Climbing Irons/Spurs/Spikes?
- Thread starter TC
- Start date
- Location
- The Great Pacific Northwest
climbhightree
Branched out member
- Location
- Lebanon, Pa USA
I love my geckos. They are the most comfortable and lightest spikes I have owned. They do take some getting used to cause of twisted spike ... it will take a few spiking out moments to get the hang of it 
I have tried reg steel buckingham spikes with the standard L pad, the wide 2 strap pad, and the ones pictured above. (I havent tried the velcro with the steel shin cup, but heard they are very nice)
The pads pictured above are very nice, and do make things alot more comfortable. My main concern about them is the looseness in the connection between the pad and the shank. It is held there only by the strap, and clangs around some. I have noticed that Sherrill no longer has them...is there a reason for this???? My one employee is actually trying to find a pair of these pads (he likes them).
I have tried reg steel buckingham spikes with the standard L pad, the wide 2 strap pad, and the ones pictured above. (I havent tried the velcro with the steel shin cup, but heard they are very nice)
The pads pictured above are very nice, and do make things alot more comfortable. My main concern about them is the looseness in the connection between the pad and the shank. It is held there only by the strap, and clangs around some. I have noticed that Sherrill no longer has them...is there a reason for this???? My one employee is actually trying to find a pair of these pads (he likes them).
- Location
- The Great Pacific Northwest
[ QUOTE ]
My one employee is actually trying to find a pair of these pads (he likes them).
[/ QUOTE ]
Here ya go... http://www.wesspur.com/Spurs/spur_pads.html
Gary
My one employee is actually trying to find a pair of these pads (he likes them).
[/ QUOTE ]
Here ya go... http://www.wesspur.com/Spurs/spur_pads.html
Gary
i use buck t2 with steal super wrap pad they have very strong angle and hurt i also got foot plate and they put more stress on my shin so i dont use all theese things total about 500$ and still hurt like heck man something is wrong
- Location
- Utica, NY, USA
I agree spur climbing is hard on the knees and feet. I'm 6'2" with size 13 feet. The wolf claws were brought up.
I bought a pair about 3 years ago from Baileys. they were a major diappointment. From the bindings to the short height, I don't know where to begin describing all the things that didn't work for me on them.
After many modifications I ended up throwing them out and buying Buck T2s. Definitely better.
I also went for the footplates and eventually decided they were not for me either. I think the foot plate idea is a sound one but the whole unit has to be designed with that footplate in mind, rather than just as an add on. I think a couple years ago Sherrill was selling a spur called the Talon(?) with a built in footplate. Looked interesting...but I saw it just one year from just that one vendor and then it was like gone (?)
Anyway Grover I wanted to recommend a topical (rub on) lotion called "Celadrin" I use on my lower back for joint pain relief. I buy "NOW" brand from my local health food store. Its not ben gay. no strong odor. It gives me relief. You might try rubbing that on your knees evenings, mornings. might help till you get a set up that works better for you.
Another thing I do which might help you. If I have a tree removal that I might need spurs for in only a few places (no branches for footholds on the trunk) I will not use the spurs and instead carry up some strap-on tree steps like hunters use for getting into trees. (This probably sounds hilariously bush league to the very skilled climbers in this forum. oh well it works for me) These tree steps are also helpful for cabling and trimming when its better not to use spurs anyway to avoid the injury to the tree. It might add minutes per tree but it might mean a lot less time in the spurs and give your knees a break. Obviously you have to decide carefully which trees this is appropriate for.
I bought a pair about 3 years ago from Baileys. they were a major diappointment. From the bindings to the short height, I don't know where to begin describing all the things that didn't work for me on them.
After many modifications I ended up throwing them out and buying Buck T2s. Definitely better.
I also went for the footplates and eventually decided they were not for me either. I think the foot plate idea is a sound one but the whole unit has to be designed with that footplate in mind, rather than just as an add on. I think a couple years ago Sherrill was selling a spur called the Talon(?) with a built in footplate. Looked interesting...but I saw it just one year from just that one vendor and then it was like gone (?)
Anyway Grover I wanted to recommend a topical (rub on) lotion called "Celadrin" I use on my lower back for joint pain relief. I buy "NOW" brand from my local health food store. Its not ben gay. no strong odor. It gives me relief. You might try rubbing that on your knees evenings, mornings. might help till you get a set up that works better for you.
Another thing I do which might help you. If I have a tree removal that I might need spurs for in only a few places (no branches for footholds on the trunk) I will not use the spurs and instead carry up some strap-on tree steps like hunters use for getting into trees. (This probably sounds hilariously bush league to the very skilled climbers in this forum. oh well it works for me) These tree steps are also helpful for cabling and trimming when its better not to use spurs anyway to avoid the injury to the tree. It might add minutes per tree but it might mean a lot less time in the spurs and give your knees a break. Obviously you have to decide carefully which trees this is appropriate for.
- Location
- Nashville, TN
i climed on kliens for 11 years and thought that i loved them..... then about a year ago i bought some geckos...
for my size and weight(5'8" - 170#) they are perfect!
for my size and weight(5'8" - 170#) they are perfect!
TC
Participating member
Thanks again for all the response, this is great!
So Geckos are good, but an aquired taste, would need to try them I reckon.
MikeW reckons Wolfclaws are not so great, anyone else have experience of these spikes?
Caddy pads do look excellent! How do they attach to the shank of the spike? Are they really solid, does it feel like all the one unit is there any slack that would cause them to move around and become uncomfortable?
Kliens - never tried them.
What about European Spikes apart from the Geckos?
What about the rest of the world what are you using?
So Geckos are good, but an aquired taste, would need to try them I reckon.
MikeW reckons Wolfclaws are not so great, anyone else have experience of these spikes?
Caddy pads do look excellent! How do they attach to the shank of the spike? Are they really solid, does it feel like all the one unit is there any slack that would cause them to move around and become uncomfortable?
Kliens - never tried them.
What about European Spikes apart from the Geckos?
What about the rest of the world what are you using?
no other problems exept 4 strong angle on suprap/steel insert pads. all other pads are strait T but not super wrap pad with steel insert they are more like 7. this pushes on my iner shins
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
I love my gekos now that i switch to the strait pole gafs now offered repacment cost me $80.00 But was well worth the extra $ IMO don't know if you can order them with this set up or not.
Be safe scotty
Be safe scotty
Mangoes
Participating member
- Location
- Greater Toronto Area
Who offers these pole gaffs for Geckos?
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
I got mine at sherrill use normal replacemt code and put a P in front of the part #
Be safe scotty
Be safe scotty
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