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Whats up with the 'Sladder Climbing system"?

I just ordered one as I am intrigued. I am concerned about getting my foot in the steps especially as you get closer to the stirrups as you climb. I watched all the videos and thought it was worth a try. We will see…….
 
Buckhorn70 said:
I just ordered one as I am intrigued. I am concerned about getting my foot in the steps especially as you get closer to the stirrups as you climb. I watched all the videos and thought it was worth a try. We will see…….
Click to expand...

I got mine last week. I have only tried 3 climbs with it, but I am having a very hard time getting my second and third foot in the steps. Yes, I have watched all of the videos. I think might actually prefer a shorter version that just is designed to take one step, then get step in stirrups, flip the the bottom portion and repeat.
Of course, you can do the same thing with the current version by hanging it lower on each move. However, there is a lot of extra webbing that isn’t needed with this approach.


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mtsrunner said:
I got mine last week. I have only tried 3 climbs with it, but I am having a very hard time getting my second and third foot in the steps. Yes, I have watched all of the videos. I think might actually prefer a shorter version that just is designed to take one step, then get step in stirrups, flip the the bottom portion and repeat.
Of course, you can do the same thing with the current version by hanging it lower on each move. However, there is a lot of extra webbing that isn’t needed with this approach.


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Click to expand...
The best trees for this are leaning slightly toward you as you climb for foot placement so it tends to naturally hang away from the tree just slightly.
 
woodsdog2 said:
The best trees for this are leaning slightly toward you as you climb for foot placement so it tends to naturally hang away from the tree just slightly.
Click to expand...

That makes sense, but I don’t want to be limited. I’ll try practicing on a leaner and then maybe my muscle memory will improve to the point that any tree is acceptable. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
mtsrunner said:
I got mine last week. I have only tried 3 climbs with it, but I am having a very hard time getting my second and third foot in the steps. Yes, I have watched all of the videos. I think might actually prefer a shorter version that just is designed to take one step, then get step in stirrups, flip the the bottom portion and repeat.
Of course, you can do the same thing with the current version by hanging it lower on each move. However, there is a lot of extra webbing that isn’t needed with this approach.


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Click to expand...
Foot space on the rungs is my concern too. I ordered a Sladder Tuesday and it’s due to arrive today. I will play with it this weekend and report back.
 
mtsrunner said:
That makes sense, but I don’t want to be limited. I’ll try practicing on a leaner and then maybe my muscle memory will improve to the point that any tree is acceptable. Thanks for the suggestion!
Click to expand...
It’s also not just sticking your foot in the rungs. It’s inserting your boot toe into the rung, then as your boot tip closes to the tree slightly lift up and put slight downward pressure with the beginning back third of your foot (basically where your heel begins or just slightly more forward on your foot than that) on the rung to begin to capture it as your toes are now bending up on the tree, then your boot toe moves back down sliding along the tree as your heel moves the rung out slightly. Those are the foot motions muscle memory movements to keep practicing with it. It’s just like anything else you will develop a rhythm to it as I becomes more and more second nature. Like driving steering etc. as conscious thought moves too subconscious action.
 
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My Sladder came in late this afternoon and I had time to go put it on a tree in the backyard real quick. I only climbed up one set up of the sladder, I didn’t advance it up the tree as it was almost dark. I had my sneakers on so my sole was not rigid but here are my quick observations,

  • Well made and stitched.
  • Compact and light weight. I didn’t weigh it but it’s light and small when bundled down. Less than football size.
  • Easy to connect to the tree
  • Easy to disconnect when lifting to advance. I didn't advance but did a test the release at bottom of tree.
  • As I suspected foot space becomes minimal as you climb. Last couple steps are tough.
  • I used a linesman belt on my short climb and the Linesman belt is very important in an easy climb.
  • Advancing the Linesman belt properly is essential
  • DaIsy Chain ropes need to be longer as others have mentioned. Maybe by 1 foot…… then have extensions.
Like I said…. I had soft sole shoes on so that didn’t help my foot comfort. I am going to try it again tomorrow in the day light(with hunting booyts) and get more proficient so I can give it a fair shake. I have watched all the videos and the owner makes it look easy but I am sure he has made the climb hundreds of times. I am sure the owner reads this for feedback and hopefully can incorporate improvements on future models. Maybe ”stirrup” type steps on the ladder portion for more foot room….. not sure if that would hurt the stability though. I still like the idea and I am going to run the Sladder through its paces.
 
I tried the system again today and the top couple of steps is tough for me on foot room. I am 6’1” and have the 8’ version. I like everything about the Sladder except the foot room on the top 2 steps. Some guys are making it work but I am not sure if I am going to be able to. I am going to keep trying though. I would let my 8’ Sladder go though if anyone is interested in buying.
 
If it somehow had the arsenal aider stand off step integrated onto the top 2 steps that would solve the foot space issue.


I guess they’d have to be on every step to make or work.

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I don't have a sladder nor have I seen 1 in person or used 1.....this is just to get ur brains working. When I was thinking/designing my stirrups I needed/wanted a way to hold the aider off the tree. I decided to forego weight and packability and made the stirrup itself into the "aider standoff" my aider attachment point is above the foot loops . The foot loops are super ridged 2" overhead lifting strap. After sewing that thick ridged webbing I can lay it on edge on the ground and stand on it and it supports my weight. So when I first attach the stirrup and clip the aider above the stirrup the aider is held off the trunk 2". Doesn't sound like much but it makes a world of difference getting ur footies into the step.....sound like u guys need an aider spacer of some sort
 
Buckhorn70 said:
I tried the system again today and the top couple of steps is tough for me on foot room. I am 6’1” and have the 8’ version. I like everything about the Sladder except the foot room on the top 2 steps. Some guys are making it work but I am not sure if I am going to be able to. I am going to keep trying though. I would let my 8’ Sladder go though if anyone is interested in buying.
Click to expand...
I'm not an owner/user (yet), but an extensive reviewer of interest. It seems to me that those who like it and use it effectively do not use the top 2 steps. They go right from the 3rd to the top step to the stirrups. Watching this on video seems easy and not an excessive reach. Seems like you should just pretend those two steps aren't there and therefore stop worrying about their distance from the tree.

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TNSTAAFL said:
I'm not an owner/user (yet), but an extensive reviewer of interest. It seems to me that those who like it and use it effectively do not use the top 2 steps. They go right from the 3rd to the top step to the stirrups. Watching this on video seems easy and not an excessive reach. Seems like you should just pretend those two steps aren't there and therefore stop worrying about their distance from the tree.

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Click to expand...

Yup.

I’m 6’3, so I’m usually skipping normal steps anyway. Came into it with this as default mode.

Someone mentioned that aider on the top steps.

That comes with tradeoffs. The ones below it become less stable because they don’t have the forces pushing your toe into the tree.

Otherwise, you’d just climb with a Jim stepp and 6 step aider hanging from it. Which I’ve done. And isn’t as effective as this.

I’m annoyed it’s been as effective as it has been for me. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.
 
Weldabeast said:
I don't have a sladder nor have I seen 1 in person or used 1.....this is just to get ur brains working. When I was thinking/designing my stirrups I needed/wanted a way to hold the aider off the tree. I decided to forego weight and packability and made the stirrup itself into the "aider standoff" my aider attachment point is above the foot loops . The foot loops are super ridged 2" overhead lifting strap. After sewing that thick ridged webbing I can lay it on edge on the ground and stand on it and it supports my weight. So when I first attach the stirrup and clip the aider above the stirrup the aider is held off the trunk 2". Doesn't sound like much but it makes a world of difference getting ur footies into the step.....sound like u guys need an aider spacer of some sort
Click to expand...
Can you send a closeup pic of this?
 
Buckhorn70 said:
I tried the system again today and the top couple of steps is tough for me on foot room. I am 6’1” and have the 8’ version. I like everything about the Sladder except the foot room on the top 2 steps. Some guys are making it work but I am not sure if I am going to be able to. I am going to keep trying though. I would let my 8’ Sladder go though if anyone is interested in buying.
Click to expand...
I had the same experience and wondered if just having fewer steps and a different spacing would have helped. Made me appreciate the need for stand offs from the tree. If there was a way to simply get a couple of inches like weldabeast talks about, that could be a game changer.
 
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