Written By Jesse Gillotti
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At Deer Hunting Guide, it's not uncommon to hear a staff member looking for a new range finder or headlamp just to shave a few ounces off his hunting kit. So you can bet we try to shave as many pounds off our tree stands as possible. In fact, we put a lot of effort into finding the lightest hang-on tree stands on the market, which we have tested and reviewed along with their features and specs.
A word of caution when shopping for a light tree stand. The lighter you get, the more comfort you give up. I love a super light stand for getting way back into the deep woods, or public land, where other hunters won't go, but I will take my Summit Viper climbing stand for all day comfort.
RELATED: Best Hang On Tree Stands
Lightest Tree Stands At A Glance
Lightest Hang On Tree Stands Tested And Reviewed
The INGWE™ Hang-On Treestand
The INGWE™ hang-on tree stand is the lightest stand that you will find on the market, weighing in at just 5 pounds.
I used the INGWE™ Hang-On Treestand last season on a piece of land that required a walk of more than 2 miles to reach my desired pinch point that I wanted to hunt. It was a breeze to get that deep in the woods with the INGWE on my back. I also carried a set of lightweight climbing sticks to reach 20 feet high in the tree.
Setting up this stand was super easy and I didn't even break a sweat. I love the adjustability and the 6 inch standoff makes it super easy to hang on trees that are not straight.
Features:
- 24" X 15" Platform
- 18" Seat Height
- 10" X 7" Seat
- 6" Wide Standoff
- 300lb Weight Rating
- ASTM Certified
- Grade 8 Hardware
- Patent Pending Technology
What I Liked:
- I loved the fact that it only weighs 5 pounds. It is the lightest tree stand that I have ever used.
- I loved the belt loop hook which allows you to climb the tree with the stand hanging from your belt loop. Don't try that with a heavy stand!
- I'm a big fan of adjustability, so I love the fact that you can level the platform and the seat.
- I like that it comes with 2 cam buckle straps and dual attachment points.
- I love the built in attachment points to hang your gear from while in the tree.
What I Didn't Like:
- It is pretty small and uncomfortable. Tough to spend more than a couple hours in the stand.
- There is a pretty large lead time, so order early if you want one.
I'll admit, I didn't think we would see a 5 pound tree stand anytime soon, but here it is. Overall, it is a good stand and INGWE put a lot of thought into adding multiple features that make this stand pretty damn good.
Coming in at a close second in the lightest category is the D'Acquisto Series Hang on .5 from Lone Wolf, weighing in at a mere 5.8 pounds.
If you have been hunting for long, surely you have heard of Lone Wolf treestands. I still own some of the original Assault tree stands that they made back in the day.
The D'Acquisto series are their latest tree stands that take hunting from trees to the extreme, and they have done a great job at it.
I used this stand last season for some run and gun bow hunting, where I was trying to get into some bedding areas to get on a mature buck I was hunting. With this kind of hunting, you only get one shot, and it payed off with the buck below.
Features:
- 23" X 16.5" Platform
- 18" Seat Height standard, 22" available
- 10" X 8" Seat
- 300lb Weight Rating
- American Made Metal™
- In-seat accessory hooks
- Fully leveling seat and platform
- Frame lock feature *Patent pending
- In platform bow holder
- Climbing stick ports
- Hammered titanium finish
- Reverse tooth technology
- Integrated Versa attachment buttons
- Asymmetrical concealment pattern
What I Liked:
- I've always liked the Lone Wolf Brand. It's good to see these guys making great tree stands again.
- I love the accessory hooks for keeping my gear organized.
- I love the ability to level the seat and platform.
- I a big fan of the integrated bow holder in the platform.
- I love the built in climbing stick ports.
What I Didn't Like:
- I would have liked to see 2 ratchet straps, but I just add another myself.
- Seat is not very comfortable.
I have always been a big supported of Lone Wolf, so I was excited when they came out with an ultra light tree stand. After testing out the D'Acquisto Series Hang on .5, I don't think I will be using any other stand for my run and gun style of hunting.
Next in line, in terms of weight is the Elevate Ultra Hang On Tree Stand, weighing in at just 6.25 pounds. I had the pleasure of using this stand last season and I really liked hunting out of this one.
It is still super lightweight, but the seat on the Elevate stand is more comfortable than other lightweight stands, thanks to a thick foam cushion.
The platform is slightly larger than our first 2 picks, which is what adds slightly more weight.
Features:
- Weighs 6.25lbs
- Platform L: 23.75" x W: 17"
- Seat: 8 3/8" x 10"
- Cushion: 10" X 7" X 1.75"
- Base of stand to top of seat: 19.5"
- Made of 6061-T6 aluminum
- Safety rated for 300lbs
What I Liked:
- My favorite part about this stand is the comfortable seat.
- I like the leveling feature.
- I found it really easy to set up.
- The Elevate Ascend climbing sticks attach to the stand and still leave room for your backpack.
What I Didn't Like:
- They are expensive
Elevate is a relative newcomer to the tree stand space, but they are entering in a big way, with cutting edge products for the hunter that like to hunt from above.
I really liked this stand and if it was less expensive, I would have a bunch of them.
I used to think that the Millennium M7 Microlite was an incredibly light tree stand, and it is, but compared to the two above, it is a big jump in weight at 8.5 pounds
It's a durable and effective stand capable of holding 300 pounds with a width of just over 20 inches and depth of 26 inches, quite a bit bigger than the two lightest above.
Other important features include the SafeLink rope and carabiner that you can use to secure yourself while climbing up the tree and the ComfortMax fold-up seat that makes it more compact for carrying and storage.
Features:
- 8.5 pounds
- Aluminum frame
- SafeLink rope and carabiner
- ComfortMAX fold-up seat
- 300-pound capacity
- Ratchet-strap mounting system
- Powder-coat finish
What I Liked:
- I love the comfortable seat on this tree stand. It allows to spend more time in the tree.
- Safety is always a concern with tree stands, especially ones as compact as the Microlite, so I appreciated the included 35-foot SafeLink.
- Another safety feature is the ratchet-strap mounting system that keeps it far more stable on the tree than other systems.
- The aluminum frame along with its powder-coat finish resists the elements better than other types of constructions, so this stand is durable and long-lasting.
What I Didn't Like:
- The tradeoff of the ratchet-strap is that it requires more work and noise than other mounting systems. And noise is no good when hunting.
- It is significantly heavier than our firat two picks.
The Millennium M7 Microlite was my go-to light stand before I tried the INGWE and the D'Acquisto. It is still a great choice, but there are lighter options.
As we go down the list, the stands get heavier and heavier, but these are still extremely lightweight.
The XOP Vanish Evolution is a high-end hang-on tree stand with innovative and proprietary features. Where it really shines is its tough construction, making it a tree stand for bad weather and remote environments.
One important thing to note is that it's built to integrate with XOP climbing sticks, which we highly recommend you use as well. This provides a stable and safe system for getting up into your tree stand and staying hidden and quiet while you hunt.
Features:
- 10.5 pounds
- Cast aluminum frame
- Safety harness
- Six-point bracket
- Waterproof cam straps
- Waterproof dual-action seat cushion
- Fully adjustable seat and platform
- 350-pound capacity
What I Liked:
- With extensive waterproofing and an aluminum frame with a powder-coat finish, XOP designed the Vanish Evolution with durability in mind. It's a good option for leaving up in extreme environments.
- The seat is soft and comfortable for long periods of time in the same position.
- The flared foot rest is ideal for climates where the trees still have a lot of foliage during the hunting season.
- The bracket and chamfered teeth don't just make the tree stand more stable and therefore safer, but they also minimize the impact to the tree so it stays healthy and resilient.
- An adjustment bolt allows you to level the seat so that you can relax while you scan for your quarry.
What I Didn't Like:
- The seat is very narrow at just over a foot. If you have a wide frame, it may get uncomfortable or even dangerous.
- Along with the climbing sticks, it's difficult to carry.
At 10.5 pounds, the XOP Vanish Evolution is definitely lightweight. Nevertheless, it's still tougher than even heavier models. The soft material like the straps and seat are waterproof, so if you want a hang-on tree stand that will last season after season, this is a good bet.
Things To Consider When Shopping For The Lightest Hang On Tree Stand
Weight vs Size
For tree stands made of the same material —aluminum in the case of the lightest tree stands— weight and size are almost always a trade off. That is to say, bigger stands weigh more than smaller stands.
Weight makes the stand more difficult and uncomfortable to carry around, not to mention get up into a tree. However, a larger size provides benefits too, like more room for placing your feet.
Therefore, you have to consider what you need. If you don't plan on hiking too deep into the woods, a heavier tree stand may be worth it to get the extra space.
Weight vs Comfort
Weight and comfort are often tradeoffs too since room is a major factor in comfort. If you don't like being cramped in your stand, you may need a bigger platform, but that means more weight.
If comfort is your primary concern, one thing you can do is look for a stand with a deep platform that isn't necessarily wide. This gives you leg room but still cuts down on weight as much as possible.
How Easy Is It To Hang The Stand?
RELATED: How To Hang A Hang-On Tree Stand
Hanging a tree stand is a delicate process since you're usually balancing on small climbing sticks while doing it. Trying to work a lot of complicated mechanical devices at the same time isn't just frustrating. It can be dangerous.
You should definitely seek out a stand that's easy to hang. We've chosen stands with either ratchet straps or cam buckle systems. Both are fairly easy, though we might give a slight edge to cam buckles since they require smaller movements. However, cam buckles are not quite as secure as ratchet straps, so consider your priorities.
Don’t Forget Climbing Sticks
Unless you're just going to set your tree stand on the ground, you have to get it up there in the top branches somehow. That's climbing sticks. These are basically poles with steps that you can easily attach to the tree as you climb up it. This way you don't have to carry a whole ladder out into the woods, which would probably spook deer anyway.
Of course, this makes another load you have to carry, so look for lightweight ones. Additionally, many manufacturers may not include the climbing sticks with the stand, meaning an added cost in the long run. A $200 stand that includes the sticks is actually much less expensive than a $190 stand that doesn't.
Don’t Forget A Tree Stand Safety Harness
RELATED: Best Tree Stand Harness
Finally, you need a safety harness. Basically, the safety harness attaches to the tree via a rope of some kind, so if you slip off your climbing sticks or the tree stand fails, you won't fall to the ground. A simple linesman rope works great, and that's just what many manufacturers include. Others have excellent proprietary systems like the Millennium SafeLink.
Either way, an included safety harness is a great feature. It saves you the hassle and money of buying one separately.
Final Thoughts
Weight is at a premium when you're using a hanging tree stand. You want space and features, but you also don't want something heavy you have to carry around. That's why we recommend using one of the lightest hang on tree stands on the market, the INGWE Hang On being the lightest we've found at a featherweight 5 pounds. However, by sticking to the aluminum models on this list, you can add a bit of space or certain features all while keeping weight down.
RELATED: Proper Tree Stand Maintenance
