The Best Tree Stands of 2025-2026

How We Rated the Best Tree Stands of 2026

The perfect tree stand comes down to your hunting style. There are different factors to consider when making a purchase, and usually, gaining performance in one area results in a loss of performance in another. Here are the factors we scored and think of first and foremost when selecting our next stand.

Portability

We analyzed weight, bulk, and ease of transportation to determine the portability score. Obviously, lighter tree stands score higher in this category, as well as stands with compact platforms that don’t catch as much brush as you move through the woods.

However, we also considered how mobile the stand is. For example, the Summit Dual Threat stand is very mobile, as it can be stacked and transported easily with the included backpack straps. It is heavy, but there’s no need for climbing sticks or additional pieces, so it scores better than the weight would indicate.

Comfort

We’ve spent plenty of November days sitting in a tree stand for over eight hours at a time. The comfort of your stand becomes paramount.

The seat padding was one of the most significant factors in this score. We also considered the size of the platform, as well as the maneuverability we had in the stand for those extra-long sits.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is very multifaceted. It comes down to how easy the stand is to assemble out of the package and how easy it is to place on a tree.

Possibly most importantly, we assessed whether the tree stand design allows flexibility in tree selection. The best in this category are saddles, which will enable you to hang from almost any tree in the woods. They’re really amazing from a flexibility standpoint, and while we hunted public land, that flexibility came in handy.

The worst, full ladder stands, require a straight tree and plenty of prep work beforehand. They can’t be hung on any tree in the woods.

Value

Tree stand hunting can start to add up, especially if you’re hunting private land with multiple stand locations. When looking at value, we assessed overall price to quality, as well as the need to purchase additional add-ons.

For example, the Summit Dual Threat scored high because when you purchase it, you have every single thing you need in the box at a reasonable price. Others, like saddles, scored poorly because they’re expensive on their own and require you to purchase climbing sticks and safety equipment as well.

Mini Buyer’s Guide: Climbing Sticks

If you spring for a hang-on stand or saddle (some of our favorite treestands), your shopping isn’t over. As a general rule, neither of those stand types comes with all the equipment you’ll need to get 20 feet up in a tree. Enter climbing sticks, a vital piece of equipment that can be just as important as the stand itself.

Climbing sticks are mini ladder steps that you attach to the tree in a series as you climb. As with any gear, there are multiple price points and varying levels of quality. Some are small, while others are large, and they can attach in various ways. Here’s a short list of some of our favorites and why we like them:

Gear Junkie Contributor Morgan Nowels’ Top Pick: Arsenal ICON X20 ($399 per 3-pack)

“I’ve gone all-in on being as mobile as possible, which means having the best, regardless of price. With a telescoping design, the X20s are that. They shrink down to a 13″ length when on my back and expand out to 20” tall when I’m ready to climb. Since they’re so compact on my backpack, they don’t catch brush when moving through the woods.

The camo cork wrapping along the sheath not only makes them silent, but it also means your hands won’t freeze when you grab them in frigid weather. They clip together nicely with c-clips and weigh a light 25 oz. each.

Each ten-inch dual step is lined with ridges, providing for sure footing. As a bonus, there are reflective, glow-in-the-dark tabs on the end of each step, which really ups my confidence when climbing down the tree in the dark.

There are no clunky straps, and the sticks connect to the tree with a RopeLok System that stows nicely on the stick for transport. The RopeLok can be trusted, and when placed correctly, there is no slippage. Add a cheap aider to each one, and the 3-pack of ICON X20s will get you as high as you need to go, without feeling like you have a small ladder on your back.” — Morgan Nowels

Hunt/Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute’s Top Pick: NOVIX Single-Step Climbing Sticks ($279 per 4-pack)

“The Novix Single Step Climbing Sticks are slick. What really sold me is how they snap right onto my Helo stand with the Hunt Ready System. No rattling. No duct-tape hacks. Just a clean, quiet pack-in and pack-out.

On the tree, they lock in hard with an offset bracket that bites hard and doesn’t shift. The single-step design keeps the profile slim without feeling sketchy, and the traction is solid even when boots are wet or muddy. They’re aluminum, so the weight is reasonable, and the stacking system makes hauling them in painless (mostly).

For me, it’s the rare combination of being easy to carry, simple to set, and absolutely trustworthy once I’m off the ground. That’s why they’ve become one of my go-to choices when I’m not chasing things on the ground.” — Gear Junkie Hunt/Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute

Best Budget Climbing Sticks: XOP LMO4 ($179 per 4-pack)

“When I first started tree stand hunting, the cost of all the add-ons began to push me out of my financial comfort zone. I needed multiple stands, none of which came with everything I needed to get up into a tree. It was starting to add up, but I fortunately found the XOP LMO4 sticks for a reasonable price.

With each stick at a length of 32″, you can comfortably get 15-20 feet into a tree with ease. No need to buy aiders or anything else.

They’re made of aluminum and lock together for transport. The teeth bite well, and the steps provide a solid footing, despite the compact, folding design. The only real downside is the bulk and weight. The XOPs’ heavy-duty build makes them near indestructible, but they are not fun to pack around. The strap system adds additional bulk and weight to your pack as well.

Due to that, I’ve found them to be best for semi-permanent stands and still use them to this day for those setups. I have used them on mobile setups; it just wasn’t ideal. Overall, though, they’re solid sticks for a great price.” — Morgan Nowels

How We Tested Tree Stands

With a host of experienced writers, contributors, and testers across the country, we are fortunate to have a breadth of knowledge and experience to pull from. From hang-on stands in the palm trees of the Everglades to saddle platforms in the backcountry of Idaho, we’ve stuck a stand in pretty much every location imaginable.

We’ve walked stands into the hardwoods, packed them in and out of the mountains, and napped in them in the mid-day sun. On-season and off-season finds us in any number of locations, putting tree stands up and taking them back down. Hours have been spent sitting in the most comfortable and least comfortable stands.

As we speak, we know of at least 30 tree stands that are currently in trees across the U.S. that are frequented by their GearJunkie owners. There may even be a stand on a light pole at the edge of left field at a Little League baseball field somewhere in central Montana. Some views can’t be beat.

We hunt year-round in countless different environments after countless different species. Our team has the unique ability to test these stands in a variety of settings without the pressure of picking a stand and sticking with it. If we don’t like a stand, we don’t use it. If we love a particular stand, regardless of the cost, we can let you know about it.

For those looking to spend some quality time up in a tree stand, make sure you’re suited up properly to stay warm and comfortable. Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the best base layers for hunting, and keep your hands warm with a good pair of hunting gloves.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our Team

We’re certainly fortunate to test tree stands across countless environments in pretty much any condition. From mountain hunting in the west for elk and deer to beating the Texas heat in an aluminum seat, we see the spread of hunting conditions, the spread of seasonal conditions, and just about every target species you can imagine.

Hunt & Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute spends a lot of time in the woods, as her title implies. She’s hunted mountain mule deer, elk, whitetail, hogs, and even a few exotic species, all from the comfort of a tree stand. From old, rickety stands that her father put up to the newest, latest, and greatest, she’s spent some serious time in stands and has vowed to spend more time up there as the years go on.

Editorial Director Sean McCoy grew up hunting from tree stands and still finds the chance on occasion to scurry his way toward the sky in the pursuit of midwestern whitetails.

It isn’t easy prepping trees, putting up stands of all kinds, and taking them back down. You could almost say it’s a real job. Luckily for us, we actually do this as a real job, and we’re happy to break a sweat hauling in a variety of stands so you don’t have to.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Tree Stand

Finding the best tree stand for you is no easy feat, particularly if you’re inexperienced. The best bit of advice we can offer before you bust out your wallet is to find someone with a tree stand and ask if you can sit it. It’s hard to know what you’re looking for if you’ve never made that climb and taken that seat.

Aside from that, there are some things you should pay attention to when it comes to adding a stand to your pack.

Weight Considerations

Weight is likely one of the biggest considerations when it comes to modern tree stands. Though it might not seem like a lot of weight when you look at the specs, hauling these things in and out of an area can be a struggle. Not to mention, it can be an all-out battle to get on in a tree once you get where you’re going. When it comes to weight, two factors come into play.

Portability: Choose a lightweight stand if you plan to move frequently or cover long distances. This is especially true for climbing and hang-on stands. If that isn’t a concern, you can go all out with a heavy stand carried on the back of… your truck.

Stability vs. Weight: While lighter stands are easier to carry, ensure they do not compromise on stability and safety. Sometimes ultra-light isn’t always best. What you’ll find with lightweight stands is they may have a bit of flex that you might not like the feel of in a tree, particularly when the wind picks up.

Types of Stands

Hang-On (Lock-On) Stands

This style of stand is the most versatile (aside from a saddle) and can be used in various tree types, including those with branches. They do require some kind of climbing aids like ladders or climbing sticks unless you just want to give it a go with your boots (not recommended). The Novix Helo Hunt Ready is our favorite hang-on stand.

Saddles

Saddles are gaining massive popularity in the whitetail scene, and for good reason. A saddle is more of a climbing harness than a treestand, allowing hunters to be lightweight and highly mobile. You’ll need to pair the saddle with climbing sticks, and while a platform isn’t necessarily required, it effectively is. You’ll be miserable using a stick as a platform. With a saddle, you can climb virtually any tree, a huge advantage over climbers, and most complete setups weigh less than half of a traditional stand. Some people have complained about comfort, but the best, like the Latitude Lonestar, are plenty comfortable for all-day sits.

Climbing Stands

These are ideal for mobile hunters who need to change locations frequently but want a bit of comfort and a secure feel. They are relatively lightweight stands but require straight, branch-free trees — think of those clean Midwestern hardwoods. Though pricey, the Summit Dual Threat PRO SD is much lighter than a ladder stand and comfortable enough for extended sits.

Ladder Stands

This stand style provides the most stable and comfortable platform, which is great for long hunts and for both older and younger hunters. They are heavier and more challenging to move but offer increased stability and accessibility. The Muddy Skybox Deluxe is a great ladder stand, just remember that it weighs 82 pounds, and that will limit where you can set it up.

Safety Features

Straps and Harnesses

When it comes to hand-on (or lock-on) stands, you will need straps to secure your stand and… secure you. Ensure the stand you’re ordering either comes equipped with dedicated straps. If it doesn’t, you can always order straps separately.

You should always wear a tree stand harness. This is a non-negotiable item when hunting from a tree stand. There is no reason not to wear a harness of some kind. A fall from that king of height, with razor-sharp weapons in your hand, could mean the end of your hunts and the end of your life. I highly recommend the Summit Tree Stand Harness. Your Black Diamond harness from your rock climbing days will absolutely do in a pinch. We don’t recommend you skip out on wearing a tree stand harness, but if you’re without one, please wear some kind of harness.

If you’re serious about spending any length of time hunting from trees, make sure to invest in a proper harness with a tether and a tree strap.

Weight Capacity

Many people overlook the weight capacity of a stand. Every tree stand has one. Make sure to verify the stand’s weight rating to ensure it can safely support your weight plus your gear. Play it safe and give yourself some weight-wiggle room.

If you’re a larger hunter having a hard time finding a stand rated for you, there’s nothing wrong with playing it safe and hunting from a ground blind or even an elevated box blind.

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