Thanks! My pair of Carolina’s lasted about 10 months before they got holes in them. I may have had a lemon pair though. I am hard on shoes.
I have climbed in just about every spur specific boot know to man, and have found nothing better than the Makalu for spur climbing....
Not sure why just this one size is so low, but if anyone wears a size 11.5 they’re priced really cheap at Amazon.
I’ve been using Chippewas as they’re wide and fit my feet I can’t use any of the shoes made for climbing because they’re all too narrow it definitely is a pain getting stuck in unions when you’re first getting used to them but like anything else isn’t an issue after a bit
I am a bit of a boot snob, since happy feet make happy days. I started work in the Spokane, Washington area where some of the best boots in the world are made. I started with a set of White's lineman boots. Loved them for many years. I moved on to a set of Danner acadias with special insoles made for my feet. They were good but too short of a heel to fit my old spur shanks in comfortably. I then got a set of Nicks lineman boots custom for my feet a few years later (which I rock to this day) and love them. However, they are summer only boots. I gained weight, so they don't fit if I wear thick socks, and they are not warm. Hoffman boots out of Kellogg, Idaho makes some really good boots. I have not had their normal lineman boots, but I picked up a set of felt lineman pacs, and let me tell ya. -20f and I was toasty warm. I searched for a pair of good all weather boots for spiking. I needed something waterproof, warm, preferably 16" (I like my hooker boots tall) and composite toe. I found a set of Matterhorn mining boots with a 150g thinsulate that fit the bill. Double shank, low heel but enough for spikes, light, waterproof, and have metetarsal guards for incedent protection. They are now my favorite boot, and at just under $300 whereas my nicks were close to $650 and whites were $500. I'd check out those or the Hoffmans to be honest. I grew up logging as a kid before entering the arb world in my teens, so logging style boots have been my preference. And when you put 12-18 hour days in, comfort is a must. Those matterhorns are by far the best I'd had yet though. Amd for pruning boots I recommend tactical boots. Danner tachyons are my go to. Super light, slip proof, goretex, waterproof, breathable, and don't tear up the bark. Literally can keep them rolled up in my gear bag for traveling or whatever. Hope this helps.
