footlock climbing shoes

[kurtztree]

What type and brand of shoes do you use for the footlock climbing technique? My logger boots dont work to well. Trying to get away from old guy climbing.

 

[BigJohn]

I found that the Merrel hiking boot wooks the best. The bottom of the shoe consists of small oval shaped hollowed out "lugs".

 

[tshanefreeman]

I've found that the deeper the heel ............. the better the bite when you lock the rope over your boot. My current boots are made by Terra and consist of a synthetic material instead of leather. I can't remember the name of the material at present, but if I do, I will add it to the discussion. The rougher texture definitely aids in the gripping of the rope.

Some prefer to use soft soled runners or hikers ............... I've found that the softer the sole the harder the climb is on your legs. I won't wear anything unless it has steel plates!

Yet, at the end of the day, the final choice is yours.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

For me, I have found that I hiker style boot works well. The boot style that has a slight curve in front of the heel for your spikes ( removals only ). For me, too much heel allows the rope to fall thru when you step the other foot on top.

 

[NeTree]

I like the $20 wal-mart hiking boots for limbwalking and footlocking. The cheaper boots have a more flexible sole and seem to grip the rope better than any other boots I've used. But that's just my personal preferance. Whatever feels and works best for you might be alot different.

 

[njarbor]

i disagree with tshanefreeman, i usually wear chippewa logging boots when im in a tree and they have quite a heel on them . the problem is that you cant get any bite on the rope when you are trying to footlock . it may work for some but not for me . i need semi flat hiking boots . doesnt really matter cus i never footlock on the job. not that good at it yet

 

[jblimbwalker]

Footlocking fast and effeciently in loggers is possible. When my boss first started teaching me to foot lock he told me it would be impossible to learn with loggers. "You're gonna have to get some of those hiking type boots, or you'll never get it." Well, he was wrong. I did abandon the loggers for a day, resulting in a smashed toe while chipping brush. Threw those hikers in the closet and went back to my loggers (steel shank, steel toe, large heel). My footlock time is on par with my boss' when he was in jamborees and he was winning the FL event often. You can FL with loggers, don't let anyone tell you any different.

 

[NeTree]

...allow me to add that my hikers have STEEL TOES...

 

[timberfell]

I am using Lowa Renegade hiking boots for FL. They have a standard hiking sole. They work well for me. www.sierratradingpost.com sells them.

I have seen a few guys that can footlock with a logger heel but I can't do it well enough to justify it myself.

I do however put my Red Wing loggers on when I have to wear my spikes.

Kurt

 

[MasterBlaster]

Footlock???

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

My boot decision looks at all day comfort and ankle support too. Wear potential is a big thing too.

I like mountain/hikers because of their design for durability and comfort. I've got a few sore toes over the years, but nothing seriouse.

I'm in a $189 pair of REI SpiritII with gortex lining, which is great for rain and days with heavy dew.

At least for me I've found that the cheaper boots don't work as well for limbwalks and such where a better gripping sole is needed. I know some guys who wear rock shoes on trim jobs. Does not sound comfortable to me.

 

[Tree Machine]

Yea, what JP said. All-day comfort since they're the only piece of gear you'll own that's in use before you leave the house until after you get home.

I've been taking pictures of my climbing boots for several years now, new, and then fully blown-out. I keep track of how long they last, what parts of the boot fails first and the plusses and minusses of that model. In seeking out a new pair, I try to find something better than the last pair, but at this point in time, 13 pairs later, I'm at an impasse. I feel with all my heart, that the ultimate tree climbing boot has yet to be developed. I've had some really good ones, and I understand what features rock my world, but 'really good' is as far as I've gotten.

I like, and will continue to use, mountain boots, mainly because of availability. Any one of us can find em at the local sporting goods stores. I can't mail order them because I need to put them on, test their fit, roll to test ankle support, twist them to feel lateral torsion and wear them to 'feel' the softness / hardness of the sole rubber.

I go through two to three pair a year - an expensive habit- but some day a GREAT boot will be developed and it'll utilize kevlar thread, or something and maybe I can get a full year out of them, which would make my wife (and me) very happy.

The images are of new boots. Upper left, no depth to the sole contour in front of the heel. Didn't make the cut. Upper right boot, the sole rubber was very firm, almost hard. Knew from experience that was not helpful. Bottom boot, the winner, that particular day. Good ankle support (extremely important in my case), nice rounded contour of the sole arch in front of the heel. Deep enough for that occasional spike application. Nice, medium-soft rubber compound, grippy on inclined limbs and really good for footlocking. The sole is molded around a fiberglass plate that goes toe-to-heel, allowing me to step into a tight V-crotch and not cup around and crush my foot from the sides.

This particular pair, the Salomon STF6 GTX, were good enough for me to feel like it raised my climbing ability a notch. Problem is, they only lasted 4 months. Regardless, I bought a second pair after I blew the first ones to shreds because they climbed so exceptionally well and were very comfortable after I abused them a couple weeks through wet and dry, and then put a gel-sole foot bed in em.

I moved onto a set of Vasques after that that were really good, but not really, REALLY good. They held up for 6 months, though, which is pretty good for me. Right now I'm back in Salomons, an expensive GoreTex model, but they've been much worse than I could have imagined, in a number of ways. I am less of a climber now than I was a pair ago. -TM-

 

[Tree Machine]

Footwear for the trees.

Ooops. Forgot to drop in the image. -TM-

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Oh and I've talked to a number of people who spend full days in gaffs, and many really like ice boots, like LaSportiva, Since they are designed for people with money to spend long hours in cleats. Even at $350, I'm told they are well worth it.

I'm not in gaffs that much any more myself.

 

[MasterBlaster]

The Commander, from Wal-Mart, $40. Traction for trims, and thick soled for spurs. I've got them on here.....

 

[jamie]

jimbojj

this might sound really stupid but not many folk wear steel capped boots for work, i was assuming that stateside would be similar to here where PPE is the name of teh game, ive not climbed much at work (still the novice) but id prefer doing all my work knowing that should i cock up things are going to be ok in my saw boots, (sthil concepts i think, they are comfy enough and the boss recomends them) (well more ok than they would if i was wearing my hiking boots)

jamie

 

[MasterBlaster]

Jamie, if their steel they can pinch you toes off- really. No sh!t.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

That's a myth, the crip and chop thing.

Besides, a smaller force then a crimping from on the toe will crush.

much worse then a cut.

 

[murphy4trees]

I recently bought a pair of Mirrell's on Big Jon's recommendation. Paid 115 at REI. Then he gave me a footlocking lesson... I can do it, but have yet to develop the finess that makes it seem like a good way to get up a tree... There is something about walking up a 40' ladder on belay, that seems so much more attractive than the physical "hard" work of footlocking... And for the really tall ones nothing beats watching Big Jon do the footlocking... I guess that's kind of a cop-out and I just take my time getting into new techniques sometimes... I'll get around to more footlocking practice...
Anyhow the Mirrell's have a great feel both walking and climbing... They do great in spikes too... The metal lace holder got tweaked on the first day out and I have yet too straighten it out... patient on that too... They seem to get snagged and tweaked fairly regularly...

 

[tjk]

I,m wearing a pair of Nike ACG Cindercones for pruning. They are by far the highest performing boot for climbing. For removals I wear a pair of Lowa ATC. They are light, durable and are firm in the arch. I,ve been on the boot hunt for years these two boots are best I've found.