Jayhawk Ladder Stand Review

X-Stand Treestands designs and manufactures a variety of treestands, tripods, climbing systems, shooting benches, apparel and accessories. They’re well-known and trusted in the industry as a provider of high-quality products. Hunter-safe technologies make their treestands some of the most durable and reliable on the market.

The Jayhawk ladder stand is a 20″ ladder stand made for two people featuring the Safe System. The comfortable flex mesh seats flip up so that they make room for the hunters to use the entire platform fully. The footrest also flips back out of the way. Padded armrests provide additional comfort, and the adjustable shooting rail flips back or can be removed entirely. It’s also padded for comfort. Here are the specs:

• Steel construction
• Weight capacity is 500 lbs
• Seat size is 39” W x 17” D
• Platform size is 42” W x 34” D
• Stand height is 20’ to the shooting rail
• Weighs approximately 122 lbs

What we like

We really like the technology that X-Stands has developed and implemented in the design and construction of these ladder stands. The company has truly thought of it all when it comes to safety and security. It includes 2, 4-point harnesses, so both hunters are safe all of the time.

They’ve developed an innovative safety system for ladder stands called The Jaw Safety System. It’s unique just to X-Stand. Steel jaws clamp around the tree you’re installing your stand in to ensure its stability and safety while you’re on the ground. They prevent the treestand from pulling away from the tree while stabilizing it during setup. Each steel jaw works independently and pivots for a system that’s fail-safe. 

X-Stands have a non-slip feature called Traxtion Control that provides grip to the foot platform for more stability and safety. Their Weather Defender is a unique powder coating that’s sprayed on their products for no-slip texture. It also reduces noise and protects against the weather.

X-Force is another technology that X-Stand applies adding durable, expanded metal to the foot platform for more traction, strength, silence, and safety. The seats in these treestands are luxuriously and ergonomically designed to fit the contours of your body. The mesh is weather-resistant and flexible to withstand the elements. The Stealth Silencers, the washers utilized to put the treestands together, are self-lubricated, so they reduce the noise that metal on metal parts make.

The list of technologies is endless and thorough. These stands also have an increased weight capacity, so they fit people who are heavier and taller than average. 

Durability is vital with these ladder stands, and they are rock solid. You can rest assured that only the best materials have been used to construct them. Therefore, you can sit in them and take your shot with confidence that you’re secure in your stand. It allows you to pay more attention to your surroundings.

The HeliX oval tubing offers extraordinary robustness and strength. We can’t emphasize the sturdiness and durability enough. When you’re hunting from a treestand you don’t need the distraction of worrying about how safe your stand is.

The two drink holders and accessory hooks add a nice touch. Another great feature is the 20-foot ladder. It places you well above the landscape. We really believe that they thought of everything with this treestand.

What we wish was different

With this treestand the sit is comfortable but there is a bar that presses into your back at the top that causes some discomfort, but this is not a huge issue. It’s still more comfortable than many seats by far.

Another irritation is that the metal platform has extremely sharp edges all over it so be careful grabbing it with your hands when you’re putting the stand together. The shooting rail is slightly lower than other rails and creates an angle making the shooting rail unlevel on the sides.

Assembling and installing this treestand is a two-person job. This is especially so when putting the seat on and transporting it to your hunting location. It may take as many as 3 or 4 people to help you stand it up. It also takes time to assemble so don’t wait until the last minute.

If you’re shorter, the ladder steps are far apart making it difficult to climb. This could cause problems ascending and descending when you are wearing insulated bibs and long underwear.

Another sticking point is the price. It’s quite expensive compared to other ladder stands.

What other customers say

Michael S. purchased the Jayhawk 20’ ladder stand and said that it’s rock solid. He recommended having 3 or 4 people help you install this treestand. He loved the seat and that you could lift it when you weren’t hunting. This prevented the mess that birds can make on treestand seats.

Wesley F. found the seats very quiet and comfortable. He also felt safe once the jaw clamps dug into the tree while he was still on the ground. Wesley plans on replacing other treestands with the Jayhawk. He thought it was expensive but well worth the price. 

William F. explained that he only had his son to help him put it up and they used a pulley and strap around the tree. They then used his pick-up truck to pull it up into the tree. After that, the installation was a breeze. The seat is very comfortable, and after a little bit of camouflage, none of the animals know that you’re there!

Final words

Some people say that the Jayhawk 20’ ladder stand is the Mercedes Benz of treestands. You can’t beat the safety and strength of the stand’s construction. Its increased weight capacity adds security so that two people can fit comfortably in this stand. 

The various technologies such as the Safety System, Stealth Silencers, Traxtion Control, and other great features offer one of the most durable ladder stands on the market. The padded armrests provide more comfort and the drink holders and accessory hooks add storage room to the stand. An adjustable shooting rail is there if you want extra support for shooting or you can easily remove it.

This ladder stand may be pricey, but the features it offers are well worth it. It makes a great addition to your hunting experience.