Climbing sticks

[elk yinzer]

Hawk and Tethered have the best packable design principles. Both could be more refined.

Hawk nails the folding concept, but could cut some weight.

Thethered nailed the fixed step and using Ti but need to fix the glue issues.

Beast/EWO are nice, and light, but sacrifice packability.

 

[VFL]

you can't maximize all those things at the same time, it's a tradeoff and balancing act that only you can decide for yourself

having said that, i won't use sticks again until someone comes up with a well made 1 pound stick, the tethrd one sticks aren't there yet

I’ve been looking into the Tethrd one sticks and can’t convince myself to buy them, but I’m curious why you don’t think they’re there yet. I haven’t dealt with them at all so any info would be helpful.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I'm looking for opinions on the lightest, easiest packable, most durable sticks out there. Let me hear some thoughts guys and gals. Thanks

Just my opinion, but I sold LWCG sticks to buy a set of 4 novix minis. IF you're ok with a single step design (doesn't bother me a bit and hasn't for the 6 or so years I've used sticks off-and-on) they are an absolute no brainer.

$160 for 4 sticks that weigh 1lb 6oz each sans strap, you can take the buckles off and tie them with the buckleless method (free rope mod to save you $50-100), they've been field-tested and remained unchanged for about 3 decades, and I've never heard of a stock configuration stick failing.

After @Vtbow's wisdom finally sank into my head like a zen koan, I sidestack them without a single modification. Makes a 19" long by 4-7" wide (depending on if you measure the stick body or brackets/steps too) hunk that straps easily to a stand or vertical/horizontal on a pack.

Lightweight, check. Lighter than all but the Tuthrd and maybe some CF sticks. Definitely lighter than any stick that you can buy for under $100 per each.

Easy to pack, check. Packs better than anything but the LWCG sticks, and it's close.

Durable, check. The oldest design I'm aware of and the industry standard. 300lb rating. At worst you'll have to tighten the bolts periodically and maybe replace some 10 cent nylon washers periodically.

 

[thedutchtouch]

It's going to be a lot of personal preference. My 24 inch beast sticks are great, but I'm 6'2, someone shorter may want the smaller ones... To be honest I may want shorter steps when it gets to late season/layers, we shall see

 

[Jtaylor]

Just my opinion, but I sold LWCG sticks to buy a set of 4 novix minis. IF you're ok with a single step design (doesn't bother me a bit and hasn't for the 6 or so years I've used sticks off-and-on) they are an absolute no brainer.

$160 for 4 sticks that weigh 1lb 6oz each sans strap, you can take the buckles off and tie them with the buckleless method (free rope mod to save you $50-100), they've been field-tested and remained unchanged for about 3 decades, and I've never heard of a stock configuration stick failing.

After @Vtbow's wisdom finally sank into my head like a zen koan, I sidestack them without a single modification. Makes a 19" long by 4-7" wide (depending on if you measure the stick body or brackets/steps too) hunk that straps easily to a stand or vertical/horizontal on a pack.

Lightweight, check. Lighter than all but the Tuthrd and maybe some CF sticks. Definitely lighter than any stick that you can buy for under $100 per each.

Easy to pack, check. Packs better than anything but the LWCG sticks, and it's close.

Durable, check. The oldest design I'm aware of and the industry standard. 300lb rating. At worst you'll have to tighten the bolts periodically and maybe replace some 10 cent nylon washers periodically.

I still use my Lone Wolfs I cut down into minis, they can't be beat with some stealth strips or coban/vet tape wrap and some amsteel daisy chains or the buckle free strap. They're narrow enough to carry upright or sideways on my pack through the woods and not get caught on anything and I can get plenty high with 4 for hunting around here.

 

[ketch22]

Ar

I still use my Lone Wolfs I cut down into minis, they can't be beat with some stealth strips or coban/vet tape wrap and some amsteel daisy chains or the buckle free strap. They're narrow enough to carry upright or sideways on my pack through the woods and not get caught on anything and I can get plenty high with 4 for hunting around here.

Are you using aiders with them? I’m debating cutting down my novix sticks for next season, possibly this year if I get rained out.

 

[Jtaylor]

Ar


Are you using aiders with them? I’m debating cutting down my novix sticks for next season, possibly this year if I get rained out.

It's not needed around here usually since the trees seem to branch off at about the height of 4 sticks. I do have a black diamond 5 step aider I'll toss in if I want more height and usually only use it on the 1st stick. I use an amsteel soft shackle over the versa button to attach the aider.

 

[raisins]

I’ve been looking into the Tethrd one sticks and can’t convince myself to buy them, but I’m curious why you don’t think they’re there yet. I haven’t dealt with them at all so any info would be helpful.

the glue that holds the steps/standoffs on the tube kept breaking on people and then they were only held together by a roll pin

i'm waiting until they figure out better glue and/or start using something other than a roll pin (like a couple small bolts made out of 420 stainless or similar strength)

edit: if they started gluing plus 2 thin high strength bolts in a t pattern at each stand off, i'd buy 4 tomorrow, but despite what the charts say, i'm not standing on a roll pin