Bisley Shooting Sticks

Products at the top end of the market are often well made but they can prove just a little cumbersome when the prospect of portability arises.

Many are finely stitched, ornate affairs, sporting substantial leather bound seats and chrome fittings, which whilst satisfying products to own in their own right, can prove to be impractical and unnecessarily heavy. At the lower end of the spectrum, cheap and cheerful products abound, but these can prove to be a false economy, where their quality is concerned. Invariably hailing from the Far East, many are simply not up to withstanding the rigours of continuous use in the field.

Let’s face it - a shooting stick style design needs to be able to withstand significant weight of the user whilst retaining that all important ‘portable’ quality. Getting the compromise right (i.e. comfort to weight ratio) is the clever bit.

However, a range of Seat Sticks are available from the comprehensive Bisley products stable, and the one I have here for review, certainly appears to redress the balance. Listed by John Rothery as the Bisley Tripod, a manufacturers sales card comes supplied, which uses the name ‘Trio’. Once I heard that the seat was actually made in the UK (yes it’s true!), I expected something out of the ordinary, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Rugged Yet Lightweight

What makes this seat stick stand out is its civilized design and functionality. Where a conventional shooting stick is often a seat atop a single pole, requiring the user to lean against the angled spike in the ground in order to remain stable, the tripod is by definition, self supporting via the three legs.

Construction is built around an incredibly lightweight (2lbs) stove enamelled frame, with neatly moulded black polymer seat and backing plates. It comes ready assembled, yet flat - and is easily erected by gently sliding the main seat platform down at the back, via the sliding ring piece.

Each leg is finished off with heavy duty rubber ferrules, with the central leg acting as the stick when the chair is folded. The seat stands at 18inches in height, and feels both comfortable and stable. With hunting, shooting, bird watching, and country shows to name just a few of the numerous applications, this Seat Stick would certainly prove a sound investment.

A combination of ruggedness and slick execution make this highly portable Bisley Tripod Seat Stick a great buy at £44.95in my view. Walking height is 33inches, sitting height 18inches, weight is 2lbs and maximum user weight is 20 stone.