Best Ladder Stand for Bow Hunting Deer 2023 – Tall, Light & Comfortable

Hunting whitetail is impossible unless you stay hidden patiently, waiting for the right prey. With the best ladder stand, a hunter can stay in a concealed hunting spot comfortably for long hours. For one person, Guide Gear’s best ladder tree stand for bow hunting comes to the top.

A ladder stand can only benefit you if you own a piece of hunting land away from busy areas. One can also install a ladder stand on leased land or private properties (with permission). Last year alone, we tried more than 25 ladder stands. So, trusting us wouldn’t disappoint you at all.

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Ladder Stands are great for bow hunting deer. The best thing is that they are the quietest of all. Your target wouldn’t go anywhere, and the whole hunt would go smoothly. However, you must identify deer trails on your property (by setting up trail cams). Also, you need 2 hunters to erect this gigantic ladder stand against a sturdy tree.

The biggest issue we faced in buying a ladder stand was missing parts. If you are spending 200$ to 400$, make sure to contact support and remind them to package everything correctly and separately. Also, ask them to make the package secure before shipping.

At the beginning of my hunting journey, mixing up parts, nuts, and bolts was also a common occurrence. Make sure to sort small parts and read the user manual to avoid confusion. If you need a sturdy stand for 2 persons, check best 2 person ladder stand.

10 Best Ladder Stands For Bow Hunting (2023) – Tall, Comfortable, Safe & Lightweight

1. Guide Gear 15.5 Ladder Stand – Best One Person Ladder Tree Stand
2. Big Game Hunter HD 15 Ft. Ladder Stand – Best For Bow Hunting
3. Rivers Edge RE665 (2 Man) 17 Ft. Ladder Stand – Best For Rifle Hunting
4. Muddy Skybox Deluxe 17. Ft & 20 Ft. – Best Ladder Stand for Deer Hunting
5. Big Game Guardian XLT – Best Lightweight Portable Ladder Tree Stand
6. Big Game Warrior Dxt – Best Ladder Stand for Hunting
7. Guide Gear 15 Ft. Stand – Best Ladder Stand for the Money
8. Olman Assassin Dual 18 Ft. – Best Portable Ladder Tree Stand
9. X Stand The Duke 20 Ft. – Tallest Ladder Stand (1 Person)
10. X Stand Jayhawk 20 Ft. – Best Heavy Duty Ladder Stand (2 Person)

Even though we have a winner, which is x stands the duke, we have the top rated ladder stands ranked in order. We will discuss every minor detail of each ladder stand, whether it is good or bad. Our fair and honest ladder stand reviews will function as a key factor in your buying decision. 

Being hunters ourselves, we can understand how minor details matter. To get a better idea of ladder tree stands, you can go through the expert-tested reviews that we have done to save you from trouble.

We have also provided an extensive buying guide to help you see what features are necessary for a successful tree stand hunt.

1. Guide Gear 15.5 Ft. Ladder Stand – Best One Person Ladder Tree Stand

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 15.5 ft.
• The stand weighs 52 pounds and needs 2 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 300 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• No rattling or noise was observed while testing.
• With a backrest and footrest, it has a comfort rating of 8.8 out of 10

This ladder stand can easily be counted in lightweight portable ladder tree stands. It has a sturdy steel body that can hold up to 300 pounds and weighs only 61 pounds, which is lightweight considering its steel construction.

The best part of this tree stand is its portability. It is not too heavy and takes optimum space. For big and tall guys, the arm rest and gun rail may cause trouble. The gun rail can be removed, but the seat has space of 17 inches to 18 inches. The shooting rail is adjustable as well.

It is just 15.5 feet tall till its shooting rail. Its mesh seat can be folded and has a backrest with it. Whereas the foot platform is 26 inches wide and 15 inches deep.

It certainly is a light weight ladder stand but it comes with some drawbacks. One is the fact that its seat is pretty uncomfortable for some people. The platform and seat size do not suit a good-statured guy at all. Buying it for the sake of having a lightweight stand is great.

2. Big Game Hunter HD 15 Ft. Ladder Stand – Best For Bow Hunting

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 15 ft.
• The stand weighs 61 pounds and needs 2 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 350 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• A squeaky sound was observed while standing on the stand.
• With a backrest and footrest, it has a comfort rating of 8.5 out of 10

The reason for calling Big Game Hunter HD our number 1 pick was the level of comfort that it provides, which is necessary for bow hunting from a ladder stand. It has a foldable and extra wide seat, which provides ease when bow hunting. This special design provides comfort to the legs and back. Thus making it the best ladder stand for bow hunting.

Big Game HD 1.5 is 19 feet tall steel made strong black colored structure.

An interesting thing we liked was the removable and adjustable rail. You can flip up the rail at any point in your hunt to get the perfect angle at your deer or any target you are aiming at. It has a 23.5 inches wide and 29 inches length platform and has an amazingly good carrying capacity of 350 pounds.

However, with this much carrying capacity and steel structure, it comes with its own weight of 61 pounds, which is not too much considering that multiple people have to go through the mess of erecting and setting up tall ladder stands. We can say that its generous features are much better for big guys.

Back in 2021, we had experience of missing parts when we bought multiple units of this bow hunting ladder stand for various properties. However, the missing parts were sent to us once we contacted support and lodged the complain.

3. Rivers Edge RE665 (2 Man) 17 Ft. Ladder Stand – Best For Rifle Hunting

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 17 ft.
• The stand weighs 98 pounds and needs 2 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 500 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• No noise was observed during field testing.
• The comfort rating is 9.3 out of 10 (including backrest and footrest).

Usually, top-rated ladder stands come with an average price. So does Rivers Edge RE665. It is made for two persons, and the maximum focus is on comfort for long sits during hunting season.

River edge is 17 ft. tall rugged steel made, black colored top rated ladder stand with a carrying capacity of 500 lbs.

The seat is a mesh bench style that can easily be flipped up. It has a wide platform of 40 inches, so getting a good vantage point would be easy in this stand, which is why it will prove to be the best ladder stand for deer hunting.

During the field test, we found an issue with the seat as it was a little loose, and we had to place a seat cushion to sit more erect. However, it was nothing compared to overall build quality, compact design, and rugged structure.

A great feature it has is a two way adjustable shooting rail. You can fix the height and depth according to what suits you. It is 17 inches in height till the shooting rail and 16 inches till its seat. The carrying capacity is 500 pounds like other stands, while it is 98 pounds in weight itself.

4. Muddy Skybox Deluxe 17. Ft & 20 Ft. – Best Ladder Stand for Deer Hunting

Key Features:

• Height to shooting rail is 17 ft and 20 ft. (in the deluxe version)
• The two variants weigh 61 and 86 pounds and need 2-3 hunters for installation.
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 350 pounds
• Sturdy stand with padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• No sound or noise was observed during last season’s hunt.
• With a backrest and footrest, it has a comfort rating of 9.2 out of 10

Muddy Skybox is simply one of the heavy duty ladders that stands for deer hunting. Its sturdiness can match no other stand. This stand is uniquely powder coated with fiber guard, which makes it strong in construction. The 17 ft. variant weighs 61 pounds, whereas the 20 ft. variant weighs 86.4 pounds.

Muddy skybox is 20 ft. ladder stand with black color structure, sound proof padding and comfortable build for long sits.

The noise of metal clatter is not an issue in this stand. No metal comes in contact that helps and produces no noise at all while adjusting the rail or leaning to aim. It has a padded shooting rail. The rail is removable, flippable, and adjustable to any height or depth.

In measurements, it has a 22 inches wide, 19 inches tall, and 17 inches deep seat. As for the foot platform, it is 19 inches wide and 25 inches deep. Moreover, the seat has lumbar support that lets you sit in comfort for many long hours. 

Overall, sturdiness and comfort are great. However, assembling this unit took quite some time as instructions were not clear. Make sure to look at video footage on YouTube, which will save you some time. Overall, it is a good option if you want a durable and comfortable ladder tree stand on your property. 

5. Big Game Guardian XLT – Best Lightweight Portable Ladder Tree Stand

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 18 ft.
• The stand weighs 53 pounds and needs 2 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 500 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• Using this last season, it produced noise during climbing and long sitting.
• The lowest comfort rating is 7 out of 10, which is on the economic side.

The Guardian XLT Steel ladder stand is an 18 ft. tall ladder stand that stands out as a lightweight ladder stand for two people. It can carry up to 500 pounds, and it weighs only 53 pounds. It features a padded rail that can also be flipped back.

Unlike other ladder stands, which have chair-style seats, this unit has a bench-style seat. Hence, it is missing the backrest.

If you are looking for portable ladder stand within budget, this unit is the best option. The bench style seat can be used for one or two smart fit persons.

It can easily be set up for a tree of 9 inches in diameter. The foot platform is 6.5 inches wide and 12.5 inches deep. The seat measures 38 inches in width and 12 inches in depth.

During field testing, the opinions were divided. The reason is that this unit doesn’t have a backrest, which makes it very uncomfortable. The Big Game Guardian XLT is the winner for value for the price.

For whom does this unit serve the purpose? If you are a beginner, this is for you. You need to buy a seat cushion and foam padding on the rear bar. The bench-style seat can be used for one or two people.

Unlike chair-style double-seat stands, one person can sit in the middle of the seat. Moreover, it is lightweight and easy to assemble once you sort the parts and read the manual.

6. Big Game Warrior Dxt – Best Ladder Stand for Hunting

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 17 ft.
• The stand weighs 48 pounds and needs 2 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 300 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• No sound while climbing or during long sits.
• With a backrest and footrest, it has a comfort rating of 8.7 out of 10

The Warrior Dxt ladder stand looks like a two-person stand, but it is not. This stand is provided with all the essentials, including a backrest, and padded shooting rail, and it is overall a decent option for deer hunters.

The Warrior Dxt ladder stand comes in black or camo color, weighs only 48 pounds, and has a carrying capacity of 300 pounds. The tree stand height is 17 feet, a great option under 200$. The seat and backrest are waterproof and made of mesh. Our experience was great with respect to comfort and price point.

During the 2021 hunting season, we were able to assemble and test this unit and found it to be quite comfortable and sturdy. If you are looking for the best ladder stand for hunting under budget option that has a comfortable build, reasonable height, and can carry huge weight, this is the unit you need.

7. Guide Gear 15 Ft. Stand – Best Ladder Stand for the Money

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 15 ft.
• The stand weighs 41 pounds and is the best portable ladder stand.
• Only 1 big hunter is needed to erect this stand.
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 300 pounds
• No gun rest, back, armrest. you may lose comfort during long sits
• It is not stable for big hunters (tested by treestand ranger)
• Comfort rating of 7 out of 10

Guide Gear 15′ ladder stand stands tall at a height of 15 feet. It has a steel body with a mesh seat and can carry a maximum weight of 300 lbs. Its foot platform is 17.5 inches wide and 18.25 inches deep. All of this is coming with just 41 pounds of weight.  

It is, in fact, less in weight than the other Guide Gear ladder stand. The build is strong, and the structure is sturdy. If you are hunting in moist areas where issues of corrosion are prevalent, this unit is the best. The steel body provides resistance against extreme weather conditions.

As visible, the backrest, armrest, and gun rail are not available. This may cause trouble for long sits during hunting. The unit itself is lightweight and easy to assemble and provides value for money as it serves the purpose within just 150$ price.

If you can compromise a little on comfort, this unit is for you.

8. Olman Assassin Dual 18 Ft. – Best Portable Ladder Tree Stand

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 18 ft.
• It needs at 2-3 people to install.
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 500 pounds
• Provides padded gun rest only for sound dampening.
• With a backrest and footrest, it has a comfort rating of 9.4 out of 10

If you are looking for 2 person ladder stand that has maximum comfort, this unit is for you. Olman Assassin is an 18 ft. tall, steel-made, powder-coated sturdy tree stand focusing on comfort with a carrying capacity of 500 lbs. It is one of the best portable ladder stand made for two people. An interesting thing about its seat is that it can be folded both ways. Also, the seat has lumbar support. 

Ol’Man Assassin is 107 pounds in weight and needs multiple people to erect. Its steel construction makes it this heavy, and its powder finish protects it from corrosion and extreme weather. The unique design of the armrest, backrest, and shooting rail makes it sturdy and reduces the noise as well.

Assembling this stand was easier for us as we are used to it. Beginners should sort all the parts and read the manual to assemble it accurately and safely. Once put together, erecting it takes 2 or more people.

9. X Stand The Duke 20 Ft. – Tallest Ladder Stand (1 Person)

Key Features:

• The height of the shooting rail is 20 ft.
• The stand weighs 79 pounds and needs 2 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 300 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• No rattling during sitting or climbing.
• With a backrest, it has a comfort rating of 9.0 out of 10

Duke is pretty similar to the Jayhawk. It is a single-person tall ladder stand. The reason this unit is the best ladder stand for bow hunting is its height, safety, and comfort. There are very few stands that are 20 ft. tall, and x Stand Duke is one of them.

Like other ladder stands, Duke requires 2 to 3 people to set up. However, the instructions are clear, and once you have all the parts assembled correctly, erecting this unit is quite easy.

X stand Duke is 20 ft. tall steel made, black colored and comfortable ladder stand with weighing capacity of 300 pounds.

During the hunt, we found the backrest and footrest comforting for extended sitting. Along with the gun rail and armrest, the cup holder is a nice feature to add. To add comfort, we loved the best tree stand seat that complimented its prolonged usage.

The unit itself weighs 79 pounds. The platform size is 18 inches wide and 26 inches deep. The seat is cushioned with a size of 22 inches wide and 16 inches deep. It also comes with the best safety harness, like all the other tree stands. The cup holder is another nice feature.

During hunting in Iowa, this stand worked way better than our expectations. However, the nuts and bolts are quite confusing. Moreover, we enjoyed our hunt throughout because of the endless comfort. The adjustable gun rail was a cherry on top.

10. X Stand Jayhawk 20 Ft. – Best Heavy Duty Ladder Stand (2 Person)

Key Features:

• The height of shooting rail is 20 ft. (highest)
• The stand weighs 122 pounds (heaviest) and needs 3-4 people to erect
• Weight rating: It can carry up to 500 pounds
• Provides padded gunrest & armrest for sound dampening.
• A squeaky noise was produced while using this stand.
• With a backrest and footrest, it has a comfort rating of 9.2 out of 10

Jayhawk is the best heavy-duty ladder stand for two people to sit on. It can carry up to 500 pounds and weighs 122 pounds itself. The weight seems a little too much, but considering there are two people to set it up, 122 pounds won’t bother. It is durable with steel construction, and simply the tallest ladder stands as it has a height of 20 ft.

X stand Jayhawk is the finest, 2 seats, steel made, cushioned seat, black colored rugged 20 feet tall best heavy duty ladder tree stand.

The platform is 42 inches wide and 34 inches deep, with a cushioned seat of 39 inches wide and 17 inches deep. Not to mention, it has a backrest of 39 inches to 19 inches. Also, check the best two-person ladder stand for a permanent private land-hunting solution.

Its wide platform size gives huge space to aim. You can either sit down or stand up in whatever way you are comfortable. The ratchet straps are not strong and need to be replaced after some time.

During the 2021 hunting season in Iowa, we tested this stand against various factors. With successful hunt of a big buck it showed us how sturdy and quiet this stand is. However, its weight can certainly annoy some people because setting it up can never be done by a single man. You might need a third guy to help you erect it.

Buying Guide For Best Ladder Stands for Deer Hunting 

For single person stand, our top pick is x stand the duke. However, This doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t need to know decision-making factors to buy a good ladder stand. Generally, choices vary due to personal preferences, budget, comfort required, and ladder stand capacity. However, safety and durability are a must for treestands.

As we have already discussed, our experience with recommended top rated ladder stands that you should consider before buying. There are certain features to look for to get the best ladder stand for bow hunting, which we will discuss in this buying guide.

This buying guide is here to help you see what features are necessary and what are those you can easily skip without worrying much about them.

1. Safety

One thing that shouldn’t be compromised is your safety. Almost every ladder stand comes with the best safety harness, which is also called a fall arrest system. Whether you like it or not, you have got to use it every time you’re sitting on a ladder stand.

Obviously, in the best ladder stand, durability and sturdiness matter. Yet, without a safety harness, you are risking your physical well-being. A few decades back, various treestand related injuries were reported in Georgia. Make sure you have it with you, and taking some extra precautions would be great.

Most hunters that focus on safety either use best hang on tree stand or ladder ones. But a sturdy and heavy ladder stand offer more safety than any other elevated hunting structure in market.

2. Comfort

For some hunters, comfort is not a priority. While others get tired during long sits for hunting. Therefore, having a ladder stand that provides comfort to the back, arms, and foot while sitting is necessary.

Get a unit with well made back rest and armrest. Padded bars are a plus. Seat cushion is another way for comfort.

Comfort comes with a good seat size, whether it is cushioned or not. A footrest of adequate wideness then a backrest. These are all necessary in order to hunt carelessly. So be choosy in finding the most comfortable ladder stands because a minor flaw can make it hard for you to hunt.

3. Easy to Assemble and Install

One thing that we know for a fact about ladder tree stands is that they are difficult to assemble. If you are a beginner, you should focus on the instruction manual and read all details. Which instruments are required? What are the best practices? And how to assemble and install it safely?

With years of experience, we can easily say that assembling parts of a ladder stand is confusing, at least for beginners. The reason is that sometimes, the package is missing a few nuts and bolts, and it is not sorted, which buyers need to do before assembling a ladder stand.

Yet, if you go for the lightest of the stands, then you might be compromising your comfort or safety. Because in lightweight, some features like a broad frame, wide footrest or backrest, or safety get compromised in the long run. It is better if you look for a ladder stand that is not so heavy that you would need a truck to erect it, yet it is not so light that it falls from the wind and hamper your hunting.

Once set up, it will stay on the property for the longest time. If you are going to move a lot on public property, the best climbing tree stands will help you.

4. Carrying Capacity 

Usually, the carrying capacity that you’ll see in a ladder stand would be 500 pounds for 2 people and 300 pounds for a single person. The number may go up and down, but there’s this standard weighing capacity that you’ll see in all the ladder stands.

Not to mention, the total capacity does not only talk of you but everything you’re carrying, like your binoculars, weapon, backpack, and every other stuff. So make sure you are not exceeding the weight limit. Especially if you are a big 6 ft. tall guy with special equipment.

5. Comfortable Seat

Seat plays an important role while you hunt. The backrest should be spacious and high enough to cover your back. Also, the seat should be padded to ensure comfort for long hours of sitting. The seat and backrest design are important, too. It should be wide enough to complement your posture perfectly. So, look for the seat’s width and length for better comfort.

6. A Wide & Noiseless Platform 

You don’t just sit on a ladder tree stand. The best ladder stand would have enough room to help you stand up, change the direction of your aim, and look around easily. So, a roomy platform is always preferable for comfort and getting the perfect shot. 

Noise is another aspect to pay attention to. There are ladder stands that start making squeaky sounds after a few months. Hunters try to avoid creating unnecessary sounds as much as possible.

In order to find the best ladder stand, you should first make sure if it clatters a lot or not. Obviously, no tree stand would be completely quiet. But looking out for one that is the quietest of all would definitely help for good.

7. Look for Padding

Some ladder tree stands have padded bars, armrests, footrests, and backrests. You should definitely go for them. Padding not only provides comfort but also reduces creating sound when a weapon touches the steel bar. You can compromise this feature when looking for a budget option.

If the seats are made of mesh, you can use some cushions for the seat and backrest. Also, armrests made of hard metal can tire your arms. Lining some soft fabric to the armrest would make it more comfortable for you.

8. Accessories

There are additional accessories to keep with you for a better experience and safety. Look for These accessories, including body harnesses, various types of straps, and other safety tools.

Other accessories that are not essential but may help during the hunt include good camouflage like some branches or a cover system, holders for your gun, etc.

Treestand Ladder Extension

You will hardly find a ladder stand that reaches up to 21 feet or more. However. You can use extensions to get to the height you are aiming for. The market has ladder treestand available up to 16 or a maximum of 20 feet height with extension, and by adding another pair of ladders, you will get to the height you require. 

You can ask your ladder manufacturer to give you an extension, but if you have treestand ladder sections that are the exact size and shape, you can use them. But the more height you gain, the more stabilizers or extensions you need to secure the ladder for security. 

Do Deer Notice Ladder Stands?

Deer are highly perceptive animals. They have excellent eyesight and sense of smell. This combination of senses makes it extremely difficult for hunters to go undetected. While deer may not be able to see every small movement made by a hunter, there are several things that hunters do that increase the likelihood of being noticed. One of these is setting up a ladder stand.

Ladder stands are elevated platforms that hunters use to get a better view of their surroundings and to improve their chances of getting a shot at a deer. However, the very thing that makes ladder stands beneficial to hunters also makes them more noticeable to deer. The noise of climbing the ladder to reach the stand and then moving about on the platform can easily be heard by deer. Not only does this potentially scare off nearby deer, but it also alerts them to a potential threat in the area, which increases the chances that they will move elsewhere.

In addition to the noise generated by activity on the ladder stand, the stand itself is also more likely to be noticed by deer. The height of the stand makes it more visible, and the hunter’s silhouette is easier to spot against the sky. Even when a stand is camouflaged, the outline of it can still be seen by deer.

How to Avoid Being Noticed By Deer On Ladder Stand?

When used properly, ladder stands can be a valuable asset for deer hunters. The key is to be as stealthy as possible. Hunters should also be careful not to talk, move about too much on the platform, or make other loud noises that could scare away animals.

While there are some drawbacks to using ladder stands for deer hunting, they are still a valuable tool for hunters. Most deer will not be scared off by the stand. And even if some nearby deer do notice the hunter there, their instinct to flee may not be as strong as it is in response to other stimuli such as scent or human sounds.

Should The hunter set A tree stand During hunting Season Or Before?

Whether its hunting season or not, as soon as you detect activity of game animals on your property, get ready to set up a tree stand on a nearby location. Deer will get used to this new structure and as soon as season comes, you are ready to harvest your first buck.

Detecting tree stands is not hard but requires some investment in hunting and trail cameras. By the time you set up your tree stand, you should know the habits and routines of game animals on your property.

If you want to be more stealthy in your approach, don’t put up your stand until just before the season opener. However, you run the risk of not having your stand in the optimal location if the game animals change their patterns.

Homemade Metal Ladder Stand – Is it A Good Option?

If you have ample time and have a bunch of scrap metal, you can design your personal metal ladder stand. If you have a chair or platform available, that will be a plus; otherwise, building one wouldn’t take much. 

To build your homemade metal ladder stand, cut the metal pieces into 2 long bars to make the ladder stand with steps. You will also need to shape the steps according to your body’s vigor. Additionally, you will need some tools to weld the stand. 

One benefit of a DIY metal stand is the ability to customize it according to your preferences, including safety features and room capacity. 

If you are considering buying just a ladder from Amazon, I suggest you go for the complete tree stand, as both cost almost the same. This will also reduce your efforts in building a ladder stand.

Conclusion

For hunters with private hunting properties, having the best ladder stand for bow hunting is a necessity. Over the years, we have experience field testing several variants of big manufacturers. Our suggestions will definitely help you get the best ladder stand that will fulfill your needs and provide safety, comfort, and an unmatched hunting experience.

To conclude, X Stand The Duke is the Tallest Ladder Stand and is the best option overall. If you want a 2 persons ladder stand, you can take a look at X Stand Jayhawk 20′, which is also tall and the best heavy duty ladder stand.  

You can rummage through the reviews yourself and find the best ladder stand that suits you. Don’t just go for an expensive ladder stand. Even a lower price can get you remarkable results.

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