A ladder tree stand is a combination of a tree stand and a ladder that fits well to a variety of tree diameters (usually 9’’ and more). Ladder tree stands are safer to climb as compared to climbing and hang-on stands. According to Realtree, in 2018, stand types used during fall were 31% lock-on, 25% climber, and only 20% ladder.
The ladder system makes these tree stands more secure and user-friendly. Moreover, they provide hunters more space for accessories like a gun or bow. In this article, we are bringing you the perfect ladder tree stand for this hunting season.
Overview of 6 Best Ladder Tree Stand
1. BIG GAME Ladder Treestand
Best Overall
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 18.5 ft from the ground
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 61 lbs
2. Guide Gear Climbing Ladder Tree Stand
Lightweight
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 15.5 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight: 52 lbs
3. Muddy Climbing Ladder Tree Stand
Premium One
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 20 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 87 lbs
4. Rivers Edge Ladder Tree Stand
Maximum Capacity
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 18 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
- Weight: 63 lbs
5. The X-Stand Climbing Ladder Tree Stand
Compact Design
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 20 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight: 79 lbs
6. BIG GAME Ladder Tree Stand
Best For 2
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 18 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
- Weight: 53 lbs
Related Post:- Best Tree Stand
Related Post:- Best 2-Man Ladder Tree Stand
1. BIG GAME Climbing Ladder Treestand
Best Overall
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 18.5 ft from the ground
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 61 lbs
★Why You Choose This Ladder Tree Stand
- Capacity:- It can hold up to 350 lbs weight very easily. The extra-wide and deep 23.5″ x 29″ foot platform give a hunter a broad stance to glance in all directions for a game. To get some extra space, you can flip up or remove the shooting rail out of the way.
- Ergonomic:- It has a 23″ x 18″ foldable Flex-Tek seat which is extra wide and takes good care of your comfort. Moreover, the backrest and padded armrests offer you ultimate relaxation during hunting hours.
- Flip-Back Foot Rest:- An added feature of this ladder stand ensures the comfort and stability of your body posture during hunting hours.
- Ladder Section:- The 4 single rail ladder sections are capable of setting this ladder tree stand at 18.6′ height. It has a broad stance and oval tubing that makes climbing easier for everyone.
- Safety Harness:- A full-body fall arrest system is included in the package that ensures your safety. Moreover, you get two 1″ ratchet straps and two 1″ stabilizer straps for additional safety.
- Portability:- This ladder tree stand has 61 lbs weight which is quite handy to carry for a single person. It collides completely for carrying and transportation to various locations. Set up is something that consumes a lot of time if you don’t bring a buddy to give you a hand.
- Durability:- High-quality steel construction makes it highly corrosion-resistant and long-lasting. The seat mesh works fine in all weather conditions and features clear stitching that stays for years. Also, it is covered with a one-year warranty of Big Game for any manufacturing defect.
✔ Pros
- Foldable and extra wide seat for ultimate comfort for hours
- Comes fitted with a flippable footrest for stability
- It has the capacity to hold the heavyweight
- Zero squeaky sounds with movements
- It’s worth its price
❌ Cons
- Vague instructions for assembly
- Shooting rails don’t allow shooting bow while being seated
At the first spot, we have Big Game Hunter HD 1.5 ladder tree stands for its satisfying comfort and capacity. It is an advanced ladder tree stand launched in April 2020 and getting amazing customer reviews and ratings. A wide seat and backrest fit well for all-sized hunters.
The padded shooting rail adjusts in the required direction to make sure you get a clean kill. If you are a bowhunter, remove or flip up the rail from your way for a precise shot. Also, the seat folds up to take a standing shot which is recommended after wearing the safety harness.
Overall, this single ladder tree stand is a choice for many hunters. It costs you $250 which is not too much for the features. We will highly recommend it if you want tough and high-rated ladder tree stands for your next hunting trip.
2. Guide Gear Climbing Ladder Tree Stand
Lightweight
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 15.5 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight: 52 lbs
★Why You Choose This Ladder Tree Stand
- Capacity:- This is a spacious single-man ladder stand that can easily support 300 lbs. It has a 26″ x 15″ reticulated foot platform with a footrest rail which provides your legs more space to take down the game in a single shot.
- Ergonomic:- The 17″ x 18″ fold-up mesh seat with a backrest takes good care of your comfort during 6 to 7 hours of seating. Moreover, the padded armrest makes your hunting experience more pleasing.
- Flip-Up Shooting Rail:- The adjustable, flip-up shooting rail allows you to hunt using both a gun and a bow. You can flip up the rail all the way to the back while hunting using a bow. For a gun, adjust it to a suitable position.
- Ladder section:- It comes with 3 same-sized ladder pieces that connect with the help of bolts. A stabilizer bar attaches to the middle section which is somehow critical to adjust at first.
- Portability:- It weighs 52 lbs which is easily managed for transportation. You can detach the fragments and put them behind your truck for setting up on a tree in the woods. Also, assembling and disassembling takes 20 minutes once you get habitual.
- Durability:- It is built with powder-coated steel which is long-lasting and performs well in all weather conditions. I also liked the seat mesh which is transparent and durable as well. Moreover, Gear Guide offers a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.
✔ Pros
- Height and seat width are suitable for bigger men
- Provides great support to the back
- Comes accessorized with perfect hunting gear for the next hunt
- Being lightweight, it’s easily portable
❌ Cons
- Very short shooting rail
- Doesn’t have enough room for a big man
The Guide Gear ladder tree stand is equipped with all features you need to improve your hunting success. It provides you with great sightlines up to a 15.5′ height so you keep a keen observation of your surroundings. Setting up this climber tree stand with a ladder in your favorite hunting spot takes a few minutes and can be done by yourself alone.
The ladder stance is very broad to climb ensuring a comfortable placement of both of your legs. This costs you $130 which is very affordable. However, it doesn’t include a safety harness which is a drawback. Also, if you have a broad physique, then it may be a bit congested to keep your hunting equipment along.
If you want broad seating, check out Guide Gear 18′ Jumbo Ladder Tree Stand. Overall, Guide Gear 15.5′ is the perfect hunting gear to buddy up with for your next hunt if you are a solo hunter. I will highly recommend it because It’s an affordable yet comfortable ladder tree stand.
3. Muddy Climbing Ladder Tree Stand
Premium One
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 20 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Weight: 87 lbs
★Why You Choose This Ladder Tree Stand
- Capacity:- The Skybox can hold up to 350 lbs weight flawlessly. It has a 19” wide x 25” deep foot platform that allows a hunter to place his legs open for a clean shot. Moreover, the 2-way adjustable flip-back shooting rail goes out of the way to give more space to bowhunters.
- Ergonomic:- It has a 22” wide x 17” deep Flex-Tek seat which feels very soft and allows long sitting. The seat flips back if you want to take a standing shot. The padded armrests make your hunting experience more comfortable.
- Ladder Section:- The 4 double rail ladder section makes climbing more secure and easier. You can hold the railing and climb up to 20 ft in height.
- Safety Harness:- It comes with one 4-pt. safety harness which seems of good quality. The air-flow mesh ensures breathability to give you some relief. Also, the material is silent which keeps you undetected.
- Portability:- The tree stand weighs 82 lbs which is a bit heavy but manageable to carry by one person. You can disassemble it completely and load each part in your truck one by one for transportation.
- Durability:- It is a heavy-duty steel construction that is sturdy and durable for years. The seat mesh and stitching are of good quality to stand in various weather conditions. Moreover, Muddy covers this tree stand for a period of 12 months from the original date of purchase.
✔ Pros
- Rail and seat flip allows bow hunting
- Sturdy construction
- Fairly clear directions for easy assembly
- It doesn’t make any sound while hunting
- Sling-style suspension allows comfort all-day
❌ Cons
- It doesn’t work well with regular assemble and dismantle
- Not designed by an original hunter
The Muddy Skybox Deluxe is a 20’ tall ladder tree stand launched in February 2020. It features the flip-back two-way padded shooting rail to adjust height and depth while you take a shot.
The flex-tec sling-style suspension seat allows you to sit comfortably all day long. It has a flip-up footrest which feels quite far when you sit on the seat and try to place your legs on it. You can set this up with a minimum 9’’ tree diameter. Also, it can be adjusted with a larger diameter tree in case you only find the bigger trees in your surroundings.
Overall, this is a big stand that is built solidly and costs you $300 which is a bit pricey. However, the comfort it gives on the field pays off the price value. I must recommend it to solo hunters who are looking for an advanced and durable ladder tree stand.
4. Rivers Edge Ladder Tree Stand
Maximum Capacity
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 18 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
- Weight: 63 lbs
★Why You Choose This Ladder Tree Stand
- Capacity:- This ladder tree stand can hold 2 people that weigh 500 lbs combined and still leave space for a gun or bow. The 36″ x 12. 5″ curved foot platform provides some extra room for your legs to adjust appropriately.
- Ergonomic:- It has a 38″ x 12″ padded seat which is comfortable for 2 people. It has a seat height of 17″ from the foot platform which suits almost all people’s heights. Moreover, the 2-way adjustable shooting rail keeps your hands in a comfortable position.
- Safety Harness:- This tree stand comes with 2 quality safety harnesses. Also, you get a ratchet strap and criss-cross stability strap that ensure your safety in all situations while you are 18’ above the ground.
- Ladder section:- You get 3 ladder sections, each sized 56″, allowing you to set up the tree stand at 18’ height. The ladder stance is 13″ which lets a single person climb at once. However, the ladder feels not much wider when you climb to the stand.
- Portability:- You can separate all the parts of this ladder treestand for easy transportation. However, it weighs 63 lbs, which makes carrying it easy and takes less amount of effort. Setting this up takes 30 to 40 minutes when you are doing it for the first time.
- Durability:- This tree stand is steel-built that lasts longer and works in all weather conditions. Also, it is field-tested by Rivers Edge to ensure years of reliable use. For a specific warranty on this ladder treestand, you need to complete the warranty registration process at Rivers Edge.
✔ Pros
- Fewer parts allow quick and easy installation
- Comes equipped with a safety harness
- Amazing tree stand for the money
- Easy to assemble
- Great for solo hunters who require more elbow room
❌ Cons
- Loose padding in the back and shooting rail
- Not appropriate for people over 6’2
The Rivers Edge RE649 2-man ladder stand was launched in 2017 for hunters and wildlife viewers. This trustable tree stand lets you focus more on your surroundings. It is best suitable for two hunters or a solo hunter who wants some extra elbow room along with a bow and some other hunting accessories.
Assembling the system takes less effort than other ladder tree stands in the market. Also, you get a user manual with easy-to-understand instructions that explain all the assembling processes. The shooting rails are adjustable for more depth and height. You can remove it all the way to hunt using a bow or to get more space in order to take a cleaner shot.
I also liked the Rivers Edge LD200 ladder tree stand for one person that has a backrest with more comfortable seating. However, it costs you $250 which is out of budget for some hunters. On the other hand, RE649 costs you around $160, which is super affordable. Overall, this is one of the best 2-man ladder stands and is highly recommended to someone who wants to take along a second hunting partner.
5. The X-Stand Climbing Ladder Tree Stand
Compact Design
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 20 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight: 79 lbs
★Why You Choose This Ladder Tree Stand
- Capacity:- This ladder tree stand can handle up to 300 lbs of weight. It has an 18″ wide x 26″ deep foot platform which gives ample space to keep your bow or gun along. Also, the adjustable seat flips up to take a standing shot.
- Ergonomic:- The 22″ Wide x 16″ Deep seat with comfort-FleX seat cushion keeps you comfortable all day long. Moreover, the backrest and padded armrest offer some relief from back and neck pain.
- Ladder Section:- It has 3 ladder sections that assemble with each other using a silent snap pin system. The best thing is, that you don’t hear any noise or clanking sound while you climb up towards the seat. Moreover, the broader ladder stance provides a nice grip, thanks to helix tubing.
- Jaw Safety System:- The jaw safety system holds it very strongly on the tree and avoids swaying or twisting. Also, its steel lock helps you to stay securely at the base of the stand to tighten the ratchet strap.
- Safety Harness:- It comes along with one 4-pt. a full-body harness that distributes all forces of your body equally. The quality of the harness is good to work against any mishap during your hunting expedition.
- Flip-Up Shooting Rail:- For precise shooting with a bow or gun a flip-up shooting rail comes in handy. Moreover, it also provides comfort for your hand and safety from falling down.
- Portability:- This tree stand weighs 79 lbs which is not too heavy to carry solely. However, you may need someone to set this up. You can remove the platform, seat, and ladder sections to relocate them to the tree you like for hunting.
- Durability:- It is constructed with heavy-duty steel which is strong and durable in all weather conditions. The seat mesh is thick and has worked for years. Also, X-Stand covers this stand with a defects workmanship warranty for one year from the purchase date.
✔ Pros
- Fairly comfortable seat
- Sturdy construction
- No squeaking during the hunt
- It can be easily set up by two guys
❌ Cons
- Extremely uncomfortable back bar
The Duke 20′ Single-Person Ladder Treestand is packed with a lot of safety features that allow you to hunt in any situation. It has a comfort-fleX mesh seat that flips up and gives you extra space to fully utilize the platform to take standing shots. Moreover, the padded armrests and a footrest offer some extra comfort when you require it the most.
It has an adjustable padded shooting rail that flips back or can be removed for bow hunters. I like the extra mesh pocket that holds your beverages or water bottles very steadily and gives access when you need a sip. Also, it has self-lubricating nylon washers to avoid metal-on-metal contact. It keeps silent when you set this up and doesn’t inform your arrival of the animals in the surrounding area.
The HeliX oval tubing construction gives this stand extreme toughness in adverse climates. Overall, this is high quality and the best 20 ft. single-man ladder stand that costs you $250. I will highly recommend this to hunters looking for a tree stand that will last for many years.
6. BIG GAME Ladder Tree Stand
Best For 2
⚙ Main Specifications
- Height: 18 feet
- Material: Sturdy steel
- Shooting Rail: Stationary
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
- Weight: 53 lbs
★Why You Choose This Ladder Tree Stand
- Capacity:- The 6.5″ wide x 12.5″ deep foot platform provides plenty of space for two people and easily holds up to 500 lbs. Also, you can make space for your gun or bow by adjusting the padded, flip-back shooting rail.
- Ergonomic:- The tree stand has a 38″ wide x 12″ deep flex-teak bench-style seat which is comfortable for hours of sitting. You can adjust the seat height for up to 17” which is so convenient to fit all sized bodies.
- Safety Harness:- The 4-pt full-body harnesses along with this ladder tree stand are TMA-Certified. It ensures your safety by meeting all the testing standards.
- Ladder Section:- 3 single rail ladder sections let you set this stand at 18′ height. However, setting up the ladder is time-consuming. The ladder makes a clank-up sound from the joints when you climb.
- Portability:- This ladder tree stands weighed around 53 lbs which is very light compared to its size. You can break down all the parts and put them behind your truck for transportation. However, it is still heavy to set up repeatedly.
- Durability:- The quality steel construction makes it a sturdy and durable tree stand. The stitching quality of the seat didn’t impress me a lot, however, it does have a fine fabric. Moreover, Big Game provides a 12-month warranty on this ladder tree stand from the date of purchase.
✔ Pros
- Foldable and extra wide seat for ultimate comfort for hours
- Comes fitted with a flippable footrest for stability
- It can hold the heavyweight
- Zero squeaky sounds with movements
- It’s worth its price
❌ Cons
- Vague instructions for assembly
- Shooting rails don’t allow shooting bow while being seated
The Two-Person big game ladder tree stand ranks first in our list because of is deer hunters’ choice. This is ideal for 2 hunters while leaving enough space for your hunting accessories. The flex-tec bench-style seat design ensures maximum comfort during long sitting hours.
Also, the padded shooting rail supports your hands and gun for a stable shot or you can flip it up for a clean shot. You can adjust this tree stand with a minimum 9” diameter tree. The package also includes one 1” ratchet strap and two 1” stabilizer straps which are great applications for independent securement.
This Guardian XLT is the best two-man ladder stand. In case you want a ladder tree stand for one person then check out BIG GAME Hunter HD 1.5 Treestand, it is perfect for one hunter. Overall, the LS4860 Big Game ladder stand costs you around $200, which is worth spending for the material quality and comfortable structure.
Conclusion:-
We categorized the best single-man ladder tree above in the article. We hope you read all the products cautiously and break down the best one for yourself. Our recommendation to you is, that Seattle is down with a brand rather than a cheap one, as safety comes first. Also, make sure you get a safety harness with the tree stand you buy. For newbies, it is necessary to read all the instructions or manuals properly before setting up a ladder tree stand. Let us know about your experience with ladder tree stands in the comments section.