The best climbing sticks to elevate your hunt

Consider these climbing sticks for a safe, reliable experience on your next hunting trip.

Best Overall

Lone Wolf Climbing Stick

Lone Wolf Climbing Stick

Best Value

Guide Gear 20' Climbing Sticks

Guide Gear 20' Climbing Sticks

Honorable Mention

XOP Climbing Sticks for Treestands

XOP Climbing Sticks for Treestands

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Hunting is an extremely popular sport around the country. Whether you live in a temperate location, freezing cold climate, flat terrain, or woodland area, one piece of equipment that comes in handy is a high-quality treestand. In order to properly and safely use a treestand, another necessary tool is a quality set of climbing sticks. Climbing sticks can be installed in trees of any shape or size, and they allow you to safely and securely climb the tree to your desired height. Most climbing sticks are quite reliable, durable, and some are even portable enough to be carried with you on long hunting trips. Most climbing sticks can even be used in all types of cold climates and inclimate weather conditions.

Whether you are looking for great value, durability, portability, or versatility, we took a look at the best climbing sticks currently on the market. Read on to see which product is the best fit for your next hunting trip.

Lone Wolf Climbing Stick

Guide Gear 20' Climbing Sticks

XOP Climbing Sticks for Treestands

Hawk Hunting Helium 20'' Climbing Sticks

Millennium Treestands M210 Stick Climber

Big Dog Hunting Hotfoot Climbing Stick

Big Game Quick-Stick Climbing System

Novix NX-MIN4 Mini Climbing Stick

Related: 8 hunting knives for the modern-day Jim Bowie

Why should you trust us

Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I have spent plenty of time outdoors on long hiking, camping, biking, backpacking, trekking, or fishing trips. Trust me when I say, owning a high-quality set of climbing sticks can be an extremely useful accessory for a safe, reliable hunting experience. The best climbing sticks are quite durable, reliable, and safe to use in a variety of situations and different settings. I thoroughly enjoy the outdoors and have written a number of other outdoor lifestyle products and camping equipment articles, including camping towels, hiking water filters, walking sticks, insulated coffee mugs, and more.

Different kinds of climbing sticks

There are three main types of climbing sticks. Each type of climbing stick offers its own unique set of features and advantages. Depending on your individual preferences, where you will be using your climbing sticks, the height you will need for your climbing sticks, and the type of weather you will be using your climbing sticks in, you may require a different type to best fit your needs. Make sure to familiarize yourself with all of the different types of climbing sticks before making a decision on your final purchase.

Tree sticks

Tree sticks are a fairly new and modern type of climbing stick. This type of climbing stick is becoming a more popular option due to its ease of use and the fact that it is extremely easy to set up. Tree sticks have a look similar to a rope ladder, and they will fit easily with most types and sizes of trees. This type of climbing stick features a metal tube in the center, with steps on alternating sides of the tube to form a ladder. Multiple tree sticks can be stacked together on the same tree to extend to a greater height if needed.

Tree steps

Tree steps are another popular type of climbing stick that are fairly easy to use and set up. This type of climbing stick is a set of metal steps that simply screw into the trunk of the tree. Tree steps are one of the most portable options on the market because there are no extra poles or ropes needed to carry with you. Tree steps make a good option to screw into a tree and leave them there for the season. One issue with tree steps is that you will want to make sure they are secured properly and safely before attempting to use them to climb the tree.

Lone

Lone climbing sticks are the most basic type of climbing stick, and they are typically the most budget-friendly option. Lone climbing sticks are available in a variety of different styles and sizes. Many lone climbing sticks can be customized to fit the size of tree that you will be using them on. This type of climbing stick is set up in a very similar manner to the way in which tree sticks will be set up. They can be made from a variety of different materials with different sized steps, depending on your individual preferences and needs.

What to look for when buying climbing sticks

For this article, we extensively researched and tested a wide variety of different types and brands of climbing sticks. These included tree sticks, tree steps, and lone climbing sticks of all sizes and styles. The climbing sticks were all tested for reliability, durability, portability, and versatility. They were all tested in a number of different conditions and locations, and in a variety of weather conditions.

The results of this thorough research and testing can be found throughout this article. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the different types, brands, and features of each type of climbing stick before making a final purchase to best fit your needs for your next hunting trip.

Why do you need climbing sticks?

There are several key advantages to purchasing and using high-quality climbing sticks for your next hunting trip. The most obvious benefit is that it allows you to safely climb a tree to get to your tree stand while hunting. Most climbing sticks are fairly durable, reliable, and designed for use in a variety of different weather conditions and for a number of different sized trees. Climbing sticks are available in a variety of different styles, sizes, designs, and brands, and some models are even designed to hold up in extreme weather conditions or cold climates.

Most climbing sticks are quite portable, user-friendly, and versatile, able to be used in a variety of weather conditions or different settings. Climbing sticks make a great option for a safe hunting experience, allowing you to safely climb trees of great heights with ease.

  • A main benefit to climbing sticks is that they are designed to optimize safety. Once your climbing stick is fixed in place, it is important that you are able to climb the tree easily and safely without having to worry about slipping or stability issues, even during rain or inclement weather.
  • Another key feature of climbing sticks is that they are environmentally friendly. Climbing sticks are typically attached to the tree using ropes or straps that can be secured around the trunk of the tree. Climbing sticks do not generally do any damage to the tree, even if you keep them installed throughout the hunting season.
  • Climbing sticks are fairly easy to use and to set up, with no extra tools or parts needed. They are typically quite portable and easy to carry with you on hunting trips. Even in cold or inclement weather, climbing sticks can be easily installed and attached to the tree in just a few minutes.

Pricing ranges for climbing sticks

  • Under $100: Climbing sticks in this price range provide excellent value. They are typically easy to use, install, and portable enough to carry with you on long trips. Make sure to read all of the reviews to ensure that climbing sticks in this price range are durable enough and reliable enough before making your final decision.
  • $100-$150: This is the most common price range for climbing sticks. Climbing sticks in this price range are available to purchase as a variety of different types, styles, and sizes. If you do make a purchase in this range, make sure it is versatile enough to fit different sized trees and lightweight enough to carry if used on long trips.
  • Over $150: Climbing sticks in this price range are priced at a premium. Even though they are the most expensive climbing sticks, products in this price range are typically the most durable, made from the highest quality materials, and specifically designed for use in inclement weather or cold climates.

How we chose our top picks

When reviewing new outdoor products, we much prefer to go the hands-on route, but sometimes a lack of resources may prevent us from trying out the outdoor equipment in person. To make sure we don’t let you down, we take the time to thoroughly research and review other professionals who have hands-on experience with the equipment, combing through extensive reviews on Amazon, professional publications, outdoor enthusiast blogs, and more to bring you the best information available. For this review, we found the information at Ranger Expert and Yard Guider to be extremely helpful when shopping for the best climbing sticks for your next hunting trip.

Related: Keep your target in sight with the best binoculars for hunting

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is a Task & Purpose contributor and highly dedicated professional writer based in Asheville, NC. Recognized for work with reputable companies including Bleacher Report, The Wall Street Journal, Time Inc., Merck & Co., and the United States Golf Association, Zach has a proven track record of writing, driving social media interaction, and increasing brand awareness.