Sladder Review and Use

The Sladder is a very light-weight climbing system for mobile hunters who want to keep their pack light and be able to get up into just about any tree. In this video, I test the Sladder on a tree with many branches and climb right through them with ease. I also test the Sladder on a severely leaning tree and went up into it without any difficulty. In fact, it was even easier than on the straight tree. Lastly, I tested the Sladder on a very thin tree and it worked well. If you want to get in on the giveaways I mentioned in the video, visit the Giveaways page of my website and sign up for the newsletter
To visit the manufacturer's website to look at the Sladder more closely, use this link

[johndonato]

What I love about your reviews is that they are "hands on" demonstrations, and not just talking about the product. Great review and explanation of the system - thanks! And it did remind me of one of your own designs, too.

[harveyrousejr.]

I purchased a Sladder at the end of last Hunting season (2023). I've used it on about 6 or 7 hunts. I got to where I could get up to hunting height, however, just felt too wobbly. I had it kick out from the tree on a couple smaller diameter trees. I'm also a big guy at 6'2" 235 lbs. You nailed it when you said the climbing was impacted by the boots you wear. I usually wear a pair of GumLeaf rubber boots. Because they are somewhat pliable they are not the ideal boot to climb with. A pair of stiffer soled hunting boots would make stability much easier to achieve. All in all, it's a very light weight means of climbing. I will continue trying to prefect the Sladder. If "grey squirrel" can do it, I can too.

[madhuntsadventures]

I've seen the Sladder and it looks like a cool system. Thanks for the review, Sean.

[Bubakarrr]

That’s the system I used last year and I wear size 13 rubber boots or 14 in the late season on my hunts too. If I find myself in a position where I can’t get my foot far enough in, I push my hips back into my lineman’s belt to transfer most of my weight into it, I keep my lead foot in the rung without weight on it, and I move the sladder away from the tree with my trailing foot so I can reposition my lead foot. Essentially, shift most of your weight into your lineman’s belt and move the sladder with your trailing foot. You will probably intuitively do the same thing after some practice.

[swere]

after getting into the tree service/arborist profession i started hunting with a srt system using a saddle and a blakes hitch and a throwball. all i need is a 60 foot climbing rope a tether a saddle a platform and a throwball. when i climb at work i have alot more gear and a way more fancy harness but for hunting that would be way to loud and when you first start to learn to climb they teach you the blakes hitch because all you need is a harness and a rope to climb with it. theres a few videos about people using it ive seen online and it works great actually.

[JaseOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing! A guy at the Harrisburg show tried to push this product to me, but he was so pushy it turned me off. Looks like it would be nice for the long hike in

[dennyroszell]

I would definitely use my tether with this system. Going to be an awkward situation if something goes wrong with just a lineman belt.

[chuckparson]

I made a homemade rope ladder a few years ago and like using it in certain situations. If it's going to be windy or raining I take the climbing sticks.

[tomohandly]

The sladder is really nice going up. It’s quick and quiet. I’ll be rappeling when descending.

[alekart]

One of these would be perfect for my style of long hikes on public land. Thank you very much for showing it.

[millsan]

Mine got delivered today. Can't wait to try it out

[stevenl]

BTW...climb with 30 +/- feet of rope. Gives you a path to ground in an emergency. Or, when done, rappel down, stopping to detach the sladder. Less than 60 secs

[robpoehnelt]

I got one this year, but haven't had much time to practice it. It would be cool if you did another video after you've climbed with it a bunch of times. See if your perspective changes on it, or what tips made it easier. Good video. God bless.

[DavidGonzalez-ekzh]

I would think coming down and at dark would be really challenging. I've tried extenders on a bottom stick and it's tricky. Good luck!

[zanetracks]

Push your upper knee into the tree for stability and push out with the same foot. That brings the Sladder out for easy next step access 👍

[mrk]

One problem I always have is carryinf the equipment while doing all that work. I got a tree stand and it was difficult as it was. Its all about spending the time and order of operation. Its the best safety practice plus carrying another rope.

[stanhunt]

What hang on will you be using? Id like to see you do full stand system set up.

[RIPdreams]

Thanks for filming this video, I will stick with my climber, this looks too cumbersome and takes way longer to get up there, currently I take 2 minutes to get from the ground to 20 ft using the climber.

[leafinitup]

Cool system. When climbing down, how do you attach the base around the tree. Do you have to rely on leaning on your saddle straps?

[johnstancato]

I haven't gotten a saddle yet I'm hoping I can acquire one this year they are so darn expensive if I'm going to get one I want to get the one that's considered the best and the ones that are considered the best are from tethered all that being said I think I'm going to start off with one sticking I think it'll be a little easier and then repelling down when I'm done with the hunt you can take the stick off hook it onto yourself and then repel down I've watched a lot of videos different techniques different way people saddle hunt getting in and out of the tree and that looks to be the simplest so I think I'll give that a try