Minimalistic(ish) treeclimber shoes

M

Mr.chainsaw

Location
Uppsala
Hi everyone, i hope i found the right board for this topic.
Im a minimalistic shoe enthusiast, ive been using them for 3+ years and have a very hard time to swich to random shoes with raised heels+narrow toebox.

This is why im looking for ”minimalistic” climber shoes, with sawprotection. My guess is this is not available. Or, is it?

Ps. I can live with a stiff sole, if i just can get them with wider toebox and No raised heel id be happy.
Feel free to contact me if you have any recommendation, or are also looking for ”minimalistic” climbing shoes. Or if you have any recommendation on the nearest possible to a minimalistic shoe :)

Big thanks if you can help!
 
I live in minimalist shoes all week outside of work (Merrill vapourgloves and inov8’s). Chain boots seem to be pretty damn comfortable when they’re broken in. They really do match your foot and stance
I use pfanner zermatts and arbpro clip n steps.

For spur climbing you NEED the raise heel ... you need a spot for the spur shank to dig in. And for pruning, it’s honestly up to you ... a lot of guys use rock climbing or hiking approach shoes (salewas, Oboes, 5.10s)
 
There are some good threads about work boots (most are very $$$$). For cheaper boots a coworker used comp toe keens which were wider toe format and liked them, merrill makes saftey toe hikers as well which have Vibram sole etc. They prob won't last as long but are both low heel options and I love climbing in merrill hikers, including spurs. Best of luck
 
My most recent pair are Georgia loggers from treestuff. They’ve outlasted every other boot I’ve tried- arbpro evos (not the 2’s, interested in those), salewas, and haix (older chainsaw protective version). The heel is great for spurs. All the others became a pain after a few months because the small heel would wear down enough for the stirrup to slip.

The downside to loggers are the weight. I don’t notice the weight as much any more, but I know they affect my stamina. Despite this downside, my back and knee haven’t given me trouble since I switched. Before, when wearing all the others, my back and right knee would hurt most days and make me wonder about my longevity in the industry.

I know this isn’t the direction you’re looking, but it’s free input ;)
 
Serf Life said:
There are some good threads about work boots (most are very $$$$). For cheaper boots a coworker used comp toe keens which were wider toe format and liked them, merrill makes saftey toe hikers as well which have Vibram sole etc. They prob won't last as long but are both low heel options and I love climbing in merrill hikers, including spurs. Best of luck
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you. The shoes you mentioned are without sawprotection am i correct?
 
Both have comp toe, can't remember if they have shanks or not. Many loggers have shank and steel or comp toe and the shank can be helpful with spurs as well as the higher heel like folks said. Other boots in the $300-$400 range that are popular are without shank or comp toe. La Sportiva Makalus have a shank. I usually prune in hiker style boots which lack protection from the saw. Are you looking for 100% cut resistant boots? Make some climbing slippers out of chaps...
 
It was meant as levity.

Toe protection & chainsaw resistance don't not equate to minimalist slippers.
You need lots of special tough fabric for the chainsaw clogging stoppage.

I have 2 pair of Pfanner chainsaw resistance boots.
One is "mudders" another is "style'n".
 
I found Salewa's to have the least amount of heel lift, no wide toe box however, and obviously not chainsaw protective. But they work well for pruning, removals, and ground work IMO.
 
Yeah let me know what you find. Its hard to find anything that can stand the abuse of our work. I also don't like raised heels or stiff or excessive foam. The drayer tangos are a bit tight in the toe but also very low profile, flexible, low heel and made for tree abuse.
 
I am also looking for something minimalist for climbing spurless and rec climbing.
I have been expermenting with walking barefoot. My left foot is serverly flat while my right is almost normal. Causing me knee issues. I have found walking a few miles in the desert barefoot alleviates my knee issues because I can hold the posture of my ankle correct & thrust off with my toes.
If I wear generic shoes with a heel my foot rolls inward. So it's either good shoes with my custom insole or no support such as moccasins.

I would like to see a climbing moc with a thin grippy rubber sole that would allow the toes to grip the tree. It needs to have a wide toebox & perhaps have a little added protection in the arch area for foot ascenders. Now I realize this doesn't offer much protection but wouldn't it be great to be able to actually use your feet instead of feeling like you got enormous hooves.(if you got large specimens like me;)) Also would have to strengthen feet gradually to be able to take that kinda of abuse!
 
In a tree comp I saw a pair of Vivobarefoot boots!

I've worn new balance minimus trail running minimal shoes for rec climbs. Not good with a foot ascender, but otherwise pretty nice; amazing feel of the tree as your feet wrap branches. I found I moved around really light, much like running in minimal shoes.
 
I really like Kujo Yardwear for prunes and rec climbs. They are a landscaper/lawnmower shoe. Really light, water resistant, breathable, and great grip on bark (as well as my snowskate). I’ve worn mine through the worst 6 months Vermont usually offers and they look like it’s only been 1 month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom