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Stepp ladder who uses them?

Justhanginground

Justhanginground

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2017
Messages
135
Who uses Stepp Ladder steps and what's your thoughts on them. I have never used them. Is money better spent on sticks with aiders?


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I own 3
From my perspective... they are probably one of the best platforms out there.
I don’t know that I would deal with the weight and bulk of them to make them my climbing method. Their aider system makes the close to a contender. But, I don’t have bark damage restrictions to worry about. I just use drilled bolts and spurs instead.


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I actually just wrote up my review on these earlier today....

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Some background...I previously hunted from hang-ons and a climber. I decided to give a saddle a go this year. When using hang-ons in the past, I would carry in crappy sticks. They worked, but were loud and cumbersome.

Fast forward to this year. I probably practiced setting the stepps a dozen times prior to season. Toward the end I started incorporating an aider. Practice is definitely necessary with these. With that said, I think it is worth the effort if you are wanting a compact, lightweight run and gun setup. Once you master the knot and proper tension, the stepps are amazingly solid on the tree.

Finally had an opportunity to muzzleloader hunt last Sunday. My initial thought walking in to the woods: I don't feel like I'm carrying enough. No sticks catching on everything I'm walking by. Using this setup, this was the quietest setup I have ever accomplished. Using an aider, I was getting approximately 4 feet with each stepp. I set up 3 around the tree as a platform for my feet. Using 7 stepps (including the 3 for the platform) my feet were around 18 feet off the ground (I only set the platform 2 ft above my last stepp).

The short of it...my climb is slower than it was with sticks. I'm confident the gap with close with more experience. The amount of noise I made was exponentially quieter than I have accomplished in the past. These stepps are ROCK SOLID. I don't know if I can state that enough. I have not used a single other climbing system that compares in this category. Once you figure them out, they are amazing.

For someone not fond of carrying sticks, or looking for something more compact, and are willing to spend a little time practicing, this product is great. This will be my go to climbing system moving forward.
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It's all personal preference and what will fit your hunting style/priorities. These just happen to be a good match for me.
 
I definitely wanted them for a base. I have muddy sticks thought I might use them to preset some bases sense you can't find Ameristep plastic steps that won't cost you arm and leg.


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I use them as a platform sometimes. I am still getting the knot and tension down. They are very comfortable. I haven’t climbed with them yet but want to try like redsquirrel does. Bigasports has them and loves them. I’m sure he will chime in here
@ Bigasports


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Sticks are faster. They may be easier. They are heavier and harder to carry through the woods.

Stepps are a little slower. They require practice. They are lighter if using an aider. I have a set of 8. I go up six stepps then use the other two with the sixth step as a platform. They are versatile on what trees you can use them. They make a mess on pines and could get a little sticky if that's all you climb. Probably the best thing about them is they fit inside any backpack on the walk in and there's no gear sling that can beat the comfort of carrying inside a pack. I'm strongly considering getting rid of my lone wolf sticks. Once you get proficient with tying on stepps the only advantage the sticks have is speed. It's not a huge time savings. I haven't used the double step sticks but I definitely like the stepps better than lone wolf sticks. I like the millennium stick ladder for presets. As far as other climbing methods go I can't stand screw in steps. I like spikes but haven't tried to put them on or take them off while in the tree. The bolts could be an option. Aider only climbing is not for me. I may try one sticking at some point.
 
I use and like them. My disclaimer is that I have never used climbing sticks. As stated before, you do want to practice with them. That being said, I have installed them loose on purpose and stood on them (ground level) and although they would rock on me a little, they never failed. When installed as they should be, you might as well be standing on a 5" tree branch. It is not going to move! I also started using the aider once I got comfortable with them. I set the 1st step at hip height and the 2nd and every one after that as height as I can reach. I am clearing about 3.5 to 4 feet per step with the aider. I am very comfortable at the 3.5' mark as I do not have to stretch. I typically set 2 or 3 at the top for a platform depending on the size of the tree. I like how compact it is and how easily it caries through the woods. I take them even when hunting presets so I can change locations at any time.
 
Bought a set of 12 this season. Have practiced but not hunted with them yet as I don't have my kestrel yet. Really liking them so far. Solid, packs compact and with an aider you can carry fewer to go lighter. Speed is not an issue and they are quiet.


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For you guys using the step ladder aider. Do you have any problems finding or fishing your foot into the aider after dark on the way down? That's my only issue, I love the steps and the aider, but coming down after dark makes it difficult to find the aider. I tried putting it on my foot first, then stepping down but then adjusting it is a pain.
 
For sure but that’s my problem w every aider. It is worse for me on my sticks because that aider is tied to the bottom. Hit or miss. Stepp aider much better because it’s in your hand.


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Bought a set of 12 this fall, but now that I'm using an aider, could have gotten by with 8. Yes, they are a little slower than sticks, but I love that I can put everything inside my backpack. This is my first year in a saddle, so lots of changes for me, but so far am loving it!!


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gustafsj said:
Bought a set of 12 this fall, but now that I'm using an aider, could have gotten by with 8. Yes, they are a little slower than sticks, but I love that I can put everything inside my backpack. This is my first year in a saddle, so lots of changes for me, but so far am loving it!!


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Click to expand...
Want to sell a couple steps? Been thinking about trying a couple for a platform.

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Not ready to get rid of them yet... like the flexibility to go higher depending on where I'm going.

I ended up going with the Primal brand of the step and put Amsteel rope on them. Am trying 7/64" Amsteel as well and seems to hold just fine, it's still good for 1600 lbs of holding strength, so no worries here.


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GCTerpfan said:
For you guys using the step ladder aider. Do you have any problems finding or fishing your foot into the aider after dark on the way down? That's my only issue, I love the steps and the aider, but coming down after dark makes it difficult to find the aider. I tried putting it on my foot first, then stepping down but then adjusting it is a pain.
Click to expand...
What I have found works for me is to hold the loop up so only a foot is sticking below the step I am on. I keep hold of the aider in my hand and work my boot into the loop. I keep tension on the aider so my boot does not slip out of the loop while I push my leg out to the side. Then as I lower my body, my leg/boot in the aider loop make an arch motion out and down below me. My foot never gives the aider any slack and I know right where it is the entire time.

Hope that makes a little sense.
 
pilgrimhunter said:
Want to sell a couple steps? Been thinking about trying a couple for a platform.

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Click to expand...

They do sell them individually at wild edge. $17 each


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Gettin Closer said:
What I have found works for me is to hold the loop up so only a foot is sticking below the step I am on. I keep hold of the aider in my hand and work my boot into the loop. I keep tension on the aider so my boot does not slip out of the loop while I push my leg out to the side. Then as I lower my body, my leg/boot in the aider loop make an arch motion out and down below me. My foot never gives the aider any slack and I know right where it is the entire time.

Hope that makes a little sense.
Click to expand...

Yes it does. This is what I have started doing also. I just need to get more consistent with my distance between steps so I don't have to adjust the aidea going down.
 
I used these for the first time today. Very easy and solid. I have the aider and used it as well. Easy to use but can always improve.

Main reason I got these is some ofnthe areas I hunt the trees are not SRT friendly and did not want to luck my sticks. These fit the bill for the area and is light and compact.

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Can you post a pic of your step with the aider

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I love my stepps, just havent quite got the confidence with the aider yet. Have tried redsquirrels method and like it better. Do u guys run aider down thru stepp or off to side? I was running down right side but aider S hook kept accidentally clipping on stepp rope.


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I run the aider thru the step below if I'm understanding you correctly.

I did figure out today that I can just lower myself down with my arms instead of using the aider. Just grab the Stepp that is at chest level with both hands and lower away. Way easier for me.


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