So I'm not usually a tree stand hunter but this year I expect to park myself up some tree. My question is I can probably find something like a seat cushion for my seat base but what can I use for my back? What do you guys do? I can sit for a while but after a few hours I expect to feel the effects of a hard bark like surface trying to relocate the discs on my spine. I'd rather be a bit more comfortable. Thanks.
comfort on the tree stand
- Thread starter amber2010
- Start date
Third Rail
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I can sit on a stand for a few hours without too much difficulty. I have a soft foam cushion that helps make things comfortable (and warm) for my arse. As I layer up and dress accordingly, the only other part of me that will get cold are my feet - depending on the temperatures. Once it drops below 0C, and the cold has set into my warmest winter boot (Sorels), there is no way to win that battle trying to bring some feeling back to your toes. Only a matter of time until I just have to get out of the stand.
I don't have to worry about my back as my stand has a back to it. If you get a chance, get out to the stand and try a few things and see just how uncomfortable or annoying leaning against the trunk is.
I bought hot packs (feet) to try last year and it just didn't get cold enough to use them. I'm also thinking about trying any old wool blanket under my boots and around my legs in November. I've seen people use an old sleeping bag. Whatever works for you, find it and do it.
I don't have to worry about my back as my stand has a back to it. If you get a chance, get out to the stand and try a few things and see just how uncomfortable or annoying leaning against the trunk is.
I bought hot packs (feet) to try last year and it just didn't get cold enough to use them. I'm also thinking about trying any old wool blanket under my boots and around my legs in November. I've seen people use an old sleeping bag. Whatever works for you, find it and do it.
I have sat for 11 hours a few times. I don't like it much, but when after a particular deer I wanted to put all odds in my favour. I bought a comfortgel seat pillow from Lone Wolf to replace the stock seat cushion, and I put a mesh lumbar backrest against the tree. That helped a lot. But I had to alternate between sitting, standing, and once in a while I'd fold my seat up, shorten my harness tether a bit, and kinda 'hang' in my harness for a bit to take the weight off my tailbone. Oh, and a pissjug was the last necessary piece of gear for that long of a sit. I didn't get that goddam big buck, by the way, so it was all for naught! LOL
The other advantage of the lumbar support backrest was that it stopped my fleece jacket from making noise against the bark.
Cheers,
Dave
The other advantage of the lumbar support backrest was that it stopped my fleece jacket from making noise against the bark.
Cheers,
Dave
Get a ladder stand if you can. I have a Big Game Buddy 2 Man Tree Stand and the seats are very comfy and with it being wider than usual you have lots of room to sit your pack next to you so you can bring a big thermos and heat packs to keep warm and comfortable. Also put some outdoor carpet down on the platform and it helps keep the metal from sucking the heat out of your boots. Same with a heater butt seat. I also highly recomend a hand muff for the colder hunts. Its amazing how that can help keep your heat in and in extreme cold you can still throw some hot packs in it to really keep warm.
Half the battle is keeping warm. When you are warm your muscles are loose and so you are more comfortable. Once you get cold your body starts to tense up and thats when the aches and pains start. I learned that from years on a motorcyle commuting over and hour right up to mid december some years.
Half the battle is keeping warm. When you are warm your muscles are loose and so you are more comfortable. Once you get cold your body starts to tense up and thats when the aches and pains start. I learned that from years on a motorcyle commuting over and hour right up to mid december some years.
Some of this depends on your stand set up. I’ve sat in almost everything and still personally feel the sumit viper ss series is the most comfortable. I’ve done some of my longest sits (over 12hrs) in those and they are great. Some guys lacking in stand padding have recommended a seat/back pad similar to what you would pack out with you turkey hunting and they sit on that in the ladder stand. For my hang on stands I have a seat vision that comes with those models and take a self inflating seat fission that I use for my back pad by starting it to the tree. Trial and error and personal preference. Good luck!
I bought a Big Denali 1.5
This stand has essentially a deck lounge chair built into it. It's easily our most comfortable tree stand. It is 20ft in the air and requires you to use safety Harness but still it's an excellent stand for being solid and easy to climb in/out of for a heights chicken like me.
Otherwise I have one of those $20 cabelas hot seats
This stand has essentially a deck lounge chair built into it. It's easily our most comfortable tree stand. It is 20ft in the air and requires you to use safety Harness but still it's an excellent stand for being solid and easy to climb in/out of for a heights chicken like me.
Otherwise I have one of those $20 cabelas hot seats
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
I find a mixture of stadium bleacher pads, those 'thermal hot seats', and a trucker seat pad work well.
You can get the seat pads in an array of sizes depending on the tree.
They will never be as comfortable as a hanging seat, but they will make it a lot better.
You can get the seat pads in an array of sizes depending on the tree.
They will never be as comfortable as a hanging seat, but they will make it a lot better.
So I'm not usually a tree stand hunter but this year I expect to park myself up some tree. My question is I can probably find something like a seat cushion for my seat base but what can I use for my back? What do you guys do? I can sit for a while but after a few hours I expect to feel the effects of a hard bark like surface trying to relocate the discs on my spine. I'd rather be a bit more comfortable. Thanks.
Well I found an old foam pillow. I have asked my wife to sew me a bag (Outdoor lawn fabric should work) and I'll figure out a fastening system so it will hold on to the tree. Thanks for your suggestions. By the way it is a ladder stand.
Well I found an old foam pillow. I have asked my wife to sew me a bag (Outdoor lawn fabric should work) and I'll figure out a fastening system so it will hold on to the tree. Thanks for your suggestions. By the way it is a ladder stand.
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
By trucker seat, I was referring more specifically to the ones with the back pad. You can get a variety of thicknesses and materials, depending on your space in the tree. Gel ones can be heavy though.
Species8472
CGN Regular
- Location
- Nipissing Township + 82a
I have slowly added stands like this all over my properties:
Looks like this underneath (different location but the platform is the same):
I have them strategically placed for different wind conditions and most overlook food plots or travel corridors.
8x8 platform 12 feet tall topped with a 6x6 pop up blind screwed to the platform. Gives a 2 foot wide sidewalk around the blind. Back of the platform has a swing out lift for hoisting gear. Blinds are heated in the cold weather with propane and each one has a comfy chair. Some years I head out the night before the opener and camp out in the blind with an air mattress and sleeping bag.
Looks like this underneath (different location but the platform is the same):
I have them strategically placed for different wind conditions and most overlook food plots or travel corridors.
8x8 platform 12 feet tall topped with a 6x6 pop up blind screwed to the platform. Gives a 2 foot wide sidewalk around the blind. Back of the platform has a swing out lift for hoisting gear. Blinds are heated in the cold weather with propane and each one has a comfy chair. Some years I head out the night before the opener and camp out in the blind with an air mattress and sleeping bag.
I have slowly added stands like this all over my properties:
Looks like this underneath (different location but the platform is the same):
I have them strategically placed for different wind conditions and most overlook food plots or travel corridors.
8x8 platform 12 feet tall topped with a 6x6 pop up blind screwed to the platform. Gives a 2 foot wide sidewalk around the blind. Back of the platform has a swing out lift for hoisting gear. Blinds are heated in the cold weather with propane and each one has a comfy chair. Some years I head out the night before the opener and camp out in the blind with an air mattress and sleeping bag.
Awesome! So envious, you lucky bastard lol
