• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Different Types of ROS - Pros & Cons

Kroggenk

Kroggenk

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2019
Messages
46
Location
Southern Indiana / Louisville
I’ve read a plethora of threads on the various ring of steps models available. I’m still having trouble figuring out all the pros and cons of them all, keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new set.

Currently, I have some Ameristeps that I truly enjoy. Sure, they slide around a bit on the tree and are clunky to pack, but they serve their purpose.

I’ve read great things about @DanO and his SquirrelSteps. From those of you that use them (in all sorts of trees), how do they compare? I assume this is my first choice if I decide to purchase another model.

I’m aware of the other brands and am considering them as well. It honestly seems every model has game changing aspects coupled with shortcomings. That being said, I’m looking for all the input I can get. Any and all analysis is welcome.
 
i've used the bullman and the squirrel steps. I enjoy them both. for packability, the squirrels are the hands down winner. the bullmans are great on the tree though, just a lot more to carry. I have tried them on the OCB and the ratchet they come with. both are good. i'm currently using the ratchet. if i had to guess, i'd say the bullmans are a lot like your ameristeps as far as packing them up.
 
Kroggenk said:
Any cons to the SquirrelSteps? Slippage, noise since they’re aluminum, do they hurt your feet being as thin as they are?
Click to expand...

The only con is the price - which isn’t a con because of all the pros - you get what you pay for.

If you don’t care about packability (and noise because of the way the SS’s pack) then stick with ameristeps. Functionally, they’re no different.

Noise wise - vet wrap the SS’s and they’re as silent as can be.

I don’t notice a difference between ameristeps and SS’s as far as comfort is concerned. When I’m in a minimal saddle, I put two steps under each foot, one under heel and one under ball. On the trees I hunt with the kestrel, this gives me 360 shooting easily. In the Jx3 hybrid I spread them at 90* or so around the tree. If i know it’s going to be a really big tree I’ll carry a 5th SS, but it’s rare.

7A67485F-88A4-408D-9E47-9E582EF9B659.jpeg
 
Kroggenk said:
Any cons to the SquirrelSteps? Slippage, noise since they’re aluminum, do they hurt your feet being as thin as they are?
Click to expand...
Don't pack quite as small as a ring of bolts? Or work as well on giant trees, around forks, etc where strapping on is difficult?

They're quiet once wrapped, and pack well. I won't speak to foot comfort because I'm ok with less. I prefer more steps on my ring at this point (I feel like I end up in bigger than preferred trees relatively frequently), but since you're already using a ROS you know what you need/like there.
 
kyler1945 said:
I don’t notice a difference between ameristeps and SS’s as far as comfort is concerned. When I’m in a minimal saddle, I put two steps under each foot, one under heel and one under ball. On the trees I hunt with the kestrel, this gives me 360 shooting easily. In the Jx3 hybrid I spread them at 90* or so around the tree. If i know it’s going to be a really big tree I’ll carry a 5th SS, but it’s rare.
Click to expand...

played around with the two steps together but feel like it was a tad less confortable than just the one. I tend towards minimalist soles on my hunting boots so I think that is giving me the discomfort. Considering switching to a platform, since it seems to keep me from wanting to move my feet so much
 
pesqimon said:
played around with the two steps together but feel like it was a tad less confortable than just the one. I tend towards minimalist soles on my hunting boots so I think that is giving me the discomfort. Considering switching to a platform, since it seems to keep me from wanting to move my feet so much
Click to expand...

I think a big part of being comfortable on in a minimal saddle is to be able to train your body to not be sitting or leaning, but doing both. The idea being, your feet, butt, and back are all sharing in the load evenly. I know it took me some time to figure it out, because my tendency was to either want to stand or sit. Once I trained my brain to accept this purgatory, it made it much easier to stay still.

Alas, it’s just too comfy in Jx3, so I rarely do it now.


Here’s a quick video from my hunt last year(full video on my channel). It shows the angle I like my thighs at - about 45 degrees. This loads everything evenly and I can sit for hours comfortably. I’m not using the backhand here as I had a tree to use as a backrest, but the premise stays the same.

In the end, some folks just don’t like it. I’m not sure a platform is going to keep you more still. Sure it may eliminate some foot discomfort for some people, but I think the bigger issue is getting whole body comfortable. Heck try it though! There’s no risk with a platform you can turn around and sell it tomorrow if you don’t like it.
 
Also, you’ll notice some happy feet early in the video - this isn’t me slipping. I like to ‘feel’ the steps with my toes and keep them loose because I know I’m gonna have to move. The wild edge stepps require a little bit of paying attention to not get a foot in a bind where you can make a move.

But ill take having steps around the tree all day over a platform on one side.
 
kyler1945 said:
There’s no risk with a platform you can turn around and sell it tomorrow if you don’t like it.
Click to expand...

For sure... the main issue is breaking away from my self identity of a “ROS guy” hahaha

also I tried(briefly) a predator and a perch and didn’t like them which just cemented my desire for ROS, but now it’s time to try things. As soon as the invisible hand changes the Ambush price to $150

i think the platform will help me stay still, I’m doing it right now using this old ladder stand as a platform.

i’ll be sure to check oht the video thanks!
 
kyler1945 said:
The only con is the price - which isn’t a con because of all the pros - you get what you pay for.

If you don’t care about packability (and noise because of the way the SS’s pack) then stick with ameristeps. Functionally, they’re no different.

Noise wise - vet wrap the SS’s and they’re as silent as can be.

I don’t notice a difference between ameristeps and SS’s as far as comfort is concerned. When I’m in a minimal saddle, I put two steps under each foot, one under heel and one under ball. On the trees I hunt with the kestrel, this gives me 360 shooting easily. In the Jx3 hybrid I spread them at 90* or so around the tree. If i know it’s going to be a really big tree I’ll carry a 5th SS, but it’s rare.

View attachment 19980
Click to expand...
Kyle has it right here. +1
 
I have minimal experience with SS (3 sits) but have used ameristeps for a few years.

Here’s what I like about SS

Packability/weight
Less angle-keeps your ankle straight

Here’s what I don’t like.

You have to blow a nut trying to get them tight with an ocb-I usually lock them down and re-cam to get them tight enough-it still isn’t as solid as I like
Less angle-I’ve slipped off without much to grip when boots are wet/muddy/snowy
Even when re-camming there is some side to side play

In the end I will probably go back to ameristeps and give up a little packability to gain stability.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I use Ameristeps . They are hard to find but they work great as long as you use a good ratchet strap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top