footlock climbing shoes

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I agree. I tried footlocking with logger boots and couldn't get a lock.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I tried walking in logger boots and could not get 10 feet.

 

[murphy4trees]

I saw Big Jon footlock in loggers the other day so it can be done.... Actually no problem.... looked smooth and easy.... I wasn't watching carefully, so its tough to say for sure..... He appeared to use the center of the front edge of the heal to bite down on the rope....

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Good footlockers always make it look easy.
It seems like you would need to concentrate on exactly where the rope was on your boot each time you lock. With flat soles you just lock away.

 

[TREETX]

Just got my Cinder cones in the mail. Super comfy for typing on a key board. I'll let you know how they foot lock - going back out to work now.

Looking at having some other boots customized. Maybe here http://rubberroomresoles.com/index.htm

 

[TREETX]

A little more educated opinion.....

Now that I have footlocked in the Cinder Cones, I give em a thumbs up. By far the best footlocking shoe I have worn.

If you have that whole machismo thing going and think everyone who wears less than knee high wesco's is a PXXXY (little kitty kat). Then these are not for you.

They are more of a float like a butterfly, sting like a bee shoe!!

Maybe I mean float with a Butterfly sting with a Zubat......


(I can footlock faster in these shoes, but I can also footlock in about any boot. Just don't want anyone to think that they a silver bullet if you have problems footlocking at all)

Did I mention they are just plain comfy???

 

[TREETX]

Cinder cones in action

 

[Tree Machine]

I'm intrigued. If you were to jam your foot down into a sharp v-crotch, are they gonna crush your foot and get it stuck so you can't pull it out, or do they have a fiberglass or steel torsion plate in the sole to keep it stiff? Can they be comfortable on your feet all day? Is there any ankle support at all? They look like they can grip on a 45 degree bark incline, but can they?

I can footlock in slippers or tin pails, and I footlock alot, however, footlocking, timewise is maybe 1/200th of my day. The rest of the time I'm climbing or just being mobile on my feet. How are they, day after dayall day. How are they on wet surfaces and in a wet tree?

More info on their performance! -TM-

 

[TREETX]

Originally posted by Tree Machine
I can footlock in slippers or tin pails, and I footlock alot, however, footlocking, timewise is maybe 1/200th of my day.

I hear you there. What really is the difference between a 20 second FL and a 30 sec FL?? Wow, 10 sec of a day?? The difference is probably in just a few seconds.

I have only worn them working twice now. I rotate between boots depending upon job.

That have some but little ankle support. I don't wan't/need it in a tree if I am rocking around a huge tree pruning. I would rather float around. Wouldn't want to go jogging in knee high Wescos?? If I am doing a removal and in the same place longer, support is welcome. If I am hiking in a yard all day movin brush, I want ankle support.

I have climbed in sneakers before. These are MUCh stiffer. Don't know what the shank is. Not steel. Why would you want that Lots of lighter, strong materials.

The soles are Vibrams. That should say a lot, the same ones they put on high tech hikers and work boots......

I'll let you know how they perform over time.

I like having many tools and many options in my tool box. That goes from chain saws, gear, ropes, handsaws, saddles, tress cords,....., boots,.......... If I wanted a one size fits all, I would just buy one pair of boots from walmart and climb with a rope and a snap......

 

[TREETX]

Still giving the Cinder Cones a thumbs up. Great in the tree and on the ground. Some of the best shoes I have owned. Regrets - I didn't buy 2 pair.

But.......I used them with hooks on today. They fit very good with spikes and are good for spiking. The thumbs down came soon. About cut number 3 and feet were hurting. The shank/sole is not stiff enough. But the 5th chunck I would have confessed to about anything.

They are great for day to day climbing as long as that doesn't involve spikes.

 

[tjk]

I "ve had mine for about 2 months longer than you and are holding up just fine. For me thay make footlocking easier much more surface friction which releases the body tension. While moving around the tree your foot work will change. these boots are way more sensitive and you can feel small features like little bumps that you can put all of you weight on and use your legs, and this compliments modern climbing tools and techniques. If you had a big stiff boot you can not even feel the small fearures so you can not use them and you will be pulling more with your arms. For those of you with rock climbing experience you will know what I mean.

 

[Bradley]

On the steel toe myth, a friend and I did some impromptu testing of a steel toed firefighting boot last week. The front tire of an 80,000lb ladder truck did not deform it. I cut the steel toe out of the boot and put it on the concrete floor. 10 strikes with a 28 ounce Eastwing hammer did nothing but scratch it. 5 strikes with a 12 pound sledge only brought the top down by 1/4 -5/16ths of an inch, and it did this by spreading the sides of the cap apart. The caps are usually rated by Ansi for a 75 pound impact. If a steel toe is going to cut someones toes off, then their whole leg is probably going to be taken off as well. Steel toes have saved my feet more times than I can recall. The myths about them are wive's tales made up by workers trying to justify to their bosses why they don't need them. Everyone has heard of the chopped off toes tale but where are all of the toeless folks as evidence? I cannot find anything about it in any accident data.