Ideas on making some traction on my spurs

[WolverineMarine]

I was just doing a huge oak removal the other day while it was snowing and once the branches were all nice and icy something dawned on me..why dont the companies that make climbing spurs put some sort of traction on the bottom of the metal that you boot rests on while you're climbing for while IE..climbing on slippery ass species of trees or when its icy out..I'm not talking about major spikes..just something that'll keep your butthole from puckering up too tight when you're doing some nice limb walking on a branch like thisView attachment 167749

After talking it over with my partner..we were thinking about pre-drilling like 3-4 holes in em and them trying like 1/2" self tapping/sheet metal screws..anyone else have any ideas?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

After talking it over with my partner..we were thinking about pre-drilling like 3-4 holes in em and them trying like 1/2" self tapping/sheet metal screws..anyone else have any ideas?

I think that will weaken the stirrup too much. Try putting on some of those ice cleats that slip over your boots.

 

[WolverineMarine]

I think that will weaken the stirrup too much. Try putting on some of those ice cleats that slip over your boots.

I thought about that possibly as well JPS..are those stirrups heat treated? My other idea was to tack weld some small spots on there and then sharpen them up a little with a grinder

 

[outonalimbts]

I thought about that possibly as well JPS..are those stirrups heat treated? My other idea was to tack weld some small spots on there and then sharpen them up a little with a grinder

Buckingham makes some "soles" for clamping onto the stirrups, they have a rubber bottom sole, they work pretty well for this, I modified mine by gluing a set of "corkies" to the bottom plate- it digs in a bit on a branch but not like the gaffs, plus walking on the stirrups tends to be slick anyway.

The clamp on "soles" cost around $90 a pair, and work on most climbers except for bashlin's.

:chainsawguy:

 

[WolverineMarine]

Buckingham makes some "soles" for clamping onto the stirrups, they have a rubber bottom sole, they work pretty well for this, I modified mine by gluing a set of "corkies" to the bottom plate- it digs in a bit on a branch but not like the gaffs, plus walking on the stirrups tends to be slick anyway.

The clamp on "soles" cost around $90 a pair, and work on most climbers except for bashlin's.

:chainsawguy:

Interesting idea..sounds kinda like putting felt soles on a pair of fishing waders when you get around slippery rocks..I might try gluing/wrapping some indoor/outdoor style carpeting on the stirrups or maybe a combination of the 2..I can appreciate that Buckingham makes something for this purpose..but I enjoy trying to "build a better mouse trap" so to speak..but I'll see if I can track em down..thanks for the idea CSG..

 

[freeweight]

"I think that will weaken the stirrup too much. Try putting on some of those ice cleats that slip over your boots. "

gee i started a thread in arborist101 and people acted like they had no clue what i was talking about when i talked about ice grips



can also put sticky grip paper on the bottom of the spike where its under your boot

 

[Rftreeman]

just walk on the spikes.......

 

[RacerX]

If you use those Buckingham sole plates you might be able to drill a few holes in them, tap the holes, and install some golf shoe spikes like these. It may also work if you installed them directly on the shank of the spurs but I would be concerned about weakening the spurs by drilling holes in the shank.

 

[sgreanbeans]

This wont help with walking, but when I had to stay out on a limb for any time and it was slippery, I would take loop runners, girth them around the limb I was on and slide my foot in it. Nice and comfy and the pucker factor goes way down.

 

[WolverineMarine]

Buckingham makes some "soles" for clamping onto the stirrups, they have a rubber bottom sole, they work pretty well for this, I modified mine by gluing a set of "corkies" to the bottom plate- it digs in a bit on a branch but not like the gaffs, plus walking on the stirrups tends to be slick anyway.

The clamp on "soles" cost around $90 a pair, and work on most climbers except for bashlin's.

:chainsawguy:

I went to Buckinghams website and didnt see em..I just want a little extra bite on the bottom of the stirrup when I'm out there leaning on my climb line trying to get out there to a tie off spot..thanks for the help and the ideas guys!

 

[treemandan]

just walk on the spikes.......

And we're done here, next question?

I suppose I sometimes find myself scrabbling for grip trying to find purchase with the bottom of my spikes then I remember the pointy sharp thing they got on em..

Drill a few 1/8 holes for some same dia steel screws. Don't have them stick out to far and if one breaks you can replace it. 3 holes in the middle should be Ok I would think.

 

[treemandan]

Actually just shoot a couple of nubs with a welder set on stun instead of kill, file the nubs sharp.