A different spure thread

[dts99]

All the spike talk on here is about pads,
I don't have any problems with pads. The arches on my feet kill after a few long climbs, I don't weigh 130lbs anymore. I have buckingham steels with the big fat Velcro pads. I've had them forever. Geckos are a tiny bit wider on the step area will it make that big a difference? I have been thinking of a heavier boot with steel shanks, but I like my light weight redwings machanic style boots, should I just buy a bucket truck....

 

[KenJax Tree]

Steel shanks are your friend when climbing. Buckets are also your friend.

 

[woodchuck357]

Any good shoe repair shop can open up your boot soles and replace the original steel with a longer, wider, and stiffer piece that makes standing on spurs less of a pain. I have been having my boot arch reinforced since I was a weakly youngster of 145 lbs! Now at 225 I can still stand on spurs all day without any foot pain.

 

[imagineero]

Some good advice given so far....

The geckos are slightly wider in the arch, but I own both the steel buckinghams and the geckos and find the geckos awful to climb in and no better in the arch. Bashlin aluminums are pretty comfortable and wider in the arch, but 'comfortable' in spikes is so subjective. You can't tell from just trying them on either, you need at least 5 or 6 hours in a tree to know if they are going to work for you. Try to borrow for a day or two before you buy otherwise you may well be throwing your money away. I gave the geckos I bought (AUD$500) to one of my groundies because they weren't saleable after I modified them to try to make them more comfortable.

Good boots make a huge difference.

Technique is also important. Keep them real sharp, so you don't have to slam them in and can take lighter steps. When you're going to be in one spot for a while setup your rope so your weight is 50/50 on your harness and spurs, shift around, keep your blood flowing. Having efficient rigging techniques and ground crew helps so much also - it keeps you on the move in the tree, and gets you on the ground sooner.

Shaun

 

[isaaccarlson]

I wear CAT boots. I've had them for close to 10 years. They sat for a while after a move because I didn't know where they were, but I found them this winter. They are great for working in, but a little heavy. They don't make this model anymore, sadly. I really like them. They have a wide rubber strap between the heel and front part and that takes most of the pressure from the spurs. They don't really flex much when standing on the spurs either. That may change as they wear more, but for now, I'm happy.

 

[joezilla11]

Kleins are wider in the foot plate which makes them comfortable to stand on even in cheap boots

 

[dts99]

I bought a new pair of boots with a heavier sole and fiberglass shanks, I don't have a big removel to test them on but after looking a a few different boots I realized my boots had soft soles, which is probly why they are so comfortable

 

[2treeornot2tree]

Get yourself a pair of the hoffman boots with the double steel shanks. I weigh around 300 lbs and I cna stand on my spikes for a good bit of the day before my feet hurt.

 

[Ms2014life]

Like boots spurs are different... I find geckos awesome spend days on end in them but.. They ar a european design which means they'll be thinner in the arch all spurs are dIfferent so the boot/spur combo i weararbortec aquafells with geckos where as a mate wears haix boots with Pfanner spurs which he thinks are the best ever we have talked about it and swapped spurs its all about taking the chance with your set up with good research best of luck...

 

[IcePick]

amen brother

Kleins are wider in the foot plate which makes them comfortable to stand on even in cheap boots

Kleins are hands down the best set of climbers ever made. Get rid of the buckinghams, they are the bulkiest most uncomfortable POS to climb in, IMHO.

 

[802climber]

Hoffmans will install their double steel shanks in your boots for a very reasonable rate

I had some put in my White's when I had them resoled by Hoffmans, they had a quick turnaround time too.