I just ordered one as I am intrigued. I am concerned about getting my foot in the steps especially as you get closer to the stirrups as you climb. I watched all the videos and thought it was worth a try. We will see…….
I just ordered one as I am intrigued. I am concerned about getting my foot in the steps especially as you get closer to the stirrups as you climb. I watched all the videos and thought it was worth a try. We will see…….
The best trees for this are leaning slightly toward you as you climb for foot placement so it tends to naturally hang away from the tree just slightly.I got mine last week. I have only tried 3 climbs with it, but I am having a very hard time getting my second and third foot in the steps. Yes, I have watched all of the videos. I think might actually prefer a shorter version that just is designed to take one step, then get step in stirrups, flip the the bottom portion and repeat.
Of course, you can do the same thing with the current version by hanging it lower on each move. However, there is a lot of extra webbing that isn’t needed with this approach.
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The best trees for this are leaning slightly toward you as you climb for foot placement so it tends to naturally hang away from the tree just slightly.
Foot space on the rungs is my concern too. I ordered a Sladder Tuesday and it’s due to arrive today. I will play with it this weekend and report back.I got mine last week. I have only tried 3 climbs with it, but I am having a very hard time getting my second and third foot in the steps. Yes, I have watched all of the videos. I think might actually prefer a shorter version that just is designed to take one step, then get step in stirrups, flip the the bottom portion and repeat.
Of course, you can do the same thing with the current version by hanging it lower on each move. However, there is a lot of extra webbing that isn’t needed with this approach.
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It’s also not just sticking your foot in the rungs. It’s inserting your boot toe into the rung, then as your boot tip closes to the tree slightly lift up and put slight downward pressure with the beginning back third of your foot (basically where your heel begins or just slightly more forward on your foot than that) on the rung to begin to capture it as your toes are now bending up on the tree, then your boot toe moves back down sliding along the tree as your heel moves the rung out slightly. Those are the foot motions muscle memory movements to keep practicing with it. It’s just like anything else you will develop a rhythm to it as I becomes more and more second nature. Like driving steering etc. as conscious thought moves too subconscious action.That makes sense, but I don’t want to be limited. I’ll try practicing on a leaner and then maybe my muscle memory will improve to the point that any tree is acceptable. Thanks for the suggestion!
How the heck did you set up in that tree lol. Lots of cutting of vines?I haven’t climbed with anything else this season.
So far, it’s on par, or surpasses bolts for me. I will report when I meet a “standard” tree that I can’t use it in.
Just used it in this to kill this guy…
View attachment 96480View attachment 96481
Man I gotta be more aggressive on my set ups. Nice
Man I gotta be more aggressive on my set ups. Nice
I'm not an owner/user (yet), but an extensive reviewer of interest. It seems to me that those who like it and use it effectively do not use the top 2 steps. They go right from the 3rd to the top step to the stirrups. Watching this on video seems easy and not an excessive reach. Seems like you should just pretend those two steps aren't there and therefore stop worrying about their distance from the tree.I tried the system again today and the top couple of steps is tough for me on foot room. I am 6’1” and have the 8’ version. I like everything about the Sladder except the foot room on the top 2 steps. Some guys are making it work but I am not sure if I am going to be able to. I am going to keep trying though. I would let my 8’ Sladder go though if anyone is interested in buying.
I'm not an owner/user (yet), but an extensive reviewer of interest. It seems to me that those who like it and use it effectively do not use the top 2 steps. They go right from the 3rd to the top step to the stirrups. Watching this on video seems easy and not an excessive reach. Seems like you should just pretend those two steps aren't there and therefore stop worrying about their distance from the tree.
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Can you send a closeup pic of this?I don't have a sladder nor have I seen 1 in person or used 1.....this is just to get ur brains working. When I was thinking/designing my stirrups I needed/wanted a way to hold the aider off the tree. I decided to forego weight and packability and made the stirrup itself into the "aider standoff" my aider attachment point is above the foot loops . The foot loops are super ridged 2" overhead lifting strap. After sewing that thick ridged webbing I can lay it on edge on the ground and stand on it and it supports my weight. So when I first attach the stirrup and clip the aider above the stirrup the aider is held off the trunk 2". Doesn't sound like much but it makes a world of difference getting ur footies into the step.....sound like u guys need an aider spacer of some sort
I had the same experience and wondered if just having fewer steps and a different spacing would have helped. Made me appreciate the need for stand offs from the tree. If there was a way to simply get a couple of inches like weldabeast talks about, that could be a game changer.I tried the system again today and the top couple of steps is tough for me on foot room. I am 6’1” and have the 8’ version. I like everything about the Sladder except the foot room on the top 2 steps. Some guys are making it work but I am not sure if I am going to be able to. I am going to keep trying though. I would let my 8’ Sladder go though if anyone is interested in buying.