Rock Climbing Shoes

[Orlandofeller]

Using rock climbing shoes for trimming is all the rage here in Central Florida. I was wondering if other areas of the country use them too. Gaffs are a big NO NO here, unless removing. The rock climbing shoes really help in footlocking and moving about the tree. They grip to limbs and find small nooks easily. The drawback is they are not OSHA standard. What footware do you use?

 

[oldirty]

steel toe boots. same ones i wear everyday. whats next? people gonna be wearing "crocs" in the tree's?

 

[ronnyb]

La Sportiva Cirque Pro approach shoes. Kind of like a flat bottomed really stiff tennis shoe. Awesome for pruning work, check out the La Sportiva website.

 

[Mikecutstrees]

I wear lightweight hiking boots for pruning jobs. They grip well, don't make marks or make the bark slip and have some support for standing in crotches or on small limbs.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I like a high ankle boot, mountain/hiking styles are best. They are a bit more ANSI compliant.

A single piece upper is very important, I find that the stitching on the inside of the foot wears out faster then the sole on the "pretty" boots.

Right now I have the REI Spirit III and am very disappointed with the "improvements". They were great all around boots, but I would discourage anyone getting them, I'm on my second replacement set.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

steel toe boots. same ones i wear everyday. whats next? people gonna be wearing "crocs" in the tree's?

I've been wearing crocs in trees for a while now........but you probably already knew that

 

[MS TreeMonkey]

80% of the time i've got my 16" Red Dawg climbers on because I'm almost always doing a removal (people down here don't want to spend the money on a trim job). Otherwise, I've got an awesome pair of Merrells (Outback II) that have been discontinued. I'm so disappointed - they're awesome for shimmying through the trees and out on limbs. They've got a great arch to fit the curve of the limb and great ankle support. Too bad i can't get anymore - and mine are almost worn out!

 

[Scots Climber]

Ok, I'm slightly scared now. In the UK we have to, by law wear all round leg PPE and steel toed boots that are rated to resist 20 m/s (65.6ft/s) chain speed.

My Boreal climbing shoes (used for E3/5.12+) rock climbing would barely stop a rescue knife or, let alone my Gomtaro, MT200 or 441!

So, to answer your question, I wear Haix Protector Pro.

You may think that wearing so much PPE makes us sloppy or undisciplined, but in my experience it saves limbs and extremities from unnecessary amputation or injury.

:chainsawguy:

 

[upperlimits]

I wear a pair of Redwings most of the time (muscle shoes) because I don't like changing my shoes in the field. They look like hiking boots and are pretty dry not to much heel. I prefer to climb with my Merrell's though when I know I will only be trimming they are soft soled and have excellent ventilation.

 

[bendtrees]

point of clarification

I believe you are referring to "approach" shoes or boots. Not specialized rock only shoes.

I admit, I consider every possibility no matter how ridiculous, but doing tree work in my rock shoes would be worth a couple laughs and thats it.

I am in a pair of La Sportiva Trango Super Guides. They are basically a light hiker with a decent rand and relatively flat bottom.

I like em' Easy to lock on with the flat bottoms. Flat bottoms yield more rubber on the tree=friction=security. The weight is a joy, and so far the interior seams are resiting rope abrasion, but I don't expect much.

 

[outdoorfiend]

Five Tens!!!

five ten approach shoes. the stealth soles get super slippery on the ice though!!!!

 

[oldirty]

five ten approach shoes. the stealth soles get super slippery on the ice though!!!!

what good would these shoes be in the winter?

 

[outdoorfiend]

I like to feel the trees on my feet it gives me better balance and the soles give great grip!!! ( like climbing shoes on rocks) . I am in the tree not on the ground so as long as there is no ice in the tree it doesn't matter. Big boots are to bulky.

 

[outdoorfiend]

My Georgia boots are only on for spikes. (hence the heal)

 

[oldirty]

I like to feel the trees on my feet it gives me better balance and the soles give great grip!!! ( like climbing shoes on rocks) . I am in the tree not on the ground so as long as there is no ice in the tree it doesn't matter. Big boots are to bulky.

does it snow or get icey in denver?

 

[BostonBull]

steel toe boots. same ones i wear everyday. whats next? people gonna be wearing "crocs" in the tree's?

Gregs going to be pisssed when he sees this!

 

[oldirty]

hey i got crocs too! 3 pair actually. they are some comfortable "kickn around in" footwear. good on the foots after a long day.

but lets not be fooled here. if greg's on a job and he's in his crocs its because he's pointing out the work not doing it. lol

 

[outdoorfiend]

Ummmm????? yeah ... But the snow melts off trees quick, at 5000 ft your closer to the sun bud. opcorn: