What’s the best ladder stand for big guys? We know the right answer.
Are you a big guy planning to do away with hunting chairs and ground blinds in the forthcoming hunting season because of their cumbersomeness?
We recommend replacing them with heavy-duty tree stands, also referred to as climbing stands or hunt stands.
A ladder stand allows you to position yourself firmly, almost adjacent to the treetop, providing you all-around and long-range visibility, letting you see quarries with clarity.
So, what is the best ladder stand for big guys? Of course, the first criterion for evaluating such a ladder stand is that it should be able to support your bulk without becoming unstable. Then again, the product should be a breeze to set up and dismantle-after all, you’d want to devote the better part of your available time to look for games.
Portability is another aspect you might want to consider as you may want to get bogged down lugging the unit. You may have to factor in a few other attributes before making up your mind about the product that is apt for you. They are discussed in the buyer’s guide section. We’ve reviewed the five best ladder stands for big guys for your convenience.
Top 5 Best Ladder Stands for Big Men
| Model | Limit " | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Treestands The Nexus Ladder Stand (Editor's Choice) | 500 | Check Price |
| Big Dog BDL-1050 Ladder Stand | 500 | Check Price |
| Guide Gear Wrap-a-Round Ladder Stand | 500 | Check Price |
| Ameristep Ladder Stand | 500 | Check Price |
| Muddy Skybox Deluxe Ladder Tree Stand | 300 | Check Price |
Big Game Treestands The Nexus Ladderstand
The 20-ft long Nexus Ladderstand from Big Game Treestands can spice up your hunting expedition. The seat makes the most of Flex-Tek Zero-Gravity technology, allowing two heavyweight hunters to sit alongside without worrying about tripping. In addition, the nylon silencers keep the entire contraption from creaking or squelching.
The foot platform is broad enough to allow two heavy individuals to rest their legs comfortably. Thickly cushioned armrests, flip-back footrest, and broad steel traction grates add to your hunting pleasure. Accessorial hooks and drink holders make this ladder stand all the more versatile. The four single-rail ladder sections, two ratchet straps, two stabilizer straps, and a support bar have been constructed from industrial-grade steel, making the Nexus Ladder stand one of the best ladder stands for big guys.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction: can support hunters weighing up to 500lbs.
- Twin full-body harness straps make this product extra safe.
- Flex-Tek Zero Gravity Seat for stable support
- Designed for accommodating two heavyweight hunters
- Extra thick shooting rail for getting a steady shot
- Shooting rail flips up for offering greater shooting leeway.
- Long and broad foot platform
Cons
- The receptacle for holding rifles could have been better.
- Setting up the stand could be an issue for some.
All in all, the Big Game Treestands Nexus Ladderstand is an ideal product for hunters who lug around 500lbs of bodyweight.
Big Dog BDL-1050 17.5’ Stadium Serie (Editor’s Choice)
If you’re looking for a durable and performance-oriented ladder stand for your hunting tours, then you can settle for the Big Dog BDL-1050 17.5’ Stadium Serie. This hunt stand comes with comfortable seating for two big guys along with a blind. The framework has been chiseled out of heavy-duty steel with dual rails.
Thanks to the padded armrests and backrests, the seat curves in tandem with your profile and lets you sit in leisure. The foot platform meshes for added comfort and safety. The camouflaged blind envelops the shooting rail completely and the footrest bar. The ladder support platform is adjustable, and the ladder sections are securely tethered to each other.
Pros
- Skybox seating for two hunters
- Camouflaged blind included
- Dual-tube ladder sections are shaped out of sturdy steel.
- Cushioned seats with the ideal curvature to match your body profile
- Padded armrests and backrest
- Meshed foot platform
- Can seat two individuals, each weighing 300-lbs
- Safety harness straps for preventing falls and trips
Cons
- Being double-railed, fitting the sections together will need some effort.
- The paint finishing is of substandard quality.
- The seat is somewhat shallow.
- The shooting bar is not moveable or adjustable.
On the whole, this Big Dog DBL-1050 17.5’ Stadium Serie is the best ladder stand for those who are on the lookout for a functional and affordable product.
Guide Gear 2-Man 16’ Wrap-a-Round Ladder Tree Stand
The Guide Gear 2-Man 16’ Wrap-a-Round Ladder Tree Stand is one of heavy hunters’ most resourceful ladder stands. This hunt stand is equipped with a large seat with enough room for two persons. The seat is heavily cushioned and also has padded armrests.
The shooting rail has pads as well and flips up for shooting convenience. The supporting bar of the ladder is adjustable as per one’s preference and needs. Two safety harnesses are also attached for checking accidental trips and falls.
Pros
- Can support persons with a weight of up to 500lbs
- The framework has been carved out of hardwearing steel.
- The seat is large and broad enough for two heavy individuals.
- The platform is shaped like a half-moon.
- The seat and armrests are fully cushioned.
- Padded shooting rail with flip-up feature
- The support bar is adjustable.
- Dual safety harnesses included
Cons
- The ladder could be a tad uncomfortable for two heavyweight adults.
- Cushions are not as thickly padded as claimed by the manufacturer.
- There is no backrest-a feature many users will feel the absence of
The Guide Gear 2-Man Ladder Tree Stand, costing under $170, is, on the whole, a good buy for budget-conscious hunters.
Ameristep 15-Feet Two Man Ladder Stand (Camo)
The Ameristep 15-feet Two Man Ladder Stand is the most affordable amongst our review’s four ladder stands. However, if you nurse the impression that this product does not deliver on the performance front, then you’d be making a mistake. The rail sections, bars, and platforms have been produced out of a premium grade of materials, making this product supremely versatile.
The seat, large enough for two hunters, and the shooting rail are fully padded. In addition, this Ameristep ladder stand comes with a dual-safety harness and can support hunters weighing up to 500lbs.
Pros
- Weight support capacity:-500lbs
- Durable construction
- Supremely affordable
- Comfortable seating for two adult hunters
- Padded seat and shooting rail
- Two Safety harnesses
Cons
- Many users will feel the need for additional ratchet ends for making the ladder extra stable
- Plastic washers on nuts and bolts compromise its durability
- Several upgrades are required for making it sturdier
Muddy Skybox Deluxe Ladder Tree Stand (300 Lb Weight Limit)
We bet you won’t have come across a better ladder stand for big guys than this one. It allows you to hunt stress-free and in a perfect stealthy manner; moreover, you can stay out of sight and stay at the top of your game. The Skybox Deluxe tree stands constructed out of premium steel are incredibly durable and hardwearing, and capable of supporting hunters weighing up to 350lbs (159kgs).
This huntsman deluxe 17 ft ladder comes with a spacious platform that lets you position yourself comfortably with room to spare. The seating platform measures 22” (width) x 17” (depth) x 19” (height) and features lumbar support allowing you to sit contentedly for hours. In addition, the backseat can be flipped conveniently when you need more room or space while you’re hunting standing up.
Also, you can make the most of the adjustable two-way flip-back cushioned shooting rail while attempting to set the depth and height. This exploits silencer technology to the hilt guaranteeing out-and-out stealth, thus boosting your chances of ensnaring games. In addition, the silencer technology ensures no metal-to-metal contact when you’re adjusting the seat or shooting rail for aiming for a game.
Pros
- An extremely long ladder with a sizeable stable seat allows you to perch yourself firmly even on less-than-perfect trees
- Durable construction ensures long-term performance
- Flex-Tek flip-back seat style
- It comes with a 4-pt safety harness
- Can support up to 350 lbs
- Double rail ladder with flip-back footrest
Cons
- Customer service is practically non-existent
- Useless assembly instructions
How to Pick the Best Ladder Stand for Big Guys
If you’re in the market (offline or online) for buying a ladder stand that can easily support a large and bulky hunter, then evaluate the product based on the following attributes:-
- Weight capacity. This factor is the most crucial consideration. The more the weight supporting capacity of the product, the better it’ll be for you. However, it’s the same thing as with the best float tubes for big guys – take into account that this aspect will make the product heavier and less portable.
- Type. You can go for one-person or two-person tree stands as per your hunting preference.
- Portability. Finding a ladder stand that is portable and capable of supporting bulky individuals would indeed be a tall order but not an impossible task.
- Platform size. Ladder stands with broader platforms allow you to shoot while standing and minimize tripping chances.
- Safety harness. Safety harnesses keep you strapped to your seat (so that you don’t fall off accidentally during sudden, on-the-spur movements.
Conclusion: What’s the Best Ladder Stand for Heavy People?
We analyzed four products to come up with an answer to the question. The first two products from Big Game Treestands and Big Dog had everything going for them, and so they fully deserve the tag, ‘best ladder stand for big guys.’
Accordingly, both these products are priced at about $250. The last two products were also good enough but had serious design flaws. However, these two ladder stands are usually priced within $100-$170.