How far can you comfortably walk with your climber on your back?

I have a Summit Goliath which weighs about 20 lbs. This last weekend I wanted to practice doing a test run and walked to one of my stand locations to climb the tree and just sit and relax for while. It is about a 1/2 mile walk. When I was a little more than halfway my shoulders really started to hurt. Almost like a Charlie horse type feeling. It is not that the climber was heavy on my back.
I defiantly need a strap upgrade on my climber because this was no fun.
So I am curious as to others how far they can walk before your shoulders get sore? Did you do a strap upgrade?

 

I'm sorry for being ignorant, but what is GWW?

 

Yeah get the better straps! I never used the straps that come with a stand, to painful!

Did you go to the north kettles??

 

GWW is Grey Wolf Woolens I do believe.

I've always carried my Summit Viper and I did do a "custom" strap upgrade. I took straps off of a backpack that are really wide and have what is called a Gel strap. They are extremely comfortable and make a world of difference. Last year I started strapping my Loggy Bayou Predator with climbing sticks onto the bow carrier on my Badlands 2200 pack. In Kansas last year, I came out of the woods to find my truck gone... long story short the farmer had it towed because he couldn't get into his pasture. The gate was the designated parking spot which kinda hacked me off, but I digress. I walked out 7 miles with my pack, stand, sticks, bow and cold weather clothing. It was tough but not unbearable.

 

Got a Summit Bushmaster - I think around 16lbs...usually a little over a mile max for me as that gets you to back corner of any public land around here. Never much of a problem, but have had the summit straps leave marks on my should/collar bone as they can dig in pretty good if only wearing a T-shirt and stand is loaded down with my pack as well. But being as most times are under a half mile hike, I have yet to upgrade...I do love my Summit climber!

 

Yea Joe this was along CR SS near Zimmer Trail. Seeing a lot of deer up there.

So I see Summit sells strap upgrades.

For anyone that have the strap upgrades. Are those the complete answer? Are they comforable for miles of walking? Or would you suggest a custom upgrade? I don't want to spend $20 on straps that are just a little bit better and are not really the answer and end up making something else myself anyway.

 

One heck of a long ways. Since I use a tree saddle it is pretty light.

 

Never tried honestly. I have an API Grand Slam Supreme (not light), and I have the stock straps. I've carried it no farther than about 500yds at a time. Wasn't bad, but it certainly isn't a mile:D

 

I hunt across the road from the Zilmer trail parking lot in the big field behind the pines. This is where my son and I will be opening day, south end of the field right over the beans! I've seen 2 decent bucks there last week, a LOT of coyotes, thats the only problem with hunting there, your hunt could be over before it started!

 

Pm'd ya

 

Summit actually sent me a strap upgrade for FREE when I gave my Summit Razor stand a good review on HNI. :d

If they hadn't...I would have bought them anyway. The thin straps they come with come into my back and shoulder too much. Get the upgrade. You'll see a world of difference.

 

I've lugged mine in a mile and a half(GPS'd). Definitly sucks with the standard lone wolf straps. I hope to find a cheap replacement at some point.

 

Depends on where it is. Down hill I'm a tiger. Up hill... well I'm a sloth.. but I get there. LOL I hunt 99percent from my climber. At age 65 it's not as easy as it was when I was 40.:eeks: Still, I do love a climber and do what I have to. It's when you kill something way back in that the problems start. Carry the stand and bow 50 yards, go back and get the deer, carry the stand and bow 50 yards... go back and get the deer. I'm thinking I should seek out littler deer and make the work easier. LOL I hunt some public land in NY's Southern Tier every year. It's straight up hill for a LONG LONG ways, then into a swamp and finally an oak ridge. Once I'm there I leave the stand and just move it around for 2 or 3 days as I'm sure no one will ever find it. LOL It's NEVER comfortable. Good straps and a chest strap are a must.

 

You can take some towels and fold them, then tape them around the straps to provide some cheap comfort on the long hikes.

 

Not a bad idea.

 

The straps from graywolfwoolens.com are the best I have ever used.

 

You mean these?

GWW STRAPS

 

I'm feeling it at half a mile with my Summit Viper on my back. I was looking at a strap upgrade for this season myself.

 

Yes, they are excellent. I have two sets I like them so much.

 

I like the look of those straps. I may have to give those some serious thought.