Top Treestand options for the budget hunter?

Man, I wish I could test different stands from manufacturers free but thats not an option. I want a new stand for next season. Has to be super light, not break the bank (i guess 300-400 max), and be adaptable for different types of trees. Must be a whole system, not just the Guido Web for instance. That would require climbing sticks and would run well over $400 I bet.

Any other good options? I was thinking climbing sticks and hang on seat, but I realized I might need to carry some good weight to make that happen. A climber requires a straight tree which can get annoying. Plus I like the ability to go down and use the 'restroom' easily and a climber sounds like a pain in that case.

My hunting habits are sit all day dark to dark. Live far from the mountains so cannot afford to lose sitting time.

Wish I could help you there, but I don't skimp when I'm heading up 20+ feet, and for the hikes I do, sticks and stands are just too much weight,considering we must remove our stands on a daily basis.

For a very lightweight stand though, the Lone Wolf hand climber has my vote. No, it's not cheap, but I wouldn't hunt without it, even if it does take a bit more scouting to find that perfect ambush in a tree I can climb.

I agree, don't want to be cheap for equipment that is going to suspend me in a tree either as a climber. However, my $89 Rivers Edge Pack n Stack is safe as a ladder stand but heavy as heck.

I guess under $500 would be good.

Outside the budget, is the seat/stick better than the climber for adaptiveness? Any really good light combos of sticks/seat? Any better way method out there or are these the only options?
- Climber
- Ladder
- Stick/Seat combo
- Stick/Guido combo

Here are the Pro's Con's I am using to help me decide. Please feel free to add anything else you have noticed guys.

Climber:
Pros:
- Lightweight choices
Cons:
- Once you get up, you are up
- Has to be a straight tree

Sticks/Seat:
Pros:
- You can leave seat up and take sticks to avoid theft overnight
- Adapts to any shape tree
- Can use same sticks for multiple seats
Cons:
- Heavier than climber
- More parts to carry

This looks like a great idea, but need to look into it more. 10 steps = 5lbs! Anyone have experience with these?
https://www.climbpaws.com/productcart/pc/climbpaws-default.asp

ive got an old lock on limit and a bunch more hang on stands but none as light as my limit(bout 7lbs purchased off the wall of my buddy's barn for $10 ) i fashioned me some shoulder straps out of 2 peices of swimmin pool noodles and an old safety harness. it had the chain hanger but it clanked so i took it off and put on some screw on chain links and bought some gorilla straps, it works extremely well and is rock solid on a tree. i think i got about $25 dollars in tha whole project. Ive been climbin on a set of hooks(climbin spikes) but im also gonna try to figure out a way to climb with a foot loop. either way theyre is ways to get around tha dollar u just have to be creative. ill try to post some pics of the stand before to long, its pretty nifty if i do say so ma self. I still tote ma ol man to even though he weighs about 30lbs.

I just got a treewalker climbing stand and i love it. I have the bow holder mounted to it and upgraded backpack straps, weighs about 18lbs and is rated for 300lbs. I had an older climber and liked the stand but it weighed over 30lbs and was a nightmare to haul around. I 'll be huntin from this treewalker for many years......

My preference is the Muddy Hunter with a set of Non typical rapid rails. The combination will run you about $350 and is approximately 24lbs and can accomodate practically any tree.

For all day comfort & to fit most of your other needs I'd suggest a millenium m-100 stands. Pair this stand with LW sticks & your good. The stands is 14lbs & three sticks around 7.5lbs - 21.5lbs ain't bad. You can also look into other climbing methods to lighten your load & reduce your cost. I prefer to climb with just one stick, but you can also look into stepp ladder steps.

Im in the same boat. After doing some research I've decided on the lonewolf assault 2, with climbing sticks. Total weight, including sticks is 18.5 lbs! You cant beat that, the only con would be seat comfort, so if you can sacrifice about 4 more lbs of weight you could go with the LW Alpha which has a more comfortable seat.

You didnt ask about comfort, but i used an open shot due to its weight all season ,its growing on me,can carry a long ways. had it for 7 years and it seen more action than any of my stands this year. have used it to get up to some good limbs and then take seat only ,on up to set on. Lock-ons are ok if you can leave there or if deer dont move. deer move you need to move,could be food or hunter presure. climbing steps, screw-ins, make noise and sweat. Hope this helps.

I'm still on the fence but leaning towards a Climber.

Hang-on stands can be just as mobile as climbers. Once you get a climbing/hanging system down there really isn't a difference between the two. I can climb & hang a stand just about as fast as using a climber, & if you factor in the time spent trying to find that prefect climber tree - the hang-on setup is way faster. Most people that aren't familar with a good hang-on setup deem them as permanent use only, but I promise if you give one a chance you're likely to never use a climber again.

Good points made Cbigbear. Ughhh.... now i need to think it over real hard again lol!

Sorry bout that!!!! I've followed your vids & the terrain you hunt plus the distances you hike don't look climber friendly.

A couple years ago I went to a hang-on to reduce weight & bulk. Best decision I ever made. A highly mobile light weight setup allows you to go the extra mile or two. I quickly realized that with climbers I was just settling for ok sign. Because of the packing weight I'd just setup on the first decent sign I found. Also I'd have to avoid certain area because they didn't have climber friendly trees.

Thanks. How heavy are your climbers compared to your hang ons? Or do you mean the weight of just having to carry in sticks instead of the hang on seat since that would already be placed? Where I hunt is so 'dead' that I don't even have to worry too much about people stealing my stands. I am in first and out last and only leave them up through the weekend/days I am upstate. So in the end, the climber might end up being more annoying in that situation. The hang on I would at least leave up there for the weekend and then try another location on another weekend. Hate to be the 'weekend warrior' but I live in NYC and have to drive 3 hours north to get to the public lands I hunt.

All good points though that I am listing pros and cons and I think in the end I'll just have to get both eventually! Definitely would like one for this coming season. The 35 pound stand I carry now is killing me.

I had several climbers over the years but the lightest I have is a Summit Open Shot. It weights 13lbs but it's no more comfortable than my Loc-on Limit. It's also bulkier than the Limit. I only use 1 LW stick to climb & hang my Limit so my total setup weights 10.5 lbs.

I never leave my stand always pack in & out. I'm not some much concerned about someone stealing it as I like having the option to go wherever/whenever. I find myself again just settling if I have prehung stands.

35lbs man you got my back hurting just reading that!!!

My experience has been that climbers are much easier to pack in and out compared to hang-on stands and whatever climbing setup you choose. I also have never used a hang-on stand that is as comfortable as my climber. My climber weighs 18lbs and I don't really notice its there. I read a lot about being limited by finding a suitable tree to use a climber. The places I hunt I have scouted previously and I have a tree already picked out that is suitable for my climber and its never caused me to not hunt an area I wanted to. For me the climber is the way to go.

I have every combination of Lone wolf climber made.I have a regular platform and an assault platform.I have a handclimber seat,a regular sit and climb top with a net seat and a wide sita nd climb top with a summit seat attached.For all day sits when the walk isn't too bad,I use the wide sit and climb.For long hikes,I use the assualt platform and handclimber.For the majority of hunts,the reglar sit and climb with the nest seat is a good conpromise.It's fairly light and pretty comfortable.

If you are cautious and do your homework - you can get both that work for you[climber/hang  with steps or sticks]

The market has improved greatly as to versatility. One factor that hasn't changed is  - Where are you going to hunt today?

I keep both setups in the Jeep, only because I know that both work for me, climber 16lbs(+/-); Hang on (same).

The clothing is the most optional - either way you will sweat.

Hope this helps.