Used the UP platform and 1 stick today to practice, latitude saddle and was hands down the easiest and best way to get into a tree- I was up fast , once in the tree it wasn’t hard to position to the right of where I was- coming down was super safe and simple- thanks for your videos! That UP platform was super stable- I’m 255ish
The Beast sticks are in my top two sticks … having said that, I did sell those off after this review and still own three sets of Trophyline double-step minis. Heads up, stick-to-stick, I’d choose Beast over mini. But the price point of the minis let’s me buy multiple sets of sticks for prehung sets. If I’m purchasing a top-of-the-line set of sticks, I’m buying EWOs - the stick I feel sets the standard for all others.
Also, very glad you included the Novix Minis in this comparison. Gives people a great budget friendly option and I personally think they compare very well to some of the other high end sticks. 1.5 pounds each isn’t bad at all. I actually just ordered some during this Black Friday sale. 4 Mini Double sticks for $175. That cannot be beat for the price. Thanks for all these detailed review comparisons, Greg. Much appreciated!
Good job on the review. I wish you would have taken this one step further and showed how solid each of the the sticks were when pushed against horizontally. This would show how secure the stand-offs are against the tree when cinched down. We all know as one climbs up you're grabbing the next stick with your hand for some leverage when taking the next step. Thanks again for the review.
Great in depth video. You just saved me a bunch of money. I love my standard Beast Sticks and will now be getting the minis. Stealth strips only add negligible weight and make them dead silent. Can you share a link with that stick attachment thing you guys use on your belts to carry the sticks while climbing?
You would be happy with either, and if price comes into play a bunch I know the non-drilled Beasts are a good buy. Their machining is impeccable as well. But it’s just hard for me give up footroom over other variables. Between the two, I’d still probably choose the Shikars.
I noticed at 15:01 he didn’t go around the post before starting the x pattern. I’m not sure how big a deal it is but I’m always careful with the details when it comes to climbing.
I’m not sure it’s a big deal … we had hunted for a couple months off them before making this video (see the review of JUST the One sticks on this channel…). By this point we knew we’d be sending them on down the road as soon as this video was done. 😊
I’m trying to decide on which set to buy between the EWO and Beast sticks. This will be my first set for mobile hunting. I like the step off on the EWO, but my concern is where it is out so far off the tree is it twist left to right? Where the Beast sticks are closer it appears that would be less likely to happen. Your son mentioned how solid the Beast sticks where and really didn’t say that about the EWO. What are your thoughts? I hope to buy one set and be done with it. Ty great videos
I’ve ran the EWO sticks ever since they came out … they will NOT budge on a tree. Period. There’s probably over a dozen guys, at least - if not way more, that have bought them based on my recommendation. Not one time has anyone been disappointed. The Beast sticks are good … the EWO sticks are great.
Why do you like the winner so much more than the beast stick? Is it the standoffs? If standoff wasn’t as important to you would you choose the beast? The beast sticks is the only one I’ve ever used.
Yes, standoff height (which ultimately leads to increased footroom) is a HUGE criteria for me. With all things being equal ... solid attachment, stability, lack of flex in the stick, etc., etc... I'll take the stick that provides a more comfortable climb all day long and twice on Sunday. Now... having said that -- the Beast sticks are solidly my #2 choice. They are a GREAT stick, and you're not missing out too much by using them. The machining is meticulous, they have a very "sexy" look about them, and some people actually prefer their flat stacking vs. the staggered stacking. Personally, I don't think how a stick stacks matters to a hill of beans because 99 times out of a 100 if someone is carrying four sticks in, they're going to have them strapped to the back side of a backpack. Hope those additional thoughts help. :)
@@StaggsintheWild yes helps a bunch. I have the mentality that if I’m buying something I’m going to get the best and skip the, “I’m going to just try this to see if I like it” phase. So I have nothing to compare the beast sticks to and this is my first year to use sticks. Been hunting over 20 years and always uses screw ins. Not gonna lie, the one sticking is looking really awesome even if I still use my lock on stand. Think it would work? I’ll just use my safety harness and should work fine.?
@@chrisunruh6485 I’ve never tried one-sticking with a harness as opposed to a saddle … I do have a couple friends though that one-stick snd use a hang-on when they reach hunting height. If it was a small hang-on, you could just put it on your back and climb with it; otherwise, I’d just pull it up once you get to where you wanna be with a rope.
Looking to get into saddle hunting and stumbled across your channel and it has been awesome. Thank you for your in depth reviews. Would you recommend the angled or straight steps on the EWO sticks?
Thanks for the kind words! I prefer the straight, but it's totally personal preference. I've felt very secure and comfortable on them, and am slightly hesitant to introduce any kind of unnatural lean that cants my ankles unnaturally -- though I've heard a few guys say they like the angled. I just see no need. :)
Im probably switching to 1 sticking. And definitely going with a ewo stick But my question. Il be using either predator platform or cruzr new platform. So I’m looking at getting a stick with no little platform on to the stick. I and getting a 2 step aider ( just watched your aider video 👍) what would be a good stick length. Im 5’10
My personal opinion is that a stick is really useless for one-sticking after 12” of length, because all it really is is a placeholder that connects the bottom step to hold your aider and a means to hold your top step o platform ... unless you just need it to fit onto a backpack more securely or another reason like that.
Good review. Was thinking about getting the ewo sticks but how many do you think I need to get 18 to 20 ft up. I'm 6 1 and could do an aider on the bottom stick?
My goodness, that’s surprising to see and hear that on the Timber Ninjas. Not only do they have the super small standoff but that squeaking is an absolute deal breaker imo. We’re talking about a hunting stick. I would expect way better for sticks at that price. Easy pass!
As a new hunter/new saddle hunter, I really appreciate the sturdy feel of the beast sticks. I've now got a monarch platform on the top stick and plan to use that for 2-3hr sits. Would like to ditch the buckle straps for ropes, can you rec amsteel rope dia and loop size??
Absolutely! Order some 1/4” Amsteel ... lots of places have it, including doublesteps.com. I have a video on this channel called “Modding Trophyline Mini Sticks: Turning Camaros Into Corvettes” or something like that. I show exactly how to do it step by step in that video.
@@StaggsintheWild thanks man. I'll order from double steps with the nice shock cord loops attached. What size loop do I want for it to be snug over the button?
@@mattfdepp1 watch the video - I show how to splice it directly onto the versa button so it can’t come off as you’re walking in and out of the woods. 😊
Foot room is a none issue..... I can't believe anyone buys that. I believe Catalyst is coming out with a taller standoff. Hopefully it will be readability available with their sticks.
You’d be in a HUGE minority if you think footroom is a non-issue ... but that’s ok; we love ya anyway, LOL! Yes, Catalyst was doing their best to get us an early set of their new sticks for this video (frankly, it’s the sole reason it didn’t come out two months ago ...) but they kept tweaking the design and I finally had to move on without them.
@@StaggsintheWild That is one of the great things about saddle hunting. The manufacturers listen to the wants and needs and deliver great products that will meet them. Do you have an ION coming to review? If not I would be happy to send you mine whe I get it to review it.
@@jcarter2575 That's super-nice of you to offer; I actually have a very good buddy of mine that has one coming, though I'm undecided as of yet if I'm going to do a video on it yet since there's talk that there may not be that many made... It's kind of pointless to do a review on something that's not readily available to the public :)
I had to draw the line somewhere ... and these were the five that interested me the most, and that I’d received the most requests about doing a video on. 👍
Personally, after either owning or trying out several of these sticks, if you compared the LWCG doubles side by side with other double sticks, I think they would end up towards the middle or bottom third for most people. Their stacking is absolutely awesome, but in terms of use in hunting situations (especially angled trees) they aren’t great. My personal ranking of the sticks included in the video and the LWCG doubles would be 1. Beast sticks (stealth striped) 2. EWOs 3. Shikars 4. Trophy line (due to value) 5. LWCG 6. Ninjas (due to noise & $) 7. Tethrd ones (due to issues, noise, and foot room)
I would swap Nos. 1 & 2 but other than that I’m right with you 👍 It just depends on what you place priority on: footroom, or stacking. I’ll personally take the footroom and staggered stack because I’m going to be strapping sticks to a backpack anyway. But great assessment! And thanks for the comment. Appreciate you tuning in!
