Summit specialist is what I hunt out of comfy and light and I carried it about a mile in southern Ohio Sent from my Nokia Lumia 929 using Tapatalk
I have a summit razor and like the fact I can use the bar in front to climb with but fold it out of the way to hunt. Lone wolfs are nice stands too. I don't own one but have toyed with the idea of buying one.
Summit Titan here. Few extra pounds but worth every ounce once you get in the tree. Great space and comfort.
I've used them all and greatly prefer my Lone Wolf Sit and Climb. I've modified it with a Summit seat as I find it a lot more comfortable. Years ago member buckeye suggested to sew the tree strap from the Lone Wolf seat into the Summit seat as it's a lot quieter then the bungee cords that come in the Summit seat, that is how mine is setup as well. Overall the Lone Wolf is much easier to pack and waaay quieter than any other stand I've used. The fact that the Lone Wolf folds flat also makes the weight carry easier as well. It keeps the weight close to your body and makes it feel lighter (think leverage). Add a quality set of neoprene gun slings as backpack straps and you have the ultimate mobile hunting setup IMHO. When I was still hunting NY and PA 4 out of 5 of my hunts were in this climber for many years and even with hikes over a mile in it was comfortable to pack the LW.
I use a summit viper and love it I've tried several but it just comes down to what you really want in a stand.
If you want more comfort while on stand I am sure the Summit wins. If you want comfort carrying in and something more quiet go with a Lone Wolf. I have had both and once I bought my LW handclimber 7 years ago, i never looked back. Great stand its just about all I hunt out of.
I don't prefer climbers... but this I know to be true. The issue is not weight as much as it is ergonomics. A stand that is uncomfortable/awkward to carry at any weight is a pain. On the other hand, one that fits into a nice flat bundle and balances on your back is a joy, even if it is a pound or two heavier.
Lone Wolf sit and climb here. I have used others but prefer the LW for the reasons already stated. They are expensive but they are rock solid and quiet and fairly comfortable maybe not as comfortable as Summit but they pack much easier.
Packing a stand a mile or more is not my cup of tea. Did it once and got a deer. Ended up packing out the gear one mile. Then taking a deer cart back in to get the deer another mile. Then dragging it back out another mile. Now I either look for a a closer place to park or another place to hunt. Summit Titan, Goliath or a Treewalker from now on for me.
Summit makes a great line of stands and are available just about anywhere. Treewalker tree stands are well worth taking a look at if you are considering a new stand. They are made in Tennessee and not available in box stores. TREEWALKER Treestands are super lightweight aluminum, portable climbing treestands. The Promag series two piece climbing tree stands feature the comfortable EasyGlide adjustable treestand seat.
I wish everyone felt this way. Makes for a lot less pressure for those of us that aren't afraid to walk.
Matt: Do it while you can. At 62 years old, 1/2 of one lung missing, bad knees, and bad back, I feel lucky to still get out by myself and hunt out of trees.
