Anyone have ant suggestions for a new climber?
Lone Wolf.
Lone wolf or summit with open front design, summit for comfort and lone wolf for ease of packing flat.
I use a lone wolf too but summit is another good one.
Lone wolf is quieter, packs flatter. Summit is more comfortable.
Yep, what they said ^^^
LW--for big guys--like me
It depends on what you want - the Summit is MUCH more comfortable and MUCH cheaper. The LW is easier to pack and is lighter to carry. The LW sit and climb is nice - I personally thought the hand climber to be very uncomfortable to climb with though.
The arm rests on the Summit can get in the way with shots to the side. The Summit does bite the tree really well though.
Overall - they both have their merits, but for me, I chose the Summit and saved $200 over the LW. The LW line in my opinion is ridulously over priced.
For bowhunting I like the open designs better. For rifle use I like the sit and climbs better.
Summit stands are significantly more comfortable to me making them the better choice for long sits. I know if I'm not comfortable I start to move and wiggle a lot. Plus it's just not as enjoyable to be out there when you get a little uncomfortable.
Lone wolf stands are more quiet, lighter, pack smaller, and I really prefer their strap adjustments because they are more quiet and more precisely adjustable. They are ideal for when pack weight and bulk matter or for going into places where you don't know what trees you have because they are more adjustable. I like their platform and frames the best but Summit has the best seats. While I like the LW stands I think their retail cost is a bit artificially high for what you get, especially when you consider they aren't super comfortable. They are extremely well made however and with some modifications can be made even better and more comfortable.
In an ideal world you could have both a lone wolf and summit. If cash is limited you might could shop at the end of the season for like new, used stands. I'm into my LW and Summit for just about the cost of admission of a new Lone Wolf by buying them at half off after someone else tried them out for 2-5 hunts one season and decided to ditch the climbers.
I, like many others, own both now. Open Shot Summit and lone wolf hand climber.
Summit is more comfortable without a doubt, but weighs more--and is much more cumbersome getting in and out of the woods.
Lone Wolf folds flat, and is much lighter, though harder for me to climb with without the additional length of the rails.
I'm hunting exclusively out of the LW for this season--but I bought a new seat for it (Fat Boy) and hopefully it will do the deed.
BTW, I bought the LW used online for less than the new open shot so it can be done.
Good luck with choice--you really can't go wrong.
Josh
Summit or Lone Wolf seem to be the 2 favorites on about every board I see this question asked.
I have owned lone wolf sit and climb, and the hand climber also. Also owned and used a few of the summit stands and will not knock any of them as they all seem to get the job done, I still own a open shot but use my tree walker tree stand most now. Would recommend anyone looking for a stand to check treewalker out. I loaned mine to a friend looking for a stand and after using got him one also. There are several videos and reviews of them on line. Although not as easy to access as summit and lone wolf they seem to be a great stand.
no reason not to buy an XOP. They're are made by the exact same guy that LW is made from, except at a much cheaper price. I know this is due to the parts being imported and not all being made in America.
For me, that really isn't that big of a deal. But to some that is a deal breaker.
The XOP Strike force is probably my next stand.
I bowhunt out of my LW hand climber and *** hunt out of my summit sit and climb. I can sit from dark to dark in my summit, which is what I usually due for ***.
My bow hunts at most last 5-6hrs, averaging about 4hrs. I do thoroughly prefer climbing with the LW...it's lighter, the platform seems to bite onto my boots tighter for better control, it's much quieter, and seems more stable. But it ain't got squat for comfort. I wish the seat platform was just 2" longer so I could somewhat lean back a bit, but you get what you get.
Im buying Lone Wolf not a copy by XOP. I'm not supporting a company that steals another design.
I really like my Treewalker, very comfortable and stable!
I've got an X-Stand sit and climb model headed this way but its delayed in Houston due to Harvey. It seemed the best choice for me. Light weight and an option for an open front. I'll give a review once it finally gets here.
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
Im buying Lone Wolf not a copy by XOP. I'm not supporting a company that steals another design.
They didn't steal it!! The creator and original owner of Lone Wolf Andrea D Aquisto. Sold Lome Wolf a few,years back. Then later started XOP that his son now operates with the same designs (his).
I choose comfort over anything, summit it is.
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
Im buying Lone Wolf not a copy by XOP. I'm not supporting a company that steals another design.
They're made by the exact same owner. He sold LW and not makes XOP's. So is that technically a copy?
Really have found nothing "for me" that is more stable , bowhunter "Longbow" friendly than my Lone Wolf hand climber ....
I've hunted and killed a few critters from a few different portables , and tried several different climbers ....The Lone Wolf always has me feeling safe and secure on one of the most stable platforms on the market .....
I have a summit classic (steel and not open front) and 2 Lone Wolfs (Assault hand climber and sit and climb). Like everyone else has said the summit wins in the comfort department but does not fold up very flat. Even the aluminum ones, although they are lighter they are still cumbersome. The Lone Wolfs are super easy to get in and out and I think easier to climb with and more stable. I like my Hand Climber the best for transporting and climbing but if I had to do it over again I would have gotten the full sized hand climber, the Assault platform has very little foot room and makes shots to the front difficult for me.
TX,,,,,,pay attention to my signature...its going to change before the day is over...
:campfire:
Lone Wolf for for ease of back packing and quietness. Summet Open Shot for comfort and price. Both made in USA!
Terry Green....??????
I bow hunt using a timbertall brute platform (bigger than LW platform but not too big) and a lone wolf hand climber top. Gun hunt with the timbertall platform with top that has a front rail
Treewalker for me
QuoteOriginally posted by ptaylortx:
I've got an X-Stand sit and climb model headed this way but its delayed in Houston due to Harvey. It seemed the best choice for me. Light weight and an option for an open front. I'll give a review once it finally gets here.
Very interested in reading your review.
I'm also in the market for a new climber. I routinely hunt some very steep mountainous terrain on public lands and searching for a lightweight climber led me to the X-Stand X-1 model. The Summit Open Shot SD was at the top of my list at 15 lbs but then ran across the X-Stand X-1 at like 13.5 lbs. Lots of reviews on the Open Shot out there but not a lot of real world reviews on the X-Stand model. Anyone else own and use the X-1 model? If so, thoughts?
I very much disliked the X-stand. It was noisy and difficult to climb with because of the way the platform doesn't strap tight to your feet.
Lonewolf binds on to your feet giving you complete control
Older model summits with the green footstrap were the same way(the newer plastic foot stirrups are garbage.
You have to try them yourself. I knew a lot of guys who loved the Lone Wolf, I knew a lot of guys who don't. I tried it for a season And I didn't like it. I tried to love it but it just didn't work for me. I prefer the Summit. Still all in all my number 1 stand is my Loggy Bayou that I bought in 1988
If they could make one like the old loggy seat and a lone wolf bottom with summits foot stir ups that would be perfect
I currently use a LW hand climber,,,,, but the most comfortable stand I ever sat in that folds flat but it weighed 26lbs (steel version) was a Ole Man Multi vision with the leg rest on,, I could lay back with my feet stretched out and nap in that one..
QuoteOriginally posted by Tajue17:
I currently use a LW hand climber,,,,, but the most comfortable stand I ever sat in that folds flat but it weighed 26lbs (steel version) was a Ole Man Multi vision with the leg rest on,, I could lay back with my feet stretched out and nap in that one..
That was my first ever climbing stand. It was heavy, but it's comfort, as you say, is un-rivaled even to this day. I killed many of deer out of it and the though of being uncomfortable never crossed my mind.
I still think the LW could be lightyears more comfortable if they'd just make the seat portion about 3" longer so that my lower back can get away from the tree a bit and allow more of my legs to be on the seat.
I still have my ole man original version with the round cable ends,, remember trying to line those holes up for the pin? I also have the gorilla version which is close but didn't get the cigar,,,, ole man is back in business now I hear..
I agree about the LW seat too close to tree someone said it made you sit correct ergonomically and was good for your back I think it makes you lean forward with your upper chest and shoulders too much.,. seriously though why doesn't someone who works in a machine shop make a after market mod for that so the seat can be two more inches from tree? Then LW would be like Huh what's that!!!
Since 1989---tree lounge----It is heavy,,
Comfort thru the roof---safety plus (cant remember the last time it slipped)---- Not too bad to haul with the hip belt arrangement. I have found a perfect way to get to point B without sweating like a bull-----go slower!! works every time
Lone wolf for me, I can sit it dark to dark. Not the most comfortable but very do-able.
XX3 On the TreeWalker
Best climbing stand I ever had, stable and strong, goes up the tree in no time.
And really comfortable.
Carl
I have a new treewalker that will sale you, never been used.
100% treewalker for me. I got a lone wolf hand climber. I am 6'2" and 240 pounds. It is a little small for me. I like the Treewalker the best.
Summit Viper.
I love my Summit Open Shot for bowhunting. Super light to pack in and out and very comfortable to sit in.
I am a TreeWalker fan too!!! They are very stable and comfortable stands. They grip a tree extremely well and that makes climbing with them easy. Also, the TreeWalker is not too heavy. And the TreeWalker is Made in USA (Tennessee).
One more thing, the front bar is removable for Bow Hunting, that makes the TreeWalker very versatile. I have the ProMag XL and I am very happy with it.
Personally don't care for Lone Wolf, bought one at Cloverdale Nationals the new wider sit/climb when they 1st came out, hunted out of it 3-4 times and traded it for a long bow.. uncomfortable and when climbing my knees were rubbing the tree.. Summit may be a bit bulkier but they are light years ahead of lone wolf in comfort.. with a set of 3rd hand tree straps on my Summit Titan it locks on the tree and will not move and is easy to shoot recurve from if you practice from it.
I am not that experienced with a climbers tree stand but I took a lot of great advice from the experience bowhunter on Tradgang and got a Lonewolf climber .
Tree Walker.
I had bought a Assault Lone Wolfe Hand Climber Combo then happened to try out a friends Tree Walker. The Lone Wolfe package is now for sale I loved the Tree Walker so much. Their customer service in my opinion is not good since I had no luck getting them to return a call after initial purchase but the climber is one of the best.
I've had a Lone Wolf hand climber for about 20 years. Haven't found anything better. Light,sturdy, quiet and I don't have any problem sitting in it all day.
Another vote for lonewolf
If you're strong, use the lone wolf hand climber. If not enough upper body strength or want more comfort, use the lone wolf sit and climb. I've had the same lone wolf for over a decade. Simple, light, and strong.
I've added a molle belt to all my stands for like 12$ and they all carry more like a frame pack...here's a pic I have the same belt on my climber.
https://imgur.com/a/07Ysu