Best Tripod Deer Stands – 2021 Buyer’s Guide

| Last Updated January 1, 2022

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Knowing what you’re getting into is essential for deer hunting.

Having gear that can give you valuable information is especially helpful when you have eyes overhead, but for many, that's hard to do. 

Often times there aren’t suitable trees in an area that allow you to simply set up in, so when that’s a barrier, a tripod deer stand is an amazing alternative.

Comparison Chart of the Best Tripod Deer Stands

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Best Overall
  • Material: Steel
  • Platform Dimensions: 57.5 x 57.5"
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  • Padded rail for accurate shot and x stand leg design
  • Material: Steel
  • Platform Dimensions: 57 x 57"
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  • Best Portable and Best 10 Ft Tripod Deer Stand
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Platform Dimensions: 20 x 17"
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  • Best 16 Ft Tripod Deer Stand
  • Material: Steel
  • Platform Dimensions: 37 x 37"
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What Makes a Tripod Stand Great For Deer Hunting? 

Have you still not quite decided whether or not you want to spend a few extra bucks and buy a tripod stand? If not, then perhaps looking at all the reasons which make a tripod stand great for hunting will provide you a better perspective on the matter. Let’s jump right into it:

Durability

In order to be helpful for the purpose of deer hunting, a tripod stand needs to be sturdy, secure, and highly durable. Durability ensures that the product is long-lasting and proves to be a good addition to one’s hunting paraphernalia. It will surely add greatly to your hunting strategies. 

Comfort

Comfort is a major deciding factor in whether or not the product is good. It is important to have comfortable seating, which is another major plus point of tripod stands for deer hunting. Most products have padded seating with backrests, or some even have footrests. All of this greatly contributes to the comfort value. 

Spacious and Roomy Seats

It is important to look into the dimensions and weight capacity of the product to make sure that it has roomy seats. Hunting can be, at times, a rather long and daunting process, and having a roomy seat makes it somewhat easier to use a tripod stand.

What Size of Tripod Deer Stand Do I Need? 

The size of the tripod deer stand that you will opt for will largely depend upon your preference. Some people prefer the standard 10 feet eye height, whereas others like longer eye height range of up to 16 ft. The point of having a tripod deer stand is to gain an aerial view and have an advantage in hunting. 

Furthermore, when it comes to size, it is important to look into the seating dimensions and weight capacity. It isn’t suggested to strain the weight or height capacity of any product; thus, opt for a unit that is compatible with your weight and offers your preferred height. 

Aspects to Consider Before Buying

Purchasing new gear is a big commitment. Here are the top three considerations to make before investing in a tripod.

Portability

It is necessary to find the right balance between height and weight. This way, your tripod will be stable but won’t be a pain to lug around. A tripod won’t work unless you use it, and if its too heavy to carry, you might find yourself leaving it at home. Make sure that you can comfortably transport and set up your gear before you buy.

Silence

Stability and silence go hand in hand here. You might scare away game when setting this up, but making sure that your tripod doesn't squeak when you’re using it is important to its effectiveness. A good option should be motionless and quiet with you at the top, keeping you hidden from game.

Comfort

It is important to try out a chair before you buy it, and a tripod is no exception. If you are cramped or uncomfortable, you won’t get a good shot in, so make sure you can see yourself sitting at the top for a few hours. A good model should allow for good posture and form while allowing you to shift positions easily.

Review of the Best Tripod Deer Stands

With many options to comb through, finding the right tripod stand might be overwhelming. To help you out, here are the top four tripod deer stands and their features.

Best Overall: 
Guide Gear 12' Tripod Deer Stand

Guide Gear 12' Tripod Deer Stand Tower for Hunting Climbing Hunt Seat, Hunting Gear Equipment Accessories

PROS

  • Silent and sturdy
  • Designed for comfort
  • Rated best for the money
  • Lightweight for transportation
  • Also rated second best overall

CONS

  • Faster to take down than to set up
  • Can be less sturdy for heavier hunters

Review

The Guide Gear 12’ Tripod Deer Stand is rated as the second best overall as well as the best deer stand for the money. It delivers amazing quality without breaking the bank. This tripod is designed to be comfortable and quiet, and features a suspension seat and special fabric that acts as a noise reducer.

It features a padded shooting rail armrest and cushioned backrest, as well as a bar to support your feet to minimize fatigue and maximize comfort. When setting up, it features a classic three-leg design that spreads and firmly locks into place with a 3 arm support system and linchpins, and 3” x 4” foot-pads at the base to accommodate anchors.

It is easy to both set up and collapse, and weighs only 60 pounds, which is perfect for transportation. It can be carried for multiple miles without fatigue, ideally by two people, but it works with just one. Although light, it is sturdy with minimal wobble.

Bottom Line

The Guide Gear 12' Tripod Deer Stand is a high quality and top performance deer tripod that won’t empty your wallet. It provides exceptional comfort and sturdy design while remaining easily collapsible and lightweight.

Product Specs

Material:

Steel

Platform Dimensions:

57.5 x 57.5"

Carrying Weight:

71.4 lbs

Height to Shooting Rail:

12 ft

Weight Capacity:

300 lbs

1 or 2 Person?

1

Best 2 Man Model:
X-Stand Kingpin Hunting Blind

X-Stand Treestands XSQP846 The Kingpin Tower

PROS

  • X-frame ladder for stability
  • Easy to set up and take down
  • Compatible with tower tit for camo
  • Two comfortable mesh seats on platform
  • Lightweight for take down and transport
  • Padded rail ensures accurate shot and minimal fatigue

CONS

  • Some reported complaints with bolts on platform

Review

The X-Stand Kingpin Hunting Blind is the best aluminum model and is the most lightweight. Although exceptionally easy to set up, take down, and transport, this deer stand makes no compromises. It features a roomy platform with two comfort mesh seats with backrests for you and your hunting partner, and has a 11’ to shooting padded rail to help you get the perfect shot.

Constructed for stability and durability, it has a sturdy ladder and x-stand leg design, so you won’t have to worry about falling while climbing up or down. This model has a 500 pound weight capacity, and is compatible with a camouflage tower kit that can help you stay hidden while you watch for game.

Comfortable, sturdy, lightweight, and high-quality, this aluminum model makes no compromises and helps you hunt accurately with limited fatigue. Because of its low weight and compact nature, this could be the perfect set-up for either a single spot, or travel.

Bottom Line


The X Stand Kingpin Hunting Blind is a great option for anyone wanting to go aluminum or super lightweight. Sturdy and strong enough for two people, it offers multiple seats and an x leg design. This stand is easy to use and transport, and maximizes comfort via mesh seating and multi-sided padded railing. It ensures you are happy while you wait for the perfect shot, and can be camouflaged easily.

Product Specs

Material:

Steel

Platform Dimensions:

57 x 57"

Carrying Weight:

152 lbs

Height to Shooting Rail:

11 ft

Weight Capacity:

500 lbs

1 or 2 Person?

2

Best Portable and Best 10 Ft Tripod Deer Stand:
Millennium Tree Stands T-100

PROS

  • Features a ComfortMAX seat which swivels 360-degrees
  • Carries an eye height of 10 ft and can hold up to 300 lbs.
  • Lightweight construction allows it to be easy to carry along
  • Highly comfortable with a large, non-sink and easy to climb steps
  • Manufactured with aluminum with a durable powder coating to ensure reliability

CONS

  • Some consumers found that old and young people had slight trouble getting in and out of them

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers are very happy with the purchase of this particular product. It features a sturdy design that is capable of being travel-friendly yet durable and comfortable. Furthermore, it provides an excellent view and makes taking a shot very easy.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It caught our attention with its durable aluminum construction, which has a powder finish coating. This unit has an excellent weight capacity of 300 lbs. and an eye height of 10 feet. Plus, the seat is comfortable to sit in and can swivel 360-degrees.

Bottom Line

For anybody looking for quality, durability, and comfort all in one product, this unit would be a great investment to make. It has a highly durable aluminum construction and powder coating. Plus, it is easy to get into and out of as well. Therefore, it is a consumer favorite.

Product Specs

Material:

Aluminum

Platform Dimensions:

20 x 17"

Carrying Weight:

36 lbs

Height to Shooting Rail:

10 ft

Weight Capacity:

300 lbs

1 or 2 Person?

1

Best 16 Ft Tripod Deer Stand:
Sniper Treestands STTP70

PROS

  • Affordable as well as accessible to larger audiences
  • Also includes a fully surrounded, padded shooting rail
  • Features a 16’ ft eye height plus a 300 lb. weight capacity
  • Highly comfortable as the seat has a cushion, backrest, and padded armrest
  • Seat can swivel 360-degrees to provide a complete view of the surroundings

CONS

  • Some buyers found assembling the product to be slightly problematic

What Recent Buyers Report

This product seems to have impressed consumers greatly with its impeccable construction and stunning design. It has a highly durable and high-quality construction that allows it to be such a durable product. Even though some did find the set-up process slightly problematic, it is very comfortable alongside being affordable and accessible to people on a budget.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stands out to us due to multiple reasons. Firstly, the unit has a design with a 360-degree swivel seat, allowing one to have an overall view. Furthermore, it is created with consumer comfort in mind; therefore, it has a cushion, backrest, and padded armrest.

Bottom Line

Overall, this tripod stand is a gem. It is perhaps constructed to be one of the most comfortable units out there in the market. It has a good height and weight capacity alongside being one of the more affordable options in the market. Thus, this product is a good investment.

Product Specs

Material:

Steel

Platform Dimensions:

37 x 37"

Carrying Weight:

127 lbs

Height to Shooting Rail:

16 ft

Weight Capacity:

300 lbs

1 or 2 Person?

1

5. Sniper Sentinel 13' Swivel Tripod Deer Stand

PROS

  • Noiseless
  • Extremely sturdy
  • Easy to set up and take down
  • Lightweight for transportation

CONS

  • One seat per platform

Review

The best overall deer tripod is by far the Sniper Sentinel 13’ Tripod Deer Stand. This tripod is made for rifle hunting, as many tripods are, but could be used for bow hunting as well, although not made for standing as it features a seat. Regardless of your preferred hunting method, it is incredibly sturdy and can withstand even the most intense storms without being staked down.

This feature also stops it from rocking back and forth or making any noise when climbed or used for perching. Its quietness is perfect for keeping you hidden from prey, and ensures that you won’t spook deer. While reliable, it can also be easily collapsed and transported. The seat and legs can be separated by the bolt that attaches them, and the legs collapse for easy storage.

At 66 pounds, it is much lighter than many other on the market choices and is ideal for carrying without too much strain. This lightweight model is perfect for toting with you without compromising stability. It is rated as easy to assemble as well as comfortable, and is a great choice for anyone looking for all around dependability and user friendly technology.

Bottom Line

Overall this is an amazing set up for anyone who is looking for quality in all areas. This model is sturdy and silent and can be easily collapsed when it comes time to transport. It is user friendly, and is comfortable for sitting in for long periods of time.

Product Specs

Material:

Steel

Platform Dimensions:

61.25 x 20"

Carrying Weight:

66 lbs

Height to Shooting Rail:

13 ft

Weight Capacity:

300 lbs

1 or 2 Person?

1

What to Look For When Buying a Tripod Deer Stand

There are many tripod stands for deer hunting out there in the market that it can be truly difficult to select a single product. In order to ensure that the one you invest in is of good quality and delivers good performance, there are certain features and factors that need to be looked over. These include:

Construction

The construction of the product should be sturdy and heavy-duty, so it is durable. Tripod stands can be an expensive investment; thus you wouldn’t want a unit to wear out quickly. Therefore, invest in a product with a protective coating to protect it from a harsh environment. 

Ease of Use

The product you invest in shouldn’t be heavy. In fact, ideally, it should have a lightweight construction without compromising on the quality of material or durability of the design. This allows it to be easy to travel with. It should, furthermore, be easy to set up, so the entire process is efficient. 

Design and Capacity

The design should be ergonomic, comfortable, and innovative. It needs to carry a backrest, padded armrests, etc., which makes the seating comfortable.

Furthermore, the unit should have large and easy to climb steps that allow one to easily get in and out of the stand without any struggle. 

Pros and Cons of Using a Tripod Deer Stand

There are many pros and cons of using a tripod stand. Here are some of the most important.

Pros

The following are some pros of this kind of tripod deer stand:

View

Obviously, the main reason hunters use a stand is to increase their field of vision. Knowing your surroundings and locating deer is vital when hunting, and a bird's eye view helps with this tremendously. Because this stand allows you to be the one actually looking around, there is a greater degree of sight and also more accuracy than something like camera or drone.

Choice

Rather than relying on finding the perfectly located tree with adequate branches and sight from the top, a tripod stand allows hunters to choose exactly where they need to set up. This decreases the chance of disappointment in the field.

Portability

A tripod is simply to deconstruct and pack. Although it is the perfect tool for a stationary plot of land, it can travel with you on a hunting trip or to another part of the field like a tree never could.

Cons

However, it comes with some drawbacks, including:

Weight

Although a tree cannot move with you, that means it doesn't need to be carried from place to place. Before investing, make sure you can handle the extra weight!

Visibility

Although this model of viewing is accurate and effective, it is more intrusive and potentially more noticeable than utilizing nature or a more discrete method. This could potentially confuse game or tip them off.

Conclusion

Deer hunting with a stand gives you the flexibility to watch from above without relying on trees or complex technology like a drone. Shooting from a higher angle has many advantages, especially with these expertly designed stands that are sturdy, silent, and keep you comfortable while you wait.

People Also Ask

People often tend to have a lot of questions when it comes to buying a tripod deer stand. This is because the process of buying one can be pretty extensive. Thus, we took the liberty of answering your most frequently asked questions to help understand things better.

How Much Do Tripod Deer Stands Weigh?

Products differ in terms of weight as it can depend upon the construction material, design, etc. However, most tripod deer stands weigh around 35 to 60 lbs.

Using a deer stand may be daunting for some, especially because of its height. Most concerns come from its visibility to the buck or are around its stability. Here are the most frequently asked questions, although when purchasing a stand, remember to look into the specific safety and camouflage techniques designed for that model.

Are Tripod Deer Stands Safe?

Yes, they are indeed safe and comfortable as well. In fact, many professionals consider them to be safer than other types of stands.

How Much Weight Can a Tripod Deer Stand Hold?

Generally, a tripod deer stand can hold up to 300 lbs. The values may be different from brand to brand and product to product as it depends upon the independent construction of the model.

What Are Tripod Deer Stands Made Out of?

Different products have different construction. It truly depends upon what the idea behind the construction is. Thus, most lightweight units are constructed from aluminum, whereas sturdier and heavy-duty units are often constructed from steel.

How to Hide a Tripod Deer Stand?

A tripod can be camouflaged naturally, in brush or trees, or simply via a camo covering. Many hunters choose to set their stands up near existing trees if they are available, so the branches and tall trunk blend in with the stand. If hunting in a more open area, or simply dealing with some spooked or skeptical deer, camo patterned coverings can be added to the platform of your stand to keep you invisible from the ground.

How to Anchor a Tripod Deer Stand?

For safety in general, in windy conditions, or when dealing with uneven ground, anchoring a deer stand is a good idea to increase security, stability, and peace of mind. This can be done in a number of ways including via spiral ground anchors, regular stakes, sandbags or in some cases, cement.



My name is Caleb and I am obsessed with hunting, fishing, and foraging. To be successful, you have to think like your prey. You have to get into the mind of your target - and understand Big Game Logic. If you have any questions, or just want chat about your latest hunting score or big catch, you can reach me at admin@biggamelogic.com. Read more about Big Game Logic.