You’re standing in the middle of a home improvement aisle, staring at a giant hunk of aluminum, and wondering if you actually need a ladder that looks like it could help you scale a small fortress. Honestly, the Werner 22 ft ladder—specifically the MT-22 series—is one of those tools that feels like way too much until the exact second you're trying to clear a bird's nest out of a third-story gutter or paint a foyer that’s awkwardly tall.
It's heavy. It’s bulky. But it also does the job of about five different tools.
What the Werner 22 ft Ladder Actually Is
Basically, this thing is a transformer. It’s a telescoping multi-position ladder, which is a fancy way of saying it has inner and outer sections that slide and lock. You’ve probably seen the commercials where a guy turns a step ladder into an extension ladder in ten seconds. It’s real, but it takes a bit more muscle than they let on.
The MT-22 has a reach height of 22 feet. Now, don’t get confused—that’s not the actual length of the metal. The actual extension length is usually around 19 feet, but since you’re a human with arms, the "reach" accounts for your height. If you’re trying to reach a 20-foot peak on your house, this is the one you grab.
The weight capacity matters more than you think
Most versions of the Werner 22 ft ladder come in a Type IA duty rating. That means it supports 300 pounds. Some of the newer "Pro" models, like the MT-22IAA, are rated for 375 pounds.
Why does this matter? Because you aren't just 200 pounds of person. You are 200 pounds of person carrying a 30-pound bucket of paint and a heavy-duty sprayer. If you feel the ladder "bouncing" when you climb, it’s usually because you’re pushing the duty rating.
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Five Ladders in One (Sorta)
Werner markets this as a 5-in-1 tool. It sounds like a gimmick, but for a homeowner with limited garage space, it’s actually a lifesaver. You can set it up as:
- A Twin Step Ladder: You can actually have two people on it at once (one on each side).
- An Extension Ladder: Reaches the big stuff.
- A Stairway Ladder: This is the big one. You can adjust one side shorter than the other so the ladder sits level on a flight of stairs.
- A Wall Ladder: You can kick one side up at a 90-degree angle to get close to a wall.
- Scaffold Bases: You can actually pull the sections apart to create two trestles. You’ll need a separate plank for this, though.
I’ve used the stairway configuration to change a lightbulb in a vaulted entryway, and it’s the only way to do it without feeling like you’re about to meet your maker.
The Reality of Lugging It Around
Let’s be real: this ladder is not light. The standard aluminum MT-22 weighs roughly 42 to 47 pounds depending on the specific sub-model. Forty-seven pounds doesn't sound like much until you’re trying to navigate it through a narrow hallway without denting the drywall.
It’s clumsy.
If you’re someone who struggles with lifting heavy objects above your waist, you might find the extension mode frustrating. To get it to the full 22-foot reach, you have to slide the inner sections up while the ladder is standing or lay it down and "walk" it up. It’s a workout.
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J-Locks and Palm Buttons
Werner uses these things called J-Locks to hold the telescoping sections. They’re spring-loaded. You pull them out, turn them, and they snap into the rungs. They’re reliable. They don't shatter. The "Soft Touch" palm buttons on the hinges are also pretty decent, though they can get stiff if you leave the ladder out in the rain and things start to get a little gritty.
Why People Pick Werner Over Little Giant
This is the age-old debate in the tool world. Little Giant is the "original" multi-position ladder, and they’re great. They often have wheels, which Werner sometimes skips on the base models.
But Werner is usually cheaper.
You can walk into a Home Depot or Lowe's today and walk out with a Werner 22 ft ladder for somewhere between $200 and $330, depending on the sales. Little Giants often command a premium for the brand name and the wheels. Honestly, unless you're rolling your ladder across a flat driveway all day, you might not even miss the wheels.
Some Warnings (The Stuff They Don't Put in the Manual)
Watch your fingers. Seriously. When you're collapsing the telescoping sections, gravity is not your friend. If you release the J-locks and let the inner section slide down too fast, it’ll act like a guillotine for your knuckles. Slide it down slowly.
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Also, keep in mind the 2018 recall. Werner had a bad batch of MT-series ladders (models MT-IAA-13A, 17A, 22A, etc.) where the rungs could break. If you’re buying a used one on Facebook Marketplace, check the date code. If it was made in late 2017 or early 2018, skip it. The new ones at the store don't have this issue, but it’s worth knowing.
Getting the Most Out of Your MT-22
If you’re going to buy one of these, do yourself a favor and look at the accessories.
- A Ladder Stabilizer: If you’re doing gutters, get a "stand-off" bracket. It keeps the ladder from crushing your gutters and makes the whole thing feel way more stable at high altitudes.
- Work Platform: Werner makes a little clip-on platform. Your arches will thank you if you're standing on a 1-inch rung for three hours.
The "Should You Buy It?" Test
If you live in a ranch-style house with 8-foot ceilings, this ladder is probably a waste of money and space. Get a light 6-foot step ladder and call it a day.
But if you have:
- Two-story peaks
- A staircase that needs painting
- A house on a sloped lot
- Very little storage space for multiple ladders
Then the Werner 22 ft ladder is basically the industry standard for a reason. It’s the "Swiss Army Knife" of the garage. Just make sure you’ve got a clear spot on the wall to hang it, because it’s a big boy.
To get started with your new ladder safely, always check that the J-locks are fully seated in the holes before climbing. When using it in extension mode, remember the 4-to-1 rule: for every four feet of height, the base should be one foot away from the wall. This ensures the ladder doesn't slide out from under you or tip backward while you're at the top.