Whether taking a child, a friend, or a new hunter, let’s face it – a 2 man ladder stand is a necessity.
Like everything else, there are not-so-great options, and great options. If you’ve come looking for the best two man ladder stand, you’ve come to the right place.
Best 2 Man Ladder Stand - Top Picks
(Full List Below)
Best Overall
Best Mid-Tier
Best On a Budget
- 18 feet
- Patio-sized chairs
- MeshComfort seats
- Padded, flip-up armrests
- Contoured backs for added comfort
- Flippable, padded shooting rest for bowhunting
- Exclusive crossing strap tensioner
- Oversized grip mesh platform
- 17 feet
- Muddy silencers for less metal-on-metal
- Dual sling-style seats
- 37″ wide x 18″ deep seat that
- Max weight 500 lbs.
- Includes 2″ ratchet straps and 1″ stabilizer straps
- 18 feet
- 38″ wide x 12″ deep seat
- Removable padded shooting rail
- Highly rated
- Budget-friendly
- Includes 1″ ratchet straps, 1″ stabilizer straps, and 2 safety harnesses
Best 2 Man Ladder Stand - Full List
- 18 feet
- Patio-sized chairs
- MeshComfort seats
- Padded, flip-up armrests
- Contoured backs for added comfort
- Flippable, padded shooting rest for bowhunting
- Exclusive crossing strap tensioner
- Oversized grip mesh platform
Hawk has become synonymous with quality hunting products, and their Big Denali 2 man ladder stand is no exception.
The contoured, MeshComfort seats are going to allow you to sit longer without feeling the need to reposition, which is a huge plus when taking kids, who typically have a harder time sitting still.
As a bowhunter, what I really like about this two man ladder stand is the way that the shooting rail can be flipped upside down to allow for bowhunting, while still remaining as a safety rail.
The oversized platform is great for making sure you’ve got plenty of room for repositioning for standing shots, or even for a small bag if you’re not hanging it from the tree.
Like all other 2 person ladders stands, the Big Denali comes with everything you need to get it installed, but what’s different about this one is Hawk goes a step further and includes a crossing strap tensioner to make installation easier.
- 17 feet
- Cool, mesh seating
- Flip-up seats
- 40″ platform
- 2-way adjustable shooting rail
- Includes ratchet straps and criss-cross straps
The Rivers Edge TwoPlex is a great 2 man ladder stand with great features that make it more comfortable, but also more practical.
For example, the mesh TearTuff mesh seating is going to keep you much cooler in the warmer months, while also being nice and quiet when readjusting.
It’s a bench seat, which means the full seat can be used by just one individual comfortably without having a divider in the middle.
The seat is a flip-up design, so you can have more room to stand and shoot when preferred or necessary for shots that are between 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock (meaning not just right out in front of you).
The platform is 40″ wide, which offers plenty of room for two people, and it includes a shooting rail that is adjustable both in elevation and depth, so small shooters, such as kids, can be as safe and comfortable as possible.
Rivers Edge treestands are some of the nicest stands, and this 2 man ladder stand of theirs is a great option when bringing someone along for the hunt.
- 17 feet
- Muddy silencers for less metal-on-metal
- Dual sling-style seats
- 37″ wide x 18″ deep seat that
- Max weight 500 lbs.
- Includes 2″ ratchet straps and 1″ stabilizer straps
This Muddy 2 man ladder stand is another great option when taking out a buddy or a child. Like the Rivers Edge 2 man ladder stand, the mesh seat flips out of the way.
However, unlike the 2 Rivers Edge, there is a divider between the two seats, so a single hunter would need to choose one seat or the other when flying solo.
To help decrease the amount of noise that often accompanies metal stands, it’s fitted with Muddy silences to reduce metal-on-metal contact, making it one of the quietest 2 man ladder stands.
This 17-foot stand has a max weight capacity of 500 lbs., and includes all necessary ladder pieces and straps.
If you’re looking for the best two man ladder stand that won’t break the bank, the Muddy Partner is a great option.
- 18 feet
- ComfortMax seat
- Lumbar support folds in two directions
- Anti-flex bridge support eliminates need for tree brace
- Platform includes footrest
- Adjustable padded shooting rail and arm rest
The Ol’ Man Assassin 2 man ladder stand is going to get you a little higher off the ground than most others at 18 feet.
It was designed primarily for comfort and ease of installation. Leaning a two person ladder stand against a tree isn’t usually the hardest part of the install.
Normally, strapping the tree brace is because it can be tricky getting to it because ladder stands are often not on even ground conducive to step ladders.
To combat the aggravation, the Assassin was designed with an Anti-Flex bridge support, which eliminates the need for a tree brace.
The platform also includes a footrest, and the shooting rail and arm rest come padded. Another comfort feature is their ComfortMax seat, which was designed with all-day-sitting in mind.
Its seating includes lumbar support that folds in two directions. As you can see, they left no stone unturned when designing this two person ladder stand.
So, if you’re looking for the best 2 man ladder stand that is packed with as many creature-comfort features as possible, look to the Ol’ Man Assassin.
- 18 feet
- 38″ wide x 12″ deep seat
- Removable padded shooting rail
- Highly rated
- Budget-friendly
- Includes 1″ ratchet straps, 1″ stabilizer straps, and 2 safety harnesses
The Big Game Guardian two man ladder stand is a great no-frills option, which means you get what you need, but not much more.
That also comes with a lower price tag. As you can see from the picture, there’s no back to this stand, which may not matter to you if you plan on adding one or just going without.
It does, however, have the bench seat that goes all the way across, so there’s a lot of useable room when going it alone.
What I do really like about it is that the padded shooting rail can be moved out of the way for bowhunting purposes. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS USE A SAFETY HARNESS.
It gets you 18′ high and comes with everything you need to get it attached to the tree. It’s the best 2 man ladder stand when shopping on a budget. And it’s also very highly rated.
Which is the best two person ladder stand?
The best two person ladder stand is the Hawk Big Denali. The reason they’re getting the No. 1 crown is because not only did they take precautions for being silent by using nylon washers between metal contact points, but they made sure it was as comfortable as possible.
The seat is the biggest factor in determining how nice a 2 man ladder stand is. And they went all out with their contoured, patio-furniture sized seats.
After all, most manufacturers are making their tree stands safe, but only a few are making them comfortable. And a safe, comfortable tree stand is going to keep you afield longer, resulting in more success.
How To Setup a 2 Man Ladder Stand
If you’re wondering how to setup a 2 man ladder stand, don’t worry, you’re not the only one.
Fortunately, it’s not hard. It just requires a little time and effort, and a second set of hands.
First, you need to unbox your new two person ladder stand and assemble it per the included instructions.
Then, you’ll want to have a buddy help you prop it up against your selected tree. The back of the tree stand needs to be flat against the tree so that the ladder is at the correct angle from the ground.
You also want to make sure that both feet of the ladder portion are snug against the ground and do not wobble from side to side.
Now, this is where the manufacturer’s instructions are going to come in handy. Depending on the model you chose, the strapping system and where it needs to be strapped will differ.
Typically, you’ll have a ratcheting strap that wraps through the back of your stand and around the tree, and you’ll also have strap(s) that keep the ladder stabilized and secure.
The video below is a great tutorial on how to setup a 2 man ladder stand. They use a UTV to help, but that’s definitely not necessary.
Why is it so difficult to put a 2 man ladder stand up?
If you’re thinking to yourself (or screaming out loud) why is it so difficult to put a 2 man ladder stand up, chances are you probably already know the answer.
It’s huge, it’s heavy, and it’s wide at the top and skinny at the bottom – a recipe for disaster if you’re not prepared for it.
You just need to remind yourself why you’re putting one up in the first place. You’re either doing it because you want the ability to bring along a child or a friend, or you’re in need of more space yourself.
Either way, it will be worth it in the end. Just refer to the video above to see a good example of how to get it done. You can do it!
Benefits of a Ladder Stand
Many a hunter have found success in the whitetail woods through a well-placed ladder stand. I am one of them.
My first bow buck came from a ladder stand overlooking an oak bottom. He came in just 25 yards from the end of my arrow one October morning, munching on acorns. That was all she wrote.
Mobile rigs, such as saddles, hang-on stands and climbers are great for the run-and-gunners, but for those who prefer to walk into the woods silently and unencumbered by all the gear that mobile hunting requires, the ladder stand is the best option.
The best camouflage is natural, so setting up a ladder stand against a tree wider than your shoulders is ideal. Inconspicuously overlooking an oak bottom, food plot or ag field is made possible by the unobtrusive design of today’s ladder stands.
It’s easy to remain hidden by late Summer limbs and leaves that haven’t been removed for shooting lanes.
"Soak In" Your Two Man Ladder Stand
Ladder stands aren’t great options for same-day or next-day hunts because of their ground-level footprint and the scent left behind from installation, but over the course of a few weeks or so (depending on pressure), they simply become another part of the woods to passing deer.
A well-placed two man ladder stand in a transition zone can be an effective location year in and year out, but only when used sparingly and when conditions are just right.
If using on public land, make sure to follow state regulations in regards to stand removal at the end of each season, and secure it tightly to the tree with a high-quality lock so that you don’t walk up to an empty tree on opening day.
