How to keep spikes from coming loose

[Maplegeddon213]

I find that there are a lot of factors that go into keeping your spikes tight on your boot but no matter what adjustments I make, within 15 minutes of a removal I'll have them come loose from the middle of my boot and start sitting awkwardly on the heel or slipping off entirely sometimes. It's very frustrating and I've just sort of worked around it until I can't anymore or finish the removal.

Things that I've found help:

1) tightening down the leather straps or velcro buckles (we use both the old and new style where I work) as hard as I possibly physically can

2) tightening my belt so that my pant legs can't shift as much

3) I briefly experimented with using the little pant buckles that go to your boot laces at the bottom of Clogger Zeros to further restrict any pant movement with some mild success but it wasn't perfect and wore out my boots faster.

4) tightening the velcro straps themselves as hard as I physically possibly can

And yet nothing works long term, I'm hoping people have tips because I feel like I see lots of people not struggle as hard as I do. For context I have relatively thin calves and long legs if that factors into anything. Another factor is that I have a solid middle platform with like an inch step down from the heel of the boot so I'm not thinking its a boot problem.

 

[evo]

A boot with enough heel is probably the root of your issue.

Some climbers will take a full turn around the shank, some will put the lower strap under the spike. But nothing is going to beat a good heal on the boot. Height isn’t the only factor but the shape of the heel is too. Try a boot designed to be used with crampons or one with a legit heel like a logger

 

[southsoundtree]

Pics

 

[Stumpsprouts]

I always retighten the bottom strap after stepping heartily on the spar a few times, it settles into the leg a bit after that.

 

[southsoundtree]

If you step on the spur a bit when tightening the bottom strap first, then top strap(s), it may help.



Tightening the bottom strap, then the top(s), then checking/ testing the bottom strap, again before climbing may help.

 

[ghostice]

Ditto above. I've always used full shank or 3/4 shank boots with a heel of some kind for tree spurs. For crampons, if they are the flexible kind, 3/4 or even heavy hiking boots will do but if you're into rigid front points I think you're better off with a more rigid mountaineering boot, even a plastic one (which are better insulated/ waterproof anyway and way more betterer on scree).
There's also alternate ways of rigging your lower straps too, maybe give that a try.
Another thing I do often before sap fest removals (conifers like some spruces, grand firs) is spray the spur gaffs with silicone or dry lube (used to use teflon lube but alas). It helps with spur removal as you go up sometimes, at least for the first little bit. I think it is the Distel spurs actually advertise teflon coating on some of the gaffs. Cheers

 

[john.massing]

A boot with enough heel is probably the root of your issue.

Some climbers will take a full turn around the shank, some will put the lower strap under the spike. But nothing is going to beat a good heal on the boot. Height isn’t the only factor but the shape of the heel is too. Try a boot designed to be used with crampons or one with a legit heel like a logger

100% In order to keep the stirrup in place you need a heel with a 90 degree angle, perpendicular to the sole. If it is angled, it will slip. I wear a hiking style of boot with a 90 degree heel and the stirrup stays in place.

 

[Chris Schultz]

A boot with a good heel is a must. I like if I can to drive the base of the stirrup into a step, some masonry, or anything with a nice defined edge. Whatever is available that’ll drive that bottom plate into the arch/heel interface of the boots. Then I tighten the top strap, followed by the bottom straps. I really really like the buckingham velcros for the lower straps. They’re comfortable, and get a good precise/snug fit, that stays tight….. I don’t even know how or why any thing else exists.

 

[southsoundtree]

Tree spurs have lots more leverage.

I rarely pull out any of my tree spurs.

Some who have climbed on both tree and pole spurs a bunch might say pole spurs have no place in trees.

Many who haven't spent much/ any time in pole spurs will tell you you always want tree spurs.


OG tree spurs around here are about 6" long. Nobody advocates for only using spurs that are that much too long.


@Maplegeddon213
Are you a UW student?

 

[Serf Life]

I leave my spur boots in the truck as I don't like wearing a big heel all day unless I'm in spikes all day. Have perfect pruning/ground boots and perfect spur boots, haven't found a boot that does both.

 

[Maplegeddon213]

Tree spurs have lots more leverage.

I rarely pull out any of my tree spurs.

Some who have climbed on both tree and pole spurs a bunch might say pole spurs have no place in trees.

Many who haven't spent much/ any time in pole spurs will tell you you always want tree spurs.


OG tree spurs around here are about 6" long. Nobody advocates for only using spurs that are that much too long.


@Maplegeddon213
Are you a UW student?

At one point yes, been in the industry ~5 years now

 

[southsoundtree]

Still in Steven's Point?

 

[96coal449]

A boot with a good heel is a must. I like if I can to drive the base of the stirrup into a step, some masonry, or anything with a nice defined edge. Whatever is available that’ll drive that bottom plate into the arch/heel interface of the boots. Then I tighten the top strap, followed by the bottom straps. I really really like the buckingham velcros for the lower straps. They’re comfortable, and get a good precise/snug fit, that stays tight….. I don’t even know how or why any thing else exists.

Same here.

I leave my spur boots in the truck as I don't like wearing a big heel all day unless I'm in spikes all day. Have perfect pruning/ground boots and perfect spur boots, haven't found a boot that does both.

I can't wear a logging boot any more. That big heel puts a whooping on my hip which, will migrate to my lower back. Been donning hiking boots with a mild heel. They work "okay" if I dress up like described above. Problem is they wear out quick. They're not meant for abusive tree work. It's not productive to switch back and forth to loggers and hikers when spurs are needed on a site. At times I need spurs for one tree, then not the next, and then need em again for another.

I'll be looking at a pair of Haix (spelling?) highly recommended by @Matias
Damn, they're not cheap. Then again nothing good is.

 

[Chris Schultz]

@96coal449 I hear what your saying about the Haix boot pricing….. I was given a free pair to be a weartester for them a few years back. After putting them through the paces, I feel the price is 100% justifiable, worth it, and I would pay full price for them (or wait for a sale!) Was hesitant before, but will have a hard time buying anything else now.

 

[Maplegeddon213]

Still in Steven's Point?

Nope, the companies in the Central Wisconsin area are not good to work for at all in my and friends' experience.