The Best Climbing Tree Stands To Elevate Your Game In 2023

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Following Sep 29, 2023, 05:24pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin With so much focus from hunters and manufacturers alike, it would seem tree saddles are the only viable option of hunting from an elevated position these days. But as cool as saddles are, there’s still a place for the best climbing tree stands—in some situations, they’re hands-down the best tool for the job. I’ve spent plenty of time in a climbing stand over the years and today’s climbing stands are lighter, stronger, more comfortable and easier to use than those of the past by a large margin.

Hunting from a quality climber, in this hunter’s opinion, provides the most comfortable experience of any elevated option and, when used properly, a climber is one of the safest ways to get up a tree as well. The best climbing tree stands offer a comfortable, reliable perch to survey and hunt game. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers Yes, climbing stands have their limitations.

They’re bulkier than lock-on stands and weigh significantly more than a saddle setup. And, of course, you’re limited to trees with straight, limb-free trunks. But, in areas with plenty of suitable tree options, a climbing stand is the ultimate in comfort and stability.

Best Climbing Tree Stand Overall: Summit Viper Pro SD Best Budget Climbing Tree Stand: Guide Gear Deluxe XL Best Climbing Tree Stand For Bowhunting: Summit Open Shot SD Best Lightweight Climbing Tree Stand: XOP Ambush Evolution Best Climbing Tree Stand For Big Guys: Summit Goliath SD Best Climbing Tree Stand Overall The Cadillac Of Climbers Amazon Summit Viper Pro SD Weight: 22 pounds | Material: Aluminum | Weight capacity: 300 pounds Any time you talk about climbing stands, Summit will be part of the conversation. There’s a pretty good reason for that—they’re one of the top producers of climbing stands and the Viper Pro SD is the cream of the crop. Summit uses a process they dub “Dead Metal” that uses expanding foam to fill noise-making voids in the aluminum frame of the stand.

This makes for a stand that’s much less likely to ring with noise. Summit’s cable system is easy to use and one of the best systems ever devised. What really makes this model stand out is the overall comfort and ease of use.

The hanging foam seat is awesome and makes all-day sits a breeze. The stand-up/sit-down climbing method is easy to master and gets you up the tree in a hurry. The wrap-around frame adds a substantial feeling of safety, which further increases the overall enjoyment of use.

Best Budget Climbing Tree Stand A Cash-Saving Hunting Machine Amazon Guide Gear Deluxe XL Weight: 35 pounds | Material: Steel | Weight capacity: 300 pounds If you’re looking to get up off the ground without driving down your bank account, this is the climber for you. I’ve long been a fan of the Guide Gear brand because it’s shown to produce quality, good-enough products without a lot of hype or over-the-top pricing. The Deluxe XL isn’t light.

It weighs in at 35 pounds because of its steel construction. But it is a reliable performer that is easy to use, adjust and climb with. I like the cable system and it’s very similar to those used by Summit—which are as good as it gets.

The padded, hammock-style seat is plenty comfortable and the stand stayed solid when locked to the tree after climbing into place. Best Climbing Tree Stand For Bowhunting The Archer’s Climber Of Choice Amazon Summit OpenShot SD Buy From Amazon Weight: 15 pounds | Material: Aluminum | Weight capacity: 300 pounds I’m primarily a bowhunter and have used climbing stands for that purpose almost exclusively. Thus, when evaluating a climber, my natural tendency is to look at it from a bowhunter’s perspective.

One of the areas of concern when using most climbers is the wrap-around frame system that’s often used. This makes the stands feel ultra-safe and secure but can cause some issues of interference when trying to shoot a bow out of them. The OpenShot SD from Summit features a seat system that doesn’t have the wrap-around frame.

This means you have more freedom of movement when shooting a bow. The downside? You lose the ability to utilize the climber as a stand-up/sit-down system when climbing. Instead, you must use the seat portion as a hand-climber.

This isn’t a huge deal once you get used to it, but it definitely will take some getting used to at first. Best Lightweight Climbing Tree Stand An Evolving Platform That’s Light And Nimble XOP XOP Ambush Evolution Weight: 18 pounds | Material: Aluminum | Weight capacity: 350 pounds XOP is producing some of the best stands in the game right now and the Ambush Evolution is one of them. Featuring the company’s familiar cast aluminum, the Ambush Evolution uses an innovative traction belt rather than a cable to grip the tree.

I love the system. It’s simple to use and seems stout and solid. The seat is adjustable and the sit bar used for climbing can quickly and easily become a wrap-around gun rest.

As good as the Ambush Evolution is, XOP has announced it will soon phase out the model in favor of the upcoming XOP Revolt. Best Climbing Tree Stand For Big Guys A Sturdy And Reliable Performer With Extra Capacity Amazon Summit Goliath SD Weight: 21 pounds | Material: Aluminum | Weight capacity: 350 pounds You don’t have to be a bigger-than-average hunter to appreciate a stouter-than-average climbing tree stand. But if you are a big guy, you certainly understand the importance of strong, reliable gear.

The Goliath SD is built to support an increased weight capacity of 350 pounds compared to the 300 pounds typically seen in climbers. Like all the models in the Summit lineup, it features the company’s sound-deadening system that really does a great job of reducing the “pings” and “tings” typically associated with aluminum stands. The seat is outstanding as well.

MORE FROM FORBES VETTED 7 Of The Best Eye Creams For Puffiness, According To Experts By Stephanie Montes Contributor Launch Party: The Latest Home And Kitchen Products Just In Time For Fall By Sholeen Damarwala Forbes Staff How We Chose The Best Climbing Tree Stands We understand that investing in the right tree stand is paramount for any avid hunter. That’s why our selection process is grounded in expertise and hands-on experience. To determine the best climbing tree stands, we read product reviews and evaluated options from both established and new-to-market brands.

We also relied on our firsthand experience and tested some of the stands, taking into consideration features that hunters value the most, from weight capacity to construction quality to comfort. Beyond these features, we also evaluated each stand’s safety features and ease of setup. The final options on this list reflect several weeks’ worth of in-depth research and personal vetting.

What To Consider When Buying A Climbing Tree Stand If you’re on the hunt for a climbing stand, there are a few things you’ll want to consider and be familiar with. Stand Type There are two types of stands—sit-and-stand and hand-climbers. The difference between the two is just as it sounds.

One style uses a sit-and-stand climbing method while the other uses a hand-climber to gain elevation. The sit-and-stand type is more popular and thus more options are available. The sit-and-stand climber is easy to identify by the wrap-around frame.

Material Climbing stands are made from steel or aluminum. Aluminum models, of course, weigh less than those made of steel. Steel models, however, may offer higher weight capacities and generally cost less.

Some aluminum models, like those from XOP, are made of cast aluminum. Weight Weight is one of the key considerations when choosing a climbing tree stand. If you intend to pack the stand deep into the timber, you’ll want a lightweight option.

Aluminum stands are the lightest option for now, though technology advances in carbon construction could someday change the game. Portability A light climber definitely makes it easier to transport the stand in the woods, but if it’s big and bulky, the journey can still be a pain. The most portable climbers are those that are able to pack nearly flat, reducing their profile and making it much easier to move through brush and obstacles.

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