This fall means you get to bring out all your favorite hunting equipments for that perfect sighting. For a bow hunter, a ladder stand is one of the main necessities he or she could have in the inventory.
You do not want to scare away your hunt or lose sight of your target just because you are feeling uncomfortable or you are too low on the ground.
To be one step ahead of your game, you also need to be higher from the ground. Not only is this a safer option for you, but it also lets you have a better and clearer view of your surroundings and anything that roams around it.
But getting the right standing ladder is a must if you are passionate about bow hunting. The right standing ladder can not only provide you with comfort but also allow you to get that perfect shot every time.
To help you with hunting this season, we have reviewed some of the best ladder stands for bow hunting. Alongside that, we have compiled a list of the things you should take into mind while ordering the best ladder stand for bow hunting, a buying guide, the benefits of owning a ladder stand and some helpful FAQ’s.
I get paid if anyone buys through the links on this page as I am an affiliate of Amazon.com
Best Ladder Stand for Bow Hunting
1. rivers edge RE651 ladder stand lockdown tall
The lockdown 21 is furnished with a Ladder Lock System that prevents the separation of different parts with a very smooth inject.
Gridlock protection allows you to attach the top of the stand to secure for first climbing if you want to connect the top straps.
The foot platform has a pretty large dimension of 30” x 20”, letting you have enough space for movement and to stretch your legs after long hours of sitting around.
The flip-up mesh seat is tear tuff has dimensions of 20” x 15.5” respectively. This tree stand will give you extreme comfort and not have you sore after waiting for your target to appear after hours on end.
The shooting rail is also adjustable and can be flipped up or removed. The ladder support bar can be adjusted, alongside the pinned ladder sections for easier and faster transport and storage space.
This product weighs 94 pounds and can carry up to a weight capacity of 300 pounds quite easily and without any signs of breaking at all. The product also comes with a full-body safety harness.
Feature at a glance:
- Height upto Shooting Rail: 21’
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 94 lbs
- Platform size: 30”x20”
- Seat size: 20”x15.5”
- Seat height: 16”
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Adjustable features such as footrest, armrests, and ladder support bars
- Provide enough height of ladder stand from base to seat
- Padded shooting rail provides a convenient grip and minimizes unwanted noises.
Cons
- For some users the package came damaged, so make sure to check that out properly on the site before placing your order
- A few reports claiming the paint on the body of the ladder stand came off after a few uses.
- Though it is not a lightweight design but can comfortably accommodate a weight capacity of more than 300 pounds
2. Guide Gear 15’ Ladder Tree Stand
For our first product, we have this amazing ladder tree stand by Guide Gear. This ladder stand is pretty simple and minimalistic so it is not hard to assemble, nor is it difficult to make use of.
This ladder stand for bow hunting is very lightweight, weighing only 44.3 pounds so you can easily set it up without having to break a sweat.
However, do not let the weight fool you as it is still a very strong and sturdy ladder stand. The construction welded steel used to make this tree ladder stand is of very high quality.
The foot platform has dimensions of 17.75” x 10.5” and a seat platform of 19.5” x 10” dimensions. The height of the ladder can reach 15 feet approximately.
The pinned ladder sections provide easy portability and also better storage. The support bars are adjustable so that they can cater to every individual need and promote better stability.
The package comes with a Cam-lock strap, two strong and high quality stabilizing ropes, a full-body safety harness and also a safety DVD.
However, the weight capacity of this ladder stand is approximately 300 pounds.
This guide gear also manufacture ground blind chair for hunting.
Feature at a glance:
- Material used: steel constructed
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 52 lbs
- Platform size: 17.75″ x 10.5″
- Seat size: 19.5”x 10.”
- Ladder width : 29.5”(outside)
Pros
- Light weight
- Easy to assemble and can be put to ease quite instantly
- Appropriate height and distance from the ground below
- Body is made of high quality steel.
- Adjustable ladder support bars allow you to tweak the construction of the tree ladder quite easily
- Full body safety harness comes with the package so you do not have to worry about your safety while hunting for that buck you have been anticipating all year round
- Budget-friendly ladder stands for bow hunting.
Cons
- Does not come in a variety of colors
- Cannot take too much weight.
3. guide gear 18′ jumbo ladder tree stand
If you are someone who prefers comfort and convenience over any other feature, then this is the right ladder stand manufactured by Guide Gear for you.
With a moderate height of 18 feet, this ladder stand is neither too tall nor too close to the ground. The rugged construction steel will provide you with the best service over the years.
For comfort the top is oversized, allowing you to have extra room for your feet and for occasional stretching. The platform has a large dimension of approximately 24” x 25”.
The seats are padded with comfortable and soft mesh, and the padded armrests provide the necessary grip and comfort for you.
The ladder sections are 3 pinned, giving you all the support for transport and storage. The shooting rail can be flipped up or removed completely as per every individual preference.
There are also 2 seat pad silencers under the frame which works to prevent unwanted noises when you are out in the field or when your target is in sight.
As for accessories, you will be getting 2 stabilizer straps, 1 ratchet strap, a support bar that can be adjusted whenever you want, and a full body safety harness.
You will be glad to know that this ladder stand by Guide Gear is really light weight, as in approximately just 68.5 pounds! Alongside that, this ladder stand can hold a weight capacity of approximately 300 pounds.
Feature at a glance
- Material used: steel constructed
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 68.5 lbs
- Platform size: 24″ x 25″
- Seat size: 13.25”x 26.25.”
- Ladder width : 16”(outside)
Pros
- Very light weight ladder stand
- Multiple features
- High quality steel
- Ladder stand is built for performance even under the harshest weather conditions without rusting away
- Extra large platform space
- Convenient safety gears for you or your loved ones
- Moderate and convenient height limit.
Cons
- For some users, the paint on the body of the ladder stand came off prematurely.
4. guide gear deluxe hang on tree stand
For the excellent product on our Best Ladder Stand for Bow Hunting review, we have yet another ladder stand manufactured by Guide Gear.
But this ladder stand is appropriate for those who prefer comfort and convenience over style and accessories the most. If you are one of them, you will definitely love this product!
The seat can be folded up when not in use, while the armrests are padded with comfortable mesh material. The foot platform is oversized, with dimensions of 24 inches x 29.5 inches. This large amount of feet area allows you to move freely and stretch your legs after long hours of constantly sitting around, awaiting your target.
The steel body of this product is durable and construction welded, able to withstand even the harshest weather conditions smoothly with ease. The suspension style seat allows you to comfortably make do from dawn till dusk without feeling stressed out or uncomfortable at all.
You will be glad to know that this ladder stand for bow hunting is easy to assemble and can be put to use right afterward.
This convenient ladder stand can capacitate 300 poundswithout becoming prone to any amount of damage at all. Alongside that, this product itself weighs a mere 32.2 pounds only. How light is that?
The body of this ladder stand is coated with a powder that helps to prevent corrosion and rusting prematurely.
The accessories that come with this product include 2 ratchet strapsand FAS safety harnesses for the user.
Feature at a glance:
- Material used: steel constructed
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 33lbs
- Platform size: 24″ x 29.5″
- Seat size: 17”x 10”
- Seat height: 21.”
Pros
- Extremely light weight
- Can be folded into a compact size
- Portable design
- Oversized foot platform
- Easy assembly even for first timer
- Can withstand a lot of extra weight
- Minimalistic and comfortable design is sure to attract you.
- Sturdy and durable steel body
Cons
- Unfortunately does not have an adjustable or customizable height system
5. Millennium Treestands M100U Ultralite Tree Stand
We love this ladder stand by Millennium! Not only is it affordable and safe, but it is also highly durable and loved by thousands of loyal users around the world.
The most excellent feature of this ladder stand has to be the fact that it has an adjustable height system!
You can adjust the height preference from a mere 8 feet to a whopping 21 feet whenever you want. This feature is sure to catch your eye.
There is also a double rail ladder system on this M100U Ultralite Tree Stand, and the shooting rail is padded with high-quality mesh. For enhanced comfort and convenience, the footrest is adjustable and can be flipped up.
And then there is the tight sling seat, called the Millennium ComfortMAX contoured. This fantastic quality and comfortable seat that doesn’t collect water and will make sure you spend your hunting hours without feeling like you need to stretch out every few minutes.
The M100U Ultralite ladder stand can be folded into a compact size, perfect for transportation.
The body of the ladder stand may be made of solid welded construction steel, but this does not mean it is necessarily heavy.
In reality, the ladder stands only weighs a mere 13.5 pounds(!), Which is 20% lighter than the original M100.
For user safety, the Millennium ladder stand comes with a Safelink, which is a 35-foot rope complete with a Prusik knot, designed to aid in ascending and descending safely.
The body of the ladder stand is completely coated with a durable powder meant to protect the body from rusting away under harsh weather conditions.
Feature at a glance:
- Material used: Alluninum
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 14.5lbs
- Platform size: 20”x38.”
- Seat size: 20”x16.”
- Seat height: 17.”
Pros
- Can be folded into a compact and portable size
- Unique adjustable height system
- Proper safety design and features
- It is made for optimum comfort
- Very Lightweight and Easy to assemble
Cons
- For some users, the paint came off a little after several uses.
6. Summit Treestands 81120 Viper SD
When there is a question, how can you hide within tree leaf from your prey, then you can consider summit climbing tree stand.
We bring to you 81120 viper SD version of a ladder stand for bow hunting by summit climbing treestand.
This tree stand may be the perfect choice for rifle or bow hunter who are habituated to carry a ladder stand with his backpack.
This summit comes with a dead-metal sound deadening technology, which lowers down the noise. This technology is engineered by filling the most critical parts by expanding foam, which makes it different than other tree stands.
The ComfortTechSeats can be easily adjusted and flipped up or down depending on your hunting requirements.
The shooting rail of this bow hunting ladder stand is also adjustable and has a comfortable and firm grip to users delight.
The climb stirrup is designed in a comfortable way that any hunting boot can easily adjust to it, and you can climb to the top of the tree without facing any hardship.
And You can also tweak the level of height of this ladder stand to any distance from the ground.
The padded features of this ladder stand allow bow hunters to do their thing without having to worry about making too much unnecessary noise.
You will also not have to worry about your safety with this product as it is very sturdy and can withstand even the harshest weather conditions without rusting away at all.
However, this model has ambidexterity luxury, but weighing only 20 pounds and can carry weight up to 300lbs.
Features at a glance
- Material used: Alluninum
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 20lbs
- Platform size: 20”x36.”
- Seat size: 19.75”x26.5.”
- Seat: adjustable buckles with armrest
Pros
- Very durable
- Comfortable features
- Conveniently padded seats and shooting rail
- Hard well-constructed footrest
- Customizable heights of the ladder stand from base to peak
Cons
- Bar in front slightly lower down for rifle hunting.
7. Lone Wolf Assault II Hang On Tree Stand
For starters, this convenient ladder stand for bow hunting has an approximate light weight of only 11 pounds! The assault II of the lone wolf is the leanest and lightweight among all pack.
This ladder stand for bow hunting can accommodate single hunters and can hold a weight capacity of 350 pounds very easily without showing any signs of breaking or external damage.
This product features a shooting rail which can be folded up or removed whenever found necessary.
The support bars are also adjustable and come with two safety harnesses.
The foot platform has a pretty large dimension of 26” x 19” approximately provide a plethora of room and can easily fit in a vulgar tree. The seats are also cushioned and have a dimension of 14 inches x 12 inches.
This ladder stand for bow hunting is very portable can be folded into a very compact size for easy transportation.
The construction aluminium body is very durable and robust and can withstand even the harshest weather conditions quite easily without showing any signs of damage or rusting.
The convenient padded seats and shooting rail allows hunters to easily bow hunt without having to worry about metal clanging against metal and creating a commotion and losing sight of their target.
Feature at a glance:
- The material used: Aluminium constructed
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 13 lbs
- Platform size: 26”x19.5.”
- Seat size: 14”x12.”
- Seat height: 21.”
Pros
- Perfect for mobile hunter
- Padded seat with a comfortable grip
- Comes with a fall arrest system
- An adjustable support bar
- Portable and very lightweight
- Can capacitate a lot of weight
Cons
- For some users, the package came damaged from before so make sure to keep an eye out on that.
8. BIG GAME LS4860 18′ Guardian XLT Two-Person Ladderstand, Camo/Black
With this guardian XLT ladder stand, you do not have to worry about being all alone while hunting as you can easily have someone else accompany you as your eyes and ears during the process.
Not only that, this ladder stand is incredibly strong, but it also provides optimum comfort with its deep flex-teak bench-style seats.
And that can give extraordinary support during all-day hunting, and can also be flipped up and folded out of the way when you and your hunting partner are making use of the platform.
The shooting rail of this ladder stand can also be adjusted as it can just be flipped back or removed.
The body of this fantastic ladder stand is equipped with a bunch of incredible features such as the X-force expanded metal which provides extra strength,
For accessories, this ladder stand also comes with two TMA-Certified full-body harnesses, support bar, ratchet strap, and two stabilizer straps. The weight capacity of this ladder stand is 500 lbs.
Features at a glance
- The material used: Steel Constructed
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 53 lbs
- Platform size: 36.5”x12.5”
- Seat size: 38”x12.”
Pros
- Very sturdy and durable product
- Convenient two-person ladder stand allows you to have a partner with you
- Optimum comfort for all-day hunting.
Cons
- A little bit discomfort for two-person but suitable for single heavy person
- There is no backrest
9. Guide Gear 18′ 2 Person Ladder Tree Stand
We are back with another Guide Gear ladder stand for bow hunting, but this one is even taller and even better! This tree stand is could probably be counted as the best ladder stand for big guys!
This camouflage designed double rail ladder stand is built for utmost convenience and comfort while providing you with the necessary features and safety at the same time.
The body of this tree ladder stand is made of high-quality construction steel, which is very sturdy and durable. The pinned ladder sections are also straightforward to put together and make use of immediately.
The ladder support bar is adjustable as well, and you will be glad to know that you are also going to get padded armrests and cushioned backrests with this tree ladder stand by Guide Gear.
Alongside that, this ladder stand can accommodate two people at once, with two ratchet straps for enhanced safety and two fall arrest safety systems for both hunters respectively.
The rail is also padded and has a firm grip on it so you can rest assured and not have to worry about your equipment slipping from it or having metal on metal contact and make too much noise.
This ladder stand weighs only 65 pounds approximately, and has platform dimensions of 37” x 13” and seat dimensions of 13” x 38”. The approximate weight capacity of this ladder stand is 500 pounds.
Features at a glance
- Ma.terial used: Alluninum
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs
- Weight of tree stand: 65 lbs
- Platform size: 37”x 13.”
- Seat size: 13”x38.”
- Seat height: 17.”
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to assemble and make use of
- The moderate height difference from ground
- Plenty of convenient features
- Sturdy and durable
- Optimum comfort features.
Cons
- Some customers claimed there was not enough space for movement
benefits of owing a ladder stand for bow hunting
yes! after reading up to this point it is very natural why you need a tree stand for hunting. Of course I will give you the answer in the following section. Just keep on..
- Safety Measure
Ladder stands keep you high above the ground when you’re in a hunting field. You don’t possibly want to be on the same level as that buck you are trying to take a shot at. That is highly dangerous and also messes with your success rate.
You will be glad to know that some of the best ladders stand for bow hunting now come equipped with safety harnesses for users. This is not only for single hunters but also for the case if you have purchased a ladder stand that can accommodate two people at once.
- Aim your target
It’s no doubt getting the perfect angle and shot with your bow for your target is hard work, but why not make it easier with a ladder stand for bow hunting?
The higher you are from eye level of your target, the better view you have of your surroundings. On top of that, getting a ladder stand with an adjustable height feature can allow you to tweak the height of your seat from the base as per your requirements, so you do not have anything to compromise that perfect shot for.
- Comfort during hunting
You and in most cases your hunting partner can wait around for your target to appear without having to break a sweat. Not only are ladder stands for bow hunting comfortable but some brands even come with complimentary drink holders so you can have a good time chilling.
For enhanced comfort, most ladder stands for bow hunting now have high quality padded mesh seats, armrests and railings, as well as a large platform and foot rests so you can easily stretch out after long hours of waiting around.
buying guide of the best ladder stand for bow hunting
So now that you have read through this review of ladder stands for bow hunting, maybe you are already thinking of getting one for yourself for your next hunting activity.
But picking out the best choice can be a really confusing part of the entire shopping process, since there are so many types and brands of ladder stands on the market now.
However there are some specific features and qualities of a good ladder tree stand that you need to keep in mind before you place an order for your next ladder stand for bow hunting.
Area
First and foremost, you need to know properly which sort of an area or field you will be hunting in. The location matters a lot as it will determine the kind of tree your tree ladder stand can hold on to.
Once you have a specific spot and a certain leverage in mind, you can then take its width measurements and go out shopping for the best ladder stand for bow hunting. You do not want to be stuck with a ladder stand that will not fit around the tree you have in mind. Also keep in mind the amount of trees in the vicinity.
If you have more trees around, you get more camouflage. But if trees are scarce, you will need to get a ladder stand that can blend in with its surroundings properly. We will be discussing color below as well so keep reading.
Size
This goes for the overall size of the ladder stand. The bigger the better is not always the right answer. Hence you should go for something that is appropriate for you.
If you are feeling icky about the ladder stand having a weight capacity of 250-300 lbs only, then sure go for something a bit larger and heavier. But know that you will also need more people to assemble something larger as well.
Large ladder stands are however good options too specially if you are someone who likes to carry a lot of equipments for hunting or have a lot of load on you. If you also prefer to hunt with a partner, then check out those comfortable 2 man tree ladder stands.
Platform
This is quite a necessary feature that a good ladder stand for bow hunting should have in abundance.
Like before, if you carry a lot of equipment while hunting then you should seek out a ladder stand with a preferably large platform. Not only does this give you more space but bigger platforms also tend to provide the sense of enhanced security and stability.
A ladder stand with a bigger and stronger platform space will allow you and maybe your partner too (depending on the type of ladder stand you want to purchase) more room to turn and move around in.
This is an important feature a novice should definitely keep in mind because it is not shocking that as a newbie you might feel uncomfortable and daunted in a small space.
Safety first!
If you read the review we have above, you will see that most of the products we took into account come with very impressive safety features. That is, safety harnesses and possibly even DVD’s and manual books on how to set up your ladder stand for bow hunting in a safe manner.
Being so high up above from the ground, it is no doubt you could easily feel a little threatened by the distance from the base. But you can find ladder stands that help to prevent you from worrying so much about your safety with the range of precautionary features they come equipped with.
A good ladder stand will come with a strong and durable safety harnesses. If the ladder stand of your choice can accommodate 2 people at the same time, then check out if the ladder stand also comes with safety harnesses for both users and not just one.
Rails
If you are a pro at hunting from ladder stands, this may not seem that big of a deal for you. But trust us, not having a support rail in front can be a terrible thought for amateurs.
A shooting rail with a good quality mesh grip will not only allow you to hold your metal equipment in place but it will also give you that sense of security from a closed boundary when you are not busy hunting.
Color
This is not the most important feature of a ladder stand for bow hunting but it can be a big game changer.
If you know you are always preferably going to be hunting in a place with a lot of sunlight, look for a ladder stand that does not come in shiny colors.
Just like camouflage, you want to get a ladder stand that can easily blend in with your surroundings. Even though deer’s do not spot colors like other animals tend to do, but they still can notice shine and shimmer.
If your ladder stand happens to have shiny or glistening rails or ladder steps, it could possibly chase away your target before you even spot it in the first place.
Height from base
Just like how the bigger the better is not always the right option, the higher the better is not either.
Fortunately for hunters now, there are plenty of ladder stands for bow hunting on the market that can come with adjustable features and that goes out for the overall height of the ladder from base to seat as well.
A good ladder stand will allow you to have the customizable feature to adjust the height of your ladder stand for bow hunting from a minimum height of 7 feet to a maximum height of 20-21 feet.
However if your choice of ladder stand does not come with that adjustable feature, you should try checking out ladder stands that come in a moderate height, such as 16 feet or maximum 18 feet higher from base.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.How safe are ladder stands?
Ladder stands are possibly the safest options for you when you are going out hunting and you want some good level height distance from the ground.
Ladder stands now come with a range of safety measures so you do not have to worry about precautions even if you are a novice.
2.Are ladder stands for bow hunting hard to set up?
No, not really. Some ladder stands are larger than others, but they are still not hard to set up. The only difference is that since they are larger, you might need extra hands while assembling it.
conclusion
So there you have it! We have comprised a list of some of the best ladder stands for bow hunting and we hope you had fun while reading this. We added only the best of the ladder stands for bow hunting in our opinion here.
For your convenience, we also included a buying guide, some of the key reasons on why you should even purchase a ladder stand and a few frequently asked questions you will hopefully find helpful.
We hope our review has cleared up your confusions, inspired and also helped you with deciding which ladder stand for bow hunting to get next. Here is to happy and safe hunting!
