Today’s Best Hunting Tree Stands Reviews (2023 Edition)

Summit Treestand 81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand

The Summit Treestand Viper SD was the one tree stand that consistently kept coming up when I was researching the best climbing tree stands. But is it as fantastic as many online reviewers would have you believe? Well, here are my thoughts.

First, I love how portable this tree stand. Weighing 20 pounds, transporting from your home to your preferred hunting ground, will not be an issue. This is because the stand is made of aluminum.

A four-point FAS harness ensures you will be safe and secure for a long time. On top of this, it can accommodate weights of up to 300 pounds. So it is unlikely that you will fall off from the stand when hunting.

The paint job on this stand is not all that impressive and neither are the shoulder straps. However, despite these minor drawbacks, it still performs incredibly well. Setting up and tearing down the stand is easy and quite.

One of the stand’s bestselling features is the DeadMetal sound-deadening technology. This technology guarantees a quite set up and tearing down process. In a nutshell, the Viper SD is a tree stand that deserves all the praise it gets and more.

Summit Treestands Titan SD Climbing Treestand

Summit Treestands seems to have a knack for producing high-quality climbing tree stands. Another one of the company’s creations that makes it to my list is the Titan SD. From its name, it’s bigger and bulkier than the SD Elite.

In terms of appearance, there is very little difference between it and its smaller sibling the Elite SD. The same goes for features. The two share quite a number of features. Both feature the same closed front aluminum frame.

Furthermore, both feature the same suspended foam padded seat with a backrest. They also share the same full body fall harness and climbing bar that doubles up as a gun rest. So, are there any benefits of upgrading to the Titan SD.

Personally, I don’t think there is any sense in upgrading from the Elite to the Titan. However, for a first-time buyer, the Titan will be more appealing as it is roomier. Moreover, it can accommodate more weight 350 pounds to be specific.

Granted it is not the best portable tree stands from Summit Treestand but it can hold more gear. Also, you get more space to work with than with the Elite SD. In a nutshell, it is a fantastic tree stand designed for people with a heavier build.

Lone Wolf Hand Climber Combo II Climbing Tree Stand

Lone Wolf is another brand known for producing some of the best tree stands. I have had the chance to test some of Lone Wolf tree stands one of which was the Hand Climber Combo II. Here is what I think about this tree stand.

I will start by pointing out that this tree stand could do with some minor improvements. However, this is not to say it’s a bad tree stand. On the contrary, very few tree stands are as lightweight as this one. Weighing 17.5 pounds it is one of the lightest.

In spite of this, though it is still able to accommodate weights of up to 350 pounds. Impressive right? Well, it does not end there. Instead of a 4 point harness, it boasts a 6 point harness. In regards to its design, it has an open front and lacks a back-rest.

Of course some of you, myself included would prefer one with a back-rest. All the same, its open design free of a back-rest makes it ideal for bow hunters. It also comes with an in cast bow holder.

The reason why I point out that it is in need of improvements is that it is particularly hard to put together. Also, I found it difficult to climb into and if you are a bit out of shape you will find it tiring to climb into.

All the same despite its minor drawbacks it does excel in some very important areas. For instance, it is lightweight for easy carriage. Also, it offers more security than other tree stands that cost more.

Summit Treestands Mini Viper SD

The Viper line of tree stands from Summit Treestand has some of the best tree stands on the market. The smallest of all the Vipers is the aptly named Mini Viper SD. It has many of the features that the others on this line have.

So you can expect the same comfortable foam padded seat with backrest that has earned the Viper line massive popularity among hunters. Also, it features the same mossy camo as the others.

Where this tree stand deviates from its counterpart is in the weight. It weighs 18 pounds lighter than the Elite and Titan Vipers. However, it has the same 300-pound weight capacity as the Elite Viper.

Getting it to the tree step proved to be a very easy task thanks to the Rapid climb stirrups. These are designed to fit any boot, which is a big plus. This tree stand is best suited to hunters with a small build.

Millennium Treestands L-110-SL Single Ladder Stand

In terms of comfort and quality, not many ladder stands can match the Millennium Treestand. You get a comfortable foldable seat and a platform dimension of 20 inches by 32 inches. Meaning you will have a lot of room to move and position yourself properly.

The foldable seat folds back to reveal an adjustable shooting rail. While it will appeal to gun hunters, some bowhunters have found it to be an obstacle. All the same, the rail is a huge plus as it gives you flexibility and freedom. You can choose to either stand or seat.

Getting on to the tree stand is easy thanks to the included dual rail ladder. With four ladder sections, it is one of the tallest. I loved the dual rail ladder as it gives you something to grip on as you climb.

The addition of a footrest is something else I loved. As it improves the stand’s comfort levels. It might not be the cheapest or most portable ladder tree stand out there but the comfort it offers is worth it.

X-Stand Treestands The Duke Ladderstand The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love the design of the Duke Ladderstand from X-stand Treestands. A weather defender coating protects it from bad weather while a helix oval tubing gives it strength and sturdiness.

One of the features I loved about it was the seat with padded armrests. Measuring 22 inches by 16 inches it is quite roomy. And that is not all, there is also the addition of an adjustable footrest. You can flip this footrest up or down or even remove it.

A padded gun rail adds to its list of awesome features. If you are a bow hunter you will be pleased to know that it is removable. Thus, you can choose to use it or do away with it. For gun hunters the rail is adjustable, you can flip it up or down as you see fit.

There is also a drink holder and dual accessory hooks for your bow. Which is also strong enough for holding rifles. The only thing I found to be a problem was the fact that it seemed a bit small for a big person.

Despite this minor drawback, when it comes to flexibility it is the best ladder stand for bow hunting. The adjustable shooting rail ensures this. Also, you can aim at targets seated or standing.

Rivers Edge RE631 Relax Wide Ladder Stand

The Rivers Edge Relax Wide ladder stand has a rather simplistic design. However, this is not a bad thing. At the top of the stand is an ergonomic seat with a backrest. Made from TearTuff mesh, it is very comfortable.

Padded armrests add to the seat’s comfort. Under the seat are crossbeams. These crossbeams were added to provide additional stability and sturdiness. I found the ladder stand to be very sturdy and could accommodate users weighing up to 300 pounds.

Like some of the other ladder-stands on this list, it has a three section ladder. Obviously, I prefer the four section ladder of the Millennium Treestand. Nonetheless, the simplicity of this design gives it an edge over the more complex Millenium tree stand.

In terms of size, it is one of the widest out there. Measuring 30 inches by 20 inches it offers quite sufficient room. The seat is also quite roomy measuring 20 inches by 15.5 inches.

For gun hunters, the shooting rail is well padded and makes aiming a little bit easier. Unless you are looking for something taller, this is a ladder tree stand I would recommend. With its well-positioned shooting rails, it is one of the best treestands for bow hunting.

Millennium Treestands M150 Monster Hang-On

Hunters who are always on the move will love the Millennium Treestand M150 Monster Hang-On. There are many good things about this tree stand a few cons. To begin with, it comes with an adjustable seat height of between 17 inches and 20 inches.

As with most other hang on stands, it is quite lightweight. It weighs 19.5 pounds largely thanks to its all-aluminum construction. On top of this, it is foldable for easy transportation. And as with the other Millenium tree stands it features a full body harness.

A special UV resistant material covers the stand’s frame. According to the manufacturer, this material blocks scent and is moisture resistant. Needless to say, it is a very well made tree stand.

The inclusion of a seat strap can make it difficult to draw a bow. However, apart from this, I don’t think it has any other cons worth noting. It has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is pretty impressive.

Lone Wolf Alpha Hang On II Treestand

Though a bit costlier than other hang-on tree stands, the Lone Wolf Alpha hang on II tree stand is well Worth its price tag. But why is it worth it? There are several reasons I believe it is worth every penny.

First and foremost, it is one of the lightest tree-stands out there. Weighing only 14 pounds, you will have no problems transporting. Fortunately, Lone Wolf does not compromise on quality to achieve such a lightweight tree stand.

Because despite its weight it can hold weights of up to 350 pounds. Moreover, suited to trees with a diameter of 4 to 22 inches it can be attached to oddly shaped trees. This gives it the kind of versatility that you would expect from the best hang on treestand for bowhunting.

Some hunters have complained of this stand having metal buckles that are too big. These buckles tend to bang against each other in a noisy way. One of the solutions that I have found for this is to cover the buckles in bike tubing.

Despite its minor drawbacks, it is a simplistic tree stand that truly excels. And while it costs a bit more than some of its competitors it is well worth it.

Millennium Treestands M7 Microlite Hang-On Tree Stand

One of the lightest tree stands I have ever encountered the Millennium Treestand M7 Microlite is a one of a kind. Setting it up is a breeze because of its lightweight design. And as you might expect you will have no trouble carrying it to your hunting grounds.

Do not let its lightweight construction fool you though. It can hold up the same amount of weight as other bulkier tree stand. To be more specific it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. Its lightweight design is thanks to its aluminum steel construction.

Foldable gears make it easy to flatten. But what makes it one of my most favorite is the fact that it comes with two carrying straps. Essentially you can carry it on your back and walk to your preferred location.

None of the other tree stands on this list can be carried in the same manner. And this is why it scores high in books. Also, the seat is foldable and can be folded back to give you more standing room.

Thanks to its design it can be used by both rifle and bow hunters. It might not be the most comfortable tree stand on my list but it is the most portable. And for this reason, it deserves a spot on the list of the best portable tree stands.