Wild Edge/Silent approach/Cranford rope step comparison

[T.Clarke]

I've been wondering how each of these steps compare to each other as individual steps so today I spent some time putting them to the test. Some of my concerns were confirmed and I was even a little surprised at what I found on others.
I usually prefer to use my modified Hawk Helium sticks w/ aiders but found a few times while hunting out of state last year that they were too bulky and prone to snag on brush while hunting some really nasty, remote areas. I really want to find a system that works better for those situations and based on what I found today I think I figured it out...I think.
I started with the Bullman Outdoors Silent approach steps, I don't own these, a friend loaned them to me to try out.
Pros

• They are light and very packable
• Climbing and setting them is easy, the bags are easy access and not too bulky
• The cam buckles are simple, no knots or loops to fight with
• They are quiet

Cons

• The steps are actually pretty small, I didn't feel like I had a good grip on them at all
• Black straps stick out like a sore thumb, I walked away and looked back at the tree from about 40 yards and they were very obvious. I think grey or brown would be WAY better.
• The steps seem to twist and settle quite a bit, this might be a practice makes perfect thing?
• Not aider friendly

Next was the Cranford rope steps, I bought 8 of these a few years ago but haven't used them much, not sure why as I really like them every time I use them.
Pros

• They are strong, I feel like even when they twist I have a good grip on them
• They can be packed into a small pack and deployed just like the silent approach steps, hang the ropes from the pack and grab a step at a time, nothin to it.
• They blend into the tree really well with the grey ropes
• The ropes are easy to attach with a little practice and there aren't any buckles to mess with

Cons

• A little heavier than silent approach
• Metal is loud if you're not careful. There's gotta be a way to silence them
• They do twist a little no matter how hard you torque them down, not bad though
• Not really aider friendly, but maybe...

Last were the Wild Edge steps that I just bought from @Vtbow last week.
Pros

• These things are rock solid once you figure out how to cam them over properly
• I can stand on one step with both feet while hanging the next one
• Carrying them while climbing to set them up is pretty easy, just hang the ropes out of the bag and grab one step at a time from the top of the bag. I thought it would be more difficult but I was wr... that word is hard
• They blend into the tree pretty well, nothing black on them.
• Aiders can be added easily to shave weight per step
• Can be used as a platform

Cons

• The knot takes some serious practice, I spent quite a bit of time on it and I think I've got it pretty well figured out. I'll be practicing this daily until it feels natural
• They have some sharp edges on the standoffs, gloves will be helpful. I usually wear a cut resistant glove anyways so not a big deal
• They can easily damage the bark on a tree, probably worse than spikes in my opinion. I won't be setting them up in the trees in the yard for sure.

I think I will be using the Wild Edge steps or the Cranfords in that order, it's actually a tough call at this point. Maybe after an aider or knaider mod it'll be clear. Although I do like them I don't see an advantage other than a little weight to go with the Silent Approach steps, I'm actually pretty surprised by this as I expected to like them more than the others and have to figure out a creative way to convince my better half that I needed them.

 

[Vtbow]

Glad the stepps worked out or you- Great reviews and info!

 

[BRAVEHEART]

Nice review. It's always good to hear other's thoughts.

 

[EricS]

I’m a wild edge fan so I am a little biased. Installing the wild edge steps takes some practice but when you get it they are awesome. Super easy to use with an aider.

If you want to use an aider with the Cranford s or silent approach steps check out the red squirrel aider. It will work with any step or bolt system out there. You wouldn’t get the same distance per step as the wild edge because you can’t side load the others when climbing but you can still get more reach per step. @redsquirrel was also using an aider attached to the strap on a step but I haven’t heard him comment on it lately.

 

[Stickem]

Great review and I also Second what EricS said check out the red squirrel method and also the Cain method. I think your will be surprised at how much they help get up the tree with the WE steps quickly


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[T.Clarke]

Great review and I also Second what EricS said check out the red squirrel method and also the Cain method. I think your will be surprised at how much they help get up the tree with the WE steps quickly


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yeah, that’s the plan. I’ve been following the knaider and redsquirrel aider threads for a while and really want to give it a try, hence the new steps. It’s gonna be a fun summer!

 

[TreeFrog69]

Gr8 review. I use Bullman Outdoors Silent Approach Steps along w either their ROS platform or the Tethrd Predator...steps need some getting used to but not bad at all... portability, weight saving, and easy to use for minimalist saddle hunter... Cheers

 

[NDH]

This is a really well done review. I've had a similar experience, in that I always seem to come back to the Wild Edge steps after tinkering with other options. I've gone through a ton of stick options, and fiddled with the squirrel steps on an OCB. At the end of the day, I keep coming back to 5 Wild Edge steps and a knaider. YMMV, but for me it's the best ratio of weight/packability/attainable height out there, especially for a run and gun setup. Funny to think that it was the first climbing method I bought, too. Spent a lot of money trying to find a better climbing method since then, and it turns out I might have gotten it right on the first try!

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Great review… I haven’t tried the other steps, just a couple different stick and now I’m using WE steps with knaider and swaider… the knot definitely took some practice… after a sketchy climb I was just about ready to sell em… tried one more time and all of a sudden it clicked and I was up the tree in no time…I also rappel down now… I my flirt with one sticking as well but I’m liking the steps so far… also going to make a holster as I’m not a fan of the bag

 

[SHF Hunter]

Great information. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TreeCreep]

This is a really well done review. I've had a similar experience, in that I always seem to come back to the Wild Edge steps after tinkering with other options. I've gone through a ton of stick options, and fiddled with the squirrel steps on an OCB. At the end of the day, I keep coming back to 5 Wild Edge steps and a knaider. YMMV, but for me it's the best ratio of weight/packability/attainable height out there, especially for a run and gun setup. Funny to think that it was the first climbing method I bought, too. Spent a lot of money trying to find a better climbing method since then, and it turns out I might have gotten it right on the first try!

Agree.
Im currently one sticking and also started lightweight climbing with WE stepps. Something about 3-5 in a bag with moveable aider keeps me coming back to them.
Often downtime in offseason leads me to think about how to maximize equipment in the field and too much reading here.
weight/ bulk/ “safely” reach height in reasonable time/ out of pocket cost, is hard to beat on WE
*i’m 160 lbs and athletic - can see these not being comfortable for many.
seems the 7/bolt with aider and new pioneer step w amsteel combo are great lightweight options but I can’t make the case to buy set up vs 3 WE steps. Hopefully one of my hunting buddies picks some up ;

anyway coffee is a hell of a drug.

 

[CooterBrown]

have to figure out a creative way to convince my better half that I needed them. You have to ask??????????

 

[GeoFish]

I've been wondering how each of these steps compare to each other as individual steps so today I spent some time putting them to the test. Some of my concerns were confirmed and I was even a little surprised at what I found on others.
I usually prefer to use my modified Hawk Helium sticks w/ aiders but found a few times while hunting out of state last year that they were too bulky and prone to snag on brush while hunting some really nasty, remote areas. I really want to find a system that works better for those situations and based on what I found today I think I figured it out...I think.
I started with the Bullman Outdoors Silent approach steps, I don't own these, a friend loaned them to me to try out.
Pros

• They are light and very packable
• Climbing and setting them is easy, the bags are easy access and not too bulky
• The cam buckles are simple, no knots or loops to fight with
• They are quiet

Cons

• The steps are actually pretty small, I didn't feel like I had a good grip on them at all
• Black straps stick out like a sore thumb, I walked away and looked back at the tree from about 40 yards and they were very obvious. I think grey or brown would be WAY better.
• The steps seem to twist and settle quite a bit, this might be a practice makes perfect thing?
• Not aider friendly

Next was the Cranford rope steps, I bought 8 of these a few years ago but haven't used them much, not sure why as I really like them every time I use them.
Pros

• They are strong, I feel like even when they twist I have a good grip on them
• They can be packed into a small pack and deployed just like the silent approach steps, hang the ropes from the pack and grab a step at a time, nothin to it.
• They blend into the tree really well with the grey ropes
• The ropes are easy to attach with a little practice and there aren't any buckles to mess with

Cons

• A little heavier than silent approach
• Metal is loud if you're not careful. There's gotta be a way to silence them
• They do twist a little no matter how hard you torque them down, not bad though
• Not really aider friendly, but maybe...

Last were the Wild Edge steps that I just bought from @Vtbow last week.
Pros

• These things are rock solid once you figure out how to cam them over properly
• I can stand on one step with both feet while hanging the next one
• Carrying them while climbing to set them up is pretty easy, just hang the ropes out of the bag and grab one step at a time from the top of the bag. I thought it would be more difficult but I was wr... that word is hard
• They blend into the tree pretty well, nothing black on them.
• Aiders can be added easily to shave weight per step
• Can be used as a platform

Cons

• The knot takes some serious practice, I spent quite a bit of time on it and I think I've got it pretty well figured out. I'll be practicing this daily until it feels natural
• They have some sharp edges on the standoffs, gloves will be helpful. I usually wear a cut resistant glove anyways so not a big deal
• They can easily damage the bark on a tree, probably worse than spikes in my opinion. I won't be setting them up in the trees in the yard for sure.

I think I will be using the Wild Edge steps or the Cranfords in that order, it's actually a tough call at this point. Maybe after an aider or knaider mod it'll be clear. Although I do like them I don't see an advantage other than a little weight to go with the Silent Approach steps, I'm actually pretty surprised by this as I expected to like them more than the others and have to figure out a creative way to convince my better half that I needed them.

I am using double swaiders with steps. I have two steps and get as high as four.
Take a look at my post; Time for a Change | saddlehunter.com