Comfortable ladder stand?
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: SD
26-Nov-24
Seems like if I'm not hunting from the ground that I pick a ladder almost every time. And it seems like I'm more and more able to hunt 5 or 6 hours a sit rather than 2 or 3. So that leaves me wondering what's the most comfortable ladder stand out there. In my youth I'd just sit on a bumpy ass branch and call myself a wuss if my legs fell asleep and turned to pins and needles. Past couple of weeks I've found myself wishing I was more comfortable after the 3hr mark. Anyone have a favorite ladder that sits like a plush recliner for wusses like me?
From: t-roy
26-Nov-24
Ive started transitioning over to ladder stands more and more over the past few years. I ain’t as agile as I used to be. I’ve got several brands of them, and hands down, the most comfortable one I use is the Millennium, IMO.
From: DanaC
26-Nov-24
Big Game
From: Shug
26-Nov-24
Big Game 1.5 is my favorite
From: Native Okie
26-Nov-24
I’ll second t-roy on his suggestion as well.
We picked up 4 or 5 of the 18ft archer ladder stands from Sportsmans guide last winter and they are a good economical option. The platform is comfy and the seat flips up as well. Sitting in one as I type this.
The seat coming up is the key on a ladder stand in my opinion.
From: drycreek
26-Nov-24
I went to two man ladders after I stopped climbing tripods. I found the best cushion ever (wish I had bought more of them) and threw the thin useless ones away after the first year. With the cushion, it didn’t much matter what brand. I think most of mine were Big Game.
From: Slate
26-Nov-24
That’s all I use for the last 15+ years. So much safer and so comfortable. Big Game and Rivers Edge Ladder stands with Fat Boy Cushion.
From: DanaC
26-Nov-24
^^ I have an older Big Game 'Titan' and wish they still made those. The 1.5 looks pretty similar.
My only beef is the seats were made of nylon. Which rots.
From: Trying hard
26-Nov-24
I'm new to ladder stands....just bought a muddy 1.5...not sure on model#...kept shooting rail off...seat folds up is comfy...platform extends to tree (important)...can shoot to sides and behind with 60" traditional bows..I've been using my nephews cheaper ladder stands...they all work but definitely less comfortable.
From: Scar Finga
26-Nov-24
The old Tri Starss were the best I've ever used, I still have two of them! All aluminum and super stout! Sadly, they went out of business!! So, the Big Games are probably your best option!
From: Bou'bound
26-Nov-24
Ladders are game changers but just not a mobile so can’t go to them exclusively
From: bigswivle
26-Nov-24
Family tradition. You can get extensions to make them taller. All my millenniums are rotten after a couple years in the FL climate.
From: t-roy
26-Nov-24
That’s crazy, bigswivle! What is rotting on them? The seats or the metal corroding? My concern with them was, that the squirrels would chew the seats up, but surprisingly they don’t seem to bother them, even after several years.
From: KSflatlander
26-Nov-24
Rivers Edge at Menards after hunting season. All I use is ladder stands but I can drive to most of my treestands when the crops are cut.
From: Jack Whitmrie jr
26-Nov-24
Like Native Okie I use the 18' archers ladder from sportsman guide. These deer here in Appalachia will spot you in them so you have to brush them in.
From: SD
26-Nov-24
My nylon seats have all rotted out. I can still sit on the foot platform and put my feet on the top rung of the ladder, but that's less than ideal.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have some shopping to do. Can a person sit in these as Cabela or Academy Sports? I should look into doing some test runs...
From: drycreek
26-Nov-24
SD, most stores have the ladders blocked so that you can’t actually try them. Liability thing I would imagine.
From: Shiloh
26-Nov-24
Millennium here as well. I have doubles, singles and this year I bought six of the single Bowhunter models that are 16’. They hide easily and can easily be put up by one person. I wish the Bowhunter models had a fold up seat and full platform. Since they are based right down the road I plan to go by and plead my case!
From: Chuckster
26-Nov-24
I still have my Warren and Sweat Ochoa ladder stand from the early 90's. Changed the platform about 10 years ago, made it a little bigger.
From: deerhunter72
26-Nov-24
I use all ladder stands now and have for many years. Several Big Game in my woods. Also, Muddy and X-Stand make a comfortable stand if they are still in business. I tend to believe that many of the brands come from the same place, could be wrong.
From: Brian M.
26-Nov-24
SD, if you have a local quarry, ask if they have any discarded conveyor belts that you could grab a piece of. Makes a great seat. I did mine 10 years ago, no rot, no rodent chewing, and pretty comfortable. I sat in mine today for 4 hours without a cushion. You can cut the size you need with a utility knife.
From: SD
26-Nov-24
No quarries that I could ask, but I bet other stuff would work. Thanks for the suggestion!
From: Old School
26-Nov-24
Went to Millennium years ago and nothing is even close comfort wise.
From: DanaC
27-Nov-24
Brian, good idea, how do you attach that? (I'm thinking 'Shoe Goo')
From: sureshot
27-Nov-24
I just started switching to ladders myself and I like either the Muddy 1.5 or Big Game 1.5.....exact same stands with different name. These stands are 18.5' tall large platform back to the tree, comfortable seat that flips back to tree and very economical. I.picked up several of the Big Game version for $130.00 each.
From: SD
27-Nov-24
I'd be inclined to bolt it on rather than glue.
Thanks again for the suggestions guys!
From: bigswivle
27-Nov-24
T-Roy
Basically at the joints where you stick them together. I’ll take some pictures. This is Florida though, not much lasts very long down here.
From: FORESTBOWS
27-Nov-24
Millennium 360. Best archery stand made.
From: duckhunterbrad
27-Nov-24
I've been using Family tradition treestand out of Michigan for the last 10 years. They make both a great ladder stand and a hang on that will last for years to come.
From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
27-Nov-24
Posted this on the other ladder stand thread...
"You can get these for less than $90 at Menards. Like I said before, not the most bells and whistles but they are a great stand for the money. Tons of room...very comfortable...relatively easy to maneuver."
https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/outdoor-recreation-sports/hunting-equipment/tree-stands-hunting-blinds/big-game-reg-guardian-xlt-18-2-person-ladder-treestand/bgm-ls4860/p-1642874268092455-c-13885.htm?exp=false
From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
27-Nov-24
Forgot the picture...
From: Shiloh
27-Nov-24
I wish Skeetet Wilson out of Natchez, MS still made stands. Look up his attachment design. Genius and I can’t believe nobody has copied it!!
Swivel…..I haven’t had the issues that you have had with Millennium, but I am 3 hours from the salt.
From: Rock
27-Nov-24
I bought a Muddy 2-man a couple of years ago and finally put it up this fall. OMG what a chore as it is so top heavy. It is very comfortable but the seat is too low for my liking so it takes more effort to stand up from it. As I do not own many ladderstands so my knowledge is limited. My favorite is the Lone Wolf ladder stand, very comfortable and I can put them up take them down and move them by myself which I like. Also the ladders are collapsible so I can adjust the height to what I want for any particular tree.
From: Stringwacker
27-Nov-24
The most comfortable ladder stand is the cheapest one you can buy with a metal top...and just hang a comfortable portable off the one side of it. Use the ladder just as 'steps'. I started doing that when my children were very young and I wanted to have them a safe way to get into a stand (I always use a HSS safety line to the top)
They got older...(and me too) so I just kept doing it that way for an easy accent up the tree. It helps to have about 25 lock-ons at your disposal though...
From: Basil
27-Nov-24
Take a look at Primal ladder stands. Very well built and comfortable. Have a molded foam fold up seat that is very comfortable. Large platform to stand on and best of all they have a cable truss system that does away with that annoying brace that never seems to fit on crooked trees.
From: Franzen
28-Nov-24
I wish Troy would stop posting so I'm not so tempted to spend 4 Bens on a Millennium ladder. Hey Pat, Troy is vehemently against baiting and he talks about you behind your back. That should do the trick.
From: yeager
29-Nov-24
I like the Guide Gear Big Boy XL. In fact, my kids just asked me what I wanted for Christmas and that’s what I told them.
From: caribou77
29-Nov-24
I’ve always hated ladder stands but as I age ( and I’m youngish yet) the safety of ladder stands gets more and more appealing.
From: IdyllwildArcher
29-Nov-24
I had a Summit 2 man that was really comfortable and sturdy, but it takes two solid men to put it up - don't even think of trying it on your own.
If you really want a stand that's comfortable for long sits, a Summit Viper climber is by far the most comfortable thing I've sat in and it's the only way I'll go for all-day sits. And you can just attach a ladder to the tree and leave it up there if you want.
From: caribou77
29-Nov-24
I bought a big game 1.5 last years. I like the size but it’s a set it and forget it stand. Real pain for 1 person to set. Guide gear makes an archer stand. Seat folds up to stand close to the tree. Rails run at a good angle to miss hitting your bow on and it had an expanded metal seat that won’t rot when you leave it out there for years. Just bring your favorite butt pad.
From: DanaC
29-Nov-24
Every '2-man' stand I've seen is designed for seated rifle shooters. Narrow front-to-back platform, no way I'd stand and try to take a good shooting stance. No thanks!
From: Old School
29-Nov-24
Dana - Millenniums L-220 2 man is the real deal, not a small platform. 40” W x 32” D.
Sturdy, comfortable, great stand. It will set you back about $460 though.
From: Trying hard
29-Nov-24
I'd agree with DanaC I shoot 60" recurves...the best ladder stands for trad bows that I have found have real low to the seat arm rests...and narrow seats... These are definitely not the most comfortable stands...but lower limb clearance is way better
From: DanaC
29-Nov-24
Old School, for about that $$ you can get two good '1'5s'. Or 3-4 'budget' stands. Guess it depends on your needs.
From: Old School
29-Nov-24
No doubt about that Dana - but you end up with 3-4 stands that you described - no depth in the platform and it feels thin and cheap.
From: Brian M.
29-Nov-24
Here you go SD. I cut it long enough to fold over the frame and bolted it. I didn't want to bolt through the frame. It's tough stuff, so I had to use a couple C clamps to hold it while I drilled and bolted.
From: Brian M.
29-Nov-24
Works for Loc-on's too.
From: DanaC
29-Nov-24
Cool, thanks!
From: SD
29-Nov-24
Thanks Brian. That's exactly how I pictured it. That's some tough stuff!
From: Lowandslow
29-Nov-24
big game 1.5 learned a lesson buying them in bulk from menards.. if i remember correctly, the ones built in vietnam are absolute junk. welds and corners in the metal tubing are all off measurement. ones with built in china stamped on box are flawless. very affordable too... saw them on bass pro on sale earlier this year i think for $80
From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
30-Nov-24
"Every '2-man' stand I've seen is designed for seated rifle shooters. Narrow front-to-back platform, no way I'd stand and try to take a good shooting stance."
To each their own I guess. I've never had a problem standing and shooting a recurve or longbow from any of my two man stands.
From: SD
30-Nov-24
I don't stand to shoot so foot platforms not a problem. I don't want a bunch of arm and shooting rests in the way, but platform size won't be a thing.
From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
30-Nov-24
" I don't want a bunch of arm and shooting rests in the way..."
I agree. For bowhunting, I don't like the shooting rail either so I just fold it back against the tree. If you prefer, the entire armrest shooting rail section can be removed by taking out 4 bolts...or not installed in the first place. It's not a structural part of the stand.
From: Shiloh
30-Nov-24
The 220 millennium is by far the most comfortable but not easy to hide. Helps to camo the gun rest bar, but with it down you have to stand and shoot. The 16’ millennium bow stands hide very well and if you don’t wanna have the arm rest just leave them off
From: Kannuck
03-Dec-24
I love the API Outdoors Extreme 20' ladder stands. Very comfortable, with removeable cushion seat/backrest and shooting rail. Plus I believe most ladder stands are too low... these are perfect, worth the look. Cheers
