Affordable Climbers

Well as I've mentioned before, I recently quit the club I'd been in for the last few years, and it looks like all my family/friend connections have dried up, so I'm pretty much down to public land has my only hunting option, which means I probably need to start considering a climber.

I've been opposed to using one in the past b/c, well, I just don't trust them, but it looks like I'll have to get over that. I hear a lot of people talking about the Lone Wolf stands, but they look to be $400-500 and I just can't pay that. Are there any options that are a little more affordable, and still safe/sturdy?

Also, I have no atv so I'm hoofing it wherever I go...the lighter the better - but I know that will probably mean more $$$.

What are my best options?

A used summit most likely. Upgrade to the Molle straps off amazon and you won't have a problem carrying it.

Find Demp17's post about the knock off lone wolf for $200...that would be a great option.

Man if your worried about safety just get a new summit. I think I paid 300$ for mine and I wouldn't want to be 20' up a tree on a knock off something or other. Safety is worth it IMHO.

I was lucky enough to have been gifted an older summit, but I love it. I don't LOVE being up high, but I always feel safe in this stand. Its heavy, but I just deal with it. Its comfortable and strong.

I live a Summit Viper SD. It's really light and super comfortable. Some people on here hate Summits, but I can't figure out why. I absolutely love both of mine.

Aluminum summit best all around strand on eBay for about $260

I have a cougar claw that is really comfortable and light weight 350.00 I think .. I'm not sure how safe it is , I seek a video on you tube of a hefty guy break one , I've had the summits and there nice but nothing has been as comfotable as this cougar ckaw ..hopefully it don't kill me though.

I'm not a big fan of summits.. I have 3 ol man's and will never own a different one..

Dicks has a summit look a like now on sale for 99.00. If your on a budget it might be worth a look. Or just buy a used summit off craigslist.

Norton is correct

I like api myself. I think it has better adjustments for any tree. The chain is the way to go.

It's not a knock off. The same guy that invented lone wolf is now working with this company. XOP Enforcer is the name of the stand we were discussing. I ordered one and it got here 3 days later from Field Supply. It is not as comfortable as a Summit but will work extremely well for early season hunts. Its light and super quiet also. If your a bigger guy, get the wide version. I'm 6-3 260 and it is just almost to small for me.

I haven't used a ton of stands but I can't tell you that I feel very safe and comfortable in my summit titan SD.

I have used Ol Man, Buckshot, Lone Wolf, API, Cougar Claw and Summit. If I was buying another one, hands down it would be another Summit Viper SD.

This. I have sat in a lot of climbers and feel the most comfortable and safe in a summit. It is the millennium m100u of the tree climbers.

I have sat in a lot of climbers, but Summit beats them all to me. They are quite, go together well, and are lite. I have also used a treewalker and they are great too, but they suck if you are hunting a pine. They dig in. Most all the ones mentioned are pretty solid stands.

I'm pretty sure my next one will be a Summit Cobra.

SUMMIT VIPER ALUMINUM VERSION

If you really want a Lone Wolf they usually have a sale for Black Friday. I forget how much they discount it but they also charge flat rate $5.95 shipping. Might still be pricey even with sale but just FYI so you keep an eye out for it.

You can find used Aluminum summits on craigslist pretty regular at less then 150 bucks. I love my summits and never have any issue at all with them. If I had to buy a stand tonight, It would be a summit.

May I ask what feels unsafe about your summit?

me too

Turkey killer, that's a typo. I meant to say, I CAN tell you that I feel very safe. I love my summit titan.

I had to make the same call this summer, I don't have $400 to spend on a climber. I am not going to go back and re-write everything that I have about the XOP enforcer but its a replica of the LW sit and climb except its made in China and the same guy that started LW started XOP with his son. Its not as comfortable as a Summit (not much is) but it packs way way better and is 10X easier to carry. I took my seat off and added a hazmore seat, added new stabilizer straps from 3rd hand archery and added Molle 2 straps and I can carry this tree stand all day. I loved my summit vipers, great stand and very comfortable but it was a dadgum pain in the neck for me to carry around the mountains that I hunt. You can probably find a used summit for a good price if that's what your heart is set on.

PM to you Gomer, I am going to send you everything I sent another member who asked for pro's and cons of the XOP.

FYI if you want to make it summit seat comfortable you can put a summit seat on it. Guy on archery talk has his set up with a summit seat and it looked awesome. Thinking about ordering one just to put on for gun season.

Sent you a pm.