For me it is all about time in the field. I love the woods. Any minute in the woods is a gift. Not even age, but physical capability can be an issue. You can't change your age, but you can always lose weight. My issue. I am a big boy with super big camo, and a climber made for big boys. I look at the stands they make nowadays, and they are all cheap, dangerous, lightweight crap that needs multiple anchor points so they don't fold or break on you. I bought a ladder stand for my son who is 190, and the darn thing bends while he climbs, unless you use the 42 ropes and ratchets and stabilizer bars, etc. I am 55, and TREMENDOUSLY overweight. I am two of me. That being said, I still walk into the woods with purpose, and get a little winded, but nothing major. As far as stand comfort and safety, I have harvested 2 of my bigger bucks while sitting on a bucket in the woods and the buck less than 20 yards a way in both instances. I love my climber, and as I get older, I see that going away. My son and I have hunted ground blinds, and they are very comfortable. OPening weekend of gun season it was raining heavy all day Saturday. I remained dry and comfortable. I have hunted in the wide open, in a chair on the ground, and with the right wind conditions and moving really slow, if at all, have had had deer, both bucks and does come well within shooting range (bow and gun). As i get older, I see that it is going to be considerations as, who is going to drag the deer out? Where can I put my "stand" that gives me the advantage? Chair, ladder, ground blind, climber, whatever I am capable of. I have brought home more deer meat with my ass on the ground, vs. elevated. It is the element of surprise that counts. Safety and comfort. There are times I would rather lay in bed and play Colonel Sanders with my wife, than get up at 4 am and get in the bitter cold. Once I am out there though, I am glad I went. I hope the passion never dies. If it ends up being mid morning hunts through dusk, so be it. If it is 5 hours instead of 12 hours, hey, at least it is 5 hours. Do whatever it takes to get out there, and enjoy it. Hunt your way. I saw a post earlier about all the gadgets and tactics, and stuff like that. As I get older, the contents of my backpack change. Out with the calls, the scents, and the doo dads, in with a 64 oz coffee pot, creature comforts, and always a sharp knife, ready to do its job. I hope I hunt to my dying day. Keep on keepin on.