Best Climbing Sticks For Saddle Hunting
XOP, Hawk Helium, & More
Saddle hunting has started to gain popularity in recent years, especially for mobile hunters who like to hunt a variety of different spots quickly and efficiently.
You may have one of the nicest saddles on the market, but guess what you still can’t do? Get up in the tree.
Climbing sticks offer the best solution for saddle hunters who are looking for a quick and light solution to getting up in a tree.
All of the climbing sticks discussed in this guide are recommended based on my 30+ years of bowhunting experience, as well as overall industry trends. We will cover everything from extremely lightweight options, as well as more sturdy steel-based products.
Let’s dive in and learn about the best climbing sticks for saddle hunting.
The Best Climbing Sticks of 2o22
Hawk Helium 20″, 4 Pack
Hawk Heliums are arguably the best two-step climbing sticks on the market. Their aircraft-grade aluminum makes for an extremely gritty stick and cuts the weight down to a shocking 1.8 pounds. The two-step design provides more stability 
when compared to other single-step designs available on the market.
Overall, they are everything that a saddle hunter could want in a stick – they’re lightweight, compact, and make for an extremely packable tree-climbing solution.
Despite their small frame, they can still hold an impressive amount of weight. The Hawk Heliums are rated for up to 300 pounds, which is more than enough for most saddle hunters. Additionally, they feature Versa buttons which makes attaching them extremely easy.
Hawk wanted to insure that these sticks made the least amount of noise possible when being hiked in, so they introduced a suction cup system that holds all the sticks together. Not all companies have thought this far ahead, and it goes to show just how high-quality these sticks are.
Overall, the sticks will exceed the needs of any saddle hunter out there, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro.
Best Value Climbing Sticks
Hawk Helium 30″, 3 Pack
The Hawk Heliums previously mentioned are an excellent option if you are looking to carry four compact sticks that will get you around 20 feet up. But what if you want to carry only three sticks and reach the same height?
If this sounds like you, consider this three-pack from Hawk, which again are made out of the same high-quality materials, but are 10 inches longer. Because these sticks are a bit beefier, they do weigh about 1.5 pounds more altogether than the smaller version above.
You can expect to reach heights of 20 feet or more easily with these sticks, especially if you use an aider. I personally have used these sticks and consistently use my saddle 25 feet up with ease.
Even with the added length, Hawk kept the same great features that we discussed before, such as the suction cups that hold the sticks together, the Versa buttons, and of course the same great build quality.
Ultimately you must decide what works better for your style of hunting. If you want to manage fewer pieces, then this three-pack may suit you better than the more compact 4 pack discussed above. More compact sticks are usually easier to work around crooked trees, whereas this style is much better for a straight up-and-down set.
If you’re looking for the best sticks for the money to take on your next saddle-hunting adventure, then these sticks for Hawk are one of the best options on the market.
Most Affordable 2 Step Climbing Sticks
API Outdoors Hunt’n Sticks
What if you think that you would prefer the longer sticklength, enjoy having two steps, and aren’t quite sold on the Hawk Heliums? Luckily, these sticks for API Outdoors might fit your every need.
These professional sticks boast angled grooves that have a lot of grip and make it easy for you to scale your tree, and set up for a saddle hunt safely and comfortably.
Unlike the Hawk models discussed previously, these bad boys crack into the three-pound range – which is still pretty dang light. They also use a quiet cam buckle strap system for easy installation, are stackable which makes for an easy pack-in, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
These sticks aren’t cutting edge or optimizing weight reduction in every way possible, but they will certainly get the job done. If you carry an aider with you on all your saddle hunts, you will easily be able to reach around 20 feet in a matter of minutes with these sticks.
If you are a new saddle hunter who is on a budget, these are made for you. I personally used a very similar model for two seasons and I had no complaints, especially when you compare the quality to the price.
Best Single-Step Climbing Sticks
XOP 3 – Step
If you’re a fan of the Hawk Helium sticks, but want something equally as quality at a more affordable price, consider the XOP 3-Step. At 34 inches, they’re slightly longer than the Hawk Heliums and weigh a bit more at 3.2 pounds a piece.
Just like the compact Hawk Heliums, they use a single-step system that helps cut weight. If you are wary of a single step, consider this – XOP has a patented Arch Step technology that hunters across the industry and saying provides the most grip out of any set of climbing sticks.
They also beat the Hawk Heloums in maximum weight capacity, with the recommended max coming in a 350 pounds. My favorite feature of these sticks is that they come with a deeper stand-off bracket which provides for more foot space between the stick and the tree. This comes in handy for hunts nearing the end of the year where you may switch to bulkier, insulated boots.
XOP has also tried to ensure that these sticks will make as little noise as possible, but introducing a Lock Tight stacking system that binds the sticks together to eliminate all rattling.
Overall, if you are looking for a high-quality set of single-step-style climbing sticks, then these sticks from XOP might be perfect for you.
Best Beginner Climbing Sticks
Rivers Edge RE718 Grip Stick
If you have been in the saddle hunting game for any length of time, then you have likely heard of or used these sticks fromRivers Edge. At 32 inches and four pounds a stick, these are the heaviest and most bulky set in this guide, but they still serve a purpose.
If you are confident in a set and know you want to hunt it regularly, you can slap these sticks onto a tree early season and continue to use them as often as you would like.
River’s Edge coated the RE718’s steps with a non-slip finish which is designed to make your ascent up the tree as safe as possible. Unlike all of the other models in this guide, these steps do not have any grooves. However, speaking from experience, the angle of the steps makes you feel quite sturdy even in rainy conditions.
These also come with a noiseless strap to help hang these climbers stealthily, while their V-bracket keeps your stick anchored to the tree securely.
Overall, these sticks from River Edge are the most beginner-friendly model on the list. They are certainly not the easiest to use or the most mobile option. However, picking up a few of these sticks to use on your next saddle hunt would certainly get the job done.
Best Climbing Sticks For Big Game
Primal Tree Stands Snap Stix
Are you a big game hunter looking to go at it from the saddle? If so, these Primal Tree Stands Snap Stix may be the best option for you. They are lightweight, coming in at 
2.8 pounds, and are extremely durable. This is valuable especially if you are going after big game in rougher conditions where your gear is pushed to the limits!
This past year I went on an Elk hunt out in Colorado and challenged myself to target them from a saddle. I knew I needed a high-quality stick that wouldn’t fail me no matter the conditions. I picked up these sticks, and sure enough, they were perfect for every saddle setup I encountered.
These sticks feature a double-step design, with each step being angled and grooved to help ensure maximum grip while climbing up the tree. These also pack together quite well, and can easily be strapped to the outside of a pack if you are targeting big game with more gear on your back.
Not surprisingly, these sticks can hold up to 300 pounds, making them suitable for almost all saddle hunters.
How to Modify Climbing Sticks
Climbing sticks can easily be tweaked and modified to suit the needs of almost every hunt and hunter. Let’s talk about two of the best ways to modify your sticks to get the very most out of them.
Noise Reduction
One of the biggest complaints about climbing sticks is that they make too much noise.
Some companies have thought this through considerably by designing noise-reducing measures on their sticks, while others have not.
Because making the least amount of noise possible is important, you should ensure maximum stealth by adding stealth tape to your climbing sticks in areas that bang together
This is super easy to do and could mean the difference between sneaking in quietly or waking up the entire woods.
Use an Aider
I mentioned aiders at various times throughout this article, but what are they?
An aider is a piece of additional rope or braided metal that acts as an additional step for hunters looking to get as high up as possible while using climbing sticks.
Having a harness in use when using an aider is ESSENTIAl, as they can easily swing side to side, making you fall off the stick.
The best news is that you can make a quality aider! Watch the following video on how to make an aider for saddle hunting.
Parting Thoughts: The Best Climbing Sticks For Saddle Hunting
I hope you enjoyed this in-depth guide to the best climbing sticks for saddle hunting.
No matter your budget or level of expertise, there is a set of climbing sticks out there that will perfectly for you – it’s just a matter of learning about them.
The goal of this article was to do just that. Hopefully, you have discovered the set of sticks you need to take your saddle-hunting game to the next level.
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, please reach out to us down below!
