Wow, kf, your boots are even more critical than for the ret of us. I've always claimed bootwear to be my most critical tool, but for you it's literally the difference between being able to work, and not being able to work.
Bullman said:
meindl do a lightweight pair of chainsaw protected boots designed specifically for climbing. they are narrower than a normal chainsaw boot and have a tackier sole. gonna get me a pair next month
Tacky sole is good. Also, smooth sole works for me. One would intuitively think the knobbier, more aggressive tread patterns would work better for tree climbing. There are major, major differences in sole profiles and compounds, and most hard-workin boots end up-being very worn in the sole. This can be celebrated.
I look forward to the end-life of boots, like in picture 4, the soles have lost most of their tread and right before they completely died, they were climbing spectacularly.
A few years ago I was playing with this concept, actually, I was trying to custom-shape the tines of a plastic rake by sitting on the tailgate of a pickup, pressuring the handle so the business end was on the pavement, then ya take a ride around the block until the new shape makes you happy. I did this same maneuver with a pair of Salomons, hung my butt off the tailgate, feet on the pavement. As long as you've got that stiff fiberglass shank plate between the rubber sole and your footplate, the boot retains it's stability and does it's job with authority.
I like to climb in the rain when I can, and I'll grab a pair of old boots to muck up. I have found smooth soles on wet wood to be OK.
Bullman said:
meindl do a lightweight pair of chainsaw protected boots designed specifically for climbing. they are narrower than a normal chainsaw boot and have a tackier sole. gonna get me a pair next month
Link? These sound intriguing.
