The Hang-On Tree Stands That Make Mobile Hunting Easier

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Hang-on tree stands remain the best elevated concealment option for hunters who are hoping to bag a big buck. Mainly because this type of stand is more versatile, stealthy, and affordable than any other option on the market. And the technology behind these stands has gotten substantially better over the last decade, making this style of stand lighter and easier to set up than ever before. While this style of tree stand is arguably the most popular with bowhunters, they can easily be used by gun hunters too.

With the market more bloated than ever before, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide which one will best suit your needs. Here are the best hang-on tree stands, according to our experts.

• Best Overall: Millenium M150 Monster
• Best for Bowhunting: Summit Ledge XT
• Best Portable: Hawk Helium Ultra Lite
• Best for the Money: Muddy The Boss XL

Best Overall: Millenium M150 Monster

Specs

• Weight: 19.5 lbs
• Platform Size: 24”x 37”
• Seat: Adjustable with backrest
• Construction: Aluminum

When it comes to roominess and comfort, the Monster is a hard stand to beat. Millennium gave this tree stand a spacious platform that is 37 inches deep, making this stand perfect for hunters of all heights and weights. Another reason the M150 consistently rates high with hunters is the adjustable seat height, which can be set between 16 and 20 inches high. Not many other stands offer that kind of functionality, and it’s not something Millennium mentions much in their advertising.

There’s no denying this stand is both comfortable and versatile. My only complaint is that it’s a little more difficult to assemble than other stands, and making adjustments can be slightly challenging. However, in terms of all-day comfort, the Monster is a great choice.

Best for Bowhunting: Summit Ledge XT

Specs

• Weight: 23 lbs
• Platform Size: 24”x 30”
• Seat: Textile fold-up with backrest
• Construction: Steel

Bowhunting is unpredictable and often requires the hunter to move around in the stand to get the proper angle for a shot. That is where the Summit’s 24-inch wide by 30-inch long platform is a big help. There is more than enough space to reposition quickly for a shot on an animal that has decided to go behind the tree. Besides just having room for archers to take shots from multiple angles, this stand also features a textile seat that is extremely comfortable. The backrest helps greatly for those all-day sits waiting for a big buck to cruise through at midday.

Unfortunately, this stand does not have a leveling system which hurts its versatility a little on crooked or misshapen trees. I also feel that the ratchet straps are subpar. It probably wouldn’t hurt to add an extra one or two to the setup.

Best Portable: Hawk Helium Ultra Lite

Specs

• Weight: 11 lbs
• Platform Size: 20”x 24”
• Seat: Memory foam layered
• Construction: Aluminum

When it comes to lightweight tree stands, the Hawk Helium only weighs 11 pounds, making it extremely packable. Hawk designed this stand to be modular around their CRUZR tree brackets, which are sold separately. This allows hunters to buy multiple brackets so they can use one stand on multiple trees. For public land hunters, this is a stealthy way to keep a low profile in areas with a lot of competition. The ultralight nature also makes this stand a solid choice for hunters who employ a run-and-gun style on larger parcels of land.

Although this stand is light and portable, it comes at the expense of the platform itself. This is not a very roomy stand, and larger hunters might find it uncomfortable. Additionally, the stand is rather expensive for the size, but I have yet to find another stand this mobile.

Best for the Money: Muddy The Boss XL

Specs

• Weight: 19 lbs
• Platform Size: 25”x 34”
• Seat: Flex fabric
• Construction: Steel

For $139, The Boss is an excellent stand packed full of features normally found only on more expensive models. Most notable here is the long 34-inch platform that’s roomy for hunters of all heights. Additionally, this stand comes with a footrest. The seat is a little smaller than some of the other fixed-position stands on the market, but it does flex for extra comfort during long sits.

Because of the lower price point, it’s not too surprising to see this stand does not come with a backrest. I’ve found the stand can be a bit noisy, but this is a problem you can easily solve with a quick DIY hack.

How We Tested Hang-On Tree Stands

As an experienced deer hunter of 24 years, I have spent my fair share of time sitting in hang-on tree stands and have learned what qualities to look for in the good ones. Additionally, we also looked at many different factors that will help determine the best stands for a variety of hunting styles and scenarios. Among our top considerations were the following:

• Weight: How easy is it to lug the stand back deep into the woods? How portable is the stand for use on more than one tree?
• Seating: How cushy is the seat on the stand? Is it built for all-day sits? Does it include armrests?
• Platform: Is the platform built from rugged materials? How much legroom does it provide for taller hunters?
• Value: Do the features of the stand match the asking price? Is the stand affordable enough to buy multiples for more than one stand location?

What to Look for When Buying a Hang-On Tree Stand

In our experience, comfort is one of the main things many hunters overlook when choosing a tree stand. Hang-on stands with smaller platforms are much more portable, but the tiny platforms can make them a bit cramped for an all-day sit. Taller hunters will benefit from having a larger platform to stretch their legs. Likewise, the depth of the seat is a major comfort factor too. The wider and deeper the seat, the longer you will stay comfortable.

Think carefully about the spots you’ll be placing this style of stand. Hang-on stands are more versatile for trees that aren’t perfectly straight, a major benefit over the best climbing stands and ladder stands. If you are planning to hunt public property, be sure to read the regulations regarding the use of hang-on stands. You will also want to consider a model that can easily be locked to the tree to prevent theft.

Don’t forget to purchase a good tree stand safety harness to go with your stand. Many stands sold today include a rudimentary safety harness of some type. However, these harnesses are often not of great quality, and most do not provide the best comfort for longer sits.

Noise Proofing

While hang-on tree stands are designed to be silent, unwanted noises can sometimes develop on new stands or older ones that have been outside for a while. Therefore, it’s worth taking a little extra time to noise check your setup. Specifically, try standing on different parts of the platform to ensure it isn’t making unwanted noise. Raise and lower the platform and seat a few times to check for creaks and squeaks.

If the stand is getting noisy, one solution is to replace some of the washers with nylon or Teflon. Another idea is to lubricate the moving parts of the stand, especially around bolts and washers. Try to do this far in advance of the season starting because the worst time to find out about a noisy stand is after it spooks a big buck.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The Millennium Monster was an easy choice for best overall. The stand is also our pick for the most comfortable thanks to that large 37-inch-long platform which is one of the largest on the market these days. For hunters who are hoping to sit comfortably all day during the rut, the Monster is the stand that will help you do it.

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