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Calling All Ameristep Users!

redsquirrel said:
I'll go out to my car at lunch and take photos of the PERFECT strap on steps.

I want to go on the record to state my (strong) opinions.
1. I do not want folding steps. Folding steps add the potential for noise. The 1 folding step design I made out of the hawk helium cut offs would stick to my muddy boot and then drop down and make a ding. When you see the size of my ring of strap on steps you will understand why I feel this way.
2. I do not want a slot to slide the steps on. Again, to me this adds unnecessary room for error. It is much easier to semi tighten a strap and move the steps on the strap to where you want them than it is to set a strap and place steps on to it. It opens up the possibility of dropping steps and losing them. I have used steps with the slot before and if you want to keep them on the strap they will occasionally come off it in the packing process.
Click to expand...
While I like the folding step idea and think it would potentially be cheaper to manufacture (less waste in the milling process) I think we're all wise to listen when red speaks. I know what he's going to take pictures of, and I like it. It would definitely be lighter and more compact than what most are using.

Heck, there might be potential for 2 designs.
 
redsquirrel said:
I'll go out to my car at lunch and take photos of the PERFECT strap on steps.

I want to go on the record to state my (strong) opinions.
1. I do not want folding steps. Folding steps add the potential for noise. The 1 folding step design I made out of the hawk helium cut offs would stick to my muddy boot and then drop down and make a ding. When you see the size of my ring of strap on steps you will understand why I feel this way.
2. I do not want a slot to slide the steps on. Again, to me this adds unnecessary room for error. It is much easier to semi tighten a strap and move the steps on the strap to where you want them than it is to set a strap and place steps on to it. It opens up the possibility of dropping steps and losing them. I have used steps with the slot before and if you want to keep them on the strap they will occasionally come off it in the packing process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight

Could a folding step have some sort of lock that would engage to keep it from coming up with muddy boot? And then we depress the lock to fold up

I also think I’d want the steps permanently on the strap prior to installation & avoid chance of dropping with cold or wet hands


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Nutterbuster said:
While I like the folding step idea and think it would potentially be cheaper to manufacture (less waste in the milling process) I think we're all wise to listen when red speaks. I know what he's going to take pictures of, and I like it. It would definitely be lighter and more compact than what most are using.

Heck, there might be potential for 2 designs.
Click to expand...

I see the point about manufacturing

2 pretty flat pieces would seem simpler to produce than a single cast step

I really like the decrease in bulk with a folding design but Red has valid points for single piece design

Could u imagine a pile of carbon fiber bolts for climbing combined with folding steps ?

Could fit the whole set up in 2 beer coozies




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redsquirrel said:
1. I do not want folding steps. Folding steps add the potential for noise. The 1 folding step design I made out of the hawk helium cut offs would stick to my muddy boot and then drop down and make a ding. When you see the size of my ring of strap on steps you will understand why I feel this way.
/QUOTE]
Click to expand...

If there is simply some tension along the axis of the hing this won’t happen. Put a nylon washer on the hinge pin between the the two pieces and this problem is solved.

I’d much prefer to have a folding step because it will make packing much easier. If I don’t get that I will stay with my Ameristeps, but I really don’t like how they can’t be packed together in an organized manor and they take up more space than they need to.
 
Last edited:
I'm interested but....

... I've already paid inflated prices for my Ameristeps and worry this will undermine their market value...

... I'm not convinced there is that much marginal improvement involved here to justify the effort, change, or price...

... I'd rather see effort put into developing light weight short sticks (1.5 lb or less) that have double steps and use a cam cleat and don't cost $189-$316 for a set of four!


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TNSTAAFL said:
I'm interested but....

... I've already paid inflated prices for my Ameristeps and worry this will undermine their market value...

... I'm not convinced there is that much marginal improvement involved here to justify the effort, change, or price...

... I'd rather see effort put into developing light weight short sticks (1.5 lb or less) that have double steps and use a cam cleat and don't cost $189-$316 for a set of four!


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Click to expand...

There is not a way to get them cheap.


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ImThere said:
There is not a way to get them cheap.


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Click to expand...
I know, I get it.... so how about two out of three?

Light and cheap?
Light and easy (cam cleat)?
Easy (cam cleat) and cheap?

Beast sticks are light, but not easy (as defined by cam cleat) and definitely not cheap. 1-3

Muddy's are easy (cam cleat) but are not light nor cheap. 1-3

Can we use our innovators here to advance from 1 out of 3 to two out of three?

3 for 3 is a fantasy... but a boy can dream!




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TNSTAAFL said:
I know, I get it.... so how about two out of three?

Light and cheap?
Light and easy (cam cleat)?
Easy (cam cleat) and cheap?

Beast sticks are light, but not easy (as defined by cam cleat) and definitely not cheap. 1-3

Muddy's are easy (cam cleat) but are not light nor cheap. 1-3

Can we use our innovators here to advance from 1 out of 3 to two out of three?

3 for 3 is a fantasy... but a boy can dream!




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Click to expand...

I’m working on it. Will be next year for sure.


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redsquirrel said:
Can I tell you a "secret"?? I hate ameristeps!
Click to expand...

If redsquirrel is saying he “hates” Amerasteps I can’t wait to see what he is using!!!! If they pack better, install better, weigh less or function better I’m all ears. I haven’t come across anything that would pull me from Amerasteps and hate is a strong word. It must be good!


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Tjterry said:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/fpxgdrvc/

Anybody tried any of these. Just put it together, I've not tried it
Click to expand...
Go try those out and let us know. Bunch of us have cutoff heliums ready to go.

For those looking for light and cheap sticks - get your API Hunt'n sticks at Bass Pro for $79 and get 10% off that with 10OFF code. This thread is for ring of steps innovation.
 
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