I'm not sure how many of you guys have hunted out of both of these stands, but I'm looking for some pro's and con's when compared to each other. I have a Summit Viper and like it for the most part. It is very comfortable but there a few things that I don't like about it. It doesn't climb well on smaller trees. There have also been some trees that were just a little bit too big to climb with the Viper as well. And the one I have (older model) rattles a bit when climbing. I think it may be the safety latches for the cables. For the most part I really like it. I'm looking for another stand and I like the idea of the Tree walker being lighter and it will climb bigger trees, and from what I've read it bites better than most climbers. But I'm not sure if it will be as comfortable as my Viper once I'm set up. Do any of you guys have experience with both and if so what do you recommend? I know the ones that only have Summits will swear by them and recommend them. I'm sure the guys with the Tree Walkers will say the same. I'm looking for someone who has hunted out of both and can compare the two for me.

Thanks

I have had a viper for several years, and just purchased a tree walker before gun season started. Already used it 8-10 sits probably one of the best climbing and most comfortable stands i have ever owned. The only drawback i have found is that it will sap a pine, other than that i havent found any kind of hardwood that it doesn't do great on.

I've got both.Got a summit viper and 2 treewalker's.They are both very nice stands,but to me the treewalker is a better stand.It's rock solid and very comfortable.More expensive than the Summit.Can't go wrong with either.

Thanks for your input. Which models do you guys have and what accessories are a must have? Or did you just by the basic setup? I would like to order me another climber next week so that I will have an extra climber before the rut. I had a few other climbers in the past but one got stolen and the other was on a tree when another pine fell during a storm and wrecked it, so I've been short on climbers the last few years.

The Treewalker is American made.

I bought a new Summit goliath and a new Treewalker Pro Mag this fall. As for overall comfort I like the Summit. I like the feeling that I am sitting "IN" the seat as opposed to on the seat with the treewalker. If treewalker made a seat that hung down it would be my favorite hands down. One complaint I have with the Summit was the powder coating on the stand squeaks a little bit. It cost me a deer during bow season

I bought a treewalker right before the season this year and am familiar with the summit, although I don't own one.

Treewalker:
Pros - Simple, very stable, light, lots of room, comfortable, grips any tree like no other stand (including a hickory I climbed), and very quiet when settled in the tree. It is also 100% made in USA.

Cons - Really eats up a pine tree, clips that attach carrying straps to stand need to be removed asap(noisy), has some "slap" noise of cable inside plastic tubing when climbing, pins for shooting rail are a little noisy when walking if left attached to stand, a little more pricey than mass produced Chinese component stands. I've fixed the noise issues mentioned with some very low cost methods. Biggest thing was the cable slap and by drilling a few holes in the plastic cable protector and injecting with foam the noise was eliminated. Overall best built stand I've owned.

Summit:
Has a little more comfortable seat for long sits, may be better for climbing pines due to not sapping tree up, and is a little cheaper priced.

It is a little more bulky to carry, seat does not dry out quickly when wet, seat sits deeper in the stand which makes bow hunting more difficult, have been told (but not positive) that components are not made domestically.

When it comes down to which one is the most simple, stable, and quiet (with a few modifications) the treewalker wins IMO.

Can someone clarify which Summit parts are not American made? I was under the impression that the stands were but stuff like the harness or bungee cords weren't.

I broke down and ordered a TW Pro Mag with the chill pad. Other than a pair of boots, I haven't spent any money on hunting gear in the last 7 or 8 years , so I don't feel too bad about it. I've read nothing but good things about this climber so I am looking forward to trying it out.

Well I will say this. I got a viper and I got a Treewalker pro mag (the one without the shooting rail, I think that is the model). I am 6 feet and 200 pounds and with my cold weather clothes, you about have to cut me out of the viper it is so tight. The Treewalker has the extra leg room out from the tree and makes a huge difference. I take a fold up cushion with me and I can sit in it just as long as any time in a summit.

My viper does get used. I take it and lock it to a tree and leave it. In the past 3 years I have used my viper twice. I will let you guess which one I grab when I go. To me, if I were buying a stand, Treewalker would be my choice hands down.

You will like it !

Thanks guys for your feedback. I got my new Tree Walker in within a few days which was very impressive. I missed getting it in time for a three day hunt I went on this past weekend, but I setup it up when I got home and I am VERY happy I followed your advise and ordered this stand. I did some climbing with it and it climbs with ease and is very quiet. I haven't sat in it but a few minutes but it seemed to be very comfortable. I really like the way it locks together and is ready to pack out with no straps. It is lighter but yet has more room than my Summit. The only thing I didn't like was the the way the carrying straps clip onto the stand. It seems like those little clips could rattle a bit in the wind and when setting up. I can fix it with some mole skin or tape but all cloth would have been better than those clips. But that is a minor thing. Over all I like what I see so far. The website does not do this stand justice. I can't wait to sit in it on a long hunt, where I may have to pack it in a ways. That will be the true test.

Would a summit seat fit on a tree walker?

It probably would. But after I sat in it with the chill pad in place it was very comfortable. I thought about that before I got it and sat in it, but I see no need for that now. It has supports that you are sitting between that still gives you the feel of sitting down into the stand verses on top of the stand. I was very pleased with the comfort but will know more after I sit in it for 5 or 6 hours.