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Whats up with the 'Sladder Climbing system"?


Do you think the sladder is worth it compared to doing something like this with multiple aiders?
 
HunterBob said:
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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The problem is that you lose the force pushing your foot towards the tree when you move the lever away from the tree/above your foot.

This isn’t an oversight by sladder folks.

It’s a tradeoff.

If you want to climb perfectly straight trees, you’re capable of keeping your center of gravity directly above that step, etc, do what you’re suggesting.

But you will be instantly more unstable as soon as any noise is introduced to the plan.


The sladder is harder to get your foot in the top of, but when you do, it’s far more stable.

The top step isn’t useful as the top step(but is as the bottom step - it’s whole purpose).

On the long version, distance from second step to stirrups is no more than 16-18”.

On a couple occasions I bypassed both top and second step(30-32” step). That’s not realistic for most folks. On a couple occasions I just skipped top step, which is realistic for all but the shortest climbers.

I’ve not had any trouble getting my foot into the second step.
 
woodsdog2 said:
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 to subconscious action.
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You like the sladder better then one sticking?
 
woodsdog2 said:
I want to try it more than I have so far before I make that final assessment. Like any climbing method there are advantages and disadvantages to every system. Am I still glad I picked one up at this point? Yes sir!
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What size boot do you wear? I wear a 12EE and wonder how easy it would be to get them in the stirrups. The Sladder climbing system is on sale now, trying to decide if it would be worth it. TIA
 
I wear 12.5 lowa tibets or low top trail hikers so far.

I’m not going to say it’s seamless each time.

But it didn’t annoy me or cause me to lose focus.

Just a little harder than for small footed fellas.

Not sure on the extra wide. Doubt that would be an issue
 
Redoak47* said:
What size boot do you wear? I wear a 12EE and wonder how easy it would be to get them in the stirrups. The Sladder climbing system is on sale now, trying to decide if it would be worth it. TIA
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9.5 Or 10 depending on the boot
 
This system looks really cool. A lot of money, but really cool. I think the reason why I like it so much is because of how you can maneuver up the tree with it. With one-sticking you almost have to go to the side of the tree to grab your stick and throw it up to your next section you want to climb to and it adds steps.

With this system, it is almost like a climber where you are attached to it 100% of the time and you continue to move up the tree by utilizing the tree as cover. I feel like this would be more conducive to more hunting situations, especially if you are trying to ambush a buck in its bed.

Now the question is, is it worth the money?
 
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Put my Sladder to the test yesterday. I made it up the tree safely, however, my choice of trees was limited and very small. I really like the compactness and weight of the system. I'm sure I will like it better every time I climb with it. Any new climbing method/system takes time to build muscle memory. I'm still loving my 5 WEI steps and the kanider/swaider set up, however, multiple climbing methods is better than one. I was never a fan of one sticking simply due to the excessive cost of the modified sticks.
 
I got my Sladder climbing system yesterday, got some time today did a couple climbs with it, works great even with my size 12EE hiking boots. I can't use the very top step so I just go right into the stirrups. Wish I had bought this thing awhile back. Was at 25 feet within ten minutes and I'm old. Lol
 
Chickenking said:
Put my Sladder to the test yesterday. I made it up the tree safely, however, my choice of trees was limited and very small. I really like the compactness and weight of the system. I'm sure I will like it better every time I climb with it. Any new climbing method/system takes time to build muscle memory. I'm still loving my 5 WEI steps and the kanider/swaider set up, however, multiple climbing methods is better than one. I was never a fan of one sticking simply due to the excessive cost of the modified sticks.
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A one stick can be had for way less than a sladder… you can spend as much money as you want on anything. The huge one stick platforms, Amsteel rope mods, cam cleats, etc. are just extras. I’ve made 3 one sticks all for less than $100 each and they climb just as fast and easy as their cousins, so don’t be afraid to get something and start learning. You can run any stick with an aider on it and be climbing one stick. The barrier of entry is a lot shorter than people think. I agree having multiple methods up and down a tree are important.
 
I just ordered my Sladder today. If the product is as awesome as their customer service, I will be extremely pleased! The process was so quick and easy. I contacted them to ask a question which was answered very quickly. They then sent me a Veteran's discount code, received my order and shipped it out, all within a couple hours! I don't know exactly who I was communicating with, but it was a great experience!
 
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