5 Best Drywall Stilts of The Year – Reviews & Buying Guide
If you have ever done drywall installation, painting or electrical wiring on high walls, you know how inconveniencing ladders can be. One is often forced to descend and change the position then climb up again to continue working. Lather rinse repeat!
At the end of the business day, you have done so little but you feel so tired. Drywall stilts solve that problem. This post samples the best 5 drywall stilts in the market to boost your productivity.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Drywall Stilts?
Thanks to this invention, you could install drywall boards with little effort. You will have the same efficiency for all other tasks that need you to work at elevated points.
Drywall stilts are a pair of ingeniously designed supports for the feet that you can put on and move freely at a higher height.
You get to save time
Jobs that require you to always relocate a ladder become much easier when you work with drywall stilts. Instead of having to climb down every time to change the location of the ladder, you can simply walk to where you wish to work with drywall stilts.
This saves the time and energy needed in the process. Your productivity will thus receive a significant boost.
Unrestricted movement
Ladders lean on walls and might throw a monkey wrench into your paint job. But that’s not all; the structure of ladders limits working angles. Since drywall stilts mimic the human foot, you get higher freedom of movement.
Space is not a problem
If you regularly have to leave your ladder in the yard because of limited storage space, then consider shifting to drywall stilts. These supports do not clutter your garage. An uncluttered job site is also a lot much safer.
Safety Considerations when Working with Drywall Stilts
Even for new beginners, using drywall stilts isn’t that complicated. All you need is a little extra practice to get your balance right. Here are a few pointers on safety with drywall stills:
Buy the right drywall stilts: The best drywall stilts for maximum safety feature a sturdy built. They have proper support mechanisms, good grip soles, adjustable working height and adjustable foot size.
Ensure that the stilts are even: It’s possible to buy an uneven pair of stilts. Check to ensure that your pair has flat soles of the same design so as not to compromise your balance.
Fasten the bolts: Before starting to work, ensure that the locks are tightly fixed to achieve the right strength and balance with the stilts.
Strap them securely: Loose straps are a recipe for disaster. Ensure to strap your feet firmly onto the footplates. Do the same for your legs so you can work uninhibitedly.
Move with tact
When working with drywall stilts, avoid fast movements. Take measured steps and aim to maintain balance. Small steps are preferable.
How to Choose the Right Drywall Stilt
Let’s just say that experience is the best teacher. I am a decorating maestro and couldn’t possibly do without drywall stilts. But I have fallen so many times than I can count.
It was always a glitch hither or a snap tither with my drywall stilts. That’s until I learned how to shop for the right models. Here is how:
It should have sturdy materials to support your weight
If you are physically endowed like me, then you must understand that your weight can limit your options when it comes to drywall stilts.
However, if you find a model with heavy-duty construction, you will be able to walk without the supports crumbling under your weight. Aluminum, steel and magnesium are the materials to look for in drywall stilts.
It should be lightweight
This is where the rubber meets the road for most drywall stilt models; it’s challenging to find a lightweight model that still has a heavy-duty construction to support your weight. Aluminum-made stilts perform better at this. Light drywall stilts will allow you to move with ease.
Look for a model with adjustable heights
It would be wise to find drywall stilts with a big range of working height adjustability. This will enable you to reach a high place on the ceiling or on the roof. On top of that, consider a model that has adjustable heel brackets if you plan to share your stilts with another person.
The Best Drywall Stilts in the Market
1. The Yescom Adjustable Drywall Stilts
- [Upgarded Pads]: Upgarded Drywall Stilts with Protective Leg Pads；Great for painting, wiring, installing drywall and more; Also used for parades, dramatic cosplays or stilt walking.
- [Aluminum Alloy Construction]: Light weight, strong supporting and long lifespan, holding up to 225 Lbs capacity
- [Dual Springs & Safe Use]: Dual action springs for flexible movement; heel bracket prevents from slipping backwards; Rubber soles avoids skidding;Well strapped straps for stability.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These stilts by Yescom feature an aluminum alloy construction that you might find both lightweight and sturdy. The contraption weighs around 16 pounds—which you could say is acceptable for drywall stilts.
All essential pivots and joints have lock nuts that possibly help to consolidate enough strength to support your weight. The load capacity is 227 lbs.
Also, as you would expect, the Yescom Stilts have buckle straps. These serve as additional anchors of support. You might be able to get a secure fit in these stilts and minimize the risk of slippage.
The footing features aluminum rubber marketed as skid-resistant. You will likely be able to get your desired traction and steady your steps with this device.
Another feature of note here is the 3 position heel bracket. If you manage a team of painters, you might like the fact that this adjustable heel bracket allows different users of varying foot sizes to share the same pair of drywall stilts.
The working height is also adjustable in this pair of Yescom drywall stilts (24 – 40inches). The manufacturer asserts that height adjustment is tool-less given its responsive bolt design. This architecture will likely help prevent downtimes associated with height adjustment.
The Yescom Adjustable Drywall Stilts Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros
- They are relatively easy to assemble
- Lightweight yet sturdy due to aluminum iron construction
- Adjustable heel plate to accommodate different foot sizes
- Adjustable height
- Rubber soles for extra grip
Cons
Cons
- Height adjustment is not easy
- Spring adjuster is prone to breakage
2. GypTool Pro 18″ – 30″ Drywall Stilts
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Just like the Yescom drywall stilts, the GypTool features the same lightweight aluminum construction. The device weighs around 15 pounds. You will likely be able to move around with ease on this pair of stilts, and perhaps even get to tone those leg muscles while at it.
The GypTool drywall stilts also feature adjustable straps just like in the Yescom model. These buckles could enable the pair to accommodate users of different foot morphologies.
I like the fact that the working height is adjustable without tools, just like with the Yescom drywall stilts. However, the height range with the Gyp Tool Pro is a little limiting; 18-30 inches falls below what you get with the Yescom’s.
Away from that, however, these stilts feature the much-expected rubber soles that enhance your grip and balance. Your supported weight, in this case, is 225 lbs, which is just about the same situation with the Yescom.
One thing that you might have to watch out for is the straps. These belts tend to come loose as you move around—for your safety, you will have to keep adjusting them.
GypTool Pro 18″ – 30″ Drywall Stilts Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros
- It’s easy to assemble
- Lightweight constriction
- Adjustable height
- The straps could help it fit different foot sizes
Cons
Cons
- The fastenings tend to come loose with use
- No heel plate adjustment
3. SurPro S2.1 Dual Legs Support Magnesium Drywall Stilts
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Magnesium is the material of construction in this pair of drywall stilts. It’s probably because of the fact that it can deliver a high degree of balance and stability while being lightweight. The contraption weighs around 16 pounds.
Like the Yescom drywall stilts, the anatomy of this model features double-wing bolts that will possibly help to deliver extra strength. Load limit is 2225 lbs.
There are also rubber soles in the SurPro S2.1 drywall stilts. The traction generated could, therefore, be reliable on all surfaces. The feet are designed to be a little wider to enhance balance, so they say.
My favorite feature in the SurPro S2.1 stilts is the duality design—there are two legs supports in this case as opposed to single poles used in the previous models. This double frame design possibly helps to multiply the strength and balance of the stilts.
One other remarkable quality here is the leg wrap around. This banding system is much more comprehensive and could, therefore, be more comfortable than the straps in the GypTool Pro.
Like the Yescom model, the SurPro S2.1 also has a 3 position heel bracket. This pair of drywall stilts could, therefore, be shared among painters or electricians of different foot sizes.
Height adjustability in this model is between 24 and 40 inches, similar to the Yescom. This is a more significant range than what you get with the GypTool. What that means is that even persons of short stature can comfortably work on the ceilings with this pair of stilts.
SurPro S2.1 Dual Legs Support Magnesium Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros
- Comfortable support bands
- Double frame construction gives extra strength
- Sturdy and lightweight magnesium construction
- Adjustable heel plate
Cons
Cons
- Assembly is a little complicated than in the previous models
- Occasional quality control issues
4. The Marshalltown SKY2124 Skywalker Drywall Stilts
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Marshalltown stilts are slightly heavier than the previous drywall stilts in this review, weighing around 19 pounds. However, that possibly means that you will get a higher level of sturdiness with this tool.
The adjustable working height is between 18 inches and 30 inches, which is slightly less than the Yescom but considerable nonetheless.
You might find that the added flip and switch greatly eases the height adjustment process. You can adjust the height by the press of a button. That is unlike the Yescom drywall stilts that might take you longer to switch to new heights.
Like in the previous models, the Marshalltown SKY2124 Skywalker stilts feature rubber soles that might help with stability and balance.
Part of its design is a ratchet ankle adjustment. Together with the locking toe straps, these features help to achieve a secure fit. Also, the included calf pad could make this pair of stilts more comfortable just like the SurPro S2.1.
One primary concern with the Marshalltown stilts is that the plastic straps are prone to breakage. By and large, that could compromise your safety at work.
The Marshalltown SKY2124 Skywalker Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros
- It features a heavy-duty construction
- Calf pad makes it more comfortable
- Ankle belts and toe straps help to deliver more support
- A considerable adjustable height range
- The footplate is reinforced for extra strength
Cons
Cons
- You might find this pair of stilts to be too heavy for natural movement
- The plastic straps are prone to breakage
- No adjustable heel plate
5. Dura-Stilt 2440 Deluxe Stilts
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This pair of drywall stilts has a steel construction, which could make it stronger/ more durable than the previously reviewed models. Nevertheless, its weight capacity of 225 pounds is not any different with what you get with the Yescom stilts and others seen earlier.
The steel stilts weigh around 17 pounds. You might be able to move freely without being too weighed down. And another thing, the soles feature skid-resistant pads which help with traction and stability—this might save your back on a slippery floor.
Foot sizes on the Dura Stilt 2440 Deluxe stilts are adjustable at 3 different levels. That makes it possible to share the same pair with different workers.
The height adjustment range is 24-40 inches, which is better than what you get with the GypTool Pro and the Marshalltown drywall stilts are seen earlier.
The fastening mechanism, in this case, features an anti-crush design. This model could, therefore, be the right choice if you need a clamping tool that holds steady without snapping when you move.
Dura-Stilt 2440 Deluxe Stilts Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros
- Moderately easy to walk in
- Adjustable height
- A considerable weight capacity
- Non-slip soles
- Sturdy straps
Cons
Cons
- You might find this pair to be too weighty
- The springs occasionally come loose
The Best Pick
All the drywall stilts in this review have many advantageous qualities than the rest in the market. However, the Yescom Adjustable Drywall Stilts stands out as the best pick owing to its design, user-friendliness, supports, and adjustable size and working height.
Weighing just 16 pounds, the Yescom drywall stilts are lightweight. You might find them easy to move around in unlike the slightly weighty options featured in the review. This pair can support the most weight; 227 lbs.
The rubber sole helps with better traction, while the buckle straps provide extra support, which is suitable for safety.
On the other hand, the 3 positions adjustable heel bracket means that the same pair of stilts could be worn by people of different feet sizes. You can also adjust the working height between 24 and 40 inches.
These features make the Yescom drywall stilts a worthwhile consideration.
Last Updated on February 12, 2020 by Tom Bradly