Table of Contents
If you’re also in the market for a seat up in the tree, make sure to check out our Best Climbing Tree Stand, Best Tripod Deer Stands, and Best Climbing Sticks articles!
Best Hang On Tree Stands
Comparison Table: Best Hang On Tree Stands in 2021
Award | Hang On Stand | Specs |
|---|---|---|
Best on the Market |  | Weight: 14 pounds Weight rating: 350-pound ✅ Aluminum |
Best for Value Package |  | Weight: 12 pounds Weight rating: 350-pound ✅ Aluminum |
Best for the Money |  | Weight: 20 pounds Weight rating: 300-pound ✅ Steel |
Best for Big Guys |  | Weight: 26 pounds Weight rating: 300-pound ✅ Steel |
Best Under $100 |  | Weight: 18 pounds Weight rating: 300-pound ✅ Steel |
Best Big Stand |  | Weight: 21 pounds Weight rating: 300-pound ✅ Steel |
Best for Smaller Hunters |  | Weight: 18 pounds Weight rating: 300-pound ✅ Steel |
Quick Links: Best hang on tree stand
- Best on the market: Lone Wolf Alpha Hang On II
- Best value: XOP Vanish Stand
- Best for the money: Millennium Treestands Hang-On
- Best for big guys: Rivers Edge, Big Foot Hang-On
- Best under $100: Guide Gear Hang-on with stick combo
- Best cheap hang on stand: Guide Gear XL Hang-On Tree Stand
- Best for smaller hunters: Guide Gear Hang On Tree Stand
Best on the Market
| Weight | Weight Capacity | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
14 lbs |
350 lbs |
Aluminum |
Pros
- Lightweight, roomy, deadly quiet, and easy to use
- Convenient self-leveling seat and platform
- Large, contoured foam pad
- Lightweight and strong
Cons
- Wish the seat was bigger
The Lone Wolf Alpha II is the best hang on stand on the market.
This is truly the benchmark for how hang on stands are measured. What you’re going to really like about the Alpha II is that it’s super lightweight, weighing in at only 14 pounds, yet the aluminum material is built to last.
As far as the noise aspect goes, this stand is quiet, and won’t make noise when you’re tilting to one side. You won’t hear any creaking or clanging.
The Alpha hang on II includes off set brackets that allow the hunter for left to right leveling when you’re hooking up to that not-so-perfect tree.
Let’s talk about the seat of this hang on. At 14 inches by 12 inches with a height of 21 inches, it’s a good size for the average person, but could be tough to sit on for the day if you’re a bigger guy. This package does, however, include the contoured foam padding for the seat, which feels comfortable if the size is right for you.
What Makes This Hang On Seat Great
- Lightweight, roomy, deadly quiet, and easy to use; Fits trees 4″ – 22″ in diameter
- Convenient self-leveling seat and platform
- Accepts the E-Z Hang Hook accessory, allowing users to preset multiple stand locations for quick, easy hanging
- The large, contoured foam pad gives all-day seating comfort
- Weighs just 14 pounds and has a 350-pound weight limit
- Platform size: 30″ x 19.5″ one-piece cast aluminum
- Seat: size: 14″ x 12″, height 21″
- Fits a wide range of trees: Tree size: fits trees 4″ – 22″ in diameter
- Distinctive 3-d camo platform design
- Includes: 6-point fall arrest systemand back straps for easy carrying
Who’s This Hang On Seat Best For?
If you’re looking for an investment, and you’d rather spend the money once now instead of multiple times again and again on a top-notch, comfortable and lightweight, mobile hang on tree stand, go with the Lone Wolf Alpha Hang On II.
Best Value Hang On
| Weight | Weight rating | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
12 lbs |
350 lbs |
Aluminum |
Pros
- High-quality cast aluminum construction
- Fully leveling seat
- Package includes everything needed for set up
- Lightweight at only 12 pounds
- Very easy to set up
- Silent in the field
Cons
- Double check the platform, as there have been multiple instances it has snapped. The hunters were only saved by their harness
The XOP Vanish is among the easiest hang-on seat to set up. XOP presents an all-around great deal with this package, and for this reason, the Vanish is the best value deal hang on stand.
If you’re looking to get mobile and easy to move around, this XOP is lightweight and has a low profile. These are constructed from 100% cast aluminum.
What you’re going to love is that this seat is lighter and quieter than the other seats. There are also multiple adjustments, so you can simply lift the platform and adjust the pitch of the platform with easy. This works great in case there’s a crooked tree.
What Makes This Stand Great
- High-quality cast aluminum construction. This stand is durable, solid, lightweight, easy to transport and incredibly quiet
- Fully leveling seat and platform for trees leaning
- Heat-treated steel Fast trap buttons – everything you need is included – Comes with a safety harness, seat cushion, UV treated fastening straps, Six point bracket, and backpack straps
- Heavy duty stand with a 350 pound weight rating: platform Dimensions 27” x 19”: Overall weight 12 lbs.
- Tri-layer foam seat provides the ultimate comfort while sitting and also when standing and shooting
Who’s This Stand Best For?
If lightweight and mobility are high quality points for your next tree stand, the XOP is easy to use and works great.
Best for the Money
| Weight | Weight rating | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
20 lbs |
300 lbs |
Steel |
Pros
- Interlock Leveling system and CamLock
- SafeLink System for safety
- ComfortMAX seat
- Big, heavy-duty seat and stand
Cons
- Pretty heavy, so not a great choice for a run-and-gun hunter
This Millennium hang on stand is the best on the market for the money.
The M50 has designed what they call their Interlock Leveling System, which allows hunters to adjust the seat and the platform to be exactly level when you want to attach the stand to a tree that’s in that great location, but isn’t perfectly straight up and down.
Let’s move to the seat: Millennium has created their ComfortMAX seat, plus a footrest to combine safety and comfort all in one.
Speaking of safety, the M50 uses Millennium’s patented CamLock System so that moving from one pre-set stand site to another is quick and easy. Best of all, the Interlock Leveling System requires no tools at all. Keep the weight at home, and bring only what’s needed on your next hunting trip, because with the M50, you’ll be able to adjust the seat and platform to adjust to any tree with ease.
What Makes This Stand Great
- Interlock Leveling system and CamLock receiver gives a quick, quiet and easy way to level your platform without any tools
- Camlock receiver allows you to move the stand easily from site to site
- SafeLink, a 35-foot rope with a Prusik knot and carabiner is designed to aid in safely ascending and descending from hang-on and ladder stands
- ComfortMAX seat and integrated footrest give the hunter the ergonomic support necessary to hunt dawn to dark. The seat folds up, offering plenty of room for those stand-up shots
- Features tough steel construction, a durable powder coat finish, an exclusive, patented comfortMAX contoured, tight sling seat, and it meets or exceeds industry standards recognized by TMA
- Built to hold up to 300-pounds. The platform
measures 24-inches wide and 33-inches deep. Seat size is 20-inches wide
and 16-inches deep. The seat height is 21-inches above the platform.
Weighs 20-pounds
Who’s This Stand Best For?
If you’re planning to put up a stand at the beginning of the hunting season and leave it there, or maybe just take it down a couple of times, but you’re looking for a great hang on stand for the money, go grab the Millennium Treestands Hang-On.
Best for Big guys
| Weight | Weight rating | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
26 lbs |
300 lbs |
Steel |
Pros
- Extra large platform
- Flip up seat AND arm rests
- Noiseless strap attachment
- Back and foot rest
- Includes safety harness
Cons
- It's a big stand, and it's not easy to actually get it up in the tree
The most comfortable hang-on tree stand is the Big Foot by River’s Edge. This is also the best hang-on tree stand for big guys.
This Big Foot XXXL is the beefed-up version of past River’s Edge models has a monster wide 37.5 inch X 30 inch platform with angled footrest. This gives you all the stretch room you needed. That makes this the Kind of Comfort.
This seat flips up silently to take a standing shot. This is easy to set up, but it can be difficult to actually get it into the tree, due to its large size.
What Makes This Stand Great
- At 37”x 24” the TearTuff Lounger offers an oversized platform with extra room for standing shots
- All-day comfort from the TearTuff mesh seat and padded armrests, but both features also flip-up independently allowing for full use of the oversized platform when standing to shoot
- Noiseless strap attachment to eliminate metal on metal contact and all of the noise that goes with it
- Backrest offers additional comfort when seated while the built-in footrest provides plenty of room for leg stretching
- Big Foot Hang-Ons bite into the tree with an aggressive lever-action eliminating the need for a second strap
Who’s This Stand Best For?
If you’re a big guy, or a guy looking for some real comfort while you’re spending long days in the stand, and particularly if you don’t plan to use the stand for run-and-gun type of hunting, the XXL River’s Edge is your best bet. Check it out here.
Best Under $100
| Weight | Weight rating | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
18 lbs |
300 lbs |
Steel |
Pros
- Sturdy, easy to use stand
- Saves you money because includes a 20 feet climbing stick
- Folding steel material
- Great for backpackers
- Includes straps
Cons
- Included instructions are difficult to follow
- Difficult to strap to wide trees
This tree stand and included climbing sticks is the best stand and sticks package on the market under $100! Buying them together with this package means you’ll be saving money and time.
What Makes This Stand Great
- Lightweight folding steel frame forms a super-sturdy perch
- Weighs in at 18 lbs. for easy backpacking
- Hefty platform cables for serious support
- 2 ratchet straps make it secure and tree-friendly
- Powder-coated surface resists corrosion
- Cam-buckle system securely and quickly attaches to tree
Who’s This Stand Best For?
If you’re looking to grab a full package on a hang-on tree stand, you’ll be pleased with this stand and stick combo. Check it out further by clicking here.
Best Big, Cheap Stand
| Weight | Weight rating | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
21 lbs |
300 lbs |
Steel |
Pros
- Lots of stretching space
- Great price point for the quality
- 30" x 36" foot platform
- Nice foam seat padding
- Flip-up seat
Cons
- Cheaply-made harness
- Difficult for one person to set this stand up
This stand comes at a great price-to-quality ratio.
It comes with ratchet straps to connect the chair to the tree.
Because of its weight, we don’t recommend that this stand be used for the run-and-gun hunter. It’s a great hang on stand for the hunter who plans to leave the stand in the tree for the season.
The flip-up seat makes this perfect for bow hunters, too. As you’ll notice if you pick this stand, the XL has great welding on the platform, which is reassuring.
The green powder coating helps blend the stand into the tree. Also, the seat itself is camo, so again, helps with meshing into your environment.
As far as assembly goes, the only real set up needed is bolt the back piece of the seat to tie it to the tree.
What Makes This Stand Great
- 30″ x 36″ foot platform provides confidence and peace of mind for stand-up hunting
- 1″ closed-cell foam seat makes the wait less painful on your backside
- Flip-up seat with closed-cell foam padding
- Includes backpack straps for easy hauling
- Includes durable platform cables for stable hunting
- Fall-arrest safety system and ratchet straps
Who’s This Stand Best For?
Great for the budget hunter looking to get some action in the tree, but who doesn’t want to skimp on the size of the hang on stand, this XL stand by Guide Gear will give you room to stretch and the view to shoot. Check out the current price here.
Best for Smaller Hunters
| Weight | Weight rating | Material |
|---|---|---|
|
18 lbs |
300 lbs |
Steel |
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Folding steel frame
- Great little padded seat
Cons
- Cheap metal that will quickly rust
This stand comes at a great price-to-quality ratio.
This hang on stand is a great option for those hunters who plan to backpack to their hunting location. Also great if weight is an issue. This stand weighs in at only 18 pounds, which is only a few pounds less than some of the other stands in this list, but it makes a big difference.
What Makes This Stand Great
- Lightweight and portable
- Folding steel frame will last for years
- Large foot platform and padded seat
- 18″ x 25.5″ foot platform
- Platform cables for secure stability
- Includes 2 ratchet straps and FAS safety harness
Who’s This Stand Best For?
Because of the size and weight of the stand, this would make for the perfect fit for the smaller-built hunter, teenager, women, or beginner. This is a great little, well-made hang on tree stand that is easy to carry and set up, plus it sits at a fantastic price. If those specs seem right for you, check out the Guide Gear Hang On Tree Stand.
People Also Ask
What is the best hang on tree stand?
Different hang on tree stands offer certain advantages that are best suited for specific needs.
- The best hang on tree stand in the market is the Lone Wolf Alpha Hang On II. This stand is best for the hunter who’s looking to buy a top-notch hang on tree stand that’s lightweight, strong, and great to hunt on. Think of this stand as the investment stand, where you pay more now, are happiest during, and still satisfied later.
- The XOP Vanish Stand is an excellent stand for the money. This is the best buy for hunter’s looking for the second best, but at a great price. If you’re an engineer, or simply appreciates the build of a well-made product, the XOP might be the model for you. If you look at the specs, this is both the lightest hang-on tree stand on the market, but it also has the highest weight capacity. That’s XOP for ya!
- For those best for the money buyers, the Millennium Treestands Hang-On is definitely your stand! The advantage point with this stand is that it’s a quality-built product, but the cost comes with the weight. This is a fairly heavy stand; however, if you’re planning to keep the stand in the same spot, or simply feel the 20 pound weight isn’t too much for you, it’s a good stand at a great price.
- Best for the big guys, and the guys who want to feel like their hunting in a lazy boy chair, the answer is definitely the Rivers Edge, Big Foot Hang-On. With a gigantic seat, foot rest, and two arm rests, this chair brings comfort to the hunting scene!
- For hunters on a budget, the Guide Gear Hang-on with stick combo is the best hang on tree stand under $100.
- If you wish you could afford the Big Foot from River’s Edge, but need a cheaper priced hang on stand, but want to keep the large chair and platform, the Guide Gear XL Hang-On Tree Stand is for you.
- For those first-time hunters, smaller-built hunters, teenagers, and women looking for a well-made hang on tree stand that’s light, mobile, and easy for one person to put up, check out the Guide Gear Hang On Tree Stand.
What is the most comfortable hang on tree stand?
The most comfortable hang on tree stand is the Rivers Edge, Big Foot Hang-On
Are hang on tree stands safe?
Using a tree stand can be a scary experience your first time. However, rest assured that if used correctly, with the proper safety equipment, hunting from a tree stand is safe. This way of hunting has been happening for decades. Always make sure to use your harness while hunting from a hang on tree stand.
How high should you put your tree stand?
On average, anywhere before the 17 – 21 foot range is the recommended height for your tree stand. The rule for this however, depends upon the brush you’re putting your tree stand in. The point of this is to be hidden from the game that you’re hunting. If the leaves on the trees are higher, you need to go higher. If they’re lower, you should around that height. You want to be concealed while hunting.
What is the maximum length of time you should leave a stand to a tree?
Many manufacturers will put a safety description that states the maximum length of time you should leave your tree stand in the tree is two weeks. However, many hunters will tell you different.
Do climbing stands damage the tree?
Although climbing tree stand will chip up the bark, and it does depend upon the kind of tree that you strapping your stand to the tree, but overall tree stands do not cause permanent damage to the tree.
What is the lightest hang on tree stand?
The lightest, safe, hang on tree stand is the XOP Vanish Stand weighing in at only 12 pounds.
How do you hang a tree stand?
What are important safety rules to follow when using a tree stand?
Using a tree stand can be safe as long as you have a system put in place. Follow these 10 rules to use a tree stand:
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you think you’ll be back: Doing this allows for someone to know where you’ll be.
- Always wear a harness.
- Bring your cell phone and a whistle.
- Have a plan in case you fall. Your harness should catch you, but having a plan after that happens is a good idea, so you can reach a safe place.
- Keep 3 point of contact: Always make sure to have at least both feet and a hand or two hands and a foot touching at all times.
- Ask a buddy to help set up your climbing tree stand with you.
- Always wear a good pair of boots with proper fitting and good grip when you climb a tree.
- No napping in the tree: As luxurious as that sounds, don’t fall asleep and don’t fall down.
- Read the directions to set up your tree stand: knowing how to set up your tree stand before you do so will help prevent an accident.
- Don’t carry your bow up while you climb the tree: instead, tie a rope to your bow and attach the other end to your belt loop. Once your up and safely on your stand, hoist up your bow.
What is the Hunter's most important item of clothing?
Hunting with the right gear is crucial in staying safe. Hunter’s wear the following gear when out:
What type of boots help minimize human scent?
The best kind of boots to help minimize human scent are knee-high rubber boots.
Do climbing stands scare deer?
No, climbing stands will not spook a deer.
What time of day are deer most active?
Deer move most during the dawn and dusk times. They feed during these times, so before and after are the most common times to see deer in movement.
How do you outsmart a buck?
Bucks have survived their lives so far, and through that process, they have learned more about people and our behavior. Use these steps to outsmart a buck:
- Hunt a just off-wind: Allow the deer to think they are in control by positioning yourself strategically to be in the right place.
- Use a decoy. Decoy deer are great ways to attract more deer.
- Get to your hunting spot very early in the morning.
- Hunt where other hunters do go.
Don't forget to pack these on your next trip
Best Hang On Tree Stands
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