Best shoes and saddle for climbing?

[pistol pete]

About to get serious and I was wondering if someone could suggest the best shoes for climbing, without the use of gaffs. Also who makes the best saddle for day to day professional tree work? I am getting ready to take some private lessons and don't want to show up with my rock climbing saddle.

 

[Stumper]

These are very personal decisions. Even people with much experience with multiple saddles choose differently. The number one saddle among advanced climbers is the Komet Butterfly. A saddle that is liked by everyone I've talked to who has tried it is the Ness Work Saddle from NewTribe. Th Buckingham Master II is very popular but is loved by some and hated by others-I like mine but I consider it overpriced-It costs more than the Ness and almost as much as the Butterfly while not being as comfortable as either. The cheap optiion is a basic "buttstrap" saddle from either Weaver or Buckingham.-They can be purchased new for about$100 , are very rugged, safe and UNCOMFORTABLE. Another $50 will get you one of the more advanced Weavers such as the model 1038 with individual leg loops. The Weavers are tough and longwearing and will keep you safe-they are also fairly heavy and a bit less comfortable than something like the Bfly or Ness.

Footwear is even more individual than saddles. Most guys like Hiking bots for non gaff climbing use. I wear hikers sometimes and RedWing 606's at others.

 

[Bermie]

This could be a big can of worms!!

If you can afford a Komet Butterfly, get one! I trained in a Buckingham master II ('cause it was the only small one they had) and bought a Butterfly when I started on my own and I love it!
It's light to start with, is incredibly manouverable, has a wide comfortable back support. It has three nice big tool loops on the back, the middle one is great for the saw, keeps the weight central, two big D rings on the side, and a long bridge across the front so your attachment crab can slide side to side. Some people are leery of the quick release buckles, I inspect them before and after each job and keep silicone spray on them, the buckles are just a positive as the day I bought it (2 years) Remember, a tree harness supports your weight, It needs to be comfortable to be in for hours!
As for boots, I use my chainsaw boots when climbing, spikes or not, they have nice wide stiff soles that keep my feet from getting pinched and are good for kicking dead stubs off with!!

Good luck with your training, enjoy

 

[jimmyq]

I have the weaver 1038 and I agree with Stumper, heavy. but for the limited climbing I do its a sturdy, cost effective unit so far. makes a lot of clanging noises too, sliding double D, couple a biners, side D's with lanyard.. clingclang I couldnt sneak up on a deaf squirrel.

 

[KentuckySawyer]

I like my Buckingham Versatile, but would love to try a Komet Dragonfly someday.

My Garmont boots are the best shoes my feet have ever seen. Heavy duty hikers/light mountaineering boots. I've had them for going on a year now and I'd replace them today if I had to. I've had a broken foot for a couple of years and my doctor recommended a stiff boot. I wear them for everything. Spurring, pruning, and have even gone to a couple of weddings in them.

 

[Dadatwins]

Chosing a saddle is a lot like chosing a pair of jeans, jeans may fit and look great on one person and be totally uncomfortable on another. Lots of threads on site about best saddles and shoes, but best to try a few on at a trade show if possible or at a dealer. I have heard of people ordering 6 or 7 saddles and trying them all out before sending some back. I started with a weaver butt-strap, tough as nails, long wearing but not very comforable, moved to a Master 2,nice saddle, but could adjust it to get a comfortable fit for me, and now I have a Blair Ultra-lite (thanks again Tom D.) that I am very happy with. Try a few on and get in a tree if possible with them, saddles have a completly different feel from standing in the showroom to hanging in a tree. good luck.

As for boots, I have found Red wings to be very comfortable and durable for this type of work.

 

[pbtree]

When it comes to shoes, I like a good sturdy pair of boots. Gaffs of not, I like the support...

 

[Jumper]

I've had a broken foot for a couple of years and my doctor recommended a stiff boot. I wear them for everything. Spurring, pruning, and have even gone to a couple of weddings in them.

Ditto here, broken since 1978, and no joint left what so ever behind my big toe. I can not imagine being on my feet all day in something soft, let alone climbing. Fortunately there are some OK looking casual styles that are pretty stiff available up here.If I wear sandals etc off work for extended periods I get sore feet and ankles, which also have osteo arthritis. Even my inserts have a steel plate in them.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Climbing boots are tough to recomend, but if you climb tips and limbwalk a lot, then go with a high-end hicking/mountain boot.

I've been wearing the REI SpiritII for several years now, I know several people in Vasque, LaSportiva, Mamout....The ankle suport and the grippy soles are what make them worth the big ticket.

IMO leave the logger boots for those they are built for and climb in boots with climbing in thier design.