Boot recommendation

I haven’t looked at the prices in a bit, but I recommend spending a little more and getting another year out of the boots. You can spend 200-250 for a boot that lasts a year, or your can spend 300-350 for a boot that you can get 2 years out of.
I know it’s a tough pill to swallow in the short term, but pays off great dividends long term
 
I just bought boots recently, so I'm not in the market at the moment, but have a question: are any of the arborist boots extra wide? I only saw choices for size, not width when I browsed them.

Even though I have some Carolina engineer boots in wide (2E) that fit perfectly, I had to return the 2E width Carolina loggers as they were too narrow (and ran small.) Ended up with Georgia loggers, which are okay. Would have preferred the Carolinas if they'd been available in 4E width.
 
Willber said:
Hi, Reach I currently have these boots for spiking up trees: https://www.sportiva.com/txs-gtx.html
I bought them two years ago, and they don't have great support or cushioning of the achilles tendon.
The ArbPro Evo2s, do they have great achilles cushion and protection and a certain amount of ideal rigidity around the achilles tendon area. Because, those Sportiva boots after where them for a while my achilles tendon feels stressed/sore.

Also, how nimble and lightweight are these ArbPro Evo2s?
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The Evo2, in my opinion, is the best all-around tree climbing boot. It has a solid Achilles area and has rubber overlaid to keep the rear strap of a foot ascender or spur in place. The sole from the arch to the heel is fairly rigid, but is fairly flexible from the arch to the toe.

The toe box is pointed for pruning, and the boots are made to fit tightly to your toes. It takes a bit to grow accustomed to such tight boots, but they work great for what they do.

If all you’re looking for is a spiking boot, a pair of old school tall, leather logging boots with a steel shank are probably impossible to beat. If you want something you can wear for everything, spiking included, the Evo2s are an excellent choice.
 
Dan Cobb said:
I just bought boots recently, so I'm not in the market at the moment, but have a question: are any of the arborist boots extra wide? I only saw choices for size, not width when I browsed them.

Even though I have some Carolina engineer boots in wide (2E) that fit perfectly, I had to return the 2E width Carolina loggers as they were too narrow (and ran small.) Ended up with Georgia loggers, which are okay. Would have preferred the Carolinas if they'd been available in 4E width.
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I believe Haix offers a plethora of different widths.
 
Dan Cobb said:
I just bought boots recently, so I'm not in the market at the moment, but have a question: are any of the arborist boots extra wide? I only saw choices for size, not width when I browsed them.

Even though I have some Carolina engineer boots in wide (2E) that fit perfectly, I had to return the 2E width Carolina loggers as they were too narrow (and ran small.) Ended up with Georgia loggers, which are okay. Would have preferred the Carolinas if they'd been available in 4E width.
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I’ve never seen extra wide climbing boots, but my feet do run rather wide and the Evo2 fit me just fine. They fit tightly, but that’s how a climbing shoe should be. They break in and feel great.
 
Reach said:
The Evo2, in my opinion, is the best all-around tree climbing boot. It has a solid Achilles area and has rubber overlaid to keep the rear strap of a foot ascender or spur in place. The sole from the arch to the heel is fairly rigid, but is fairly flexible from the arch to the toe.

The toe box is pointed for pruning, and the boots are made to fit tightly to your toes. It takes a bit to grow accustomed to such tight boots, but they work great for what they do.

If all you’re looking for is a spiking boot, a pair of old school tall, leather logging boots with a steel shank are probably impossible to beat. If you want something you can wear for everything, spiking included, the Evo2s are an excellent choice.
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Thanks. I think I might purchase the Evos, because they might have better achilles protection than even a good pair of logging boots, also I want something lighter and more nimble than loggers, and I only care about the achilles protection. And, if you can attest to them, it's always good to hear it from a climber on a forum, than many reviews on a company website. Thanks.

Now the only new Evos available are going to be the Evo 2 boots, eh? Would you also recommend them or are the original Evos better?
Also, do the Evos run small?
 
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Willber said:
Thanks. I think I might purchase the Evos, because they might have better achilles protection than even a good pair of logging boots, also I want something lighter and more nimble than loggers, and I only care about the achilles protection. And, if you can attest to them, it's always good to hear it from a climber on a forum, than many reviews on a company website. Thanks.

Now the only new Evos available are going to be the Evo 2 boots, eh? Would you also recommend them or are the original Evos better?
Also, do the Evos run small?
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You’ll get more Achilles protection from a pair of true logger boots because they’re about the thickest and stiffest boots out there, but the Evo2 is definitely lighter and more nimble.

The 2s are all you’ll find and they’re fine. They are probably a slight improvement over the original, and I think they run true to size. Just remember, they are supposed to be tight. If they are not, they’re probably too big.
 
The Haix AirPower is worth looking into as well. I’ve had the Haix Protectors and they were very large, made nimble pruning difficult, but fantastic for spur work.

I’ve also had the arbpros, and I find they are a little too soft and wear too easily for me. And wide! I preferred some different offerings from La Sportiva to do the same thing.

I’m also on removals around 75% of the time, so I favor something a little sturdier.

The AirPower is not as lightweight as the arbpro but less bulky than the Protector. It offers chainsaw protection and a steel shank and feels much more durable than a lighter boot. Great on spurs. Took a few work days to break in. They suit me just fine for limb walks and running around a canopy, they might get a little stuck in a zelkova but unless you’re wearing ballet shoes that’s kind of the name of the game with a super tight crotched tree. I think, at long last, I found the boot that I will buy a second time.
 
rico said:
A truly good spur climbing boot is by definition not going to be light and nimble.
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You still getting on well with your Makalus, Rico?
Mine fell apart, sole separated from the upper. My La Sportiva Karakorums did the same thing. I’ll probably glue it and see how it holds up, but I’m back on my old loggers for now.
They are very comfy for spurs, and nice in the snow.
 
Dan Cobb said:
I just bought boots recently, so I'm not in the market at the moment, but have a question: are any of the arborist boots extra wide? I only saw choices for size, not width when I browsed them.

Even though I have some Carolina engineer boots in wide (2E) that fit perfectly, I had to return the 2E width Carolina loggers as they were too narrow (and ran small.) Ended up with Georgia loggers, which are okay. Would have preferred the Carolinas if they'd been available in 4E width.
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Did you get the usa made 1922 loggers or something imported? I have 1922s in 2e and they are wider than most wides ive owned. Ive gotten 5 years out of my current pair. They are getting worn out on the insides. These have steel shanks in them and are comfortable on spikes.

I wear good socks. Makes a big difference in how comfortable your boots are and how lomg they last. Fox river are my favorite.
 
Fivepoints said:
Did you get the usa made 1922 loggers or something imported? I have 1922s in 2e and they are wider than most wides ive owned. Ive gotten 5 years out of my current pair. They are getting worn out on the insides. These have steel shanks in them and are comfortable on spikes.

I wear good socks. Makes a big difference in how comfortable your boots are and how lomg they last. Fox river are my favorite.
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They were the "Elm" style, not sure of the model number or if they're imported. The Carolinas I have that do fit are Made in the USA, so I wouldn't be surprised if the size discrepancy was due to the loggers being an import.
 
Wish the Makalu toe box was just a bit wider. So many boots like that are narrow at the toes. Just got a pair of used Asolo fugitive gtx and same thing, almost perfect otherwise. Tried on Arbpro evo2 and super skinny upfront. Next up will be Salewa mountain trainers which are supposed to be wider. Edit: I wear a regular width 10 on any other shoe or boot, Merrells fit like a glove.
 
Serf Life said:
Wish the Makalu toe box was just a bit wider. So many boots like that are narrow at the toes. Just got a pair of used Asolo fugitive gtx and same thing, almost perfect otherwise. Tried on Arbpro evo2 and super skinny upfront. Next up will be Salewa mountain trainers which are supposed to be wider. Edit: I wear a regular width 10 on any other shoe or boot, Merrells fit like a glove.
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Sportiva karakorum has a wider toe than their other medium duty mountaineering boots as well as better toe than evo2. I ended up with a used pair of karakorums that lasted me a year and change.
 
Serf Life said:
Wish the Makalu toe box was just a bit wider. So many boots like that are narrow at the toes. Just got a pair of used Asolo fugitive gtx and same thing, almost perfect otherwise. Tried on Arbpro evo2 and super skinny upfront. Next up will be Salewa mountain trainers which are supposed to be wider. Edit: I wear a regular width 10 on any other shoe or boot, Merrells fit like a glove.
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Agreed, the Makalu's run quite narrow. I have a b-c width foot so they work great for me...

The Hoffman classic is a fantastic spur boot that runs very true to size with a standard D width..
 
I'll second the Hoffman classic recommendation. It is my go to boot for spur climbing. Does just as well for pruning too, IMO.
 
rico said:
Agreed, the Makalu's run quite narrow. I have a b-c width foot so they work great for me...

The Hoffman classic is a fantastic spur boot that runs very true to size with a standard D width..
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They are still the most comfortable spur boot to date. I can barely tell where my foot ends and the spike bites.
 
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