Every year we give you an overview of what our favorite treestand manufacturer has out on the market for this upcoming hunting season. I have used Summit stands for 15+ years now, and every few years I add a new one to my collection, and I finally retired my original Cobra a couple seasons back based on Summits recommendations. Well here we are in 2017 and below is what Summit Stands is offering this year. They have a few new stands that are interesting . They have also started offering stands with or without a front bar, which is nice because I personally know there is a mix of people that like them, and don't like them. I personally have been in a number of circumstances where I needed to shoot sitting down and with the bar I would not have been able to do so, so I currently have the bar off my Razor. Even that being said, the new stands in their lineup have moved the seat up so you can shoot sitting or standing with easy, with, or without the bar. Summit is always adding accessories and improving the designs of their stands based on feedback from hunters like you and me. I personally have used other manufacture climbing stands in the past and have yet to find one that I think even comes close to comparing.
Anyway without further discussion here is the 2017 Summit Stands Climbing stands lineup.
1- Summit Sentry SD Open Front Climbing Treestand
A Versatile Stand for Masterful Bowhunters
For seasoned bow hunters, the opportunity to aim and shoot while remaining seated high up in a tree can mean the difference between an uneventful day on the hunt and a successful encounter with a trophy buck. Make sure you’re prepared for your next hunting adventure with the Summit Sentry SD Climbing Stand, which makes it easy to climb to your desired height where you can sit up high, relative to the upright arms, and achieve a seated shooting position. With a newly designed flip-up mesh seat and the option to choose from a closed-front or open-front model, this new take on Summit’s popular Viper SD model offers new conveniences alongside long-standing Summit reliability to get you in the best position possible for your next hunt
2- Summit Sentry SD Closed Front Climbing Treestand
Comfort and Capability for Bowhunters
For seasoned bow hunters, the opportunity to aim and shoot while remaining seated high up in a tree can mean the difference between an uneventful day on the hunt and a successful encounter with a trophy buck. Make sure you’re prepared for your next hunting adventure with the Summit Sentry SD Climbing Stand, which makes it easy to climb to your desired height where you can sit up high, relative to the upright arms, and achieve a seated shooting position. With a newly designed flip-up mesh seat and the option to choose from a closed-front or open-front model, this new take on Summit’s popular Viper SD model offers new conveniences alongside long-standing Summit reliability to get you in the best position possible for your next hunt.
3 - Summit Treestands Explorer SD Open Front Climbing Stand
Elevated Hunting with Quick Setup and Portability
When you’re perched high up in a tree surveying the ground for wild game, the last thing you want is to be distracted by discomfort, fear of noise revealing your location and worry about becoming dislodged. Free yourself to focus on perfecting your hunting craft with the Summit Explorer SD Climbing Stand, which offers the versatility of either a closed or open front to fit your preferred climbing style. With the new portable, fold-flat design and Folding Climbing Stirrups that can be stowed away once you reach your optimal height, you can settle into your spot quickly and be concealed while you get a clear line of sight to your next target. To help ensure your day on the hunt begins and ends without a hitch, a spring-loaded, quick-release pin makes both setup and takedown efficient and quiet.
Designed for Convenience in the Woods
Fold-flat design help hunters get in and out of the woods with less fatigue.
4 - Summit Explorer Closed Front Stand
Join the fold of hunters in the know and on the go with this cleverly engineered climbing stand that offers the ultimate in portability. A flat-folding assembly with a spring-loaded quick-lock pin—and no loose parts to lose—makes setup and take down quick, easy and quiet, while folding climbing stirrups can be flipped out of the way once you reach your desired height. Whether you choose an open or closed front, you’ll enjoy unmatched comfort and utility, with a suspended foam-padded seat, padded armrests, a harness, bungee tether and bungee backpack straps.
5 - Summit Treestands OpenShot SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
The OpenShot SD is a compact, ultra-portable stand yet comfortable when you settle down to hunt. The unique seat easily folds up when you want to stand against the tree. When folded up, the seat cushion becomes the ideal support for your back, thus allowing you to stand for longer periods of time. At just 15 pounds, the OpenShot SD is a bowhunter's dream.
6 - Summit Treestands Razor SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
The Razor SD offers the best of both worlds. The pivoting front bar gives you a convenient spot to rest while you are climbing, but once you reach your desired climbing height, the bar can fold out of the way, for the perfect open front stand. The Razor SD uses the same fully padded seat and frame design as the Viper SD so you know you are getting the best comfort engineered stand on the market.
7 - Summit Treestands 180 Max SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
The 180 Max SD offers a bit more room and capacity for bigger hunters and those who just prefer some extra space. The height-adjustable Surround Seat lets you sit facing the tree or can be reversed with the seat against the tree. The premium quality precision welded aluminum extended top frame is ideal for tall hunters, yet keeps the weight down to a manageable 23 pounds. You will also have plenty of room to move around, the 180 Max shares the larger Titan platform. 350 pounds Maximum weight capacity.
8 - Summit Treestands Viper SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
Engineered to keep you comfortable and concealed, the Viper SD is Summit’s most popular model and has been for 17 years. Featuring a foam-padded seat that can be raised for bow hunting and lowered for gun hunting, the Viper SD’s full-perimeter frame allows for sit-down and stand-up configurations while a solid front bar enables easy climbing and doubles as a gun rest. Quiet, comfortable and safe, the Viper weighs in at a highly portable 20 pounds, with a nesting frame that packs on your back. PROVEN RELIABILITY: Built to last, the Viper SD Climbing Tree Stand is covered by Summit’s 5-Year Limited Warranty. DEADMETAL SOUND-DEADENING TECHNOLOGY: Critical parts of your tree stand’s platform are filled in with a custom-engineered expanding foam to reduce unintentional noises. QUICKDRAW CABLE RETENTION SYSTEM: The simplest, fastest and quietest cable attachment system ever invented, no fumbling with pins, knobs, nuts or bolts necessary. Size the cable to your tree’s diameter, insert the cable into the retention bracket, and the QuickDraw trigger locks securely in place. Pull the “trigger” to remove the stand from the tree. SUMMITLOKT STRUCTURAL ENHANCEMENT: High-quality extruded aluminum and precision welds provide maximum rigidity and strength. Each joint is “locked” into place before welding and designed so that stress on the welds is minimized, for a stand that’s strong, safe, secure and silent. RAPIDCLIMB CLIMBING STIRRUPS: A standard feature on all Summit climbing stands, RapidClimb stirrups are easy to use and adjustable to fit any boot. Designed to keep your boot securely attached to the platform, these ergonomic stirrups allow you to quickly and safely climb to your desired height.
9 - Summit Titan Sd Climbing Treestand Summit Treestands Su81118
The Titan SD climbing treestand has a wider climbing width and length and way more platform space, the Titan will accommodate the biggest hunter or anyone who wants some extra room. The comfortable padded seat easily adjusts up and down for bow and gun hunting and the multi-purpose solid front bar not only makes climbing easier, but serves as a gun rest. The stand is 25 pounds with a 350 pound maximum weight capacity.
10 - Summit Treestands Goliath SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
The original big-man stand, the Summit Goliath SD remains a huge favorite among hunters, and with good reason. Featuring the same comfort-engineered design as the Viper SD but with a wider top, the Goliath SD allows larger-framed hunters a little more room to move—with only a minimal gain in weight. At 21 lbs., the Goliath SD is still lightweight and portable enough to go everywhere you go and also boasts a larger, more comfortable seat. PROVEN RELIABILITY: Built to last, the Goliath SD Tree Stand is covered by Summit’s 5-Year Limited Warranty. DEADMETAL SOUND-DEADENING TECHNOLOGY: Critical parts of your tree stand’s platform are filled in with a custom-engineered expanding foam to reduce unintentional noises. QUICKDRAW CABLE RETENTION SYSTEM: The simplest, fastest and quietest cable attachment system ever invented, no fumbling with pins, knobs, nuts or bolts necessary. Size the cable to your tree’s diameter, insert the cable into the retention bracket, and the QuickDraw trigger locks securely in place. Pull the “trigger” to remove the stand from the tree. SUMMITLOKT STRUCTURAL ENHANCEMENT: High-quality extruded aluminum and precision welds provide maximum rigidity and strength. Each joint is “locked” into place before welding and designed so that stress its welds is minimized, for a stand that’s strong, safe, secure and silent. RAPIDCLIMB CLIMBING STIRRUPS: A standard feature on all Summit climbing stands, RapidClimb stirrups are easy to use and adjustable to fit any boot. Designed to keep your boot securely attached to the platform, these ergonomic stirrups allow you to quickly and safely climb to your desired height.
11 - Summit Specialist SD Climbing Treestand
Summit Specialist SD Climbing Treestand is an open front climbing stand that takes on a revolutionary look. The Specialist SD has a round perimeter tube constructed of high tech alloy is the first feature you will notice on this tree stand. Add that to the sling style seat, and this Summit Treestand will serve perfectly as the bow hunting stand of choice for years to come.
12 - Summit Viper Elite SD Climbing Treestand
The Summit Viper Elite SD changes the way you think about a Summit Viper treestand. Weighing in at a mere 17 pounds the Viper Elite SD is a closed front climbing stand that features a unique sling style seat, but the feature you will notice first is the round perimeter tube. Also features QuickDraw® Technology, RapidClimb® Stirrups, and SummitLokt®. The solid front bar makes climbing a breeze, with the sit-and-stand option it brings, and works well as a gun rest.
13 - Summit Treestands Cobra SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
Designed to provide bow hunters with the ultimate sit and shoot treestand, the Summit Cobra SD is a solid choice for rifle or bow hunting--and for hunters who demand an ultra-portable stand. The Cobra SD features a comfortable foam-padded seat that can be raised for bow hunting and lowered for hunting with a gun. The Cobra SD is also highly portable with a frame that nests together and at a mere 18 pound, it easily packs on your back.
14 - Summit Treestands Mini Viper SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
The Mini Viper SD is a great all-round climber, with a perfect balance of roominess, comfort, features and light weight. The versatile padded seat can be raised for bow hunting and lowered for hunting with a gun. The solid front bar makes climbing easy and works well as a gun rest. Like all Summit climbers, Viper features our Rapid Climb Stirrups, QuickDraw and SummitLokt technologies. Weight Limit is 300 pounds. Overall stand weight is 20 pounds.
15 - Summit 81052 Viper Classic Steel Self-Climbing Tree Stand, Camouflage Finish
The Summit 81052 Viper Classic Steel Self-Climbing Tree Stand provides the perfect perch for any hunter. Rugged steel construction makes it strong and durable. Summit Tree stands are carefully engineered to be the most silent, secure, comfortable, and concealed hunting tree stands on the market. From versatile climbing tree stands to adaptable tripod stands, all of our tree stands are built to last.
As we wrap up our annual overview of Summit climbing treestands, I would like to note, there are many classics in that lineup that they have been making for years and likely will continue to make for years. Others are new to the lineup for this year, and I really like some of their new designs. I will look forward to checking out some of the new designs in the future. As I stated at the top of this post, I really like Summit stands and couldn't give them a better review then I have been using them for 15+ years and will continue to use them for years to come.
