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Stepp Ladder reviews...

DaveT1963 said:
I like them for platform steps and often preset trees with them as such. I didn't care for trying to climb a tree with them as a stick just seems to be easier for me. I cut off the rope that comes with them as it becomes stiff and hard to work with. I splice on Amsteel 1/4 rope on mine and as a platform step they are usually rock solid if you work with them a bit.
Click to expand...
Where do you purchase your Amsteel 1/4" rope?
 
For me, getting the bag designed for the steps has helped. Like someone said before, they are a useful tool in a hunter's box.

I'm not that great at descending and getting them in the bag neatly like I can do in my garage preparing for a hunt, but working on it.

Being tall, they seem to be as efficient or slightly more than sticks (in regards to weight not time). However, adding aiders to the sticks has changed that. The weight to height factor is now on the stick side.

I have had them for five seasons, probably making 10-12 climbs with them. Someone earlier mentioned leaving stepps in the top of the tree and then bringing sticks in and out. I accidentally stumbled across this method by removing the bottom 5 or 6 stepps for a public land set I wanted to hunt a couple days later. Got home and thought, 'man, 2 sticks would take no time to put up' and returned with them. Sticks are definitely faster.

I probably could have summed all of this up by saying I wouldn't have Stepps as my ONLY climbing aid, but that they are useful in certain situations.
 
PJC said:
What brand are those Helium Sticks? Are they two or three step sticks?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the slow reply. Hawk helium is the brand. I have cut them down to 2 step sticks and use raiders to make 2 of them 3 steps again. Its a height and weight advantage. 3 step from factory is like 32". I have them 3 step is 40". My bottom step I have been using a 4 step aide with pretty good results. I have found however that my 20" step spacing can be tricky when it comes to the aider step cause it can swing. I might pick up another 3 pack and put a shorter aider on the top 2, say 16". Always looking for what works best for me, as we are all different.

Also I have modified them by switching to rope and a Versace button instead of the strap and buckle. Currently using 8 or 9mm rope, not amsteel. I may upgrade to amsteel next yr as it worked well on my xop platform.
I buy my amsteel from reddin marine. They were bought out by another company, just google it and you will be redirected. The new site wasnt as good last time I checked, but call to order and they can't get anything and have best price. They are like 2 miles from the samson factory.:cool:
 
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kenn1320 said:
Also I have modified them by switching to rope and a Versace button instead of the strap and buckle.
Click to expand...

Now we're talking about Versace mods....? Between sewing pillows and girls clothing, to modding purses, this website sure is losing its masculinity.


In all seriousness though, how hard was the cut down mod for the Hawk Heliums? I am planning on doing the same for at least 1 of my 3.


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IkemanTX said:
Now we're talking about Versace mods....? Between sewing pillows and girls clothing, to modding purses, this website sure is losing its masculinity.


In all seriousness though, how hard was the cut down mod for the Hawk Heliums? I am planning on doing the same for at least 1 of my 3.


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Click to expand...

Stupid spell check. Lol. The mod was pretty easy, just have to sort out where to put them given all the slots. They seem to be in the wrong place. Lol
 
kenn1320 said:
Stupid spell check. Lol. The mod was pretty easy, just have to sort out where to put them given all the slots. They seem to be in the wrong place. Lol
Click to expand...

Fortunately for this mod, I have the older version without the milled holes. I can move it literally anywhere.


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Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since i've checked into this forum, or any forum. I love reading the reviews on the SteppLadder, both good and bad! I wanted to touch on a few things that you guys brought up.

-I have been using the SteppLadder for 15 years now, ever since I started hunting with Jim Stepp when I was 12 years old. Sometimes I am a bit of an outlier when it comes to explaining the ease of using the SteppLadder, as I have been using them for so long that I can tie them blind folded, upside down, sideways, underwater you name it I can do it. However there has been years of practice and I was taught by the man himself, Jim. What I can tell you is that once you get the hang of the loop you should be able to cruise up a tree. Myself personally, as well as my little sister and anyone that uses them correctly with a little practice can climb 20+ feet in less than 5 minutes effortlessly.

-I noticed a few posts about the rope being hard to work with, we converted from Jim's older brown round rope to a new smoother, flat polypropylene rope that keeps its memory, does not pigtail, and is easy to work with in the cold. This rope has a tinsel strength of 2800 lbs.

-When it comes to getting the SteppLadder secure to the tree, if done properly it should be rock solid even with lateral pressure. I tell many people that in order to get the stepp tight and secure to the tree you need to put a little force into it (not much but enough to push the standoffs into the bark of the tree). The key to getting the stepp as tight as possible is to bring the stand offs (the sharp ends) above the lateral line of the rope and pull as much slack out of the rope as possible, then push a little slack out of the rope and cam it over.

-We are days away from releasing the SteppLadder Aider! I am not here to convince anyone that their method of climbing is better than the other method, my thoughts are simple, whatever works best for you is the method you should go with. Personally, I like compact, light weight, strong and ease of use when being mobile. With the new SteppLadder aider, you will be able to climb 20 Feet with only 5 Stepps. That means you can carry 5 lbs into the woods with you in the most compact way and climb 20 feet. I will be posting videos on this new design shortly.

-Using the SteppLadder to climb and as a platform with a saddle in my mind is the ultimate combo! I hunt a lot of public land accessed by kayak and when in a run and gun mindset the SteppLadder is the ultimate set up. The Stepps can be placed at the exact foot placement that you need to make it easy to run around the tree for multiple shot opportunities.

-The strength is unbeatable! Put it this way, I hung my 3,000lb tractor off the ground by one stepp.

I hope I touched on a few areas for you guys, I love hearing all the different thoughts out there! Please feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email with any questions that you have. I will get better at following up on this forum with any questions or comments.

All my best,
Andrew | President
Wild Edge Inc.
www.wildedgeinc.com
 
SteppsbyWildEdgeInc said:
-We are days away from releasing the SteppLadder Aider! I am not here to convince anyone that their method of climbing is better than the other method, my thoughts are simple, whatever works best for you is the method you should go with. Personally, I like compact, light weight, strong and ease of use when being mobile. With the new SteppLadder aider, you will be able to climb 20 Feet with only 5 Stepps. That means you can carry 5 lbs into the woods with you in the most compact way and climb 20 feet. I will be posting videos on this new design shortly.
Click to expand...
Andrew, as always I appreciate your direct input to the site!

I have to say, for me and my hunting situations, this is the first time the stepp ladder has really peaked my interest. I can't wait to see the videos!
 
SteppsbyWildEdgeInc said:
Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since i've checked into this forum, or any forum. I love reading the reviews on the SteppLadder, both good and bad! I wanted to touch on a few things that you guys brought up.

-I have been using the SteppLadder for 15 years now, ever since I started hunting with Jim Stepp when I was 12 years old. Sometimes I am a bit of an outlier when it comes to explaining the ease of using the SteppLadder, as I have been using them for so long that I can tie them blind folded, upside down, sideways, underwater you name it I can do it. However there has been years of practice and I was taught by the man himself, Jim. What I can tell you is that once you get the hang of the loop you should be able to cruise up a tree. Myself personally, as well as my little sister and anyone that uses them correctly with a little practice can climb 20+ feet in less than 5 minutes effortlessly.

-I noticed a few posts about the rope being hard to work with, we converted from Jim's older brown round rope to a new smoother, flat polypropylene rope that keeps its memory, does not pigtail, and is easy to work with in the cold. This rope has a tinsel strength of 2800 lbs.

-When it comes to getting the SteppLadder secure to the tree, if done properly it should be rock solid even with lateral pressure. I tell many people that in order to get the stepp tight and secure to the tree you need to put a little force into it (not much but enough to push the standoffs into the bark of the tree). The key to getting the stepp as tight as possible is to bring the stand offs (the sharp ends) above the lateral line of the rope and pull as much slack out of the rope as possible, then push a little slack out of the rope and cam it over.

-We are days away from releasing the SteppLadder Aider! I am not here to convince anyone that their method of climbing is better than the other method, my thoughts are simple, whatever works best for you is the method you should go with. Personally, I like compact, light weight, strong and ease of use when being mobile. With the new SteppLadder aider, you will be able to climb 20 Feet with only 5 Stepps. That means you can carry 5 lbs into the woods with you in the most compact way and climb 20 feet. I will be posting videos on this new design shortly.

-Using the SteppLadder to climb and as a platform with a saddle in my mind is the ultimate combo! I hunt a lot of public land accessed by kayak and when in a run and gun mindset the SteppLadder is the ultimate set up. The Stepps can be placed at the exact foot placement that you need to make it easy to run around the tree for multiple shot opportunities.

-The strength is unbeatable! Put it this way, I hung my 3,000lb tractor off the ground by one stepp.

I hope I touched on a few areas for you guys, I love hearing all the different thoughts out there! Please feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email with any questions that you have. I will get better at following up on this forum with any questions or comments.

All my best,
Andrew | President
Wild Edge Inc.
www.wildedgeinc.com
Click to expand...
I'm very interested to see what this aider looks like. In the past, I tried to put black diamond aider on a stepp and had a heck of a time climbing. For sure keep us informed.

@Tracker15 this may be the aider solution you are looking for.....

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I know he's coming out with a linesman's belt too that will double as a tether. I'm also interested in seeing that.
 
SteppsbyWildEdgeInc said:
Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since i've checked into this forum, or any forum. I love reading the reviews on the SteppLadder, both good and bad! I wanted to touch on a few things that you guys brought up.

-I have been using the SteppLadder for 15 years now, ever since I started hunting with Jim Stepp when I was 12 years old. Sometimes I am a bit of an outlier when it comes to explaining the ease of using the SteppLadder, as I have been using them for so long that I can tie them blind folded, upside down, sideways, underwater you name it I can do it. However there has been years of practice and I was taught by the man himself, Jim. What I can tell you is that once you get the hang of the loop you should be able to cruise up a tree. Myself personally, as well as my little sister and anyone that uses them correctly with a little practice can climb 20+ feet in less than 5 minutes effortlessly.

-I noticed a few posts about the rope being hard to work with, we converted from Jim's older brown round rope to a new smoother, flat polypropylene rope that keeps its memory, does not pigtail, and is easy to work with in the cold. This rope has a tinsel strength of 2800 lbs.

-When it comes to getting the SteppLadder secure to the tree, if done properly it should be rock solid even with lateral pressure. I tell many people that in order to get the stepp tight and secure to the tree you need to put a little force into it (not much but enough to push the standoffs into the bark of the tree). The key to getting the stepp as tight as possible is to bring the stand offs (the sharp ends) above the lateral line of the rope and pull as much slack out of the rope as possible, then push a little slack out of the rope and cam it over.

-We are days away from releasing the SteppLadder Aider! I am not here to convince anyone that their method of climbing is better than the other method, my thoughts are simple, whatever works best for you is the method you should go with. Personally, I like compact, light weight, strong and ease of use when being mobile. With the new SteppLadder aider, you will be able to climb 20 Feet with only 5 Stepps. That means you can carry 5 lbs into the woods with you in the most compact way and climb 20 feet. I will be posting videos on this new design shortly.

-Using the SteppLadder to climb and as a platform with a saddle in my mind is the ultimate combo! I hunt a lot of public land accessed by kayak and when in a run and gun mindset the SteppLadder is the ultimate set up. The Stepps can be placed at the exact foot placement that you need to make it easy to run around the tree for multiple shot opportunities.

-The strength is unbeatable! Put it this way, I hung my 3,000lb tractor off the ground by one stepp.

I hope I touched on a few areas for you guys, I love hearing all the different thoughts out there! Please feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email with any questions that you have. I will get better at following up on this forum with any questions or comments.

All my best,
Andrew | President
Wild Edge Inc.
www.wildedgeinc.com
Click to expand...

Awesome man can't wait


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Will you have a booth at ATA with new aider?


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Will the new aider , work with our existing Stepp ?


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Very interested in this also. Still trying to find the perfect way to climb on state land.
 
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