Shortly after we bought our house my mother offered to buy my wife and I a Little Giant ladder, and being the ungrateful SOB that I am, I mocked her.  I told her we didn’t need one of those stupid As Seen on TV ladders, and suggested that we might rather have a Weber Genesis E-320 grill instead.  So a grill we got.

For a number of weeks I was feeling pretty smart.  We were grilling away on the Weber and loving every minute of it.  We had a borrowed a friend’s 5′ foot fiberglass step ladder to get us through the little things you have to do when you buy a house.  My smug-as-can-be self was pretty sure I had made the right decision…I didn’t need no stinkin’ Little Giant ladder.

I was still feeling pretty smart when the 1st light bulb in the 12-bulb chandelier that dangles from our 18′ entry way ceiling blew.  After the 2nd one blew out I started to think I might not be nearly as smart as I think I am.  The contractor-grade chandelier is surrounded by glass on all sides, and the bulbs are stacked in tiers, which basically means the only way to get at the bulbs is to be standing directly next to fixture, where you can safely swing the glass panels out of the way long enough to replace the bulbs.  When the 3rd and 4th blew out I started to wonder if I could wheel the Weber into my house and stand on it.  I suppose I could have, but it would have left me about 8′ short of where I needed to be.

By this time I wasn’t feeling like an idiot, and even an idiot like me knows when it’s time to buy a ladder.  The layout of our entry way is such that no single wall sits close enough to the light fixture to provide access from an extension ladder.  So to complicate matters, not only did I need a ladder, I needed a step ladder, and a pretty big one at that.

Why I Chose Little Giant

As I often do, I began my ladder search at my friendly neighborhood, multi-national, giant, big box, home improvement center.  While they did have a few ladders similar in design to the Little Giant series, they didn’t have anything remotely close to the 10′-12′ step ladder design that I needed to change my light bulbs.

Disappointed and still ladderless I drove home to check out the Little Giant website.  I quickly learned several things about Little Giant ladders that made me feel like I was looking in the right place:

• Shipping all Little Giant Ladders is completely free
• No Sales Tax
• Free Work Plank
• Lifetime Warranty

It doesn’t hurt that Little Giant is counted among the fiftyfinest, which means not only can you can count on quality and reliability, but also superior customer service.

Really about the only decision left to make was what size to buy.  For my specific case, reach was my primary concern.  I was willing to take on some additional weight and maneuverability to reach my chandelier.  I chose the Model 26, the biggest ladder in the 1A Classic series.

1A Classic Series Specifications

Using the Little Giant

Little Giant Ladders are billed as 24 ladders in one.   They arrive at that number by factoring each possible height configuration as a separate ladder.  So while the 24 claim is certainly true, basically what you get with a Little Giant is one big adjustable A-frame step ladder, or two smaller step ladders (which become scaffolding with the optional plank), or an extension ladder.

When used as a step ladder the Little Giant is particularly configurable as it can be used like a traditional step ladder, it can be off-set (one side longer than another) so that it’s safe use on uneven surfaces like staircases, curbs or docks, or can be configured as a 90° ladder for working directly against walls.

In the step ladder configuration, the Little Giant has allowed me to do everything I could ask of a step ladder.  First and foremost, as a step ladder, the Model 26 extends to 12′ feet.  With that kind of reach I was able to get to all the bulbs in my chandelier with the 2′ of extension to spare.  Apart from the delight of finally being able to change my light bulbs, what most impressed me about the Little Giant was the stability.

I don’t know about you, but I kind of laughed at the infomercial when the heavy set guy started bouncing around on the Little Giant, but having used the ladder for myself, the point is well-taken.  Even at 10′, and 12′ as well, there’s absolutely no wobble to the Little Giant.  I can’t say the same about the 5′ fiberglass model I had borrowed from a friend.  Even outdoors, on uneven ground, when used like a stair ladder, the Little Giant held steady while violently cutting limbs with a pole saw.

Equally impressive perhaps is the fact that extending the ladder to the 10′ height was a very simple, one-man job.  Granted it took me a minute to figure it out, but in subsequent uses I’ve found that I’m able to very quickly configure my Little Giant at whatever height and angle I need.  The design is quite simply brilliant.

While I thought I would need to configure it as an extension ladder to clean my gutters, it turned out that a ‘12 foot step ladder gives me all the height I need for that job.  I have used the extension ladder capabilities to climb up on my roof, and although it’s proven very stable as well, whenever possible, I prefer the stability of a step ladder.

Minor Gripes

If I had to find something not too like about the Little Giant (and I really have to try hard), it would be the weight.  You really can’t fault Little Giant too much.  If you need a ladder with a 26′ reach, you’re going to have to take on a little bit more weight than you might otherwise like to.  My 1A Classic Model 26 weighs 54 lbs, which to me isn’t a big deal (I’ve been known to sell the occasional ticket to the gun show), for some it might be a bit on the heavy side.  The good news is that Little Giant has, to a large degree, mitigated any weight concerns by fitting the 1A series with what they call Tip & Glide Wheels™ (the wheels are in part why I choose the 1A Series).

The wheels make it easy to drag the ladder around both inside and out (I had no problem getting it through my sand pit of yard), without causing the ladder to roll away while you’re standing on it.  At some point you will need to lift it (if you need to go up and down stairs), so while the weight has at times made my Little Giant a little inconvenient, I haven’t found myself in a situation where I wasn’t able to use the ladder.  Of course, if you don’t need the oversized Model 26, the most popular selling Model 22 weighs a full 12 pounds less.

If weight really is a concern for you, you might want to consider the new Little Giant RevolutionXE Ladder.  The XE series features redesigned hinges that make the ladder even more stable (I can’t image how that’s possible), and a new Rock Lock™ system that makes adjusting your ladder quick and easy (again, not like it’s difficult on the 1A series).  Simply push the lock to release, adjust the ladder, then tap to lock. It’s simple, fast and safe.  Most importantly the XE features LiteWave™ technology which allows for a 20% weight reduction over competing ladders; meaning the Model 22 weighs a paltry 35 lbs.

1A Revolution XE Series Specifications

Final Thoughts

Spending over $400 for a ladder might seem excessive, but in less than a year of ownership, I can already say that the Little Giant has been worth every penny.  Swallowing the cost gets easier still when you consider how many ways there are to use this ladder (my wife and I are already talking about buying the Telescoping Work Plank before our next big painting job).  The fact that my Little Giant is the last step ladder, and only extension ladder I’ll ever own, makes me feel like my money was very well spent.

While not every homeowner needs a chainsaw, a lawnmower, or a circular saw, I truly believe no homeowner should be without a Little Giant ladder.  With so many models to choose from, it’s not a one size fits all solution, but you can bet there’s a right size for you.

Little Giant 1A Classic

Little Giant RevolutionXE