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Movable vs. Fixed climbing aider

T

tbowers

Active Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
142
I just cut down my LW sticks to 24", and had some double steps machined up. I am wondering what guys are using for an aider- movable or a fixed aider attached to each stick? I tried a movable one the other day but it would always get snagged underneath the lower step when trying to remove and seemed like a real pain, especially if I was trying to do it in the dark. What i liked about the movable aider was when you come down, you can grab the strap and pull it away from the tree to get your foot to seat more cleanly in it. I think thats huge, as I did have a single fixed aider only on my bottom stick for a while, and it worked great when going up, but coming down I never could get anything more then the toe of my boot into it.
 
I used a movable double step aider (with climbing rope for step reinforcement) last year and experienced the same problem of getting my boot in when descending. It got pretty sketchy sometimes. I recently made a kaider and swaider after watching G2Outdoors video on adding loops of rope to your climbing sticks. I haven't tried them out yet due to a leg injury, but it seems like it will be a much better option than the movable aider. I've never used a fixed aider, because I didn't like the idea of them blowing in the wind and possibly drawing the attention of deer.
 
I ditched my fixed aider for the same reasons. I've committed to trying the moveable aider this season until I am comfortable with it or the season ends whichever comes first lol. I tied a knot in mine right around where it hangs by my lowest step. This seems to have negated much of the snagging. I think once it got a bit hung up I lowered it a couple inches pulled it back and no snag. The rubber hose for my foot helps a lot too. The whole dicy descent feeling may get me to try the knaider after all as well.
 
cb750 said:
I ditched my fixed aider for the same reasons. I've committed to trying the moveable aider this season until I am comfortable with it or the season ends whichever comes first lol. I tied a knot in mine right around where it hangs by my lowest step. This seems to have negated much of the snagging. I think once it got a bit hung up I lowered it a couple inches pulled it back and no snag. The rubber hose for my foot helps a lot too. The whole dicy descent feeling may get me to try the knaider after all as well.
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Thats a good idea with the knot by the lower step. I'll have to play around with it. I really want to get an aider system working and comfortable vs. having to carry another stick.
 
I like the movable aider just because it makes the sticks easier to pack versus the fixed aider. I have the option of using it, or not. I think not getting it snagged is just a matter of practice, it is pretty much second nature for me already and that is just through an offseason of practice and a few hunts. I haven't tried the knaider/swaider. Just kinda busy for me, I like to keep it as simple as possible out there.
 
I used a fixed the last two years and went to a movable 5 strep amsteel aider. Less to have hanging on the tree (I’ve had deer freeze up when spotting them) and easier to pack. Fold it up and throw it in pack vs attaching to sticks and trying to get them secure and positioned correctly for stacking. The 5 step is overkill as I haven’t needed to stretch out that far but it’s nice to have when needed. With my diy sticks and aider I’m definitely able to out-climb my 24’ with old setup but haven’t found it necessary yet with all the leaves still hanging.


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I switched to a moveable aider this season and really like it so far. Don’t see myself ever going back to aiders on each stick. It’s so much nicer packing up without all the extra stiff hanging. When climbing down I like that I can easily reach down grab the strap and pull the foot loop up to my foot and let my foot down while holding in place right where I want it in the middle of my foot. Also nice not having aiders swinging in the wind. I was always worried they would eventually spook a deer.

I added some Gun Glow paint to the step portion so I could easily see the bottom of the loop in the dark when climbing down. Works great and glows very brightly.

This picture shows the aider behind my double step but I figured out it works better in front of the step especially when I want to pull the aider up to my foot.




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I’m new here. SG843 got me into public hunting and run in gun hunting. Y’all have some awesome setups. I had never heard or seen any of these types of hunting setups before. I’m on my second year of lone wolf sticks and stand. Hopefully I will get to try saddle hunting next year. I’ve been using a fixed aider, but I’m going to try out knaider and swaider.
 
This will be my first year hunting from a saddle. I had planned to use a fixed aider on each step but over and over again in these threads I read that people are going away from the fixed aider to a movable aider. Now I’m torn between the 2 options myself. I received the webbing for my aiders in the mail last Saturday and will have to make a decision this week on which aider style to use.
 
Squirrel79USAVet said:
I’m new here. SG843 got me into public hunting and run in gun hunting. Y’all have some awesome setups. I had never heard or seen any of these types of hunting setups before. I’m on my second year of lone wolf sticks and stand. Hopefully I will get to try saddle hunting next year. I’ve been using a fixed aider, but I’m going to try out knaider and swaider.
Click to expand...
Just remember the saddle is part of a system that makes these climbing methods safe. As long as you are using a harness you should be ok. I would definitely upgrade your linesmans rope. The ropeman 1 on a linesmans is priceless in my opinion.
 
I'm still using my original moveable aider, gets the job done.
 
So if you guys are using a moveable aider like the one pictured above? I guess when you get on the bottom step of each stick, that's when you unhook it and carry it up so when you set the next stick you can attach it?
 
Arkhunter18 said:
So if you guys are using a moveable aider like the one pictured above? I guess when you get on the bottom step of each stick, that's when you unhook it and carry it up so when you set the next stick you can attach it?
Click to expand...
Correct

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How I do it is in this video. I put it over my head/shoulder while I'm on bottom steps, climb up, set next stick and hang it on top two steps, repeat

 
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Maybe I missed It, but how high can you get with the knaider/swaider with sticks (muddor or LW or whatever)?

In the video G2 says 25' with 5 steps, but what with sticks?

How many would one need to carry? 2?
 
Phaco said:
Maybe I missed It, but how high can you get with the knaider/swaider with sticks (muddor or LW or whatever)?

In the video G2 says 25' with 5 steps, but what with sticks?

How many would one need to carry? 2?
Click to expand...
G2 is talking about 5 Wild Edge steps. I set the top of my sticks (similar to Muddy Pro) at about 80", so 4 sticks would be 26'8"

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Thanks. So, its about 7'-8 ' per stick (muddy) and LW would be around 8-9' per stick...just depends if you are 5' or 6' something
 
If you haven't already you should read the shorter sticks equals less height myth. Thread. That will give you more insight as well. For me with a full length LW stick and a 1 step moveable aider I get about 5 ft and and I am 6ft tall. And for clarity that's the bottom of my foot on the top step. In saying that I am likely not as flexible as some so results will vary. Also my aider hangs about the same distance down as the gap of a Lone Wolf step. Also trees can dictate stick placement so again the number varies.
 
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