Ok guys, here are the specs - Total Stick Length is 20 in. - step distance is 18". Each stick weighs 2.5 lbs. - 4 pack weighs 10 lbs. They will be rated to 300 pound weight limit.
4 sticks will get you anywhere from 16-18 ft. depending on how much you space them between.
5 sticks will get you from 18-20 ft. - again - depending on how much you space them.
The sticks are designed to eliminate the metal buckle by using a patent pending rope cam system. Once the rope is placed between the cams and loaded with weight - the cams bite on the rope and it is very strong. A simple wrap of the rope eliminates the possibility of kicking or having the rope pull from the cams - which is impossible if the rope is wrapped / tied in the way that will be instructed. The rope is a USA made climbing grade rope that actually has a 3,800 pound break strength. The rope is top quality to prevent any wear or strength issues in the field for many years. They are replaceable if need be.
As well as the patent pending rope cam system, the Muddy sticks also feature a patent pending geared step mechanism that allows the hunter to fold both sides of the steps both down and up at the same time - with only a single hand. The design also ties the actual strength of the steps together - which means it's stronger than a single bolt design.
Another pretty neat feature of the Muddy sticks is a small loop that is extruded into the V-brackets of the steps. We will have a "stick holster" part - basically a small "peg" that will be mounted to the Muddy harness on both sides of the waist belt. This will allow the hunter to climb the tree with two sticks attached to the harness - which means you can set two sticks from the ground, carry one, carry two on your waist - throw a stand on your back - and only climb the tree once! We will also be able to use this loop to give our stick systems two methods for packing on the Muddy stands. One will be the common stack off the stand, the other will allow us to lay the stick pack on it's side. This will make the pack size smaller than our competition.
The Muddy sticks will pack with both Muddy and the other guys stands. The sticks will actually pack with any stand that has a 1-1/4" tube.
Futher information will be available on the Muddy website as the product becomes available - which will be roughly around the July timeframe.
They will retail for $129.99 for 4 sticks. Indivdual sticks will also be available.
Thanks for the interest guys.
WKP Todd