Edelrid Talons

[Up There Tree Care]

Hi to all from Australia,
Have some questions and am hoping that you can help me answer them.... It's time for me to retire my Buckingham spurs, they were old when I bought them and now they are REALLY old... Anyway Have been doing some research on new spurs and came across the Talons. I like the look of them and would like to buy a set, but have been reading some of the posts about them and they don't sound that good. Though the latest post I have found was well over a year ago.
My questions.... Who uses them??? How comfortable do you find them??? Has the teething problems they had earlier been rectified??? How durable do you find them??? And, if any, what are the negatives you have found with them ???
Thanks in advance for your replies, and looking forward to reading them
Darren

 

[CjM]

I’ve been climbing in them for about 6 months now, they’re holding up well, super comfy. Wish the velcro was a little shorter, it sticks out and grabs tenex slings hanging on my saddle. Extra velcro also obscures the gaffs, and I try to keep it tucked behind the shank.

Company bought them, not sure I would have on my own, but I’m liking them so far.

 

[Up There Tree Care]

Thanks CjM.... is there any way you can shorten the straps??? As in cut them or is that going to compromise the set up???

 

[Crimsonking]

I’ve been climbing in them for about 6 months now, they’re holding up well, super comfy. Wish the velcro was a little shorter, it sticks out and grabs tenex slings hanging on my saddle. Extra velcro also obscures the gaffs, and I try to keep it tucked behind the shank.

Company bought them, not sure I would have on my own, but I’m liking them so far.

Which company do you work with?

 

[jmaher]

I’ve been climbing in them for about 6 months now, they’re holding up well, super comfy. Wish the velcro was a little shorter, it sticks out and grabs tenex slings hanging on my saddle. Extra velcro also obscures the gaffs, and I try to keep it tucked behind the shank.

Company bought them, not sure I would have on my own, but I’m liking them so far.

I had that problem with velcro straps as well
My wife ran a new stitch with a sewing machine to stop any fraying, and cut the excess off. Seems to have worked.

 

[CjM]

Which company do you work with?

Small outfit in Asheville.

 

[Crimsonking]

Small outfit in Asheville.

I worked with Heartwood in Asheville for 2 years. Which outfit are you with?

 

[CjM]

Smartfeller, been there since March. Diggin it.

 

[rico]

Fartsmeller? What kinda name is that?

 

[Crimsonking]

Fartsmeller? What kinda name is that?

Okay, so that’s we always called them, too funny.

Smartfeller, been there since March. Diggin it.

Cool! I first met the owner in Richmond when he worked for TrueTimber. Stay safe, and enjoy the view!

 

[CjM]

Cool! I first met the owner in Richmond when he worked for TrueTimber. Stay safe, and enjoy the view!

Right on, small world!

Fartsmeller?

Yeah, that’s us. We just triple up on buffs.

 

[CjM]

Here ya go Up There, have a picture. Also, they dont slide over my heel at all in my blown out old arbpros.

 

[Up There Tree Care]

Thanks Cj... they look ok... glad to get some feedback... no one has them here and I like using innovative gear(something uncommon) but thought it might be wise to get others thoughts... I'm going with them... had to climb in my old pieces of shit yesterday and they rubbed the skin off my shin... time for them to go.

 

[Up There Tree Care]

One more thing... what size gaffs do you use... and can you tell me the difference between pole gaffs and tree gaffs? Am presuming pole gaffs are short and tree are long. )

 

[rico]

I'm struggling to see what innovation or major improvements the Talons would bring compared to throwing some Caddy pads and velcro lowers on your Bucks? Touch to beat the Buck/Caddy combo for comfort, durability, and longevity. Just a thought?

 

[SomethingWitty]

I'm struggling to see what innovation or major improvements the Talons would bring compared to throwing some Caddy pads and velcro lowers on your Bucks? Touch to beat the Buck/Caddy combo for comfort, durability, and longevity. Just a thought?

They hold your boot like a foot ascender strap. I'd rather just have a two ring webbing cinch than the Velcro, but I think it's almost embarrassing how long after coming up with awesome foot ascender straps it is taking us to adapt the superior technology to such a ubiquitous piece of gear.

 

[CjM]

Yup tree gaffs are long, pole gaffs are short. I prefer the tree gaffs, which is what they came with. Not sure how long they are exactly.

These spurs arent reinventing the wheel, they’re just plush.

 

[Up There Tree Care]

Thanks to all who commented on my thread. After much deliberation I decided to go with the Talons with short gaffs(I prefer short as you have the option of using your feet if needed). They turned up yesterday and I must say, after putting them on to adjust, they feel great. Can't wait to scale a tree and put them through their paces. Will let you know how they go. Have a tricky removal to do next week(fence under dying tree) so looking forward to doing it now.

 

[SomethingWitty]

See? How hard is this?
I hate the lower straps on almost every spike.
I'm about to do the other one and slap some webbing on it and see if I should buy caddy pads for them.
Ignore that weld at the top of the ascender. Flux core was not biting in for me. I had much more luck in the back with a stick welder.

 

[39Buick]

View attachment 61632

See? How hard is this?
I hate the lower straps on almost every spike.
I'm about to do the other one and slap some webbing on it and see if I should buy caddy pads for them.
Ignore that weld at the top of the ascender. Flux core was not biting in for me. I had much more luck in the back with a stick welder.

No offense brother, but that looks painful and I'm not talking about your welds!!! Doesn't that cordage cut into your leg? Maybe not so bad with some good climbing boots? I am curious as heck to know!