flat (fits in the back of my Jeep, even with all of my other junk): you can't beat it for mobility. Also, the cast aluminum platform and seat frame are rock solid.

You would NOT want to spend all day in it, but I never spend more than four hours at a time.

I am very well pleased. If I had it to do over, I would probably spend the extra $30 for the Sit N Climb model: it weighs three pounds more but looks to be somewhat more comfortable, climbs easier,and still folds flat. I may buy the Sit N Climb seat portion (you can do that) to use with my existing platform, but for now I am satisfied with what I have. First rate quality construction.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

Thanks for all the feedback. It's nice to get fast, unbiased advice. I typically spend no more than 2 1/2 hours in my stand so comfort is not a top priority. Hopefully I will find one of these at Cabelas since I have at least a couple hundred free bucks (visa card points). Any other personal experiences with climbers is welcome!

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I have a summit viper xls, I love this thing. I have sat all day long in it before. I use it for bow and gun, but if bow is all you want to use it for, you may want to go with the open front summit model. The viper xls can make it difficult to shoot a deer that comes in from behind, your bottom limb may hit the stand. Paid $239.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

Summit gets my vote. I own the Bushmaster, weighs in at 18 pounds and gives you a good mix of comfort and lite weight. I will also vouch for Summits customer service anytime I had a question I got quick responses and wonderful service.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

Get a lone wolf, you won't be dissapointed

Happy Hunting
Dan

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

Guys with big asses need Summit though!


Yes we do[8D]..I started my diet tonight. Any eatting after dinner is a 20.00 fine. If you are concerned about safety..get a Summit as well .They are solid .
c7
Here I am at 300 pounds. 44 waist.

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I had a Summit Viper for five years with no complaints whatsoever - that's a pretty good advertisement right there.

But wait, this year I bought a new one because they're lighter and even more comfortable and it's even better. I killed a doe the first time I used it. It is light, comfortable, easy to use and rock solid quiet.

But wait again! My Summit Skins starts peeling, so I called them. They shipped me a brand new stand the next day and said just ship the other one back in the pre-paid shipping box! The new skins with the new supplier will be out in November and they'll ship me a new set as soon as they're available. I can keep everything from the first one, just ship the frames back.

Now I have a new reason to love Summit - awesome customer service!

RE: Best, lightest climber? Need advice.
 

I have a Summit Bullet, API, and last but best of all,a Lone Wolf:).
Lone wolf is great, but during really cold weather, I prefer the Summit because it is actually a little wider toaccomodate the heavier cloths.

API is RETIRED !![:'(]