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Muddy Aerolites look nice too. They have a rope system that a lot of people are really fond of. Muddy also makes a smaller two-step version if that is your cup of tea.

Those are the two I looked at, and having researched a lot, the ones I would recommend.

Lone Wolf's get a lot of love, but I just hate the idea of the single-step design. It kind of boggles my mind they never came out with a double step like Heliums or Aerolites. It has to be any day now, those guys have to be just killing them in market share.

A lot of people that do buy ones with straps end up doing a "rope mod". Just something for you to look into. I haven't switched mine but I plan to at some point.

I use 3 sticks, with webbing aiders on the bottom 2. The aiders do require a bit more athleticism, but it's something I would look into. Lots of other posts and youtube vids on them. That gets me to 18 feet, I could probably do 20 if I really stretched it out. 3 sticks, I would say you are going to max out around 12 feet without the aiders. I've practiced and I am comfortable with the "one stick method"...a little more outside the box, that can get you as high as you want to go, but I really don't see needing to use it ever. 18 feet is plenty.

For carrying them, I see a lot of people stack them, which I never saw as logical because it throws your center of gravity way back and catches brush. I individually bungee mine to my stand flat. There's a cool product called Stick Talons that employs a similar concept.

Some guys fill the tubing with foam to make them quieter. Sounds like a very good idea but I keep forgetting to do it! I also paint the top of my steps (where you place your foot) white. It makes it a lot easier to see where they are at when getting down at dark thirty.

I use 3 steps. I place the first one prob an honest minimum 25" off the ground. Then I'll do the rest with about a 20" gap. That gets me about 13 feet to the top of the steps. I usually place my stand another foot or more above that. I've definitely screwed that up a number of times where you're doing the whole "laying on the platform trying to craw on ordeal" lol. This gets me to prime height in my neck of the woods. If I go higher I'm into the canopy and shooting lanes are drastically cut down. Because I hang new every hunt I don't want to be into the canopy and unable to shoot. I used to carry 4 sticks then realized I don't need it.

Just make sure you use the proper knots for the webbing and right size rope.

I use three sticks and a loop of rope hanging from the bottom of each. I can get 21 foot with this system. I'm in really good shape and part monkey with lots of practice. I only hang and hunt so everything goes up with me and down with me. I'm actually pretty dang good at it as well. Climbed down Sunday morning with a 2 year old buck bedded 12 yards from me. He never heard me until I was back on the ground packing stuff up. Once he saw me he was real surprised.

Do you use a climbing rope with a harness?

Crawling up on the stand platform is a recipe for a fall, sooner or later. Much better to step down onto the platform. I use 4 sticks and get 16-18' if I push it. But I don't like crawling onto the platform.

But then, i don't have the cat like reflexes I once had- grin- its more of a drag my azz up the tree.

That's my only problem with the Lone wolf sticks. They are shiny. I've covered mine up with tape.

Saddle type hunting is so versatile I'm not sure why anyone who is in moderate shape wouldn't be doing it. At 27yrs old and in very good shape many of my friends who are also in good shape wont even look at this style of hunting.... maybe because it requires effort?

With a good set of sticks and my saddle I feel so stealthy and unstoppable! One afternoon hunt last year I was 3 sticks up with 1 more left to go while climbing, and had a buck come in and bed down at 20 yards facing me. I was able to set my last stick, climb up on top, set my tree ropes, and pull my bow up without him noticing my movement or hearing me. Try that with a climber!

hmmm....This style might be a good option. Any thoughts/drawbacks to this idea?

Also, still hoping for feedback on the Muddy Stagger Steps I mentioned. Thanks.

He said to order 9 feet of webbing and that was way too long for me. I don't know how he put his foot in the loop and be able to get his other foot up to the first step. He must be a lot more acrobatic than me. I ended up making mine a lot shorter and probably closer to 7 feet of webbing per extension.

One modification I did was to slide a piece of 7/16" rubber fuel line hose into the webbing to make the stirrup. It works really well.

If anybody has a source for rope that is green or camo, anything other than blue, please let me know.

Menards home improvement store had these 25 foot for 49.00

With so many recent threads of tree stand failure threads I thought it would be much safer using a single stick that is supported from the earth.

I just asked Michele and she told me she checked the receipt and I did pay 39.00 each

The photo shows 20 ft but I got the 25 feet.

They are a bit heavy but when I set up my stand I can get the 4 wheeler somewhat close so weight is not an issue

Was not aware people were using the strap step. Not sure I would try it, but I can see where it would be great for younger, more agile guys than myself:)

As the season progresses and I wear bigger boots, I think the increased stand away distance and longer steps will be appreciated.