I would tell you off the shelf with no mods the tightest fitting sticks and easiest to pack are the Beast sticks. They are light and bite the tree. They are expensive though at $80.00 per stick. Yes Dan sells them by the stick. Spacing is 20” between steps. 22” total stick. I personally like-shorter spacing. They are a 2 sided step. Quality is excellent. If you are going to get sticks, they get my vote.
I have Helium’s, they are ok for a smaller guy. I had them flexing under me first time I used them. I put them away. I will either sell them or one of my kids can use them.
I have XOP’S. I used them last night and had the locking mechanism get twisted on me. ( (The Sticks are fine.) On closer inspection there is a pin that securs the male end (bolt) on the locking mechanism that hold it in place. Also, I had left them in back of truck and it rained. I noted rust on some of the bolts. (Yet my Beast sticks were in the back as well and there was no rust on them.). The new XOP’S is a good single step stick, with great spacing for my size 14 foot. There are trade offs I accept be a big guy. I will take a look at them over the weekend and if I cannot fix I will send back to XOP.
I had lone wolf and gave them to a younger hunter. The problem I had was there was not enough room with the stand off. I had nothing more than a toe hold. Yet everyone company shoots for the quality of lone wolf.
Don’t give up on the WE’S. If do not like them for climbing, you can use them for some presets or keep a single as a hand hold for helping you get onto & off your platform. Or if you want to space out your sticks you can use them between the sticks.
Another thought is too use the WE’S as you starter steps at the base of the tree. Whether it be for sticks or using it with knaider/swaider or to get over base of the tree using a lone wolf climbing seat.
