Climbing spikes

[actree]

Gearing up a new climber and would like opinion on climbing spikes. I am old school (steel w leather straps) and would like to provide him with the latest technology.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

What's our budget?

On the lower end, twisted shank steel with Buckingham full wrap velcro closure with inserts have kept my comfy for many years.

More money does mean more comfort...but you have to determine 'value'.

How often will the spikes be used? Occasionally or many times a week?

 

[cthompson22]

My vote goes to the aluminum geckos. I really like the set I have. My next choice would be kliens or buckinghams with the aluminum pads. All 3 are comfortable but I prefer the geckos plus they are lighter than the other 2.

 

[Tr33Climb3r]

These are the ones I have as well as the ones I think Tom was talking about.

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=69&item=1320

 

[PUClimber]

I have been rocking the geckos and absolutely love them. If the budget doesn't allow the big thing is comfort so I would make sure and go with the velcro super wrap pads.

 

[flushcut]

A good boot and pad are key IMO. I use Buck Ti with the super pads(or something like that) but I am swapping out the pads for the new aluminum Climb Right pads.

 

[cdekkema]

Buckingham steel with a twisted shank and aluminum foam caps. Can stand all day comfortably, as long as you dont have those stihl saw pants with the zipper on the pant cuff, that hurts in the pad.

 

[bonner1040]

CLIMB RIGHT ALUMINUM SPURS WITH ULTRA LIGHT PADS

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=228&item=306

Here is the review I wrote for these when I got them...

Just got these as an early Christmas present. Havent spent alot of time on them but did a few small removals and so far they seem awesome. The attachment between the pad and the spur is rock solid. I am very tall, 6'3", and have them adjusted as high as they will go, i kind of wish they had a female to male extender available so i could put them up a little higher but i cant really complain. There really is no pushing/twisting of the spur shank at all against your leg, this is traded for a sort of leverage between the top of the hard pad and your shin, the foam in between is really dense yet soft and because of the velcro it can be moved. It comes centered but i offset it a little bit aimed towards the top which lets it bend over the top of the hard pad and shield your leg. My other pads are buckingham velcro wraps, without the steel, and i was never able to get them tight enough for my skinny calves because of the length of the velcro, which caused me all sorts of problems. These get plenty tight enough for me and even more so if you are skinnier The only other downside i noticed so far, beyond the sleight height issue, is that the top of the pad creates a little bit of chafing between my jeans and my shins, i think for a full day removal it would be worth it to throw some athletic tape on my shins to reduce the friction. The aluminum construction seems really rugged and is a welcome replacement to my old hand-me-down rusted over buckingham steel climbers. I cannot imagine them wearing out any time soon. Overall i feel like these are a great product; really light without the cost of the titanium rigs, very sturdy construction, no spur shank digging into your leg whatsoever, comfortable, and they look sweet. Thanks to Spyder and Treestuff!



I have used them alot since then and absolutely love them!

 

[livefreeordie]

i have been climbing on aluminum geckos for atleast six years now and still absolutely love them. i only wear hiking boots with no shanks or definative heels and the geckos are still extremely comfortable.i think the only spikes that i would currently trade my aluminum geckos for would be carbon fiber ones...

 

[ArborCut]

Ditto on that post.

 

[bonner1040]

The climbrights are $275 from treestuff.
https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=228&item=306

The geckos are $400 and $550 for aluminum and CF, respectively.

http://www.sherrilltree.com/Professional...ign=WTReferrals

 

[Jeff_Cochran]

geckos for 4 years now. i wear long ski socks and short red wing linemans boots. i wear the spikes all day under a pair of dickie pants. i love them i have tied all different kinds. geckos are the best in my opinion

 

[livefreeordie]

i understand if price is a huge concern those climbrights look like a nice option but when i am purchasing gear i look at what is going to make my life easier and make working more comfortable and to me that is worth the extra money. spikes are not a piece of gear that you will be replacing often so my only advice is get something that you will be happy with for years to come and go with that....whatever it may be

 

[islandarb]

Ok I have buckingham titanium ( pole gaffs ) with super wrap pads and steel inserts. They are very comfortable once you have them set right. I also use red wing boots ( 9" with goretex ) with a steel shank. Every now and then I use hikers if it's a small removal but I have made that mistake on all day climbing and paid the price. Wesspur now has a top of the line LOWA hiking boot that has a super hard plastic shank for use with spikes that I am getting next week. I have not tried any other spikes but these were top of the line when I got them and they are nice and light.

 

[bonner1040]

At $275 theclimbrights definitely are not the cheapest option... Aside from Buck-titaniums and Geckoes they are top of the price guide.

economically speaking spikes can be had closer to $150.

I think the climbrights are pretty swanky my self.

 

[jomoco]

I use the Buck Titaniums Too. One pair with pole gaffs, the other with tree gaffs. I prefer the leather Bashlin spurstays with steel inserts. As a removal man I found the velcro wrap arounds degrade from exposure to sawdust and come unwrapped without gobs of maintenance, which sucks.

For me staying comfortable on my gaffs cost in excess of 1500 bucks, but is well worth the cost to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlte-1ht...2BACF1hBkr94%3D

jomoco

 

[scrat]

[ QUOTE ]
i have been climbing on aluminum geckos for atleast six years now and still absolutely love them. i only wear hiking boots with no shanks or definative heels and the geckos are still extremely comfortable.i think the only spikes that i would currently trade my aluminum geckos for would be carbon fiber ones...

[/ QUOTE ]

Been on my carbons a couple of years and they ROCK!!!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

My B'ham Velcro wraps are still in great shape with no Velcro degrade.

There is a reason too.

I dust off as much sawdust as I can. Then I take them off, I remove the ankle straps first. Then I unwrap the Velcro and dust off any sawdust on both sides of the Velcro. When its clean I put the hook n loop sides together right away. next..the other one. The wraps are always stored wrapped together. Over the years I've seen them ruined in months because the climber doesn't take care of their gear. Strip 'em off...drop them on the ground with sawdust then toss them in the back of the pickup...with the wraps flappin'!

I wish I had the money to ruin gear like that!

 

[mattbever]

Bought my first pair of geckos in college on a tight budget. They quickly paid for themselves. Velcro lasted 5 yrs of heavy use. Far superior to any others I've tried. Easy on and off. Nice and light.

 

[Bixler]

My first set of spurs were the Carbon Fiber Gecko's, expensive but worth it in the long run. I may have had them 4 years now, extremely durable, lightweight, and I will be getting another set soon! ... and while it's on my mind, I'm working on fastening my foot ascender above the spike for ascents on removals. (this would be a great combo when SRT) I've had the idea for years now. Not to change the thread but any thoughts on the SPUR-ASCENDER?