Bowhunting · Mobile Hunting · Tips and Tactics · Treestand ·Oct 10, 2025

Climbing Sticks and Hang-On Tree Stand: Finding Your Perfect XOP Setup

In the world of mobile hunting, choosing the right climbing sticks and hang-on tree stand can make or break your setup. Whether you're deep in public land, setting semi-permanent stands on private ground, or bouncing between rut funnels, XOP's lineup offers purpose-built tools for every scenario. In this guide, we break down each climbing stick and hang-on model — who it's built for, where it shines, and what you need to know before you climb.

Climbing Sticks Breakdown

1. HYDRO: The Precision Tool for Hardcore Hunters

Best For: Mobile hunters using advanced techniques, saddle hunters, deep woods setups.
Why Choose It: Featherlight with premium features like XR2 cleats, AXIS teeth, and Reactor aiders. Perfect for high-efficiency climbing with total control.
Scenario: Picture yourself creeping into a bedding-area pinch point before daylight. You're miles from the trailhead and every ounce counts. The HYDRO sticks stay silent in your pack, deploy fast, and grip solid—even on shaggy bark or slanted trunks. You climb like a ghost, hang your FLY stand, and melt into the canopy before first light.
Pros:

Lightest and most advanced
Ergonomic handle and modular aider system
Secure, bark-friendly grip

Cons:

Higher price point
May be overbuilt for casual users

2. X2: Ultralight with Big Step Comfort

Best For: DIY public land hunters, run-and-gun setups.
Why Choose It: Strong aluminum build with a wide 10” step and 17” spacing to maximize climb with fewer sticks.
Scenario: It's opening weekend, and you're bouncing between ridge tops glassing for early season movement. The X2s lock together tight and toss easily into your pack. You find fresh rubs, grab your VANISH stand, and set up silently in minutes. They're fast, light, and built for daily grind.
Pros:

Compact with Slide Lock stacking
High stand-off for foot clearance
Lightweight and modular

Cons:

Slightly lower climbing height per stick

3. X3: Semi-Mobile and Set-Ready

Best For: Outfitters, landowners, or hunters needing semi-permanent sets.
Why Choose It: Durable, easy to use, and great for repeating locations.
Scenario: You've patterned a big-bodied 10-point cruising a river flat. You want to be in before the pre-rut, and that means getting a set ready now. The X3 sticks and AIR RAID stand make it easy to lock in that honey hole with confidence. Sturdy, tall, and solid enough to leave for weeks.
Pros:

Long 32” stick for faster setups
Secure V-bracket and large step

Cons:

Heaviest in the line
Less packable for mobile-only users

4. LMO4 3-Pack: Pack-Ready Height Boost

Best For: Hunters needing extra height or portable semi-permanent setups.
Why Choose It: Long Locking mechanism removes need for straps, making transport effortless.
Scenario: You're chasing a ridge runner that beds high. Every step matters. You throw the LMO4s and a lightweight stand in your pack and climb fast to 18 feet with ease. No noise, no straps, no fuss. These sticks stack slick and get you where you need to be—above the eyes of wary bucks.
Pros:

Lightweight with solid height gain
Strapless stacking
Comfortable arched steps

Cons:

Only sold in 3-pack
Narrower 5” step may be tight for large boots

Hang-On Tree Stand Breakdown

1. ION: Comfort King for All-Day Sits

Best For: All-day bowhunters, rut sits, gun season waits.
Why Choose It: Cast aluminum comfort platform and dual-action cushion make it feel like a recliner in a tree.
Scenario: It's November 8th and the wind's just right. You're settled into your ION by 5 a.m., thermos steaming. With that big platform and soft cushion, you’re ready to grind it out until dusk. When that rut-crazed buck cruises through at 2 p.m., you’re still sharp, alert, and steady.
Pros:

Wide platform and adjustable seat
Quick-Lock shelf system
Excellent comfort and stability

Cons:

Slightly heavier than minimalist models

2. RUBICON: Built Like a Tank, Moves Like a Cat

Best For: Mobile hunters in gnarly setups.
Why Choose It: Compact but tough, it’s made to disappear in thick cover and hold strong in leaning trees.
Scenario: You're set up in a swamp funnel with thick cover all around. The RUBICON hugs that gnarly trunk like it's welded there. You’re tucked in tight, bow at the ready, and the platform doesn't so much as wiggle. That’s confidence when the stakes are high.
Pros:

Strong frame with small profile
Fully leveling system
Seamless mobility

Cons:

Platform smaller than ION

3. AIR RAID EVOLUTION: The Versatile Workhorse

Best For: Hunters who bounce between preset and mobile hunts.
Why Choose It: Bigger platform for comfort, with enough mobility to pull for a quick strike mission.
Scenario: You’ve got a mix of private and public spots, and need one stand that can flex. The AIR RAID rides in your truck during the week and into the timber on Saturday. It’s the “do-it-all” rig that doesn’t quit—big enough to stretch out, light enough to haul.
Pros:

Large platform size
Fully adjustable and quiet

Cons:

Slightly heavier than VANISH or FLY

4. VANISH EVOLUTION: The Public Land Favorite

Best For: Public land, deep timber, high-mileage hunts.
Why Choose It: Lightweight, compact, and mobile with full leveling capability.
Scenario: You’ve hiked a mile into a saddle pinch with acorns dropping like rain. The VANISH sets fast, bites hard, and vanishes into the tree. You’re up and ready before the woods wake up. It’s just you, the silence, and the hope of antlers on the horizon.
Pros:

Durable but light
Compact for thick cover

Cons:

Smaller platform size

5. FLY: Microlite King for Rut Missions

Best For: Hunters prioritizing light weight without losing features.
Why Choose It: Ultra-portable but still comfortable, perfect for chasing hot sign.
Scenario: It's the rut and you're running midday shifts. You spot fresh scrapes on your way out—grab the FLY and slip back in fast. The XR4 setup is quiet and quick, and the stand practically disappears on your back. You’re hunting like a predator, not a pack mule.
Pros:

Only 5.8 lbs
Fast XR4 setup and comfort seat

Cons:

Lower weight rating (300 lb)

6. SUPERFLY: The Hybrid Saddle-Treestand Killer

Best For: Hybrid saddle/treestand users who need flexibility.
Why Choose It: Combines best of both worlds — treestand comfort and saddle mobility.
Scenario: You hunt hard, move often, and want options. The SUPERFLY lets you perch, pivot, or hang just how you like. One day you’re in saddle mode, the next you're sitting pretty with a full platform beneath your boots.
Pros:

QLT shelf system
Saddle-friendly WING system
Featherweight at 5.3 lbs

Cons:

Smaller platform for extended sits

7. ROAM: Minimalist With Full-Feature Feel

Best For: Deep woods hunters needing the lightest stand with real comfort.
Why Choose It: At 7.7 lbs, it blends minimalism with comfort and modular design.
Scenario: You're heading miles into a mountain basin where every ounce counts. The ROAM melts into your pack, sets up in seconds, and gives you just enough platform to feel confident without bulk. Simple, smart, and serious.
Pros:

Easy to pack and set
Large seat and platform for its size

Cons:

Less robust than heavy-duty models

Final Thoughts: Picking Your Pair

XOP has fine-tuned its climbing stick and hang-on treestand options to match nearly every hunting style:

Going Deep and Light? Pair HYDRO sticks with the FLY or SUPERFLY.
Balancing Comfort and Portability? Go with X2 sticks and the ION or AIR RAID.
Semi-Permanent or Big Guys Need Space? X3 or LMO4 sticks with the ION or AIR RAID.
Public Land Mobile Setup? Match VANISH with HYDRO or X2 for run-and-gun efficiency.

No matter your setup, the key is matching the right stick-to-stand combo for how and where you hunt. With XOP, there’s no compromise between weight, strength, and comfort — just mission-ready tools for serious hunters.