Bashlin and Caddie Pads not compatible?

kludge

kludge

Participating member
Location
Eastern PA
Hi Gents,

After a little research I just bought Bashlin climbers (BD14B) and was planning on running them with Opsal caddie pads. However, the length adjuster doesn’t fit into the receiver on the pads.

What am I missing? Do I have the wrong climbers? Does opsal make more than one pad type?
 

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Mine fit.
Show the rest of the spur, the whole climber/gaff/stirrup/ whatever else they’re called. Those don’t look like Bashlin sleeves, they look like Climb Right, or at least they don’t look like mine. Mine are pretty old though.
 
The Bashlins you bought appear to be aluminum, and aluminum spurs have thicker shanks, as they must - this is probably why they don’t fit your caddie pads.
 
Jonny said:
Mine fit.
Show the rest of the spur, the whole climber/gaff/stirrup/ whatever else they’re called. Those don’t look like Bashlin sleeves, they look like Climb Right, or at least they don’t look like mine. Mine are pretty old though.
Click to expand...
I bought them direct from Bashlin.
 

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Reach said:
The Bashlins you bought appear to be aluminum, and aluminum spurs have thicker shanks, as they must - this is probably why they don’t fit your caddie pads.
Click to expand...
Others on this forum recommended the Bashlin Aluminums with Caddies. After some searching the inter webs, I think Bashlin may have changed their design. The shank seems like it used to be tapered more in thickness.
 
Wanna try angled shin cup pads with steel insert?
They fit mine but can’t say for sure if they’ll work for new ones now.
They’re comfy but I like the caddies.
BA978CCF-01FA-483B-A803-F7A89E9AB3A8.jpeg
 
I can try getting a measurement. They changed those Bashlin sleeves a lot though it appears. Mine fit loosely in the caddies and the shin cup pads, they rattle.
 
So the shin cup pads I bought for my Bashlins are a snugger fit than the caddies, I really doubt they’ll fit, BUT I have a different set of steel shin cup pads that came as part of an eBay lot, and they don’t fit my Bashlin or Buck titaniums, these are made for BuckAlloy aluminums. I took pics of the measurement, they’re definitely thicker but not as wide. Looks like around 21/32” thick and 1 and 3/16” wide.

Any rigid pad is light years ahead of plain leather and padding, in my opinion. Measure your Bashlins, and if you think they’ll fit you can have them.
The pic with two inserts is the BuckAlloy on top and Bashlin on the bottom, they’re quite different.
658DE5B6-D03D-4460-91E9-0FAF93F0CDED.jpeg8D695586-D1FB-4D7B-822A-99CCAE54EC6A.jpeg3EA6160B-4369-4054-A624-37FA5B56F699.jpeg
 
@rico and @oldoakman and @Jonny, I have not run Bashlins before. If you were buying new today, would you buy the Bashlin aluminums and run them with other pads?

I am trying to decide if I should return the climbers and look for something different. Or if I should look for pads that fit the Bashlins. Maybe the big bucks like oldoakman was suggesting. Maybe I should look for a used set of Bashlin aluminum.

I know you guys cannot make the decision for me, but any opinions you have, I would love to consider.

And thanks @Jonny for the offer, I will take some measurements and see if they will fit. I may take you up on that if I decide to keep them. I will probably not be able to buy new pads for a while.
 
I've been on Bashlins for 30 years. I actually just this past year got the long sleeve for tha shank as my leg from floor to knee is right at 24". I also got the Big Buck pads. The Big Bucks are awesome, worlds of difference from the single shin cup pads. Never tried Caddy pads. I did not know about the redesign and would have to look them over first. I am from Pennsylvania and know where the Bashlin showroom is and would visit in person. I also don't have the aluminum set but steel which may make a difference. Best luck figuring things out. Make sure it is as comfortable as possible on the ground cause things can change in the air.
 
kludge said:
@rico and @oldoakman and @Jonny, I have not run Bashlins before. If you were buying new today, would you buy the Bashlin aluminums and run them with other pads?

I am trying to decide if I should return the climbers and look for something different. Or if I should look for pads that fit the Bashlins. Maybe the big bucks like oldoakman was suggesting. Maybe I should look for a used set of Bashlin aluminum.

I know you guys cannot make the decision for me, but any opinions you have, I would love to consider.

And thanks @Jonny for the offer, I will take some measurements and see if they will fit. I may take you up on that if I decide to keep them. I will probably not be able to buy new pads for a while.
Click to expand...
The fact that the Bashlin's no longer fit the Mallory/Opsal/Caddy pads is a deal breaker for me..

Regardless, your pad options for the new Bashlin's seem to be-

https://www.bashlin.com/products/product/145-v-series-hook-n-loop-climber-pads

https://www.endorstreegear.com/collections/pads/products/procool-climber-pads-with-velcro-strap

https://www.endorstreegear.com/collections/pads/products/leather-climber-pads

https://www.treestuff.com/buckingham-big-buck-velcro-pads/

I could run any spur available but chose to run Buckingham steels with Mallory/Opsal/Caddy pads. Sure its not the latest/greatest, space-age, multi-colored, shiny new setup, but with some velcro lowers you have what IMHO is the most comfy, durable, effective, and lightweight set of spurs available for a real working tree-man, and all for well under $300.

https://www.gaparboristsupply.com/Buckingham-Steel-with-Cadillac-Pads/folder/280
 
Been wanting a better upper strap, so took the split rings off a pair of Gecko lower straps and reattached them with some dynaglide on the pad. We’ll see how it lasts, those aren’t very gentle edges on the little strap loop on the sleeves. I might try some 3/4” fishing split rings.
www.rocknrescue.com

Notch Gecko Quick Connect Lower Climber Straps (Pair) - Rock-N-Rescue

The Notch Gecko Quick Connect Lower Climber Straps have a hook and loop design for fast and easy adjustments. Features: • Hook and Loop design for fast and easy adjustments • Increased surface area for added comfort to the top and back of the foot • Constructed from 1.77” durable yet soft nylon...
www.rocknrescue.com www.rocknrescue.com

DFA62437-B334-44BE-A102-EB72AAE2DCA5.jpeg
 
I think I am going to return the aluminum climbers to Bashlin. Too expensive to not be what I wanted. Also they don’t seem to be significantly lighter than a good old school steel pair which I have been climbing on.

Since I am now hesitant with Bashlin, I might order a steel pair from them, but want to be sure they have not redesigned those.

@oldoakman, are any of these like what you run and like?

BD16B Series Steel Climbers

Below is all of the steel climbers in the BD16B Series.
www.bashlin.com www.bashlin.com

BD12 Series Steel Non-Replaceable Climbers

Below is all of the steel non-replaceable climbers in the BD12 Series.
www.bashlin.com www.bashlin.com

I may just go with the setup Rico recommends if there isn’t a Bashlin steel climber like the one’s you like.
 
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