Best 2 Man Ladder Stand (2023 TMA Certified Security)

Are you planning to take your kid or wife on a hunt this season, but can’t decide on which stand to get?

In this guide, you’ll get to know:

• What is the best 2 man ladder stand on the market?
• How to pick a decent one
• And much more…

The best part? All of these top stands are secure, TMA Certified, and comfortable for sitting in all day. Let's get right into it:

• Best overall stand: Hawk Big Denali 2 man
• Best for big guys: River Edge Lockdown 2 man
• Most stable stand: Muddy Stronghold 2.5
• Best mid-range: Guide Gear 2 man Double Rail Ladder
• Best budget option: Big Game Guardian XLT 2 Person

Best 2 Man Ladder Stand Reviews:

1. Hawk 18' Big Denali 2-Man Ladderstand:

The Denali is the most comfortable 2-man ladder stand on the market.

This is the “Caddilac” of ladder stands. If you get one, you’ll never regret it.

Key Features:

a. Most comfortable stand:

The Hawk incorporates luxury style for the Denali by adding extra wide loungers. It also has a contoured backrest.

Instead of the narrow seats you find on typical double stands, the Denali seats are pretty deep (up to 24”), wide, and comfy.

You’ll be impressed by how spacious it is. And it translates to a much more enjoyable time while up there hunting with your kids.

Caution:

You MUST ALWAYS wear a body safety harness while sitting on this two-person treestand.

Since it’s so comfy that you might just fall asleep. (not kidding)

Here’s the best part:

The Mesh-Comfort Seat does not only shed water but is also built-to-survive throughout the seasons.

It can last at least 3 seasons without much degradation.

Should you worry about critters?

Nope, the raccoons or squirrels can’t chew it… because the mesh seat has no padding to bite.

However, it may be worthwhile to replace the padding on the armrest and shooting rail each year if you want to keep that extra comfort.

Is it versatile?

Yep, the padded shooting rail is flippable.

So it’s a nice fit for:

• Firearm and crossbow hunters who prefer to rest their rifles or crossbow on the rail.
• Or bowhunters who want to get it out of their way while drawing a bow.

Not only that, the kickback footrest adds extra comfort, eliminating foot fatigue.

b. Almost fall-proof:

Unique safe-tread steps

The big safe-tread steps have a bunch of specially drilled holes. They not only prevent dirt from building up on the steps, but add more traction and stability to your boots.

It’s pretty helpful on those damp, rainy or snowy days when your boots are wet.

Trust me; you wouldn’t want to be making a bad step 15 feet above the ground.

Besides that, old hunters, young kids, and big guys can easily step on and climb up in the dark.

Stable ladder

The Denali features an exclusive cross strap tensioner, along with sturdy steel material.

The optimized oval tumbling keeps the ladder steady, with a solid grip.

Not only that:

All the Hawk Denali passes all the required TMA safety standards and includes 2 safety harnesses.

So when you’re up there you’re well secured and as close to fall-proof as possible.

c. Dead quiet:

All of the ladder sections are well bolted, with washers. It means there’s no creaking while climbing and sitting on the stand.

So you don’t need to worry about spooking deer when moving around in your stand.

How high is it?

The stand height is 18 feet.

It is not the tallest ladder stand on our list, but high enough to conceal yourself.

Who doesn’t love to keep hidden out of line of the deer’s senses?

Pro tips:

Add a skirt, and you virtually have a tower blind leaning on the tree. Then the big bucks will have no chance of spotting you.

Drawbacks:

Pretty heavy

Although the Denali stand is lighter than the Lockdown (mentioned below), it's still pretty heavy (108 lbs).

Setting and hoisting it up is a pain at first.

You’ll need at least 3 people and a UTV to put it up the tree, after about 3 hours of assembling.

But once it’s up, it's worth it.

Center Armrest

The center armrest works like a gun rest that frees your hands for you to glass around.

However, bigger guys might dislike it, since it can limit their range of movement in the stand.

Non-flip up seats

Well, it’s annoying if you want to stand up and stretch out after a few hours of sitting in the stand.

Especially during those colder days, standing up and moving around can get the blood flowing to your feet and warm them up.

Sure, you’ll still be able to stand up. But it’s not as comfortable when you have flip-up seats.

On top of that, the fixed seats are much more likely to get caked in snow in winter.

Pros:

• Amazingly comfortable
• Tough to beat
• Spacious for 2 people
• Adjustable shooting rail and footrest
• Big steady steps and ladders
• Secure
• Dead quiet
• No worry of critters chewing it up
• Good height
  

Cons:

• Seats don’t flip up
• Pretty heavy
• Center armrest
  

2. River Edge Lockdown 2-Man:

The Lockdown is a great alternative to the Denali.

This 2 man stand is also the widest, safest, and easiest to set up.

Key Features:

a. Safest installation:

Unlike other general stands, installing the Lockdown is much safer and requires less effort.

You don’t need to do the dodgy setup where you strap the top platform by climbing the stand while your buddy holds the ladder.

Instead, they use a thing called Ground-Level Ratcheting™ technology.

Here’s how easy it is:

• Lean the ladder stand against the tree
• Run a safety strap through the tree (over a branch using the telescopic bar)
• Secure the top platform without leaving the ground.

And you’re ready to hunt!

Safe. Effortless. Efficient.

b. Unique Shooting Rail:

The ultimate shooting rail secures your seat and provides a real feeling of safety.

Here’s the deal: it’s designed to suit your shooting and weapon preferences.

This is how:

• Adjustable angle: you can lift it to support your long shots or lower it for shorter ones.
• Adjustable length: extend it forward to support your rifle or shorten it for your crossbow.

The best part:

You can fold both the shooting rail and footrest up and down to different preset slots.

It comes in handy when you don’t want obstacles blocking your shooting line.

c. Incredible Comfort:

The platform is huge and has plenty of room for 2 adults.

There’s no center bar to split 2 seats.

It means there’s more room for both solo hunters and hunting companions. Since you are free to sit at the center or to move around in the stand.

Could I sit for a long time?

The Tear Tuff mesh seat is comfortable for about 4 hours of sitting. For longer than that, you’d better take a pad with you.

You can fold the seat up to peek around the tree. It also makes getting in and out of the stand much easier.

What if there's a squirrel around?

Don’t worry; there’s no padding on the seat for them to chew up.

How tall is it?

The River Edge offers 2 options: 17 and 21 feet tall:

• 21 foot
  
• 17 foot

The 21 foot model is the tallest tree ladder on our list.

The extra height gives you a broader view and greater stealthiness against a deer’s sight and sense of smell.

You can even adjust the model down to 17 feet by eliminating 1 ladder rung.

Is it easy to set up?

The River Edge team has done a great job with the setup instructions.

They number and pack each step into separate packets, so you can’t go wrong.

It takes only about 2.5 hours to fully assemble and put it up in the tree.

Drawbacks:

Won’t work with bend trees

It won’t work if you pick a small or slightly bent tree.

On the heavy side

It is heavy, up to 113 lbs. And you’ll need an ATV and at least 2 people to put it up safely.

Once it’s set up though, it’s solid as a rock.

Expensive

We must admit that its price is costly. But, you get what you pay for.

Their durability, security, and versatile shooting rail make it worth every cent.

Pros:

• Rock solid
• Safest installation
• Comfortable and large seats
• Extremely versatile shooting rail
• Silent and sweet
• Spacious platform
• The extra height of 21’
• 2 separate seats
• Great craftsmanship
• Seamless instruction
• Safety harness included
  

Cons:

• Heavy
• Doesn’t work with bent trees
• Not cheap
• Not for all day sitting
• Expensive

3. Muddy Stronghold 2.5 XTL 2-Man Ladder Stand:

The Muddy Stronghold is the steadiest two man stand.

It’s less comfortable than the Hawk Denali but cheaper than the River Edge Lockdown.

Key Features:

a. Outstanding stability:

The Muddy Stronghold features an impressive Rock-solid Tree-Lok system.

It works as the Ground-Level Ratcheting of River Edge keeps the stands firmly upright.

The bark tremendously bites into the tree and applies +200 lbs of gripping force against it.

It’s 6x more powerful and stable than the standard secure strap systems on the market.

The result:

• You get outstanding stability, giving confidence when climbing up and down.
• Peace of mind for enjoy hunting with your hunting partner
• It’s solid enough to handle two big guys

So how does it work?

• Wrap 2 cables around the tree.
• Attach them to the hooks on the ladder.
• You can then easily tighten the top of the stand with ratchet straps.

The best part? You do all of these steps from the ground, taking away the risks.

Although Muddy introduced this safety system in 2018, it’s still a good product today.

b. Comfy and quiet:

The foot platform is close to the huge width of the Denali, measuring 50" x 17".

It’s ample space for a bowhunter to be able to stand and execute a quick shot, or to stretch out after hours of sitting.

There’s more:

• The seat is spacious for 2 people
• The curved seat and backrest are comfortable to sit on, sunrise to sunset
• The flip-back footrest is built-for-relaxation.

However, the seat dimensions are smaller than the Denali.

It’s not a big deal if you’re not too tall or bigger bodied.

Is it noisy?

The stand eliminates any metal-on-metal contact by using nylon washers, spacers, and caps.

This removes any unwanted noise, reducing the chance of scaring away deer.

c. Extremely Secure:

The Muddy Stronghold is built like a tank. You’ll feel extremely safe while you’re up there.

The padded shooting rail prevents accidents and is helpful for firearm hunters.

Flipping it up and out of the way is also easy, which is useful especially for bowhunters.

Besides that, the attached 2 safety harnesses will also keep you safe and secure.

Here’s my favorite part:

Straightforward manual

Assembling it is a piece of cake. Simply follow the guide, and you’re good to go!

Drawbacks:

Heavy stand

The 2 man ladder stand is as heavy as a dead donkey.

Hanging it on the tree is not a one-person operation. You’ll need at least 3 people and a truck to set it up.

Once it’s up, it will last a long time.

Center armrest

It limits bigger hunters from being able to move around.

Not cheap

Well, it’s not a cheap stand but it is less expensive than the Lockdown.

Pros:

• Outstanding stability
• Comfortable for 2 adults
• Quiet
• Built to last
• Exceptional customer support
• Foolproof instructions
• Built-in accessory hooks (x2) and drink holders (x2)
• Nice height
  

Cons:

• Heavy
• Pretty costly
• Center armrest
  

4. Guide Gear 2-man Double Rail Ladder Tree Stand:

The Guide Gear offers the widest platform, without breaking the bank.

Although it’s not as comfortable as the Denali, 2 average-sized guys can sit comfortably on it for several hours.

Key Features:

a. Amazing built-in blind:

The innovative shooting rail does not only flip up to get it out of your way, but also unfolds and creates a cool wrap-around blind for your stand.

It adds 1 more layer of concealment, without spending any extra money.

Is it roomy?

Yep, the large padded seat is spacious and comfortable enough for 2 average adults.

So, it’s a great option for a father-son hunting trip.

My favorite part: there’s no center bar. You can sit in the middle, or switch from left to right without any hassle.

How wide is the platform?

Undoubtedly, it is the widest platform in our list (55" wide x 14" deep).

The rugged platform has a unique curved shape, which increases the space for your feet.

You’ll fall in love with the extra platform space, given that it can be used for the following:

• Standing up, stretching your legs, or turning around
• Storing additional gear
• Cocking your crossbow
• Adding a shooting stick to your setup
• Standing to draw when shooting with a bow

How do they reduce noise?

The Guide Gear team incorporates sufficient padding onto the shooting rail and armrest.

So, there should be no metal creaking issues.

b. Tough ladder:

Unlike the conventional single-rail ladders, the Guide Gear features double rails on the ladder.

Do you know what it means?

DOUBLE RAIL equals DOUBLE SAFETY for you and your hunting companion while climbing up and down.

The steel material also creates a solid and secure feeling whilst sitting up in the stand.

It’s built tough, ensuring a quality that will last for years.

Wait… there’s more:

The V-shaped platform gives a better wrap around the tree.

It gives you the ability to have a wider field of view behind you, and therefore, more shooting opportunities.

Cool, right?

c. Lightweight:

Its weight is much lighter than the Hawk Denali (mentioned above), weighing only 90 lbs.

Despite it being light, the setup process is not a single man's work. It’s still best to get support from a friend to lift it.

And guess what?

Even with all these cool features, this stand comes in at a very reasonable price.

Drawbacks:

Noisy padding and blind

Both the padding seat and blind can be pretty noisy in colder weather.

The zipper closure is not practical in the field, as it needs 2 hands to operate it to get in and out.

Be sure to zip it with care, OR you'll fall.

Snug for 2 big guys

Although it’s a large double-seated ladder stand, it's pretty snug if both people are larger sized.

My advice: If you’re a big guy, only pick it if you’re hunting with your kid.

Low shooting rail and seat

The rail is pretty low for resting your rifle.

Resting and stretching your legs is also not so comfortable.

Recommendation: You should add a cushion to the seat and a shooting stick to the rail. It will improve your comfort for an all day sit.

Pros:

• Spacious for 2 smaller-sized hunters
• Well made
• Easy to assemble
• Built-in blind
• Heavy duty
• Lightweight
• Reasonable price
  

Cons:

• Noisy
• Too low seat and shooting rail
• Not too comfy
• Pretty snug for 2 bigger-sized hunters
• No fold-back footrest
  

5. Big Game Guardian XLT 2-Person Ladder:

The Guardian is far less comfortable and solid than the Denali but it is more budget-friendly.

• Seat (Wide x Deep): 38" x 12"
  
• Foot Platform (Wide x Deep): 36-1/2" x 12-1/2"
  
• Weight: 53 lbs
  
• Height: 18'
  

Key Features:

a. Sturdy stand:

Although this is not a luxury stand, it's sturdy, steady, and roomy enough for 2 small-sized adults.

The Guardian passes the TMA Safety standard. Plus, it comes with 2 full-body harnesses.

It’s well-made and straightforward enough to secure you from falling.

b. Budget friendly:

The Guardian is a good fit if you’re looking for a budget-friendly stand for yourself and your daughter to go hunting together.

And on the off chance it gets stolen… at least it won’t send you broke.

c. Flip-up shooting rail:

It’s easy to flip up the padded shooting rail if you want to get it out of your shooting line.

Or, you can keep it down and use it as rest for your crossbow or rifle.

Drawbacks:

Not comfy:

• The backrest pushes a bit too far forward in towards your back. It’s much more comfortable if you add some extra padding.
• The seat is pretty small and won’t fit 2 big adults.
• There’s a middle bar under the seat, so it doesn’t really work to sit in the middle. My suggestion: Sit on one side, and leave your backpack on the other side instead.
• This is the smallest platform on our list, only 36-1/2" wide x 12-1/2" deep. This limited space dramatically limits your range of movement in the stand.

So don’t expect to sit in it comfortably all day.

Unclear instructions

They don’t number and pack the pieces separately. For beginners, assembling this stand could be a big challenge.

In addition to that, the teeth don't grip firmly on the tree.

You will need to add ratchet straps around it.

Pros:

• Budget friendly two-seater tree stand
• Flip up shooting rail
• Sturdy
• Lightweight
• Good fall protection
• Great height (18’)
  

Cons:

• Uncomfortable
• No footrest
• Noisy
• Unclear instruction
• Requires extra strapping
  

How To Choose A Good Dual Ladder Stand:

So what’s a good two-man ladder stand look like?

They must tick as many boxes below as possible.

Comfortable seat

A comfortable seat allows you to sit all day. Here are our recommendations:

• Contour mesh backrests
• Seats that has mesh or cushion
• Fold-up seats to add more space for when you stand up
• Padded armrests and shooting rails that quieten your movement and secure you from falling.

No matter who you go hunting with (your child, wife, or friend), we advise you to pick the largest stand that can accommodate two adults.

That way you won’t end up regretting spending the extra money. It gives you the most space, and most versatility.

Platform Size

A big platform and comfortable seats are make-or-break for your hunting trip.

Sitting on a tiny platform that limits you from standing up, stretching out, or changing position is a pain, especially during long days in the stand.

One again: Pick a platform that is as large as possible.

Kickback Footrest

A kickback footrest is a nice addition for eliminating foot fatigue.

Height

The typical height of a two person ladder stand is between 18 to 20 feet.

It’s high enough to hide you from the deer's line of sight and sense of smell.

It also provides a broader view for hunters, which adds to your chances of hunting success.

Caution:

You MUST ALWAYS WEAR a hunting safety harness once you’ve climbed up, no matter how high your stand is.

For reference, most workplace safety standards require fall protection for anything over 6 feet!

Trust me: You don’t want to be falling from 17+ feet!

Imagine the awful consequences:

• Shocking medical bills into the tens of thousands
• Missed paychecks from time off work
• Pain from the injury, and potential longer-term physical limitations

Be safe out there!

Price

You get what you pay for.

A good two-man ladder stand ranges from $99 to $499. Pick what makes best sense for your budget.

Setting up

Most double-man ladders are super heavy (over 100 lbs).

You should pre-assemble the top platform in your garage before hauling it to the tree.

The setting up process usually requires:

• An ATV or truck to haul it to your hunting spot
• And at least 2 or 3 people first hang it on the tree.

DO NOT hurt your back and cut short your hunting season by trying to put it up yourself. Always ask for help.

Once it’s up, the time and effort is worth it.

FAQs:

a. How can I make my double ladder stand more comfortable?

If your 2 person stand is not comfortable enough, then here’s a trick:

• Grab a boat seat like this one
• Mount it to your stand
• Make sure your butt and back are well supported for long hours sitting.

Voila… you did it.

b. How Much Weight Can a 2 Man Ladder Stand Hold?

Typically double stands are weighted for up to 500 lbs max.

If they’re TMA certified, then you can reach but not exceed their weight limits, since that means they were tested under many different conditions.

My recommendation:

• You MUST ALWAYS wear a safety harness.
• Replace your stand every 3 or 4 years, especially if you see it wearing out. After all, they do sit out in the elements all season.

c. How to Cover a 2 Man Ladder Stand?

Here are a few tips that help:

• Add a skirt or blind to your platform
• Zip-tie some artificial plants and branches to the ladder and platform
• Grab some foliage from around your stand and place them on your seat, platform, and ladder rail.
  

Wrap Up:

Our final pick for the best 2 man ladder stand is the Hawk Big Denali.

Here’s why you won’t regret grabbing one:

• Most comfortable seats for sitting from dawn to dusk
• Plenty of space for 2 people
• Built to last
• Worry-free from critter bites
• Foldable support bar and footrest
• Big steps and a steady gripping ladder
• Super safe feeling in the stand
• TMA certified
• Dead quiet
• Good height

Sure, a great ladder stand can’t 100% protect you from falls and consequences. However, with the better quality, the risk is minimal as long as you strictly follow the safety protocols.

So do you prefer hunting from a stand or a blind? Or what brand is your favorite?

Let us know below.

Remember to visit:

• The top tripod deer stand if you need something far more secure.
• Recommended safety harness for extra protection from falls.