The most successful deer hunters know that staying mobile can be key to their success. While there are several techniques that deer hunters can use to stay mobile, one of the best methods is using lightweight climber tree stands. Although after a few trips with my old school climber, I quickly figured out that I needed a lighter climber stand.
Lightweight climber stands are around 20lbs or under and are much easier to carry if you have to walk a ways to your tree. There is more to it than just weight though. A light climber stand is not one size fits all. So after we look at a few hot climbers, I will also talk a bit about the qualities of a climber stand you should be paying attention to before you hit “add to cart”.
Lightweight Climber Tree Stands
Climber stands are a versatile tool that every hunter needs from time to time. I have used climbers that I have left in the woods around a tree for months, and I have also put climbers up and taken them down in the same hunt. After doing that too many times on my Michigan hunt, I decided I needed a lighter climber stand if I was going to be walking a mile to a hunting spot with a climber stand.
This is why I have combed the web and found the lightest tree stands on the market under 20lbs including all attachments and padding. To be honest, the list was shorter than I wanted it to be.
Most articles you read on this topic have close to 10 stands on their list, but nearly all of them are over outdated stands that you can’t even buy anymore. So I hope this at least shows you the best options currently in the market before the season opens.
Below are the lightest weight climber tree stands currently available on the market in order from lightest to heaviest. Unfortunately, the market is dominated by Summit right now, especially if you want a climber under 20 lbs.
- Summit Open Shot SD (15lbs)
- Summit Mini Viper SD (18lbs)
- Summit Viper SD (20lbs)
Now I will go over these stands in a bit more detail and show you which one is right for you. Let’s get started with my favorite, the best lightweight stand for bow hunters.
Best Lightweight Climber Stand for Bowhunters
The Summit Open Shot SD is the best lightweight climber tree stand I found specifically for bowhunters. This 15-pound climber stand is “open-faced” meaning it doesn’t have any bars or armrests that will get in the way of your shot. Its seat also folds up and away for when you want to stand or are getting ready to shoot.
The Open Shot SD includes Summit’s 5-year limited warranty, which is hard to beat. Their “Sound Deadening Technology” may make the difference between shooting the buck of the lifetime or spooking him. The platform is still generous in this compact climber at 20” W x 32” D. All and all, it is a heck of a stand for bow hunters.
After my first look at this stand, the only thing I could think about was “how the heck do you climb up in it?”. Well, it actually isn’t all that hard. You basically put your forearms on each side of the top, and then just lift your legs. If you aren’t in great shape, that’s okay. It is actually easier to use than you may think. Check out this quick video showing just how to use the Summit Open Shot SD.
Best Overall Lightweight Climber Stand
Coming in right at our weight cutoff of 20lbs is the Summit Viper SD. This proven climber tree stand has been around for a while, and for good reason. It’s a high-quality stand and comes with a 5-year limited warranty. This is also one of the most popular climbing stands on the market, and is certainly the most popular stand in the summit lineup.
The Viper SD features the largest foot platform (20” W x 36” D) of all the stands on our list and is only one of two tree stands on our list with a backrest. It also has an adjustable seat and zippered arm pads. This stand also includes “Sound-Deadening Technology” which helps muffle metallic sounds when climbing or when your gear accidentally bumps into the stand.
These stands are built to last and are comfortable to sit in, which is why it won the title of best overall stand on this list. Although the Viper SD is also a great “do it all” kind of stand. You can use this stand for gun hunting, and bow hunting, and it is a light option for both.
The great thing about Summit is they also sell a lot of accessories for their tree stands and this includes their Adjustable Gun Rest. The gun rest will add a few pounds to your setup, but if you are planning on hunting all day during gun season, it will be worth the extra weight.
Best Lightweight Climber Stand for Small Framed Hunters
So we just spent a while talking about the Summit Viper SD, but there is actually a smaller version of that same stand that weighs two pounds less. The Summit Mini Viper SD weighs just 18 pounds and was specifically made for smaller framed hunters like women and young hunters. Although if you are not a big guy, you can definitely use this stand and save on weight.
As you can see, you lose about 4 inches of length on your platform but it has the same width. You see the same 4-inch constriction on the top rail. The dimensions of this stand make it tough for some adult hunters to fit into, but if you are looking for a light stand that your teenager can carry around without whining about it, this stand is your best bet.
The Summit Mini Viper SD is essentially identical to the regular Summit Viper SD, so you are still going to get all of the high-quality features that we talked about in the former section. Personally, I am 5 foot 10, and about 180 pounds. I can easily fit in this stand, and I am considering it for myself this season.
Best Lightweight Budget Climber Stand
Unfortunately, weight and price are opposites in today’s market. I really wanted to find a sub $200 stand for you that weighed less than 20 pounds, but they simply do not exist. There are a handful of climber stands on the market that cost less than $200 or even closer to $100, but they weigh over 30 pounds.
Your best option for a lightweight and cheap stand that you can move from tree to tree is going to be a hang-on stand. Even then, you will still need to buy a set of climbing sticks instead of screw-in steps because you want to be mobile.
If you get the cheapest gear out there, you will still spend nearly $200 on a hang-on stand and climbing sticks. The Mini Viper SD we talked about here sells for close to $250, and the full-size Viper SD, along with the Open Shot, sell for close to $300. In my opinion, you are much better off investing the extra $100 and getting a piece of high-quality gear.
You could also bite the bullet and lug around a heavier stand with a lighter price tag. You can also get a cheap stand to leave on a tree, and change your hunting strategy. Anyways, if your goal is getting the cheapest stand available, the Guide Gear Extreme Deluxe Climber Tree Stand from Sportsman’s Guide costs around $130 but weighs 33 pounds.
Climber Stand Buyers Guide
Climber tree stands are an invaluable tool for hunting whitetail deer. They are the backbone of many hunters’ strategies and their versatility is nearly unmatched. Plenty of hunters leave their climbers around their favorite tree throughout the season, but if you want to be mobile you are going to wish you were using a lighter tree stand.
Weight
If you want to be fairly mobile with your tree stand, the first spec you are probably looking at is weight. It is not uncommon for climber stand to weigh more than 30 pounds. A lightweight climber stand is less than 20 pounds. The lightest climber on the market is 15 pounds. In the past, there were climber stands that weighed as little as 10 or 12 pounds, but those stands are no longer available. Realistically, the lightest climber stand you are going to get is going to weigh close to 20 pounds.
Safety
The most important part of any stand is safety. You want to look for a stand with a good cable retention system that won’t allow it to slip from a tree. You also want it to be made with quality components. There are way too many horror stories out there of hunters falling from poorly made stands. Don’t let that be you. Practice putting your stand up and taking it down. Where most accidents happen is when we get in a hurry and don’t hang our stands correctly. You should also be wearing a safety harness, and have it hooked to a safety line while you are climbing.
Comfort
Next, you should consider comfort. This is extremely important and shouldn’t be overlooked. To be honest, the lightest stand on the market is not going to be the most comfortable. Sacrifices obviously had to be made to keep it lightweight. With that being said, you still need to be able to sit in your stand for the whole day. Hunting takes patience and it is hard to have patience when you are in a rock hard stand.
Sound Deadening
You also need to consider how loud the stand will be. It can be easy to make noise when in a stand made of metal. The stands in this article contain a lightweight foam inside of specific areas in the stand to help reduce noise. Plus, they have a sound-deadening coating on the outside. If you are prone to making noise, this may help you spook fewer deer in the field.
Platform Size
Lastly, you should consider the platform size. The bigger the platform the more comfortable it will be for you to move around when you are sitting or standing in the stand. Larger platforms make it more difficult to pack the stand in, especially if you are frequently trying to get through thick brush or dense forest. If you want to save on weight, you will likely have a smaller platform.
A Better Option for Run & Gun
If you like to move around alot in the woods and use the “run and gun” strategy, there is a better option than a clunky climber. A climber stand is good for moving around every now and then, but a tree saddle is the way to go if you are moving a lot. Tree saddles are extremely light, and offer a few more advantages over a standard climbing stand.
If you have never used a tree saddle before, there is a lot to talk about. If you are more interested in learning how to use a saddle, and what goes into a saddle hunting setup, here are a few links to more of my articles on the topic.
- What is Saddle Hunting? The Basics
- How Much Does a Tree Saddle Cost? A Compiled Table
- Can You Saddle Hunt With a Rifle?
- The Saddle Hunting Essentials [A Gear Breakdown]
Climber tree stands are an invaluable tool for deer hunters. They are easy to use, super comfortable, durable enough to stay on a tree if needed, and easy enough to take down and move. The largest drawback that most climber stands have is their weight. If you don’t move them around much, that doesn’t really matter, but if you are a mobile hunter, you should seriously consider one of the lightweight climbing stands in this article.
If you liked this article, here is your next read!
What is Saddle Hunting? The Basics & Why You Need One
If you pay attention to hunting shows, podcasts, or just about any other hunting media you have probably at least heard of saddle hunting. Some old-school hunters have avoided trying it out because it seems like the latest new fad. While it is new, saddle hunting is definitely not a fad. The advantages are real and using a saddle can make you a better hunter. Keep Reading…