The humble hop-up is a piece of height access equipment that can work in a multitude of environments for a vast range of purposes – it’s probably the most versatile piece of kit we sell.  Hop-ups are generally manufactured for painters, handymen and decorators who need a bit of extra height with a stable platform for things like hanging wallpaper and cutting in.  That said, they will serve in a variety of roles around the home and garden.

Hop-ups are essentially the platform part of a stepladder but without all the steps leading to it – most hop-up models have one rung to aid access to the platform although many people, in practice, simply step up and down from the platform (if they have young knees, that is!). 

Hop-ups generally have a platform size of 600 x 600mm, a little larger than the platform on most step ladders, so they’re really well suited to decorating jobs or other tasks that need a little extra height for a long time – standing on a ladder rung for extended periods of time causes leg and foot fatigue that can quickly lead to an accident. 

Hop-ups are also foldable, so they’ll stow away in the smallest of gaps.  This feature makes them ideal as an alternative to kitchen steps or a small stepladder in a small house, flat, caravan or any other compact accommodation type.  They’re quicker and easier to get out and set up than a step ladder that you have to keep under the stairs or in the garage for the sake of space, and they’re much more stable for the occasional user. 

We have a fibreglass model from Werner that’s perfect for electricians – some jobs don’t need a full step ladder, so you can save your muscles from lugging a fibreglass step ladder in and out of your van when you just need half a metre of lift.  This will even fit in the passenger foot-well of a work van, meaning you might not even have to open the back of the van at all for small jobs.  A similar model from Lyte (which comes with a handrail) is currently being restocked.

The Werner “Odd Job” hop-up is ideal for domestic use, especially for kitchen jobs like retrieving the big roasting tin from the top of the cupboards, or accessing those twice-a-year store cupboard ingredients from the top shelf.  This has a smaller platform – 300 x 600mm, which means it takes up even less space when folded flat and is suitable for use when you need a boost on a stable surface, but don’t need the comfort of the full sized platform.  If you have hanging baskets and need a boost to water them, this hop-up is your best friend.

The EN131 certification applies to hop-ups, meaning they are all suitable for trade and domestic use.  The EN131 certification means they’re tested and rated to take a load of 150kg, which is plenty to allow for the average person plus any tools they may need.  If you need a more heavy duty model that’s suitable for being used in Class 1 environments, like construction sites and industrial facilities, then the Hopstar folding hop-up is for you.  This model is designed to withstand rugged environments and heavy loads – up to 175kg. 

Whether you’re in need of a bit of extra height at home, but you don’t have the storage space for a step ladder, or you need something for DIY or trade jobs like painting, decorating, filling, installing lights or picture rails and more, then Midland Ladders has the top selection of hop-ups for everyone.  We can even cater to our industrial customers with the Hopstar model, so take advantage of our unbeatable prices and next day delivery and you’ll be hopping with joy!