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The days of hauling heavy, noisy climbing sticks through the woods are behind us. Modern climbing sticks are purpose built with the mobile hunter top of mind, resulting in climbing methods that are lighter, quieter, and far more mobile than their clunky predecessors.
This means hunters you have a lot of options when it comes to shopping for your next set of climbing sticks, so I spent time comparing the best of the best to create a guide to buying the best climbing sticks for you.
Best Overall: Lone Wolf Custom Gear Micro Doubles
GRIT Workhorse Climbing Sticks
Best Budget: XOP X2 Climbing Stick
Best for Semi-Permanent Sets: Summit Aluminum Folding Climbing Sticks
Quietest: Timber Ninja C1
Most Compact: Lone Wolf Custom Gear D’Acquisto Series Double Step
Novix Double-Step Climbing Sticks
How I Tested Climbing Sticks
The rolling topography and vast hardwood ridges that makeup southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area is one of the most prolific big buck hunting areas in the country. Laden with various species of oaks, walnut, and maple trees with interspersed cedar thickets and agricultural transitions, the region is representative of classic whitetail habitat. I conducted the test on various trees on a state-owned property that’s open to public hunting. The test focused on the key factors bowhunters consider when it comes to spending their hard-earned cash: weight and size, stackability, attachment method, material, noise, and climbing comfort.
Weight and Length
I used a kitchen scale to weigh each stick to the nearest 1/10-ounce and measured length from step-to-step.
Stackability
The author measured the stacked dimensions and evaluated any noise. Erik Barber
I scored each stick for their stackability from one to five, with five being the best. The score was from packed height, length, and width dimensions as well as ease of packing, how well they stay packed, and how quiet they were once stacked.
Noise
No matter how careful you are, you’re bound to make noise when setting up your sticks. Most noise is derived from the combination of the climbing stick and attachment materials. The perceived sound made while setting was given a score of one to five (five is the quietest).
Climbing Comfort
All sticks were used to climb a variety of trees throughout the test. A climbing comfort score was built on a one-to-five scale, with five being most comfortable. This was judged by seeing how well the sticks bit into the trees, noting any significant slipping or twisting experienced during the climb.
The Best Climbing Sticks: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Lone Wolf Custom Gear Micro Doubles
Key Features
Weight: 15 ounces per stick; Three sticks weigh 2 pounds 13.5 ounces
Length: 14 inches step to step
Stackability Score: 5
Packed Dimensions: 17-inches long, 4-inches high, 9.5-inches wide
Attachment: 97.5-inch buckleless strap
Material: High-strength alloy
Noise Score: 1
Climbing Comfort Score: 4
Price: $499.99 (4 sticks)
Pros
Lightweight (less than one pound per stick)
Sleek and packable profile
Sticks securely nest together
Integrate with other Lone Wolf Custom Gear treestands
Easily accept Lone Wolf Custom Gear aiders
Made in USA
Cons
Noisy
Expensive
The Micro Double Steps weigh under 1-pound per stick and are just 0.25-inch thick. They stack together for a 4-inch deep packed profile, including the standoff length. If weight on your back and space in your pack are considerations for choosing your next climbing stick, the Micro Double Steps deliver.
The Micro Doubles pack together better than any climbing stick I’ve tested. A nylon insert and Velcro retainment strap secures the sticks together to prevent unwanted rattling while walking through the woods. The sticks utilize a 97.5-inch buckleless strap, which gets secured to the tree by weaving a figure eight around the integrated bracket. Lone Wolf Custom Gear aiders integrate seamlessly into the holes on the bottom step. I’ll be running three Micro Doubles with 20-inch aiders to save even more weight on an already streamlined system. Another mod I suggest is using hockey tape or Stealth Strips on the stick’s bolts to reduce noise from metal-on-metal contact.
When you get the Micro Doubles, some minor assembly is required. But it’s a simple operation of threading bolts and making sure everything is good and tight.
The author climbing with the Micro Doubles.
While climbing with the Micro Doubles, I noticed a bit of flex in the middle of the stick. This is entirely normal and part of the design. The sticks flex to the trees contour, keeping all four posts in contact with the tree throughout the climb. I liked how aggressively these sticks bite the tree, and the flex contributes to that grip. After climbing with the Micro Doubles, I noted the deep gouges left on a white oak in my backyard.
Lone Wolf Custom Gear tests all their products to three or more times the recommended weight rating to maximize safety, giving you confidence while you climb. This means the Micro Doubles were tested up to 900 pounds.
The Micro are purpose built for the mobile bowhunter that demands the lightest, most packable climbing stick on the market. These aren’t the best option for semi-permanent stand locations, and I’d recommend some of the other sticks in this review for that use case. However, if you’re a run-and-gun bowhunter who primarily hunts public land and is always lugging a treestand or saddle in and out of the woods, the Micro Doubles are for you.
Trophyline Hyperlite
Key Features
Weight: 4 lbs 4.3 oz
Stick 1: 1 lbs 1.8 oz
Stick 2: 1 lbs 1.7 oz
Stick 3: 1 lbs 1.8 oz
Stick 4: 1 lbs 1.7 oz
Length: 16” (step to step)
Stackability Score: 5
Packed Dimensions: 18” long, 6” high, 9” wide
Attachment: 72” of Amsteel Rope
Material: Magnite
Noise Score: 1
Climbing Comfort Score: 5
Price: $449.99 (4 sticks), $139.99 (single stick)
Pros
Lightweight
All sticks nest securely together
Secure and easy attachment method
Made in USA
Cons
Require aftermarket solutions to reduce noise
Would like more amsteel length for larger trees
Expensive
The HyperLites are made of Magnite, an all-new material for climbing sticks. It’s similar to the material being used in the Bowtech Honor, and the same properties that make it great bow riser material, make it ideal for climbing sticks: it has a high strength-to-weight ratio and dampens vibration better than carbon or aluminum. While any metal-on-metal contact still produces an audible noise that will spook nearby deer, Magnite doesn’t produce as much “ting” as you’d find in an aluminum climbing stick.
While testing, my first takeaway was how compact the sticks stack together. Unlike other sticks that overlap when nested together, the HyperLite uses a FlatStack design that matches the length and width profile of a single stick. That means as you continue to stack your sticks together, the overall length doesn’t increase. When stacked together, the HyperLite’s stow to a modest 18-inches long, 6-inches high, and 9-inches wide. My set of four HyperLites weigh just 4 pounds 4.3 ounces, making them an ideal option for hunters who prioritize weight.
The author testing the Hyperlite climbing sticks.
Photo by Erik Barber
During my testing they easy to silence, as the only point of contact is on the back of the standoff. I’d recommend a small strip of hockey tape or Stealth Strips applied to the contact points to remedy any unwanted noise.
The HyperLites are strong and rigid, and didn’t produce any flex while climbing. Notably, the attachment method is the best of any stick I’ve tested. The Hyperlite climbing sticks use AmSteel rope with a prusik knot to cinch tightly to the tree. This friction knot is commonly used in lineman’s ropes and saddle tethers, but it’s the first time I’ve seen one used for attaching sticks. It’s very fast and easy to use compared to other AmSteel attachments that require knots or specific wraps to secure. Another benefit is you can use the prusik as a weight at the end of the AmSteel rope, which makes it even easier to toss it around large trees. Once the AmSteel is threaded through the stick, you can simply tighten the prusik knot. At just 72-inches of AmSteel, I would’ve liked to see a longer overall length. It’s among the shorter AmSteel ropes when compared to other sticks on the market, which would make it difficult to climb larger trees.
I found the Hyperlites easy to pack. You just wrap the AmSteel around the top and bottom sticks and then use the included bungee cord to tension the rope around the top stick. This eliminates any possibility of the tag end coming loose and keeps the sticks organized. Best of all, the AmSteel rope doesn’t interfere with the Hyperlite’s ability to stack together when packed.
Read our full review for more information.
GRIT Workhorse Climbing Sticks
Key Features
Weight: 5 lbs 6 oz
Stick 1: 1 lbs 14.0 oz
Stick 2: 1 lbs 14.1 oz
Stick 3: 1 lbs 14.1 oz
Stick 4: 1 lbs 14.0 oz
Length: 16 ¾” (step to step)
Stackability Score: 3
Packed Dimensions: 20 1/4” long, 10” high, 10” wide
Attachment: 100” Amsteel DynaLite Rope
Material: Aluminum
Noise Score: 4
Climbing Comfort Score: 5
Price: $199 (4 sticks)
Pros
Affordable
Pack securely together for silent transport
Amsteel attachment method
Cons
Heavy
The new Grit lineup includes features from premium Tethrd products into a more affordable offering. The Workhorse climbing sticks utilize the same DynaLite amsteel rope, integrated StickLoc pin system, and RCS (Rope Containment System) you’ll find in the Tethrd One Sticks, but at a fraction of the price.
The Grit Workhouse are a value-orientated stick.
At a glance, I saw many similarities to the Tethrd One Sticks compared to the Grit Workhourse. However, there’s a few differences to be mindful of. The stick’s overall weight is most notable, weighing in just shy of 2 pounds per stick, almost twice as heavy as the Tethrd One Sticks. Also, unlike the One Sticks that utilize StickLoc pins at the top and bottom, the Workhorse sticks only include them on the bottom steps with a clip system on top. Be careful when nesting the clip into another stick, as it’s easy to force them together and produce loud metal-on-metal contact.
A little extra weight and few adjusted features are a small penalty to accept for a 4-pack of highly capable climbing sticks at $199.
Latitude Outdoors Carbon SS
Key Features
Weight: 3 lbs 9 oz
Stick 1: 1 lbs 3.7 oz
Stick 2: 1 lbs 3.7 oz
Stick 3: 1 lbs 3.7 oz
Stick 4: N/A (not included)
Length: 17” (step to step)
Stackability Score: 4
Packed Dimensions: 20” long, 5 ¾” high, 9” wide
Attachment: 106” Amsteel
Material: Carbon Fiber
Noise Score: 3
Climbing Comfort Score: 3
Price: $249.99 (3 sticks), $334.99 (4 sticks)
Pros
Metal free design
Carbon fiber material
106” Amsteel attachment provides enough length for large trees
Cons
Don’t nest together snugly, and require a buckle to prevent rattling
The Latitude Outdoors Carbon SS climbing sticks are made from a single piece of carbon fiber material. This means you won’t have to worry about any loose bolts.
The Carbon SS climbing sticks stack flat against each other, but I wish they nested more snugly. The included rubber strap helps cinch the sticks tightly together, but they rattled around more than I liked during the test.
The author attaches the Carbon SS sticks to a tree.
However, it’s important to consider that carbon fiber produces a completely different sound than metal-on-metal contact. In fact, they sound more similar to rattling antlers than a foreign, man-made sound, which likely won’t ruin your hunt if you accidentally bounce a climbing stick off another.
The sticks utilize 106-inches of amsteel rope to attach to a tree, which is the longest attachment method of any sticks featured in the test. This is an important detail to be mindful of if you’re hunting in areas with large diameter trees. While using other climbing sticks, I found myself wishing for longer attachment methods a few times, especially when chasing whitetails in western river bottoms full of enormous cottonwood trees.
If you’re searching for an alternative to traditional aluminum climbing sticks and want to try carbon fiber, don’t overlook the Carbon SS. They’re less expensive than other carbon fiber climbing sticks on the market purpose built for mobile whitetail hunters.
Tethrd One Stick
Key Features
Weight: 4 pounds 3.8 ounces (four sticks); about 1 pound 1 ounce per stick
Length: 17 5/8 inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 22-inches long, 7 ½-inches high, and 9-inches wide
Attachment: 103 ½ inches of Amsteel DynaLite rope
Material: Titanium and aluminum
Stackability Score: 4
Noise Score: 3
Climbing Comfort Score: 4
Pros
Lightweight
Plenty of amsteel rope to climb large trees
Pack together tightly and silently
Cons
Require aftermarket solutions to reduce noise
Tethrd prides itself on eliminating the “fiddle factor” in bowhunting, which is evident in the Amsteel DynaLite rope attachment method of their sticks. With more than 100-inches of material to grip the tree, this system makes it possible to climb trees significantly larger than what’s possible with stock offerings from other manufacturers. This method is versatile, silent, and easy to use.
The Tethrd One doesn’t require a not to attach.
The wide steps are comfortable to climb.
While testing stackability, I found the StickLoc pin system kept the sticks snug and silent during transport, and easy to pack. Simply align the pins into the corresponding receiver slots and snug them together and sneak out of the woods silently.
The Tethrd One sticks were a bit louder out of the box than other sticks, but that’s to be expected of a 1-pound metal climbing stick. Stealth Strips can be purchased from Tethrd directly, pre-cut to match the One stick’s design. If you want to go crazy, you can do plenty of modifications to make them even quieter.
Best Budget: XOP X2 Climbing Stick
Key Features
Weight: 6 pounds 12 ounces (four sticks); 1 pound 11 ounces per stick
Length: 17 inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 22-inches long, 5 5/16-inches high, 10 13/16-inches wide
Attachment: 77 inches of cam strap buckle
Material: 6061, 7075 aluminum
Stackability Score: 4
Noise Score: 4
Climbing Comfort Score: 5
Price: $179 (4 sticks), $132 (single stick)
Pros
Affordable
5-inch standoff for easy climbing
Side-Lock system stacks sticks side by side for silent transport
Includes predrilled attachment points for amsteel aiders
Cons
Included cam strap buckles are heavy (four buckles weigh 1 pound 12 ounces)
In testing, the XOP X2 Climbing Sticks hit the sweet spot of performance and affordability, which made it my pick for the best climbing stick for the money. At 6 pounces 12 ounces and $180 for a four-pack the X2 has a great price to weight ratio.
The XOP X2 can be stacked side-by-side. Erik Barber
The Side-Lock attachment system is unlike other attachment method on the market, stacking the X2 sticks side-by-side for a flat, sleek profile. Just over 5-inches high when packed in the Side-Lock system, the X2 packs to a lower profile than any other stick in the test. The sticks easily slide in and out of the Side-Lock bracket, making for easy setup or takedown, especially in the dark. It’s important to note, you cannot stack a complete set of four X2 sticks side-by-side. Instead, the Side-Lock system combines two sets of pairs, which you’ll store separately (or attach to your stand, specifically made to integrate with the XOP Cold World and Retrograde treestands). The X2 sticks also stack vertically, but won’t lock in place as they would with the Side-Lock system.
Four XOP X2 sticks stacked vertically. Erik Barber
The 5-inch standoff makes the X2 comfortable and easy to climb, even with bulky insulated boots. I found the Dura-Grip Traction, a sand imbedded powder coat, to be the most abrasive and tacky exterior coating of all sticks featured in the test. The added traction allowed me to climb confidently, knowing the X2 will provide a better climbing experience than other sticks, especially if rain or snow are in the forecast.
Best for Semi-Permanent Sets: Summit Aluminum Folding Climbing Sticks
Key Features
Weight: 10 pounds 5 ounces (three sticks); 3 pounds 7 ounces per stick
Length: 28 inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 37-inches long, 8 1/4-inches high, 5-inches wide
Attachment: 74 ¼ cam strap buckle
Material: Aluminum
Stackability Score: 1
Noise Score: 3
Climbing Comfort Score: 5
Price: $169.99 (three sticks)
Pros
Affordable
Folding steps
Cons
At 37-inches long when packed, they’re not ideal for mobile hunting
The Summit Aluminum Folding Climbing Sticks are quiet and easy to climb once attached to your favorite tree. If you’re looking for a run-and-gun setup, there are better alternatives to consider. However, the Summit Aluminum Folding Climbing Sticks are an excellent choice if you have several permanent stand locations and want a quiet, comfortable climbing stick.
While mobile hunting seems to be the latest trend in bowhunting, many of us have our favorite spots we frequent year after year. At $170, the Summit Aluminum Folding Climbing Sticks won’t break the bank when compared to other three-step sticks featured in the test. Steps fold from 4 3/8 inches to 11 inches, which allows for plenty of room to ascend or descend with confidence, even in the dark. At 28 inches from the bottom step to top, the three-step design is plenty to reach optimal bowhunting height with just three sticks. While they can be stacked together when a minor adjustment is necessary, I wouldn’t recommend long treks or using them for frequent hang and hunts.
Tethrd Skeletor
Key Features
Weight: 8 pounds 7 ounces ( Four sticks); about 2 pounds 2 ounces per stick
Length: 18 ⅞ inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 26 ¼-inches long, 9-inches high, 6 ¼-inches wide
Attachment: 98 inches of Amsteel DynaLite Rope
Material: Aluminum
Stackability Score: 3
Noise Score: 3
Climbing Comfort Score: 4
Pros
Affordable
Pack together tightly and silently
Folding double-step design
Cons
Heavier than most other sticks tested
The Tethrd Skeletors feature an Amsteel DynaLite rope attachment method, offering versatility to climb a wide range of tree diameters. A folding double-step design means the steps pivot 90 degrees for streamlined transportation. You’ll find the same proven StickLoc pin system from the One sticks, but with an added Rope Containment System to easily stow your DynaLite rope when transporting your sticks.
The aluminum steps are heavier, but less expensive. Erik Barber
The folding double steps make climbing easy. Erik Barber
You get a lot of features for the money, but there is a trade off—weight. An all-aluminum design means the Skeletors are roughly double the weight of the One sticks, weighing in at just over 2 pounds per stick. If you don’t mind carrying an 8 pound four-pack, the Skeletors are a feature-rich option for the mobile bowhunter.
Quietest: Timber Ninja C1 Climbing Stick
Key Features
Weight: 5 pounds 5.5 ounces (four sticks); 1 pounds 4.4 ounces per stick
Length: 18 ⅛ inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 20 ⅛-inches long, 9 ⅝-inches high, 8 ⅞-inches wide
Attachment: 70 ⅛ inches of 6mm cord
Material: Carbon fiber
Stackability Score: 3
Noise Score: 5
Climbing Comfort Score: 3
Pros
Made in the USA.
Lightweight and noise-dampening
Built-in climbing aider
Cons
Expensive
Founder and designer, Jason Redd, takes great pride in building all of Timber Ninja’s gear in the USA. He’s a hardcore backcountry hunter and whitetail fanatic who brings over 30 years of hunting experience to his business as well as professional experience in fall-restraints.
The C1 Climbing Stick from Timber Ninja Outdoors is the first of its kind, made entirely out of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber means the C1 stays warm to the touch, even in sub-zero conditions. It also dampens noise much more efficiently than other aluminum or titanium designs. If anything, the hollow “clack” of two C1 sticks knocking against each other sounds more comparable to your favorite pair of rattling antlers than a foreign sound that whitetails would otherwise associate with danger. Users can eliminate even more noise by adding Stealth Strips or choosing a 6mm rope from Timber Ninja’s list of attachment methods.
The C1 climbing sticks are light and easy to carry Erik Barber
Cow hitch knot Erik Barber
A set of four C1 sticks Erik Barber
If you choose the rope attachment method, you’ll need to understand how to tie a proper cow hitch knot. If the 70 inches of 6mm cord isn’t enough, you can DIY your own attachment method and apply the same cow hitch knot to effectively climb nearly any tree. Be forewarned, though, if your knot game isn’t strong, you’ll likely appreciate a traditional cam-lock buckle option rather than the lighter and quieter 6mm cord.
Timber Ninja offers an optional, retractable aider for their C1 climbing sticks. Unlike other aiders that hang onto the bottom step, the C1 aider retracts into the hollow carbon tube, stowing away neatly without any extra slop.
Most Compact: Lone Wolf Custom Gear D’Acquisto Series Double Step
Most Compact
Lone Wolf Custom Gear D’Acquisto Series Double Step
Key Features
Weight: 6 pounds 12 ounces for four sticks; about 1 pound 11 ounces per stick
Length: 17 ⅛ inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 20 3/8″ long, 6″ high, 10 ¼” wide
Attachment: 73 ½ inch cam strap buckle
Material: 6061 Metal
Stackability Score: 5
Noise Score: 1
Climbing Comfort Score: 4
Pros
Sleek and packable profile
Wide foot base
Integrate with other Lone Wolf Custom Gear treestands
Easily accept Lone Wolf Custom Gear aiders
Cons
Assembly required
Noisy
The D’Acquisto name is synonymous with mobile whitetail hunting, and the Lone Wolf Custom Gear lineup is reflective of the cumulative knowledge shared by Andre and Cody D’Acquisto. The D’Acquisto Series Double Step is the most packable climbing stick in the test, packing to a mere 6-inches high and barely noticeable in your backpack. Hunters can choose from 14, 17, or 20 inch stick lengths. Pre-drilled aider attachment holes make it easy to accept the integrated Lone Wolf Custom Gear aiders.
Assembly is required to get your D’Acquisto Series Double Step sticks up and running. The tolerances are tight, so be careful not to cross-thread your bolts as I did during assembly. Admittedly, I’m not the most mechanically inclined, but if it can happen to me, it could possibly happen to you.
The LWCG sticks are 17 inches step to step. Erik Barber
Stealth strips help quiet the LWCG sticks. Erik Barber
Once assembled, you’ll notice how sleek the sticks stack together. While not as light as other climbing sticks featured in the test, they’re certainly the most packable, earning a top stackability score. If you’re willing to tolerate a minimal weight penalty compared to others, you’ll appreciate the extra space you’ll have in your pack thanks to the stacked dimensions of the Lone Wolf Custom Gear sticks.
You’ll need to get creative with using Stealth Strips or using another aftermarket method to help reduce noise, as the Lone Wolf Custom Gear sticks were the loudest out of the box. The aluminum produces high-pitched “tings” and “clangs” that can send your target buck headed for the next county if you’re not careful. Adding Stealth Strips helped reduce these foreign sounds but didn’t eliminate it.
Timber Ninja A1 Climbing Stick
Key Features
Weight: 8 pounds for four sticks; about 2 pounds per stick
Length: 18 ⅛ inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 20 ⅛-inches long, 9 ⅝-inches high, 8 ⅞-inches wide
Attachment: 70 ⅛ inches of 6mm cord
Material: Aluminum
Stackability Score: 3
Noise Score: 4
Climbing Comfort Score: 3
Optional Accessories: add a built-in aider to each individual stick and choose between a black cam buckle strap or 6mm cord offered in black or desert color options
Pros
Made in the USA
Built-in climbing aider
Cons
More expensive than other climbing sticks positioned as “budget-friendly”
You can get the A1 with an optional aider. Erik Barber
A cow hitch is needed to secure the cord. Erik Barber
The A1 features the same components and options as the C1, but in an aluminum tube. Aluminum is more affordable than carbon, making the A1 a great option for folks who want a minimalistic climbing stick that’s made in the USA, but lacks C1’s sticker shock. Like the C1, hunters can choose to add an aider. Unlike the C1, A1’s aider loops over the front of the stick and hooks onto the versa knob rather than stowing inside the tube. Admittedly, the A1 aider system isn’t as efficient as the C1, but is still very effective and superior to aftermarket or DIY options.
At around $400 for four, the A1 still isn’t cheap. However, it’s lighter than most other mid-priced aluminum climbing sticks, and comes from a small, reputable company.
Novix Double-Step Climbing Sticks
Key Features
Weight: 11 pounds 6.9 ounces for four sticks; 2 pounds 13 ounces per stick
Length: 30 ¼ inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 36-inches long, 9-inches high, 9-inches wide
Attachment: 68 inch cam strap buckle
Material: Aluminum
Stackability Score: 3
Noise Score: 3
Climbing Comfort Score: 5
Pros
Made in the USA
Triple step design
Climbs higher than other options
Cons
Other options are more mobile
The three steps allow you to climb higher with fewer steps. Erik Barber
The Novix steps securely grip trees. Erik Barber
Novix’s 32-inch Double Step allows hunters to climb higher than any other sticks featured in the test. The triple-step design means you don’t need an aider to get to hunting weight with three steps. A pivoting V-bracket helps the sticks grip trees as it rotates, allowing the stick to stay level on crooked trees. When I cinched the sticks to the tree with the included cam buckle strap, the sticks felt solid and I was confident they weren’t going anywhere. The main con is that they aren’t the easiest to pack and they made noise while stacked. While the buckle system helps keep the sticks tight during transport, I wasn’t able to eliminate noise entirely. That’s why I think the Novix sticks are best suited as preset in conjunction with the best hang-on tree stands rather than run and gun setups.
Beast Gear Climbing Stick
Key Features
Weight: 6 pounds 15.6 ounces; about 1 pound 12 ounces per stick
Length: 22 inches (step to step)
Packed Dimensions: 24 ⅜-inches long, 10-inches high, 9-inches wide
Attachment: 67 ½ inch cam strap buckle
Material: 6061 Aluminum
Stackability Score: 3
Noise Score: 4
Climbing Comfort Score: 5
Pros
Aggressively bite the tree resulting in virtually zero slip
No moving parts
In-line stacking reduces unwanted noise
Cons
Stack height is highest in the test
Dan Infalt is considered by many to be one of the best public land bowhunters, and has been at the front of the mobile hunting trend. He turned heads when he released the Beast Gear Climbing Sticks built to spec on what he believes to be the perfect climbing stick.
Pack your sticks silently and get up the tree fast with Beast sticks. Erik Barber
The Beast sticks are nearly quiet. Erik Barber
The climbing comfort is where the Beast Gear stick shines. You can easily and quickly hang them on any tree. I also found that the Beast Gear sticks gripped trees better than any stick in the test.
Noise is a big deal when you’re hanging a set 100 yards from a buck bed, and the Beast Gear Sticks are very quiet. They stack tight and when cinched, the Beast Gear sticks produce virtually no noise during transport. However, the aluminum design benefits from aftermarket silencing to achieve a stick that’s truly silent.
How to Choose Climbing Sticks
Choosing among the best climbing sticks will depend on your hunting style. Erik Barber
Consider your primary hunting style before you choose a climbing stick. If you find yourself trekking far from the parking lot, weight will likely factor into your decision more than if you’re creeping into a pre-hung stand location.
Another thing to consider is the attachment method. Cam buckles are fast to set up, easy to use, and able to grip the tree incredibly well. But they add extra weight and bulk. Rope and cord attachment methods are silent, but require some knot tying practice and aren’t fool proof.
Final Thoughts
Mobile hunting gear keeps getting better with each passing year—especially sticks and stands. The best climbing sticks are quiet, packable, and instill confidence as you ascend your perch. All of the sticks in this test fulfill these requirements and can help you hunt more effectively.
The post The Best Climbing Sticks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.