The 10 Best Ladder Tree Stands
Updated by · How we research
Ten one- and two-person ladder stands compared by height, seat room, straps and included harness. The Rivers Edge TwoPlex LS, the RE665's successor, leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Most tree-stand accidents happen on the climb up or down, not while sitting, which is why a full-body harness belongs on before your boots leave the ground. A ladder stand makes that climb simpler, with fixed rungs and a seat waiting at the top. It suits deer hunters who sit the same spot all season, new hunters and parents bringing a child.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Rivers Edge TwoPlex LS now leads this list. It's the updated form of the RE665 TwoPlex that many readers still search for by name, and the old RE665 is no longer sold new. Its first strap tightens from the ground, before anyone climbs, which matters because most stand accidents happen on the ladder.
The X-Stand Duke, X-Stand The Sportsman and Big Dog Stadium Series are gone from the market, so they're out. We also dropped the Guide Gear 15-Foot, which buyers often found flimsy, in favor of the newer Guide Gear 15.5-Foot Stand. The Muddy MLS1300 and Guide Gear Swivel stay. New picks cover one-person and two-person needs, from the roomy Rivers Edge Jumbo Jack LS to the bargain Muddy Legend XLT.
No magazine or lab has run these ladder stands through side-by-side trials, so this ranking rests on the makers' heights, weight limits and parts lists, which stands ship with a harness, the safety chapter of New Jersey's hunter-education manual and recall records.
Earlier notes
July 9, 2021, by Christopher Thomas:
Removed our recommendation for a handful of models that are no longer available, but there are still many great choices. The Rivers Edge RE665 TwoPlex replaces an older model from Rivers Edge and works great. We also swapped in the mesh version of the Guide Gear 15-Foot, which is about as simple as they get. The Big Dog Stadium Series still offers the best performance, although it does require a significant investment. A good premium alternative is the Muddy MLS1300, although hunters with larger frames may not find it very comfortable.
February 13, 2020, by Rafael Perez:
Removed the Ameristep Two Man Camo, the River's Edge Products Bowman, the Millennium Single, and the Muddy Huntsman because of availability issues. Added the River's Edge RE634, the Millennium L110, the Ameristep 9426, and the Muddy MLS1300.
Choosing a tree stand will mostly depend on whether you're using it for hunting or for some other purpose. For most forms of hunting, the ideal tree stand height will be between 17 and 20 feet at the base of the platform. The lower limit is to ensure that you are above the prey's sight line and the upper limit is so that you can give yourself a good shooting angle where you can reliably place an ethical shot. The Big Dog Stadium Series measures 17.5 feet, the padded seat is incredibly comfortable, and the wide, curved profile gives you a great range of motion.
Ladder tree stands should be placed well in advanced of the planned hunt - at least a few weeks before you plan on using it. This is partly because you don't want to rush installation and partly because you'll want your scent to disperse and evidence of your presence to age. Always make sure that you place your tree stand on a live and stable tree. Place the base of the stand on solid ground and never use a stand without a safety harness - ideally you should also use some sort of lifeline system. Since most people leave their stands up for months or years, it is important to conduct periodic maintenance to ensure that the stand is safe to use.
One Seat Or Two
A one-person ladder stand is the lighter, quieter choice for a hunter who sits alone.
A one-person ladder stand is the lighter, quieter choice for a hunter who sits alone. Most hold one hunter plus gear up to about 300 pounds; the Muddy MLS1300 and Guide Gear Swivel both carry that rating. Platforms range from a cramped foot rest to a square deck you can turn around on, and the Rivers Edge Jumbo Jack LS adds an extra-wide seat for big frames or winter layers.
A two-person stand lets a parent sit with a child, or a guide sit with a client. Typical combined limits are about 500 pounds, as with the Hawk Big Denali and Muddy Legend XLT. Whatever the type, stay under the posted limit with your gear counted, one of the NRA's ten treestand rules. Most use a shared bench; the Big Denali uses two separate chairs. Look at the bench depth, not just its width: a shallow bench puts two adults shoulder to shoulder with little room to shift. Two-person stands are also heavier and need a straight, sound tree; Muddy calls for a trunk at least 9 inches across.
Count what comes in the box. Muddy and Guide Gear include full-body harnesses with several models (two with the Maxim and Legend XLT), while the Rivers Edge stands here ship without one.
How High Should A Ladder Stand Be
Most ladder stands put the seat somewhere between 15 and 20 feet up. New Jersey's hunter-education manual describes typical ladder platforms at 10 to 15 feet, and current models run taller. Height buys a wider view and keeps your outline above a deer's line of sight, but every extra foot is a longer climb and more sway in the wind.
Match the height to the cover. On a field edge or in low brush, a 15- or 16-foot stand like the Guide Gear 15.5-Foot Stand or Muddy Maxim is often plenty. In thick woods or on a slope, an 18- or 19-foot stand helps you see over the undergrowth.
Makers measure differently. Rivers Edge gives height to the shooting rail, while others give the seat or platform height, so compare like with like. And know your limit. New Jersey's manual puts it plainly: if you start thinking about how high you are, don't go any higher.
Setting Up And Climbing Safely
Most falls happen on the ladder. New Jersey's manual reports that 75 to 80 percent of tree-stand accidents occur while climbing up or down, and that most injured hunters weren't wearing a harness. Wear a full-body harness that meets Treestand Manufacturers Association standards from the moment your feet leave the ground, and connect it to a tree strap or safety line before you step onto the platform. Chest harnesses and single waist belts should not be used.
Raise a ladder stand with help: the same manual says it takes three people. Use every strap and the stabilizer bar the maker supplies, keep three points of contact on each step, and never climb with a gun or bow in hand. Pull gear up with a haul line once you're seated, as the NRA's American Hunter list of treestand rules also advises.
Check the stand before and after each season: straps left in the sun weaken, and bolts and welds can work loose. Never modify a stand, never exceed its weight limit, and have a plan for getting down or calling for help if you end up hanging in your harness.
How we researched this
We compared 18 ladder stands from eight brands, read the published heights, weight limits, seat and platform sizes and parts lists for the 10 finalists, weighed owner feedback patterns, and checked each brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records. Safety advice comes from New Jersey's hunter-education manual, the NRA's American Hunter and the Treestand Manufacturers Association.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a ladder tree stand be?
Most hunters use 15 to 18 feet. Go lower on field edges and in low cover, and higher in thick woods or on slopes. Taller stands mean a longer climb and more sway, so stay within your comfort.
Is a one-person or two-person ladder stand better?
A one-person stand is lighter, quieter and easier to raise. A two-person stand lets an adult sit with a child or partner, usually holds about 500 pounds combined and needs a straight, sturdy tree.
What should I look for in a two-person ladder stand?
Check the combined weight limit, the bench depth, whether there are separate chairs or a shared bench, the strap system and how many harnesses come in the box.
What safety features matter most on a ladder stand?
A full-body harness worn from the ground up, a stabilizer bar, a ratchet strap at the top and straps along the ladder. Some stands, like the Rivers Edge LS models, let you set the first strap before climbing.
Is the Rivers Edge RE665 TwoPlex still sold?
It's no longer sold new. Its successor, the Rivers Edge TwoPlex LS (RE669), keeps the wide bench and adds a strap system you tighten from the ground.
Do ladder stands come with a safety harness?
Some do. The Muddy stands and the Guide Gear Swivel on this list include one or two, while the Rivers Edge and Hawk stands don't. Always use one that meets Treestand Manufacturers Association standards.
