The best ladder tree stands are one of the finest ways to hunt deer and big games. The ladder tree stand is one of three types of tree stands, including climbing tree stands and hang-on tree stands. The ladder tree stand offers a self-contained hunting system that is more stable than others.
So, what is a ladder tree stand? A ladder stand is actually a platform that attaches to the ladder’s top. The platform allows you to sit down, and the entire stand can be leaned against a tree (finding a suitable tree for your ladder is another matter). You should know that not every tree will work! This is a great option for hunting, and it is also a good choice if your kids are hunting with you. You can position yourself securely, just next to the treetop. This gives you clear and all-around visibility.
Ladder tree stands are not a new idea. It has been practiced by hunters for many decades. However, the ladder tree stands were made by hunters in the past. They would often set it up in the woods and place it in a permanent spot. You might find a ladder that leads to a platform made from wood on decent hunting property.
Tree stand technology improved, and hunting deer became more popular. Commercially manufactured ladder tree stands for hunting were also more common and better. The ladder tree stands used for hunting deer today are stronger and more comfortable than any we have seen.
There are numerous options for ladder tree stands. Finding the best ladder tree stand among these options can be a difficult job, especially if you are just starting your hunting journey. So, we have written this article to make your job easier. We have reviewed top-rated ladder tree stands available in the market. From our reviews, you will definitely be able to find the best ladder stand that fulfils your needs.
We have also produced a complete buying guide for ladder stands or tree stands. After reading that part, you will be capable of singling out the premium features of the best ladder tree stand.
So let’s begin.
Best Ladder Tree Stand Reviewed: Our Top 7 Picks
Let’s find out more about the top-rated ladder tree stands available on the market.
X-Stand Treestands The Duke Best Hunting Ladder Tree Stand
X Stand Treestands produced this excellent ladder tree stand. It is one of the top-rated tree stands you can find in the market for a really affordable price.
The 100% steel construction of the X-stand tree stands is impressive. You now know the secret to this strong and elegant tree stand!
A well-built ladder tree stand can be distinguished from a regular tree stand by its quality. This amazing ladder tree stand has a large foot platform whose dimension is 18″ wide x 26″ deep.
The ladder tree stand reviews indicate that this stand is very comfortable while placing the target. It also has a 20-foot shooting rail.
When hunting, the main concern is the weight of the ladder tree stand. The stand is lightweight at 79 lbs, making it easy to transport and store. In addition, this amazing tree stand is known for being the most elegant and tallest. It can support up to 300 pounds. That is impressive!
You want to hunt in comfort. The first thing that matters when satisfying customers is their seating arrangements. It is rated as one of the most comfortable ladder tree stands, with a spacious seat height of 22 inches. This comfortable padded seat measures 22″ Wide x 16″ Deep, providing you with great comfort and ample space.
There are additional features, such as the silent snap pin and the jaw safety system. The silent snap pin eliminates the loud sound of traditional metal pins and allows for silent climbing. Meanwhile, the jaw safety system provides a secure feel by securing the stand to the tree.
Pros:
- Cup holder included
- Helix tubing is easy to grip
- Accessory hook
- Adjustable shooting rail
- Flip out footrest
- Padded shooting rail
- Noise reduction system
- Water resistance
- Great customer service
Cons:
- It could be tricky to assemble
Muddy Skybox Deluxe Best Weight Capacity Ladder Tree Stand
Muddy’s Skybox Deluxe ladder tree stand is a top choice for bowhunting. This ladder stand lets you hunt big game in style.
This ladder tree stand is 20 feet high, so it is not the tallest on our list. However, it is undoubtedly one of the most durable. This tree stand is made of black steel and will last a lifetime.
Camo covers make it possible to hunt in complete darkness – and you can take your own time setting the scope in. Likewise, silencer technology, used throughout this ladder trees stand, is another great design aspect. You won’t draw attention to nearby games no matter what.
The seat of the ladder tree stand is 19 inches tall, 22 inches wide, 17 inches deep. Even though it’s a ladder stand, you won’t feel cramped. The seat can be flipped up to allow you more room to reach your feet or stretch your legs. It comes with lumbar support. You won’t likely get a sore back from sitting for long periods.
A shooting rail can be very useful, but it’s even more so if you have a great one. Skybox Deluxe ladder tree stand has a shooting rail that is adjustable and padded.
The shooting rail is quiet, which is one advantage of ladder tree stands like this. The foot platform measures 19 inches in width and 25 inches deep. Moreover, remember that the chair flips up, and you have plenty of space to position yourself perfectly.
This ladder can hold 300 pounds. It is quite sturdy. So, it should be good enough for a hunter to fit all the heavy equipment needed for hunting!
Pros:
- Good weight capacity
- There is plenty of space
- Flip up seat
- Flex Tek seat
- Padded armrests
- Flip back footrest
- Camo design
- Blind kit included
- Adjustable support bar
Cons:
- Difficulty in dissembling
Guide Gear 2-Man Best Affordable Ladder Tree Stand
Guide Gear Ladder Tree Stand is the smallest and lightest of the two-person ladder tree stands (16.5′ high) and the most affordable.
The ladder stand is only 76 lbs and has the same dimensions of platform and seat at 38″ x 12″. Guide Gear tree stand is a great option for those with limited budgets, small hunters, or single hunters who need extra space for their gear.
However, this ladder tree stand’s modest size does not mean it is weak or easily shaken. It’s also strong enough to hold 500 pounds of gear or person. In addition, the tree stand comes with a ratchet strap for clinching the tree.
The ladder tree stand features a steel frame with a powder coat and safety harness. These sleeves consolidate the stand’s stability so that there is no shaking or squeaking during use. They are often only found on high-end models. So, it’s a plus!
Pros:
- Two person tree stand
- Very affordable
- Stabilizing safety sleeves
- Flip-up seat and shooting rail
- Padded seat
- Adjustable shooting rail
- Powder coat steel construction
- Adjustable ladder support bar
- Two stabilizer straps
- Ratchet strap included
Cons:
- No water bottle holder or bow holder
BIG GAME Hunter HD 1.5 Best Footrest Ladder Tree stand
While many options for ladder tree stands can support 350-pounds of weight, this stand was the most popular choice. We chose it because it is suitable for heavy hunters. The foot platform’s size and ultra-large seat are key reasons.
One good example is the Muddy Skybox tree stand (also on this list). It has a 22-inch x 17-inch seat and a 19-inch x 25-inch foot platform; meanwhile, the Big Game Hunter tree stand measures 23-inch x 18-inch and 23.5-inch x 29-inch.
You can flip the seat and shooting rail if you need a wider stance to shoot bows. It gives you the breathing space necessary for standing shots.
Flex Tex is a great seating option for comfort. It molds to the shape of your legs and prevents fatigue from long hours spent hunting for prey. A felt-like, soft and comfortable material covered padded armrests. Another plus is the shooting rail.
It can be stored in its folded form and is lightweight enough to be carried on your back when not in use.
Pros:
- Best for heavy people
- Flip-up seat
- Fall arrest system
- FlekTek seat
- Wide foot platform
- Ratchet strap included
- Two stabilizer straps
- Full-body harness
- Flip up footrest
Cons:
- Footrest rubbing against the rail
Big Dog BDL-1050 Stadium Serie Best Durable Ladder Tree Stand
This Big Dog Stadium Serie Ladder tree stand looks elegant thanks to its sophisticated construction. This ladder tree stand is strong and durable because it is made from steel.
It is made to make you feel at ease so that you don’t regret spending your hard-earned money on this amazing stand. The unique, curved foot platform measures 56 inches wide and 13 inches deep and provides excellent support.
A dual-rail ladder adds to the impressive offerings. Likewise, the dual rail ladder makes climbing easy and more spontaneous. You can choose to climb on either side.
This incredible stand gives you a luxurious soft cushioning feeling by offering a padded backrest, armrests, and shooting rail.
The pinned ladder sections have been included for your convenience. You can carry the tree stand around easily. the feature makes it easy to carry around and store the stand.
You might be surprised at the weight that this sturdy stand can support! The weight capacity is 500 pounds! It’s true!
This amazing stand meets all TMA standards and includes an adjustable ladder support bar. An adjustable ladder support bar allows you to sit comfortably and focus. In addition, ratchet straps and backpack straps are included in the package.
Pros:
- Durable steel construction
- 500 lb weight capacity
- Dual rail ladder
- Curved footrest
- Four ratchet straps
- Adjustable ladder support bar
- Fall arrest system included
- Padded seat
- Stabilizing straps
- Pinned ladder sections
Cons:
- Stationary shooting rail
X-Stand Treestands The Jayhawk Best Two Man Ladder Tree Stand
Like The Duke, this ladder tree stand is the only one in the X-Stand Treestands 2-Person series with a strong jaw safety system that allows easy installation.
The ladder tree stand is made from a strong steel material and has a weather-resistant brown powder coat. Like its construction, the joints are all-welded well, so there is no squeaking when they are in use.
It has plenty of room for 2 and comfortable seating. You can fold the seat and shooting rail if needed. Moreover, you will find all the comforts you need to make your time in the stand more pleasant: cup holders, accessory hooks, and footrests.
The ladder tree stand is secured to the tree by a jaw safety system. It can hold up to 500 pounds of gear and people. The tree stand is 122 lbs in weight, making it strong enough to go hunting week after week.
Pros:
- Two-man trees stand
- Durable steel made
- 500 lbs weight capacity
- Full body safety harness
- Flip up seat
- Flip back footrest
- Adjustable padded armrest & shooting rail
- Stealth silencer self-lubricating nylon washers
- Helix oval tubing for additional strength
- Jaw Safety System to lock the stand
Cons:
- A bit difficult to set up
Guide Gear 18′ Jumbo Ladder Tree Stand
It’s a sturdy and economical choice for lone hunters, the Guide Gear Jumbo Ladder Tree Stand. Even though you stay in it for hours at a time, you won’t have to worry about discomfort because of its sturdy design and large size. It features a foundation that’s big enough to allow you to spread your feet wide, which is a nice touch. We’ll go over some of its highlights so you can decide whether or not to give it a shot as it’s most highly regarded choices in its category.
In the event that you’re concerned that you’ll need to change your tree stand it before hunting season is through since it is built of flimsy materials, you should not be. A hunter who is looking for a tree stand that can be used for a long period of time should choose this one because of its steel structure. According to the evaluations we’ve read, this product appears to be well-welded throughout, so you don’t have to be concerned about it being shaky and endangering your safety.
Always do your homework before purchasing a new tree stand so that you know if it will protect you or not. There’s no need to worry, though, because it comes equipped with everything you could possibly need to be secure. A proper safety harness is included with the device, and it’s safe to say that it does an excellent job of keeping you attached to the stand. Additional features include three straps for stabilizing, one for tightening, and an adjustable support bar.
Even though it’s obvious that you’ll gain the upper hand over your possible targets by taking use of such an advantageous vantage position, hanging on a branch for an extended period of time might be unpleasant. With a platform measuring 24 x 25 inches, this specific model can assist you in this regard. This allows you to easily extend your feet.
The ladder is 18 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 16 inches between; the rungs are spaced 16 inches apart on model. This tree stand weighs 68.5 pounds, so you’ll have to use some exertion to get it where you desire it to be in your backyard or garden. Since it can handle up to 300 pounds, the total weight is normal for a device in its category.
Pros:
- platform measuring 24 x 25 inches
- tree stand weighs 68.5 pounds
- include three straps for stabilizing, one for tightening, and an adjustable support bar
- proper safety harness
Cons:
- Availability can be an issue
Tree Ladder Stand Buyer’s Guide
In this buying guide, you will find the features and attributes of a perfect ladder tree stand.
Types of Tree Stand
There are three types of tree stands:
- Climbing tree stand
- Hang on the tree stand
- Ladder tree stand
Let’s discuss this tree stands briefly.
1. Climbing Tree Stand
A Best climbing tree stand is composed of two parts. They consist of a platform assembly and a seat assembly. Climbing tree stand has the advantage of being able to sit on a tree and also provides a way to climb up. This removes the need for ladders and tree steps.
A climbing Tree stand has several advantages over a hang-on tree stand. Climbing tree stands are much more portable than hang-on stands. They don’t need to be attached with screws, which might be banned on some hunting grounds. These climbing tree stands are perfect for mobile bowhunters because they allow you to quickly change your position to adjust to game location or movement changes. The most beneficial element of a climbing stand is that you can easily remove a climbing tree stand when you descend. As a result, this kind of tree stand cannot be stolen and won’t reveal your stand location to other hunters or deer.
The downside is that climbing stands are heavier and more heavy than hang on stands. A climbing tree stand normally weighs between 15 to 35 pounds. Consequently, this can prove problematic if you need to move the stand a lot. These stands require some tree pruning to allow them to move up trees. In addition, a climbing tree stand is also more expensive than hang on stands.
2. Hang on the tree stand
A hang on tree stand, part of the fixed-position stand family, is simpler and more compact than other tree stands. They consist of a platform with a seat attached. This type of tree stand attaches to trees using one or more straps or chains with adjustable buckles. Some even have a T-shaped screw to provide additional support after the stand has been placed.
Hang on stands weigh between 10 and 35 pounds. This makes them easier to transport than climbing tree stands. However, the best thing about a hang on tree stand is that it’s much faster and quieter to move around once they’re in place. Hang-on stands are best if you don’t mind standing up for longer hours. These stands have one problem: they are difficult to hang to a tree and can take a lot of effort to remove and install if you need to move them.
3. Ladder Tree Stand
The ladder tree stands are the third type. These stands usually consist of a multi-piece ladder with a seat and platform at its top. All of these are attached to the tree by belts or stabilizer straps.
A ladder tree stand is arguably the best tree stand among the three kinds. They are great because these ladder tree stands can be placed on any tree. They also don’t require screws-in steps, which is a plus. Moreover, a deluxe ladder tree stand can be used as a virtual loveseat and offer padded benches and enough space for two. But such luxury comes with a price, namely weight. These ladder tree stands can weigh up to 100 pounds and require more than one person to assemble them.
The majority of ladder tree sands are much more visible to deer than either climbing tree stands or hang-on stands. They are best suited for rifle hunters and bowhunters who don’t need to allow deer (or other games) close enough to get a shot. While ladder tree stands come at various prices, most are about the same cost as a climbing one.
Things to Consider While Buying the Best Ladder Tree Stand
There are several points to consider before you can decide on the ideal ladder tree stand for you.
One person or Two Person Ladder Stand
The first question you need to resolve about ladder tree stands is how many people will climb on the ladder tree stand.
A single-person ladder stand can only be used by one person, as the name suggests. It is lightweight, so one person can carry it through the woods. A single ladder stand also includes a ladder to climb and a place for the hunter to rest while waiting for the game.
On the other hand, the two person ladder tree stand is able to accommodate two hunters comfortably without any discomfort. The seat of this tree stand is large enough to accommodate you and your hunting partner. It’s sturdy and durable, with a firm design that is well-rooted in the ground.
Foot Platform Size
You should verify the size of the ladder. It is possible to determine if the product’s dimension is appropriate for you.
You should verify that the foot platform is large enough for you to stand on one ladder tree stand. To get the best outcome, just make sure the ladder stand has a platform that extends backward as close as possible to the tree. This will ensure you don’t get picked up.
It will be easier for you to stand, rest, or move around the footrest if it is spacious. It will allow you to stay there for longer periods. You will have more space to store your gear if you have extra platform areas.
Height of the Tree Stand
Take note of the heights of the trees around the area. You should look for the longest ladder. The ladder must be long enough to reach the height of the trees. You should choose a long ladder if your trees are too high. You can also choose the shorter version if it is very short.
The minimum height of a ladder stand is 20 feet to ensure that you are not in direct view. A higher standing position means that there is less chance of you being caught by a game.
Safety Features
Safety should be the first aspect to focus on. A ladder stand that is secured to the trunk of a tree trunk with a safety harness will be safer.
Safety harness systems are composed of a connector, an anchorage, and a full-body harness. There are often differences between models and manufacturers in what is included in FAS. They can be a lifeline or deceleration device or a lanyard.
Only choose a ladder tree stand that surpasses all the safety standards of TMA ( Treestand Manufacturers Association).
Comfortable Seat
It is important to remember that the seat is a major consideration when making a decision about a tree stand.
Firstly, the seat must be comfortable and wide enough to allow you to shoot on your games. You shouldn’t choose a metal chair because it is uncomfortable. Secondly, the backrest needs to prevent your back injury from prolonged sitting. And finally, to make it easier to shoot when the deer or the hogs arrive in your area, the seat should be folded flat against the tree.
Footrest
A footrest is an essential feature for a ladder tree stand. This prevents your legs from dangling in the air while you wait for a bulky item.
You might be spending days sitting on the stand from sunrise until sunset. Without any footrest, it can quickly make your feet tired. So, make sure you choose a ladder tree stand with a footrest to allow your feet to relax while you wait for your game.
Handrail
A handrail is an optional feature on any ladder stand. Handrails are usually added to provide more safety for hunters while they sit inside the ladder tree stand.
However, they can be a problem for bow shooting. Choose adjustable or removable ones.
Weight capacity
The weight capacity is a critical factor for a ladder tree stand. However, you should also acknowledge that the product will be less portable due to this feature.
You will definitely not like to be pushed off of the tree stand. You should choose a ladder tree stand made from steel to avoid this. The recommended weight limit:
- A single ladder tree stand can usually support 300 lbs of weight
- Two person ladder tree stand has 500 lbs of weight capacity
Harness
Are you sure that the product you’re looking to buy has a safety harness system? You should also consider the type of material that was used to create the harness.
A pair of harnesses are recommended. It should be strong and offer comfort. It is not enough to look at its strength; it must also consider its comfortability.
Conclusion
The task of finding the most comfortable ladder tree stand can seem overwhelming because there are so many things to consider. A major challenge is the number of options available on the market from different manufacturers.
Make sure the ladder is properly placed, and double-check the alignment for safety. Then you’re good to go!
We hope you find the following post useful in your search. We appreciate your reading. We were founded with the sole purpose of encouraging hunters to hunt more. Have fun hunting!
FAQs
Are ladder stands good for hunting bows?
Ans: They’re fine for bow hunting as long as they are high enough to keep your bow out of their sight, low enough to not disturb them, and large enough for you to draw your bow.
Are lightweight treestands safe?
Ans: Lightweight ladder tree stands are the ideal choice. We have already discussed lightweight tree stands in our reviews, and they can all carry a 300-pound weight.
How do I choose a secure tree stand?
Ans: It’s not that difficult. Make sure you check the materials used to make the treestand. You should ensure that the treestand has a good load capacity and that other mounting systems work well. We recommend that you purchase a branded treestand. The majority of branded tree stands can be safely and securely secured, so you don’t need to be worried.
What is the main purpose of a treestand?
Ans: Tree stands are made for hunters. They are used primarily for hunting. However, a tree stand is sometimes used by soldiers to attack from safety.
What is the maximum load capacity for a ladder tree stand?
Ans: This question was already addressed in the buying guide. A treestand should weigh no less than 250 pounds. It’s better to choose one with a load capacity of 300 pounds. The load capacity of a 2-man tree stand is 500 pounds.
What is the most comfortable ladder tree stand?
Ans: The most comfortable ladder tree stand has a few features: the cushioned seat, padded armrest, wide footrest, mesh seat, padded backrest, and body harness.
What number of people can use a tree stand at once?
Ans: You can have single or two-man tree stands. The number of single treestands in the market is higher. You have the option to hunt with your partner if you prefer using a two-person tree stand.
Which type of tree stands are considered the safest?
Ans: Ladder tree Stands are generally considered the safest type of tree stand. The fixed ladder steps of these stands make climbing into and out of the stand easier.