If you're piecing together a saddle hunting or mobile hunting setup, you've run into two terms that get thrown around like they're the same thing: climbing sticks and climbing steps. They do the same core job — get you up the tree — but they're built differently, and the one you choose changes how you pack, climb, and hunt. Here's a straight breakdown so you spend your money right.
What is a climbing stick?
A traditional climbing stick is a single length of aluminum, carbon, or steel with three or four steps built into it. You strap one stick to the tree, climb it, then reach up and set the next. Most saddle hunters run three to four sticks to reach hunting height. They deploy fast and feel familiar to anyone coming from tree stands.
The trade-offs: sticks can be bulky on your back, they'll clang if you're not careful, and the premium carbon and titanium versions get expensive fast — often $100 or more per stick.
What is a climbing step?
A climbing step (also called a tree step or rung) is a single step you attach to the tree one at a time, usually with a rope or strap. Instead of carrying a few multi-step sticks, you carry a bundle of individual steps and build your own ladder up the trunk — spacing each one exactly where your stride and the tree want it.
Steps give you flexibility: you place each one where you want it, they pack flat and quiet, and a good steel step bites hard into rough bark. That's the whole idea behind our patent-pending APEX Ladder System — modular steel steps with an aggressive standoff and a patent-pending V-Press crossbar that keeps you tight to the tree and confident on every move.
The honest comparison
Packability: Individual steps generally pack flatter and quieter than a stack of sticks, and a holster keeps them from rattling. Advantage: steps.
Weight: Ultralight carbon sticks win the scale. Steel steps weigh more — that's the honest trade for durability and bite. If counting grams is your priority, sticks; if you want bomber gear, steps.
Price: Premium sticks can run $300–$500+ for a set. Steel steps deliver the same job at a fraction of the cost.
Setup speed: Sticks are marginally faster since each one gives you multiple steps at once. Steps take a touch longer but let you dial in spacing. Slight advantage: sticks.
Durability & bite: Steel simply outlasts aluminum and carbon and digs harder into gnarly bark. Advantage: steel steps.
Flexibility: With steps you control exact placement around limbs, crooks, and awkward trunks.
So which should you choose?
If your #1 priority is the lightest possible pack-in for long public-land hikes and you're willing to pay premium prices, traditional carbon climbing sticks make sense. If you want rugged, quiet, configurable, and affordable — gear that bites hard and lasts for years — modular steel steps are tough to beat. Plenty of hunters even run a hybrid: a couple of sticks down low and steps up top.
Whatever you call them, the goal is the same: get up the tree safely and quietly so you can hunt. If steel steps sound like your style, our patent-pending APEX Ladder System comes in a 5-pack for a standard mobile setup or a 10-pack for taller climbs and permanent sets.
Not sure how many you need? Read How Many Climbing Sticks (or Steps) Do You Need for Saddle Hunting? — or if you're brand new to the method, start with our Saddle Hunting for Beginners guide.
Safety Warning & Liability Disclaimer
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION — read in full before assembly or use.
The Apex Ladder System by S.T.A.L.K. Outdoor Gear is a portable climbing and access system intended for recreational, hunting, camping, hiking, utility access, and non-life-safety firefighting access only. This product is not designed, manufactured, or intended to function as life-safety, rescue, or fall-arrest equipment and must never be relied upon as such.
Climbing, elevated access, and outdoor activities are inherently dangerous and involve risks that may result in serious injury, paralysis, or death. By purchasing, possessing, assembling, or using the Apex Ladder System, you acknowledge and voluntarily assume all risks associated with its use, including but not limited to falls, equipment failure, environmental conditions, improper installation, misuse, or user error.
The user is solely responsible for proper installation, anchoring, inspection, maintenance, and determining fitness for use. The Apex Ladder System must be inspected before and after every use and removed from service immediately if any wear, damage, defect, or abnormal condition is observed. Appropriate safety harnesses, lineman’s belts, and fall-protection equipment should be used at all times.
Any alleged defect must be reported in writing to S.T.A.L.K. Outdoor Gear within five (5) days of discovery and prior to further use of the product. Unauthorized repairs, modification, or continued use void all claims. The sole remedy for any approved claim shall be repair, replacement, or refund at the sole discretion of S.T.A.L.K. Outdoor Gear.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless S.T.A.L.K. Outdoor Gear, its owners, officers, employees, affiliates, and partners from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses arising from or related to the use or misuse of this product, including claims of negligence or alleged product defect.
This disclaimer and all disputes arising from use of the Apex Ladder System shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
For complete details, read our full Safety & Liability Information. Document Version: ALS-SAFETY-v1.0 | Updated: December 2025.
