Werner Ready Step Ladders Combine Strength and Convenience
Ladders come in all shapes and sizes, but one thingโs for sureโyou need the right one for the job. Werner is one of the most prominent ladder manufacturers on the market, and they offer just about every type and size you can imagine. Step ladders are obviously more compact than something like an extension or multi-position ladder, but Werner believes they shouldnโt lack in features. Weโve been using one of Wernerโs new Ready Step ladders around our shop to see how they can help you reach new heights.
Note: Check out our picks for the best ladders for every application!
Werner Ready Step Ladder Basics
- Model: RS1A04 (4-foot); RS1A06 (5.5-foot)
- Load capacity: 300 lbs
- Type 1A
- Material: Fiberglass
- XL platform
- 4-inch width when folded
- 3x to 5x larger platform area
- LockTop tool tray
The Ready Step ladders are the latest in Wernerโs fiberglass step ladder lineup. There are two models at the time of writing: a 4-foot ladder and a 5.5-foot ladder. Both of them are equipped with several convenient design features that make setup and storage a breeze.
But what sets them apart from other step ladders?
For starters, and perhaps the most significant feature, is their large standing surfaces. The 4-foot model has a 15.6-inch deep platform, which is up to 5x larger than a standard step ladder step. On the 5.5-foot model, the platform is 24 inches deep, which Werner calculates as up to 3x larger than a standard step.
For the same reasons we love platform ladders for working at height for extended periods, we love having the platform on a step ladder. It allows your weight to spread out across both feet, reducing the amount of fatigue and soreness that builds up compared to standard steps or rungs.
As a Type 1A ladder, each of the Ready Step step ladders can handle up to a 300-pound load. This includes your body weight as well as the tools you store in the LockTop tool tray.
When folded, the Ready Step ladders have a width of just 4 inches. Typical step ladders can often be 6 to 8 inches wide when folded, so the compact design here helps keep storage space to a minimum. If you have limited space in your home or work vehicle, these ladders wonโt take up too much real estate.
Werner designed these ladders for quick, one-handed setup. All you do is place the ladder and fold down the platform to expand the legs. The easy setup process is partly due to their lightweight design, which is up to 15% lighter than a standard step ladder. If you frequently hop between work areas, this is a nice benefit to help conserve energy.
Werner Ready Step Ladder Price
The 4-foot Ready Step retails for $129, and the 5.5-foot model is listed at $149. You can find both models at The Home Depot and Loweโs.
Should You Buy It?
While their main purpose is providing a few extra feet of reach when youโre working overhead, Wernerโs Ready Step ladders prove that the innovation doesnโt stop there. Between the dedicated tool storage space, oversized standing platforms, and compact, lightweight design, these ladders offer some nice benefits for those who use ladders as part of their normal workday.
Itโs a design thatโs very well-suited for tradesmen. If you think about having a more comfortable standing position and space to hold key tools for applications like electrical or HVAC work, itโs a really nice upgrade over traditional step ladders.
However, for homeowners or renters who only need the occasional height boost for changing a lightbulb or cleaning above countertops, other value-oriented models may better suit your lifestyle. If staying in budget is more your priority, Werner also has 2-foot step ladders for as little as $59.
