X-Stand’s The X-1 is the lightest tree stand weighing approx. 11 lbs. It does what it is designed for; it is the lightest tree stand available today and perfect for mobile hunting! So, that’s our choice for best lightweight treestand.
So, before you jump into buying a tree stand, there is no harm in looking at a couple of good ones in the market. The most crucial factor lies in choosing the right set of features because lightweight will not necessarily be comfortable or easy to carry. For some people, weight is not a big concern than comfort, stealth, and seat size, which are more important.
Here we have curated a list of lightweight climbing tree stands with an in-depth review and product details to help you pick the right one.
Best Lightweight Treestand – Top recommendations
- Worth the Bucks: Summit 180 Max SD
- Light in Weight: X Stand The X- 1
- Our Top Choice: Summit Goliath SD
- Most Comfortable: Lone Wolf Sit and Climb II
Top Pick - X Stand The X- 1
- Weight: 11lbs
- Holding Capacity: 300 lbs
- Seat size: 19″ W x 10″ D
X Stand is the lightest climbing tree stand that you can carry with ease on long hikes. It is made of 6061 T6 Aircraft aluminum, making it easily portable for great distances but safe and sturdy when fixed in a tree. This tree stand is known for its lightweight but also for its poor aluminum welding, which makes the seat uncomfortable. The seat frame is small with a three-inch thick cushion. There are many misses in this product, but if you are looking for the best lightweight treestand, this is your go-to product. And then you can always upgrade the parts you are not happy with.
Things We Like
- Lightest climbing tree stand
- Easy to pack and install
- Noise-free
Things We Don't Like
- Unnerving small platform
- Poor quality materials
- Uncomfortable seat
X Stand Sit & Climb
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Holding Capacity: 300 lbs
- Seat size: 19″ W x 10″ D
The structure of the X Stand Sit and Climb is smaller than the X-1 model. It is constructed from 6061-T6 Aluminum, which gives the product plenty of strength. The most notable feature of this tree stand is the sit bar which allows the hunter to sit while climbing. It is one of the tree stands that come with a quick attach cable system that helps secure the stand in one place with the help of a spring-loaded rubber-coated pin.
There have been occasions where the flex arms break from the joint under the recommended weight limit. The simplicity of the stand is appreciable at 12 lbs. The tree stand comes with a four-point full-body harness that ensures the safety of the user. For safety measures, this stand comes including a four-point full-body harness.
Things We Like
- Easy to use
- Lightweight and at the cheaper end
Things We Don't Like
- Noisy
Lone Wolf Assault Hand Climber Combo
- Weight: 14.7lbs
- Seat Size: 19″ W x 10″ D
- Holding Capacity: 350lbs
This tree stand is the lightest and easiest to carry from the Lone Wolf range with a nice and sturdy design. While Stand X fails to ascend and descend on trees, Lone Wolf Assault Hand Climber does a fair job. It can fit trees with a diameter ranging from 6 to 19 inches.
The only drawback is that you can’t fold the seta to take a standing shot. It has a contoured padded seat, six-point fall arrest system, cam actioning backpack system, backpack straps, cast blow holder, and two regulation traction belts. It comes with stabilizer straps that cinch the seat around the tree.
Things We Like
- Sturdy, well-built design
- Zero to no noise
Things We Don't Like
- The seat doesn't fold properly
- Premium price with okay design
Muddy The Stalker
- Weight: 15lbs
- Platform: 20″ W x 28″ D
- Seat Size: 21″ W
- Holding Capacity: 300lbs
Muddy The Stalker is a lightweight climber that is highly compact with a quality build, designed from aluminum, and easy to set up. The stand is customizable, and the seat height and depth can be altered as per requirements. To enhance the sitting, it is included with a padded seat and cushioned armrest. It comes with two hybrid climbing chains, a spring bolt knob, and cam buckle straps. A full-body fall arrest harness is included as a safety accessory.
Things We Like
- Well priced and quiet tree stand
- A good backpack for a comfortable hike
Things We Don't Like
- It weighs more than the advertised weight
- Flimsy foot strap
Summit Treestands Open Shot SD
- Weight: 15lbs
- Seat Size: 18″ W x 12″ D
- Holding Capacity: 300lbs
Design made from aluminum and coated with Dead Metal, Sound Deadening (SD) Technology to keep it quiet when in use. An ultra-portable and comfortable tree stand for hunters who enjoy hunting in the deep woods. A convenient fold-up seat with a cushion provides ultimate support during standing wait hours. This lightweight stand is created using RapidClimb stirrups that are adjustable and easy to use, keeps the boot securely attached to the platform. The seat is padded, makes long hours of sitting comfortably, and includes a four-point arrest harness system.
Things We Like
- Compact and portable design
- The open front design allows all direction visibility
Things We Don't Like
- Not easy to climb with
X-Stand The Apache
- Weight: 15.5lbs
- Seat Size: 21″ W x 16″ D
- Holding Capacity: 300lbs
Another lightweight tree stand is crafted to offer maximum seating comfort with a compact design. It has a two-inch-thick seat cushion with a nylon net and can be pushed away to use the foot platform. Features a backrest platform for when standing for long hours. The aluminum stand body offers sturdiness with climbing cables made of a unique three-part design: super-strong cables run through aluminum extrusions and are further coated with rubber for protection.
Includes a four-point full-body safety harness, a small gear pouch, and backpack straps to carry it around with ease.
Things We Like
- Compact design with seating comfort
- Unique three-part design ensures sturdiness
Things We Don't Like
- Not sturdy and very uncomfortable
Summit Viper Elite SD
- Weight: 17lbs
- Seat Size: 18″ W x 12″ D
- Holding Capacity: 250lbs
Viper Elite is an upgraded version of Viper and 3 pounds lighter. It has a close front stand made from a round aluminum tube and coated with death metal, making zero to no noise when in use. It has a quickdraw trigger draw system that secures everything in place. Not to worry about the installation of the stand as it comes with all the required hardware. Mesh sling design lightweight seat which is found to be very comfortable during the long sitting period. The frame includes a four-point harness system with safety straps, utility strap, umbilical rope, and camo backpack straps.
Things We Like
- Lightweight yet tough
- Portable and comfortable
- Safe & easy to use
Things We Don't Like
- Instructions are poor
- Padding is loud
Lone Wolf Sit and Climb II
- Weight: 21lbs
- Seat size: 30″ W x 19.5″ D
- Holding Capacity: 350lbs
This one would be a wise investment towards your hunting hobby. It packs down to a slim profile for easy carrying. The stand comes with a pivoting seat and climbs feature, making climbing up and down easy while offering comfort when sitting. The seat features two-panel contoured foam that ensures comfort during prolonged sitting hours. For safety purposes, the stand includes an extra backpack and a bungee backstrap, features a 3D camo design with TMA approved 6pt fall arrest system.
The only drawback people face with this tree stand Is with its adaptability to tall hunters. Hunters with longer legs and torso have reported uncomfortable experiences.
Things We Like
- Comfortable & compact
- Adjustable and low on noise
Things We Don't Like
- It's not low priced
Summit Goliath SD
- Weight: 25lbs
- Seat size: 18″ W x 12″ D
- Holding Capacity: 350lbs
It is one the most preferred tree stands by big hunters for its whopping 350-pound weight holding capacity. The foam layered and padded seat, backrest, and armrests make it one of the most comfortable chairs on a climbing tree stand. It is designed so as a hunter can spend long hours sitting in the chair comfortably. The climber stand features a solid front bar that makes climbing easy and makes it convenient to place your gun during long wait hours. The Goliath stand is designed from Sound Dead Technology hence making it a very quiet stand. The materials and the parts used are of extremely high quality.
Things We Like
- Materials, design & functionality of top-notch
- Versatile and comfortable
Things We Don't Like
- No con, the product is worth the money
Summit 180 Max
- Weight: 26lbs
- Seat size: 24.50″ W x 43″ L
- Holding Capacity: 350lbs
An adjustable-height seat with 180-degree spin with comfort and reliability. Precision welded aluminum lends a sturdy structure and helps in keeping the weight down. Reversible foam seat with a backrest offers comfort. Highly durable, noiseless Summit 180 is light in weight and easy to use climber that provides 350 lbs holding capacity. Four-point harness included with safety strap and SRS strap attached.
Things We Like
- A four-point safety harness ensures safety
- Noiseless (Sound Dead technology)
- Adjustable seat height and surround seat
- Heavy-duty and ergonomic
- Perfect for tall and heavyweight hunters
Things We Don't Like
- Packing of the stand can be tough
What features should I look for in a Lightweight Climbing Tree Stand?
Mobility
The benefit of a lightweight tree stand is that you can run to several locations while carrying the stand on your back. Because a lightweight tree stand means a smaller platform that might sound okay in practical use, it means significantly insufficient space to move.
Functionality
Often to achieve a lightweight product, a lot of functionalities are compromised. Hence you got to choose a stand which matches your requirements. You might want a more prominent platform or padded seat with a backrest; thus, make a note of your requirements before picking a tree stand.
Comfort & Durability
Watch out for comfort because when you will sit/stand on the treestand for long hours, you don’t want to be in an uncomfortable position. Often lightweight stands are designed to use a poor choice of materials by manufacturers; hence we would suggest you thoroughly check the product before picking.
Noise
A lot of manufacturers boast of their products being noise-free. We would suggest you check them to ensure a backup because the smallest creek can spook your nearby game.
Frequently asked questions:-
What are some essentials for a climbing tree stand?
Functionality, comfort, and strength of a tree stand some space to place your gear, draw your bow, rest your rifle, and a hook to put your bow are some key features to look in a good tree stand.
Does the tree stand have any shortcomings?
The only limitation these tree stands pose is your hunting location, where the trees need to have straight trunks and tight barks because you don’t want to slide down in the middle of your hunting game.
How high should I go with a tree stand?
Many bowhunters like to go as high as 17 to 20ft up the tree, but you don’t have to follow this. You need to adjust the height as per your specific needs.
When should I invest in a lightweight tree stand model?
When you plan to go to several places off the road and don’t want to stress about your tree stand’s weight, you can invest in an excellent lightweight tree stand.
Will my weight affect the model of climbing tree stand I’m selecting?
The majority of the tree stands have a holding capacity of 300 pounds. Some big hunters or hunters with more gear look for 350 pounds or higher model holding capacity.
Summary
While there are a plethora of options to explore, you need to zero down your requirements. You need to ensure safety before anything else, and you should feel safe and comfortable while climbing up, sitting, and climbing down a tree stand.