Crazy Idea! Merge a ski boot with gaffs?!?!

Lemonjello

Lemonjello

Reads a lot...posts a little
Location
Oahu,HI
Had an idea about this for years, the pressure would be more evenly distributed the boot could be a little more ankle flex and a bit taller. Heck it could even have multiple spikes.

Got the idea watching an ice climbing documentary.

Dumb idea? I dunno. Someday I’m gonna cobble this idea together to see if it works.
 
Lemonjello said:
Had an idea about this for years, the pressure would be more evenly distributed the boot could be a little more ankle flex and a bit taller. Heck it could even have multiple spikes.

Got the idea watching an ice climbing documentary.

Dumb idea? I dunno. Someday I’m gonna cobble this idea together to see if it works.
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Sort of reminds me of the concept of the old Wolf Claw climbers. I thought they looked like a good idea, but never had the opportunity to try out a set.
 
I like the outside the box thinking.

Seems like having the spikes integrated with boots would make climbers more expensive. And vendors would have to stock a whole range of sizes and widths instead of just one item.
 
Dan Cobb said:
I like the outside the box thinking.

Seems like having the spikes integrated with boots would make climbers more expensive. And vendors would have to stock a whole range of sizes and widths instead of just one item.
Click to expand...
Definitely downsides but watching those ice climbers gave a light bulb moment. It’s an idea.
 
I’ve heard of caulks and ice climbing crampons. Spikes on the ball of the foot, and I’ve also seen some wild Japanese styles
 
Great idea, I made something like that, Gorilla taped my gaffs to some old climbing boots, still using them, love ‘em.

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2 cents. Some years ago I tried on some older "racing" ski boots and they had almost uncomfortable but firm control giving padding. I was informed that most modern ski boots had softer padding. It's an issue like hot spots or pressure points in a helmet. The longer you wear it, the more it changes from ok to bothering you. Grab some used ski boots and have at it! See if there's any boots as tall as gaff shin pads. Or maybe they don't need to be that tall (?).
 
Well, be careful what you wish for - in the older days, Grivel Rambos (crampons) came with a front monopoint kit. One year after a log-alanche down the creek we were on an ice climb called THOS - This House of Sky, which that year was "This House of Log"s. Usually a freeclimb/ cruise up a series of ice steps all the way up the mountain. Anyway, front monopoints are not the way to climb logs (or trees) I'm thinkin' . . every kick-in resulted in a couple of minutes of extrication (and eventually much language). Upside is you sure were secure. Downside - we used 5X the energy. Side spikes though should be easily doable on boots like plastic backcountry boots, which already have a stiff pebax shell, good ankle articulation and a fully rigid sole. Another winter project . . . . hmmmm. Where's the rivet kit? The Frankenboot? Such an invention would be great for winter work though (but probably not chainsaw protective). Think of it - a Dynafit binding compatible tree spur boot for those long treks skinning into those backyard worksites with a gear filled pulk? Probably kinda trippy if the spurs were fixed though. :)

Have at it guys . . .

(So spurs mounted onto a ski boot, or side tree spurs welded onto ice crampons (these clamp onto the heel of the boot with a toe bail or and some have front straps.)
 
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When I ice climbed I had Koflach plastic shell boots and Lowe Foot Fang plate crampons.

On a lark I used them, with ice tools and a belay to climb a dead elm...bark had sloughed off. I had to learn not to kick or whack hard. It didn't take much penetration to have a solid anchor. it was a lark but even then...circa 2000..there were better ways to ascend. The crampons would NOT work very efficiently for moving around the tree. It was a fun lark

Next I used the same on a cottonwood removal. The tree was live with healthy old bark. Again. FAIL The ice tools worked but the crampons didn't.

Then, we had an ice storm followed by a few days of zero degree weather. There was about an inch of ice on everything. Many limbs peeled off and laying on roofs. THIS was the place for crampons. My technique matched the lay of the tree/limb. Horizontal...just like walking on ice...a bit of French technique in l'arbre. Instead of walking on the top of the icy shell I would promenade de canard/duck walk with my heels at about 11:00 and 1:00 with my toes pointing out and down the sides of the limbs. It was like having suction cups on my feet! As the branches became more vertical, like with ice, I started front-pointing more. The Fangs worked perfect!!!

In this scenario crampons were the solution. I kept them along over the next few days of cleanup. as the ice shell melted off the trees I found that crampons were less suitable and I shifted back to my tree spikes and didn't walk on the ice patches.

Caulked boots or one of the slip on boot grippers we have now would probably work just as well...but not be so cool!
 
The pressure directed through a climber up into the top of your lower leg (just below the knee) is responsible for the all day comfort you can get with a traditional design. I think the lack of a shank would pout considerable stress on your ankles, and on your knees. I love the idea of such a clean set up, but a spike, especially a tree length spike, has a great amount of leverage that is counteracted by the shank of the climber up high, against your leg.
 
Wow! Thanks for all the feedback gentleman! Was seriously a
“huh, I wonder if that would work..”
Moment. As I currently live it the land of palm trees and monkeypods I’ve got my challenge to find some ski boots and try this out. Cheers to all! I’ll post it if I ever actually make it!hahaha!
 
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