Best Ladder Stand For Bowhunting: Our Top 3 Picks

Whether you’re a bow hunter with years of experience under your belt, or you’re just starting out, a good ladder stand offers you shelter and comfort. However, choosing one? Not that easy buddy!

From the material to the seating, there’s a lot of things to consider. So that you don’t drown in the waves of misery, we’ve come to save the day.

Not only are we bringing you the Best Ladder Stand for Bowhunting in our books, but we’ve also included a compact buying guide to help you pick one for yourself.

So sit down with a piping cup of hot coffee, as we take you through the ins and outs of this matter.

Compare Our Top 3 Choices for Best Ladder Stand for Bowhunting

Our Choice

Rivers Edge Bowman 1-Man Ladd

Rivers Edge Bowman 1-Man Ladd

9.8

  • Easy to carry
  • Durable steel body
  • Comes with safety harness
Most Affordable

Rivers Edge RE646 Classic

Rivers Edge RE646 Classic

9.3

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Padded seat for extra comfort
  • Easy to assemble
Popular Brand

X-Stand Treestands Ladder Stand

X-Stand Treestands Ladder Stand

9.6

  • Provides extra space for standing
  • Can be secured with the base of the tree
  • Comes with a safety harness

Best Ladder Stand for Bowhunting List 

1. Rivers Edge Bowman 1-Man Ladder Stand

Rivers Edge Bowman 1-Man Ladder Stand, Black
9.8/10 Our Score

Product Overview

Even if you’ve just begun hunting, it’s not a secret that Rivers Edge produces some of the best hunting stands in the market. And, since it’s notorious for its quality and comfort, we’ll start our list with the Bowman 1-man ladder from Rivers Edge. 

Just like the name suggests, it’s a perfect choice for bowhunters. Since hunting with a bow needs to be done from a height, this ladder stand has got you covered. And, how is that exactly? 

First of all, the ladder stand is taller than most other ones you’ll find in the market. This allows you to spot your prey and set your shooting angle quite easily.

Coming to the comfort factor, the Bowman ladder stand comes with a sturdy mesh seat. Next up, the wide 26-inch platform provides enough leg space for even the tallest hunters. 

Thus, you won’t have to return from your next hunting trip with cramped up legs. Now if you’re concerned with the make and durability of the ladder stand, be assured that we’re not here to disappoint. And, why is that? 

Well, the whole ladder stand is made up of steel, which makes it resistant. However, it’s also pretty lightweight, with the whole setup only weighing 65 pounds. 

Lastly, let’s talk about the safety factor. This ladder stand comes with a safety harness, and also crisscross ratchet straps for extra security. On the other hand, the adjustable stabilizer bar makes sure that you can customize the ladder stand according to your height, maximizing your comfort. 

What We Like
  • It’s easier to carry to the hunting site
  • The steel body provides maximum durability
  • Added height, aids in aiming angle for bowhunters
  • Contains safety harness to protect from accidents
  • Mesh seating ensures comfort during long hunting hours
What We Don’t Like
  • Doesn’t provide the option of multi-person usage

2. X-Stand Treestands Ladder Stand

X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand, Black
9.6/10 Our Score

Product Overview

Next up, we have the Duke 20’ tree stand from X-Stands, designed for 1 person. This all-rounded treestand may be a perfect fit if you’re looking to invest in a tree stand for the long term. 

To begin with, it has a weight capacity of 136 kgs or 300 pounds. Also, the body is made of steel, which makes the treestand pretty durable. Moreover, the tree stand body is also coated, to withstand environmental factors. 

Now, just how safe is the X-Stand ladder stand? Well, it’s incorporated with their patented jaw safety system. This allows you to secure the ladder stand with the base of the tree, before climbing up.

Not only does this blend the stand with the tree, but it also makes the treestand, much more stable. 

Other than the Duke being safe, it’s also quite comfortable. Thanks to the padded hand and feet rest, you can easily sit on the ladder stand for hours, without feeling any kind of discomfort. 

In case you prefer standing, the mesh seat can also be stowed away, giving you extra space. Moreover, the shooting rail is padded and can be stowed, leaving the ladder stand clutter-free. 

But these are not the reasons why this ladder stand can be set apart from the crowd. It’s the little attention to detail that makes it unique. 

For example, the shooting rail is padded with nylon washers, which eliminates any metal-on-metal clanking sounds. Since forest animals are gifted with a heightened sense of hearing, this allows you to remain incognito. 

What We Like
  • Easy to carry to the campsite
  • The padded hands provide ultimate comfort
  • Provides extra space for standing
  • Can be secured with the base of the tree
  • Comes with a safety harness to protect from a fall
What We Don’t Like
  • Time-consuming to assemble

3. Rivers Edge RE646, Classic One Man Ladder Stand

Rivers Edge RE646, Classic One Man Ladder Stand, Black
9.3/10 Our Score

Product Overview

In case none of the previous ladders stand appealed to you, you may like the sound of this one from Rivers Edge. First off, this is the lightest ladder stand we have on the list. 

Weighing only 37 pounds, you won’t even feel its weight when you have to carry it from one place to another. 

Although this ladder stand doesn’t boast of doing much, it’s a simple setup that delivers what it promises. Also, it has a removable padded seat, as opposed to the mesh seats of the other two ladder stands on the list.

The benefit of this feature is that it’ll eliminate any possible back pain. So, you can sit for hours at an end. Moreover, the 18-inch platform is wide enough to be used as a footrest and it also includes stability straps, to keep you seated securely. 

Coming to the body, it’s made up of durable steel and this also has a standard 300-pound weight capacity. All in all, it may not seem like the flashiest option out there, but it ticks off all the right boxes. 

If you’re wondering how tall the ladder stand is, it measures up to 15ft from the ground. Thus, it’s high enough to not get noticed by animals, yet stable to avoid any potential accidents. 

Another great thing about the ladder stand is that it’s pretty easy to install. Unlike some complex models which take forever to put together, you can get this done in a few minutes. Also, it blends well with the forest surroundings, which keeps you hidden from your prey. 

What We Like
  • It’s extremely lightweight, and easy to move
  • Affordable
  • Padded seat for extra comfort
  • Easy to assemble
  • Durable, since it’s made of steel
What We Don’t Like
  • Contains only the basic features

Buying Guide

With that, we’ve wrapped up our review section. We went into the details of all three products on our list and highlighted the pros and cons of each. So by now, we hope you have a basic idea about which tree type of tree stand you want to buy.

If not, that’s okay too! Since making a decision can be quite confusing, we’re here to make the task even simpler for you. Let’s see how.

Weight

Weight is an important and often overlooked factor that a lot of us don’t consider. Although we usually steer towards lightweight models, one must remember that heavier designs offer more stability. 

In short, a lightweight ladder stand may not always be the best option for you. For example, you’re hunting in an area where the weather can get quite rough. In that case, you’d be better off with a heavier tree stand. 

Ease of Assembly

This is also an often-overlooked factor. When we buy a new product, we’re excited and tend to be super optimistic. However, once you buy and use it for a few days, your interest automatically begins to fade.

The same thing can apply in the case of a ladder stand if you’re new to hunting. If the ladder stand is extremely difficult to put together, it will automatically be discouraging for you. Hence, opt for something that matches your experience level. 


Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

How high should my tree stand be for bow hunting?

Most bowhunters prefer to keep their tree stands 17-20 feet off the ground. However, there is no hard and fast rule. If you can manage a good hiding spot a few feet lower or higher, that’s perfectly fine.

What is the top ladder stand for bow hunting?

The River’s Edge One Man Ladder Stand is considered to be the top ladder stand for bowhunting, thanks to its stability.

What is the most comfortable ladder stand?

The X-Stand Treestands The Duke is titled as the most comfortable ladder stand, thanks to its spacious seats and stable frame.

Are ladder stands good for bow hunting?

Ladder stands are great for bow hunting if you can get used to them and can adjust them according to your comfort level. However, you must be prepared to face the challenges it brings.

Are ladder stands safe?

While ladder stands are relatively less dangerous, any type of suspended stand can lead to a potential accident. Therefore, it’s always advised to use a harness.

Final Thoughts

That’s all from our side folks. We hope you enjoyed your time with us and learned a ton of new things. Most importantly, we hope we helped you come to a final decision.

In case you’re still not sure, feel free to leave any queries about the top Ladder Stand for Bowhunting in the comment section down below, since we’d love to hear from you.

So that’s about it. See ya next time!