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WE Aider vs Knaider for SteppLadder

F

forkhorn83

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2019
Messages
48
For everyone that has used both what do you prefer? Looking to buy 5 stepps and hoping to get 18-20 ft max.


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If your legs are long you stand a chance of getting that high with a single aider. I can get that high with 4 steps and a knaider and swaider. But I prefer to set steps every 4 feet, not as flexible as I once was.That puts my top step at 16 feet, then 18" more for thg he platform set. I just don't want to use single aider for 2' per step. Especially coming down. Hope that helps.
 
Thanks for the feedback. The WE Aider looks pretty slick in their videos, but I wasn't able to find a ton of reviews on real world use. I found some threads on here that had less than favorable feedback especially when coming back down the tree. In reality 16-18 ft with 5 steps would be more than sufficient for any of my hunting scenarios.
 
I think six steps is going to be much more forgiving. With the wild edge aided I can get 4 feet per step maybe a little more but it would require moving and adjusting every step but the bottom one unless you can tie one on at 8 feet. That’s not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Usually I space them about 3.5 feet. I like the safety and simplicity of the wild edge aider but because it is attached to the step above the one you are climbing to your spacing is limited by how high you can tie a step. For me that is around seven feet. It feels much safer though because you have a solid handhold to maintain a vertical posture should the aider kick out. Also if it moves a little you can straighten it out as soon as you get on the next step. I can tie on a step at 4 feet and one at seven feet and get 4 feet out of that first step but I would have to uncam raise and adjust then recam each step thereafter to continue the 4’ spacing.
The knaider is nice that it is only limited by how high you can lift your knee. You don’t have the higher step to hold onto so it isn’t as safe to me. Lots of people really like it though. I will experiment with the knaider some more as fall approaches. I had several times where I was climbing with a five step aider and the knaider pulled off my boot. So basically I had to climb up and put it back on my foot then tighten it and step back down into the knaider to retrieve my aider. Both systems have potential and I wouldn’t place one over the other. The sixth step is nice. Adds one pound and minimal bulk to your system. You will find times where you have to go around limbs that an extra step is nice to have. There may be a crooked spot in the tree or any number of things that will make you wish you had just one more.
 
forkhorn83 said:
Thanks for the feedback. The WE Aider looks pretty slick in their videos, but I wasn't able to find a ton of reviews on real world use. I found some threads on here that had less than favorable feedback especially when coming back down the tree. In reality 16-18 ft with 5 steps would be more than sufficient for any of my hunting scenarios.
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Like said before I get about 3.5 feet per step using the aider. Coming back down is a cake walk. I usually don’t use the aider but if you wanted to it’s easy. You don’t have to fish it back between the rungs. I don’t even do that on the way up. It’s not important. The trick going up or down is not taking your foot out of the aider. On the way up get your foot in the aider properly and then lift the aider up and hook it while keeping it tight against your boot. On the way down you will take the aider off the top step. Hook it on the waist high step. Remove and store your top step. Then grab the aider below the hook and lift to keep the aider tight to your boot on the step down. I think one of the foot loop type adjustable aiders would be easier to work with but either one would work fine.
 
Thanks for the feedback Eric - really helpful. Just placed my order for a set of 5 steps and the aider, but sounds like I may want to call and change that to 8 steps. I'm sure I can find other uses for the steps or sell off a couple of them if needed. Sounds like you've had good luck with the WE aider as long as the steps are placed at manageable distances apart from each other. I realize there will be a learning curve to this system, but your feedback gives me higher confidence in the system.
 
I agree with everything @EricS said above. The only things I would add are I have found the WE aider more forgiving then the knaider for step spacing. There have been a few times when climbing with the knaider that I couldn't place the step exactly where I needed to because of a knot/limb, etc. and if I placed the step above it I couldn't get the knaider hooked on. The adjustability of the WE aider helps with this.

Also, I never use the WE aider when coming back down. I simply squat down on the step I am standing on, grab the step that is at chest level (waist level when standing) and lower myself down to the next step. It's surprisingly easy.
 
GCTerpfan said:
I agree with everything @EricS said above. The only things I would add are I have found the WE aider more forgiving then the knaider for step spacing. There have been a few times when climbing with the knaider that I couldn't place the step exactly where I needed to because of a knot/limb, etc. and if I placed the step above it I couldn't get the knaider hooked on. The adjustability of the WE aider helps with this.

Also, I never use the WE aider when coming back down. I simply squat down on the step I am standing on, grab the step that is at chest level (waist level when standing) and lower myself down to the next step. It's surprisingly easy.
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Nice! Never thought about doing it that way. Probably much quicker than dealing with the aider coming down. One question is how to you maximize step height on the top step? From what I can see, you always need a step head height to attach the aider to. Do you just lower the step height for the last step to accomodate? Trying to maximize my system. Also - how many steps are you using @GCTerpfan and how high does it allow you to go. Been back and forth if I need to order more steps or not.
 
If I am using my Predator platform I will carry 6 steps, but I usually use three WE steps for my platform and in that case I carry 8 steps. I typically set my last step with 18" spacing. This allows me to still use the WE aider to step up to the second to last step (I just have to shorten it up almost all of the way) and then I hold on to the tree to step up the last 18". This does make it a little tricky to lower yourself down the first time because the step you are holding onto is pretty low but, it is manageable. I sometimes keep my tether hooked up on that first move back down. This process usually puts my feet about 18-19' off the ground.
 
Berzerker said:
5 step aider [etrier] with a small extension and a knaider can get you to 20' w/3 Stepps
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Thought about the multiple step aider, but thinking i'll stick with the WE Aider and 5 or 6 steps now. I'm very comfortable with using sticks as my climbing method, but would rather carry a few extra steps for added ease and peace of mind.
 
forkhorn83 said:
Thought about the multiple step aider, but thinking i'll stick with the WE Aider and 5 or 6 steps now. I'm very comfortable with using sticks as my climbing method, but would rather carry a few extra steps for added ease and peace of mind.
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I have the WEI Aider. I like the 5 etrier. I really didn't give it a chance. I will mess with it this week.
 
I am getting about 21 to 22 feet with the knaider/swaider. Why I like it:

1. I do not have to slide my feet in and out of anything. To me that is huge, especially when it is cold and dark.
2. It is compact. swaider and knaider are hooked to my saddle when walking in and when I head back out. Takes two seconds.
3. Nothing to undo when I am at platform height. They stay on my feet and I strap my knee pads around them so they don't swing or move.
4. About five and half feet per step.
5. I am not required to set a step above my head. I think it is easier to lock steps in place at head height or lower.
5. Stable. Especially the knaider. It is because of length, or lack thereof.
6. They are always attached to me. It cannot fall to the ground.

A lot of people like the multi step aider. I prefer not to have to fiddle with getting my feet in and out of loops numerouse times, especially when descending. It is all personal. Use what you find the most comfortable and the safest. That is all that matters. Speed is not important. Although with all these systems I bet we are setup in about ten minutes. Pete
 
Page 7 of The Knaider/Swaider tutorial shows a picture of the amsteel aider that I have been using. I think it's called a UCR(universal constrictor rope...?) I have the WE aider also but prefer the amsteel because it's girth hitched around my foot and it is easy to adjust the length in or out. I used it all last season.
 
I’ll have to check out the Amsteel aider. I saw Cain’s foot aider and it looked nice.


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GCTerpfan said:
If I am using my Predator platform I will carry 6 steps, but I usually use three WE steps for my platform and in that case I carry 8 steps. I typically set my last step with 18" spacing. This allows me to still use the WE aider to step up to the second to last step (I just have to shorten it up almost all of the way) and then I hold on to the tree to step up the last 18". This does make it a little tricky to lower yourself down the first time because the step you are holding onto is pretty low but, it is manageable. I sometimes keep my tether hooked up on that first move back down. This process usually puts my feet about 18-19' off the ground.
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That’s what I used my first full year in the saddle. It became second nature To climb and use as a platform. It is about the best value for a new saddle hunter. I bought a set of eight with the bag in their clearance section for $125. Add the aider and I had a climbing method and platform that weighed a little over 8lbs total and fit in a day pack for less than $175. Not bad for something that required no diy or mods. Just a little practice.
 
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