Sladder by greyskwerel

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I'm not sure where you get the 1/3 as high as 4 sticks. With the sladder you can climb as high as you want. 7 feet, 14 feet, 21 feet, 28 feet, etc. Your only limitation is then you have to get down from there.

I agree that I think it is a fair price in this day and age. Is it pricey? Yes, just like everything else. But it is an attempt at a novel climbing method and there is a significant startup cost that goes along with that. I think it's a great idea and I hope it works out but I think it will always be a niche method. We have seen that it took over a year since this was introduced to us to then go to market and he has to make his money somehow. If this idea works as well as many of us hope then it will come in at around half the price of some of the high end sticks and maybe just a little higher than your average climbing method.

It says 7’ or 8’ model. I’m not a CAYG kinda guy so if I can get about 22’ with 4 sticks I cut that in 3 and got 7ish. But yes, if you purchase multiple/CAYG it becomes a nonissue.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

this can get you as high as you can climb...i agree though 199 is pretty high for what it is....just my opinion though

If you CAYG, yes. Oversight on my part but I don’t personally CAYG anything except myself up a tree. Just preference.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I'm not sure where you get the 1/3 as high as 4 sticks. With the sladder you can climb as high as you want. 7 feet, 14 feet, 21 feet, 28 feet, etc. Your only limitation is then you have to get down from there.

I agree that I think it is a fair price in this day and age. Is it pricey? Yes, just like everything else. But it is an attempt at a novel climbing method and there is a significant startup cost that goes along with that. I think it's a great idea and I hope it works out but I think it will always be a niche method. We have seen that it took over a year since this was introduced to us to then go to market and he has to make his money somehow. If this idea works as well as many of us hope then it will come in at around half the price of some of the high end sticks and maybe just a little higher than your average climbing method.

I feel like you maybe thought I was trashing the person for charging what I thought was a lot (sorry if that’s my own misunderstanding). Not at all what I meant to convey. I totally understand that a guy has to make his lunch money, what it takes to build something new and present it to market, and what it takes to run a startup, just not in this particular field. So I don’t begrudge the cost, but it IS steep imo. That’s really all I think until more feedback comes in. And tbh, I’m the kinda guy that absolutely WILL pay top dollar for a product I believe in. That said, it’s more about top value for me; I have a $600 Stihl chainsaw and a $60 Scott’s chainsaw. both get used, but the Scott’s gets used more for several reasons. Its value has skyrocketed to me. I also have a $450 Yeti cooler and a $150 Coleman cooler. Yeti is used weekly and the Coleman is a literal dust bunny. Value goes to Yeti. This particular product is just too new for me to consider spending for it over some things that are immediately more pressing, or that I don’t want to have to scrounge for later.

Now, if I was a new hunter or in the market for a revamped climbing method these would be great, or if I had a spare two hundo I could totally see myself purchasing one of these for the bottoms of preset trees, where I already have steps/sticks in the tree and want to leave the bottom half bare until hunt time. Or adding them to a Xmas list if I’m a good elf this year. There really isn’t a better design for CARRY than this as far as conventional climbing methods are concerned, except maybe bolts. It for sure has merits worth the price tag, but I personally don’t see the value YET for my own use.

 

[bowhunthard88]

The packability/weight and advertised simplicity is enough to justify the cost for me. If I can carry that section, climb to height, and rappel, that's less gear/weight I need to carry. Unfortunately, with how my system(s) efficiency works, neither single-sticking (normal or modified) or 2TC (normal or modified) fit into my needs. Not saying that I will never use a particular method, just maybe not as a primary, or normal rotation method. The Sladder might (extremely hopeful) make it into my normal/preferred use/rotation along with WEI Stepps and SRT.

I've spent more than this on stupid stuff that doesn't even involve hunting lmao!

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

The packability/weight and advertised simplicity is enough to justify the cost for me. If I can carry that section, climb to height, and rappel, that's less gear/weight I need to carry. Unfortunately, with how my system(s) efficiency works, neither single-sticking (normal or modified) or 2TC (normal or modified) fit into my needs. Not saying that I will never use a particular method, just maybe not as a primary, or normal rotation method. The Sladder might (extremely hopeful) make it into my normal/preferred use/rotation along with WEI Stepps and SRT.

I've spent more than this on stupid stuff that doesn't even involve hunting lmao!

That’s a perfectly justified opinion. If I climbed with anything other than sticks I’d probably see it your way.

 

[bowhunthard88]

That’s a perfectly justified opinion. If I climbed with anything other than sticks I’d probably see it your way.

All of this is subjective dependent on the individual and their needs/wants. That's either the beauty, or the negative, of it. I have a set of 3 EWO Feathersticks with 2-step aiders too, and I touch maybe one section for one hunt a year lol. I personally crawl through blueberry brush and laurel swamps, so packability/compactness over weight currently, but if I can have both AND not be restricted to height...

 

[redsquirrel]

I feel like you maybe thought I was trashing the person for charging what I thought was a lot (sorry if that’s my own misunderstanding). Not at all what I meant to convey. I totally understand that a guy has to make his lunch money, what it takes to build something new and present it to market, and what it takes to run a startup, just not in this particular field. So I don’t begrudge the cost, but it IS steep imo. That’s really all I think until more feedback comes in. And tbh, I’m the kinda guy that absolutely WILL pay top dollar for a product I believe in. That said, it’s more about top value for me; I have a $600 Stihl chainsaw and a $60 Scott’s chainsaw. both get used, but the Scott’s gets used more for several reasons. Its value has skyrocketed to me. I also have a $450 Yeti cooler and a $150 Coleman cooler. Yeti is used weekly and the Coleman is a literal dust bunny. Value goes to Yeti. This particular product is just too new for me to consider spending for it over some things that are immediately more pressing, or that I don’t want to have to scrounge for later.

Now, if I was a new hunter or in the market for a revamped climbing method these would be great, or if I had a spare two hundo I could totally see myself purchasing one of these for the bottoms of preset trees, where I already have steps/sticks in the tree and want to leave the bottom half bare until hunt time. Or adding them to a Xmas list if I’m a good elf this year. There really isn’t a better design for CARRY than this as far as conventional climbing methods are concerned, except maybe bolts. It for sure has merits worth the price tag, but I personally don’t see the value YET for my own use.

I didn't think that. That comment was more in response to any of the price point comments so no worries.

I still think you misunderstand the product though. Have you watched the videos? It's not multiple aiders that you would need. It is one that you continuously flip up to move up the tree. For anyone who knows me they know I'm set in my ways with my wild edge steps but if anything interesting pops up I'm always interested in trying it to see if I can do better

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I didn't think that. That comment was more in response to any of the price point comments so no worries.

I still think you misunderstand the product though. Have you watched the videos? It's not multiple aiders that you would need. It is one that you continuously flip up to move up the tree. For anyone who knows me they know I'm set in my ways with my wild edge steps but if anything interesting pops up I'm always interested in trying it to see if I can do better

I did watch the first video but didn’t get a chance to watch the others. It was hard to see exactly what was going on. I thought he was standing on a foot loop tied to a tether, didn’t quite get the flip-up aspect. That does indeed change my opinion on cost/value. I have seen some dudes use etriers in similar ways but I guess my only hang up now would be literally the hang up of using the same system to get down with nothing below it lol. Personal fears on that one, not the produc’s fault. Gunna try to load the other two videos while I wait for my kid in the school line. man if I was rappelling down though it’d be a no brainer.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I didn't think that. That comment was more in response to any of the price point comments so no worries.

I still think you misunderstand the product though. Have you watched the videos? It's not multiple aiders that you would need. It is one that you continuously flip up to move up the tree. For anyone who knows me they know I'm set in my ways with my wild edge steps but if anything interesting pops up I'm always interested in trying it to see if I can do better

Yeah I was admittedly a little confused until I got through the second video. I didn’t quite figure it out based on website description and pics, but after the second video I totally get it.

 

[gcr0003]

The packability/weight and advertised simplicity is enough to justify the cost for me. If I can carry that section, climb to height, and rappel, that's less gear/weight I need to carry. Unfortunately, with how my system(s) efficiency works, neither single-sticking (normal or modified) or 2TC (normal or modified) fit into my needs. Not saying that I will never use a particular method, just maybe not as a primary, or normal rotation method. The Sladder might (extremely hopeful) make it into my normal/preferred use/rotation along with WEI Stepps and SRT.

I've spent more than this on stupid stuff that doesn't even involve hunting lmao!

Curious why neither one sticking nor 2tc fits your climbing needs but this would? Can you elaborate on your expectations?

 

[BackSpasm]

Curious why neither one sticking nor 2tc fits your climbing needs but this would? Can you elaborate on your expectations?

Are you a 2TC guy these days?

 

[bowhunthard88]

Curious why neither one sticking nor 2tc fits your climbing needs but this would? Can you elaborate on your expectations?

That's a rabbit-hole question, not to derail the thread, but... For my personal preference both 2TC and single-sticking have fairly "inefficient" movement sizes coupled with tree size selection and limb navigation, so don't bite my head off because I do know that extended practice in any method should increase proficiency, but I deigned to continue with either method. I attempted both styles at face value, and then both with a "twist" towards increasing efficiency, and neither still fit in the top shelf of my toolbox. I can do it, but I choose not to, so back of the bottom drawer lol. I love sticks with aiders, but I hate the packing footprint. I really like the WEI Stepps with a K/S setup because it's simple, compact, and not too heavy (~7lbs. for my preferred 7 stepps and bag) and I use them as my ROS at that point. I also really like SRT, and given my choice of options, that's what I "want" to do, it just doesn't "always" work. WEI Stepps and SRT are the climbing methods of choice used for the previous two seasons. If I could have gotten legitimate 7-8' movements (each move, not just the initial one) out of single-sticking or 2TC, I might still be there...

I do a lot of crawling through thick and busting brush, and also climbing up (and down) in very early/late darkness. I also hunt in all weather types. I forsee the Sladder being used for "1-3 move heights" in conjunction with a platform, stowing it at height, and then rappelling down.

I'm not bragging when I say that I can run the WEI setup blindfolded to height without hiccup or additional noise... Obviously you need to know what height, etc., but...

 

[gcr0003]

That's a rabbit-hole question, not to derail the thread, but... For my personal preference both 2TC and single-sticking have fairly "inefficient" movement sizes coupled with tree size selection and limb navigation, so don't bite my head off because I do know that extended practice in any method should increase proficiency, but I deigned to continue with either method. I attempted both styles at face value, and then both with a "twist" towards increasing efficiency, and neither still fit in the top shelf of my toolbox. I can do it, but I choose not to, so back of the bottom drawer lol. I love sticks with aiders, but I hate the packing footprint. I really like the WEI Stepps with a K/S setup because it's simple, compact, and not too heavy (~7lbs. for my preferred 7 stepps and bag) and I use them as my ROS at that point. I also really like SRT, and given my choice of options, that's what I "want" to do, it just doesn't "always" work. WEI Stepps and SRT are the climbing methods of choice used for the previous two seasons. If I could have gotten legitimate 7-8' movements (each move, not just the initial one) out of single-sticking or 2TC, I might still be there...

I do a lot of crawling through thick and busting brush, and also climbing up (and down) in very early/late darkness. I also hunt in all weather types. I forsee the Sladder being used for "1-3 move heights" in conjunction with a platform, stowing it at height, and then rappelling down.

I'm not bragging when I say that I can run the WEI setup blindfolded to height without hiccup or additional noise... Obviously you need to know what height, etc., but...

Ok, I thought you were a lightweight, efficient, streamlined kinda guy so it didn’t make sense to me why neither 1 sticking nor 2TC worked for you.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Ok, I thought you were a lightweight, efficient, streamlined kinda guy so it didn’t make sense to me why neither 1 sticking nor 2TC worked for you.

Efficiency, silence, packability, and weight. In that order of priority lol.

 

[Brocky]

I recently came up with something similar, but use a different type of aider, never cared for the ladder type that always tries to push your feet out from under yourself. I didn’t find a need to attach it at the bottom. I clip into a loop at the top of the aider to be able to bypass a branch.
The tree squeeze with the foot loop is used only when advancing the aider, no danger of the LB slipping.

 

[Earlybird31]

I bought one. It checks a bunch of boxes for me. My hunting areas primarily have straight limbless trees (pines and hardwoods), I want to have the option of climbing to any desired height, I do not want to shop for ideal trees, I want a light setup, and I already rappel. I'm a 2TC guy, but this would be a good option in the arsenal that can be added with little added weight. I just need to determine the most secure way to get up. I think I'll use a tree squeeze to keep me in place if I slip out of the aider. Looking forward to using it.

 

[thedutchtouch]

Can someone explain the actions needed to flip this system? I realize there's a hook that comes loose when the ladder is pulled up... but when flipping it between climbs, are you still standing on the top step of the ladder? And if so, how do you it reset tight to the tree above you without your foot getting wrapped up in the top step (which now becomes the bottom)?

 

[gcr0003]

Can someone explain the actions needed to flip this system? I realize there's a hook that comes loose when the ladder is pulled up... but when flipping it between climbs, are you still standing on the top step of the ladder? And if so, how do you it reset tight to the tree above you without your foot getting wrapped up in the top step (which now becomes the bottom)?

There are stirrups beside the “steps” on each end so it appears you just reach between your legs and pull the steps up and attach the other end of stirrups.

 

[Brocky]

I bought one. It checks a bunch of boxes for me. My hunting areas primarily have straight limbless trees (pines and hardwoods), I want to have the option of climbing to any desired height, I do not want to shop for ideal trees, I want a light setup, and I already rappel. I'm a 2TC guy, but this would be a good option in the arsenal that can be added with little added weight. I just need to determine the most secure way to get up. I think I'll use a tree squeeze to keep me in place if I slip out of the aider. Looking forward to using it.

The tree squeeze would get in the way when walking up the steps, if you need to lean in some momentarily, just push the sides of the LB together to take out slack. Bringing them together and holding with one hand frees up the other hand.

 

[NATHAN]

Well. I put in for the preorder. Shall be interesting indeed.

Any ETA yet?