Safest Climbing Sticks I Have Used

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic episode man, your content never gets boring! Bravo 👏👏

[@SamkoTradBow]

Love that you are back in a tree and feeling safe up there. And congrats again on the doe your first trip in with the new system.

[@jordanboswell412]

I like the xop products as well. I've been using the X2 sticks for half the season.

[@ncsaddlehunter77]

I really like the look of those sticks. Thank you for sharing brother.

[@jessetaylor9758]

Robert you should take a look at the two tether climbing method. Jerry Grose, Arboreal, and others show the method on KZbin. I use this method and it requires no sticks. Also you are tethered to the tree at every moment you leave the ground. In my opinion it is the safest and lightest setup available. I have been climbing this way for the past 3 years. There is a learning curve but you get the hang of it after one season and then it’s like riding a bike

[@rootnpearl]

Robert thanks for your videos and words. There aren’t many putting content out just because they want to share their experiences. Others are doing it because they are sponsored. You are appreciated. Merry Christmas!

[@woodswalker2919]

I’m bought a waldrop pac seat and moved to the ground based on your recommendation and now you have moved back to the trees I’m all about the ground now Stay safe

[@robertcarte95]

@@woodswalker2919 I'm still ground hunting as well. I love hunting on the ground as well as the trees.

[@stephenthompson640]

Looks like a great climbing stick. I plan to purchase a set. Thanks for the intel! Merry Christmas to you and yours brother!

[@victorcook4398]

One thing that I don't care for on these steps and many others is the fact that they only have a step on one side. Which is fine if its a prehung set. But when I run and gun up here in the north and often am bogged down in heavy bibs, its nice to have steps on both sides.

[@AlecMcCaskill]

Please make a video going over how you safely hunt this? Like, how do you stay hooked in all the time and what harness you use? Thanks Robert!

[@donaldbuckner2935]

Good for XoP for making better products than Lone Wolf at affordable prices. I will be interested to see your safety harness and safe climbing method.

[@chuckbert3117]

I use those sticks and have for years, and yes, with XOP sticks you foothold instead of a toehold. I wrap my buckles with industrial strength adhesive Velcro (the soft side) and that keeps them quiet.

[@jimowens381]

I love the length of those sticks and the way they lock together. I will say that I prefer double step sticks though, but that's just me. Thanks for a great review

[@gregbarmer9108]

I have 2 sets of the exact same steps. Very solid, and I like their tree stands as well.

[@donthornton7528]

Jason friend makes custom climbing harnesses that are second to none. I won't leave the ground without it being on. Pricey but so is the emergency room

[@FrictionFire-q5z]

I have the XOP 32" Fixed step.. They are excellent on a tree. But they'll snag on and tear up everything. Car seats , back backs, rubber boots...I'm going with the Folding XOP Sticks next year. Good video Mr Carter 👍🏻

[@gregrenfroe5806]

Great video brother I’m glad you found something that works for you so you can keep climbing. I appreciate the fact that you call Mrs Tammy your best friend,my wife is my best friend and she is learning how to bow hunt and sit in a saddle along with me with me

[@walterquick8649]

Never assume a gun is not loaded or we all seen climbing sticks. XOP

[@nathanlester5054]

Good pointers and tips. I too use XOP sticks and prefer them to several other types that I have. I also like the fact that XOP sells replacement components.

[@robertclark9818]

Jason has a video on installing “YAK” grips to silent the buckles.

[@jerrycox2058]

Feeling safe and knowing that you are safe is everything when hunting off the ground. I remember tying myself to a limb with a nylon fish stringer while standing on another limb back around 1977. totally scary and painful. I ended up making my own single pole ladders, each section was 6 feet long. I welded the steps on myself and made the ladder stick out 5 inched from the tree with a slight upward grade on the steps to prevent my foot from sliding off. They we and still are very safe, my big grandsons use them now. The safety harnesses are so much safer as well. I like to feel safe standing as well as sitting. I have tested my equipment several times to avoid issues. I had a solid screw in step to break 14 feet up, no more screw in steps. We didn't have harnesses back then, I landed on my back in the only soft spot around. Yep, angels at work.

[@hix6791]

I'm not sure what harness you use but check out XOP's The Holiday harness. Used it this year and love it. Thanks for the video as always .

[@GooseWalk3r]

I use the same one. It’s a good minimal saddle for hybrid style hunting.

[@smoothvern165]

Great features on those sticks! I appreciate you making this video. I would also love to see a video on your safety harness, if you could make a video about it. I’m gonna be in the market for a new one before next season. I love your channel and your videos!👍

[@george2099]

Great video! RC Stealth buckle covers are what you need! They are cheper then the paddle one's Jason is using i keep telling Jason to get some!! Merry Christmas!

[@dannyrowe6506]

Thanks for the tip - ordered a set.God Bless, Danny

[@KevinRedford-g8r]

Thanks for sharing JIK

[@FDRGREG]

Those are LM04s. I just bought a set of these and a xop rubicon loc on. I’m practicing with them now. I have always used climbers for 30 years. But I wanted options. I’m 58 now so it’s not as easy climbing as using a climber but the carry in is much easier. I’m going to practice a lot before 2025 and get my system and method down pat. Glad you think they are safe and good, I have nothing else stick wise to compare them to. I taped the metal strap buckles with a stealth strip like material I found on amazon. I’m waiting on a pool noodle to use like Jason Samko does to bunjie the sticks to the stand. Still trying to get this system down.

[@jeffreybagwell1894]

i use the XOP X2 sticks and air raid stand and love it.

[@randyrobbins7106]

I have a set of XOP sticks. They are good. Well worth the money in my opinion.

[@lymanclark5537]

Bought a set not long ago, they are good sticks. I wrapped the end of each step with a sliver of reflective tape. Helps in the dark for going up and down.

[@robertcarte95]

@@lymanclark5537 I used to paint the top of each step white on my other sticks. When I used bolts I would wrap a small strip of reflective tape around them. Thanks for watching.

[@JunkyardGardener]

I did the same with some trimmed DOT tape 👍

[@RobertEatonOutdoors]

Good tips to remember. Thank you!

[@afarley337]

A word of caution on these, just make sure you have the head on that bolt that's through the middle step aligned before you twist them to lock in place. I had mine slightly off-centered one time and the bolt head rounded right off and they are a real pain to get locked now. It's a soft metal so just be mindful when you turn the bolts into place to keep them working well for a long time.

[@JBs-Trad4Critters]

Thanks for sharing RC.

[@JunkyardGardener]

I have the same sticks. XopLmo4. I will say they are tough and i trust them. They are a little heavier than some of the other 34in climbing sticks on the market. Its not all that big a deal. Ive streamlined my setup and sheded some weight. Opposed to locking them together as designed i space them out and strap them to the lockon evenly distributing weight for toting in the woods. I recommend them to anyone looking for a 34in stick. But they are a bit on the heavy side

[@outdoorman808]

Good video, what stand are you using with the XOP sticks

[@robertcarte95]

Xop Rubicon

[@jessetaylor9758]

Also check out Scott adkins… his method is the original way and he can be up a tree in like 2 minutes but he is less safe. Jerry grose shows it the way I climb.

[@jessetaylor9758]

Your climbing gear with this approach is literally 2 ropes and your saddle. If at any point in your climb you happen to slip you just end up swinging in the saddle and it’s never really a fall potential. It happened to me when I first started climbing this way and proved to me how safe it was

[@67HuntAway]

Back in my wild and crazy days we would drill a hole through a 6" block of 2x4 and tie them to the tree as a ladder system. Then climb free wheel. Still alive to say, Don't do that! Lol Fortunately we never had a fall but did recognize the sketchiness of them. Lol

[@timwaldroup9654]

Enjoy and stay safe RC...

[@southron1861]

Sorry, but I've never even heard of climbing sticks before. It would be great if you could do a video demonstrating exactly how they are used, but knowing I am just one person and probably one of the few who are unfamiliar with climbing sticks, I completely understand if you can't take the time to make such a video.

[@johnbottone4996]

Are they reversible (steps) for using. your left/right starting foot?

[@robertcarte95]

@@johnbottone4996 yessir

[@plecoful]

two by fours and plywood for me forever 😂

[@ArthurBennett-s8i]

Did you give up your saddle? I got a bunch of money tied up mine and due to breathing issues and heart problems I'm going to sell mine and go back to sticks and hang on .

[@robertcarte95]

@@ArthurBennett-s8i I will never use a saddle again

[@victorcook4398]

@@robertcarte95 lol. You said you'd never climb a tree again. It took me 2 years to really fall in love with a saddle. That was many years ago. Saddles are a lot tougher with a trad bow for sure.

[@robertalexander658]

We’re did you get them

[@robertcarte95]

@@robertalexander658 xop website.