macrocarpa
Branched out member
- Location
- Midwest
New pads for spurs?
- Thread starter macrocarpa
- Start date
flyingmosstreen
Participating member
- Location
- Rochester
Opsal caddie pads are the bees knees. And just use the straps you have there already. Maybe you can put Velcro straps on em. Arbsession may have an option for that.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
The above post is spot on in my opinion but I realize that would be replacing the pads as opposed to replacing straps.
I would warn that there is an outside chance that discomfort comes from the ergonomics of the climbers themselves.
Anyone around you have Opsal pads you could borrow off their climbers to try them out?
I would warn that there is an outside chance that discomfort comes from the ergonomics of the climbers themselves.
Anyone around you have Opsal pads you could borrow off their climbers to try them out?
ATH
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
I've got a set you could borrow if you are in town and want to pick them up...honestly don't even know what they are LOL.
Friend found them in his back yard after asplundt cleared lines back there. He called numerous times trying to return them and after about a year gave up trying and gave them to me...They seem like nice big velcro pads. Not the big plastic pad thing, just nice big velcor. More comfortable looking than the old leather straps I bought 20 years ago and look like your pics. I've never worn them... Will try to remember to snap a pic when I at the shop one day.
Friend found them in his back yard after asplundt cleared lines back there. He called numerous times trying to return them and after about a year gave up trying and gave them to me...They seem like nice big velcro pads. Not the big plastic pad thing, just nice big velcor. More comfortable looking than the old leather straps I bought 20 years ago and look like your pics. I've never worn them... Will try to remember to snap a pic when I at the shop one day.
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
personally I really like my steel insert Velcro pads for my bashlins
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
Lifelong caddie pad enthusiast here
Bendroctanus
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Springfield
I started with a pair of steel buckinghams with caddy pads and I loved em. Slayed many a tree. The boss at the time upgraded me to the bucklite aluminums with the big buck velcro pads and man, I didnt think it could get any sweeter.
macrocarpa
Branched out member
- Location
- Midwest
Is this what we’re talking about? I might have to email Casey to ask what all I need to make it work.
arbsession.com
Opsal Aluminum Climber Pads
These durable, comfortable Cadillac pads are made by Opsal Steel in British Columbia. They are cast aluminum which provides a ton of support while still being light weight. The foam padding provides the comfort you need and are replaceable, however they are very durable!
arbsession.com
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Yes. Just those. Use your previous upper straps.
Rico will disagree with me, and truthfully, I have never tried the Opsal pads, but a few years ago I got the longer sleeves for my Bashlins and put the Big Buck pads on with the steel insert in them. Although they look like the worst thing a man could put on his legs, they are more comfortable than the best recliner you cn find. I absolutely love them. Don't try to take them from me. Good luck in your search.
Last edited:
Bendroctanus
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Springfield
Lots of posts could probably start that way.
As someone who has spent many hours in both I find the caddy pads to be much more supportive than the Big Bucks and more effective at decoupling you shins from the spur shanks. The Caddy's also much lighter, will literally last a climber his entire career, and are half the price of a pair of Big Bucks, which wear out in a couple seasons..
I also find these velcro straps to be the bee knees with the caddy's (make sure a get the appropriate length).
I also find these velcro straps to be the bee knees with the caddy's (make sure a get the appropriate length).
Amazon.com: 1" X 48" Hook & Loop Cinch Straps 2 or 5 Pack Super Heavy Duty and Reusable (48", 2 Pack) : Industrial & Scientific
Amazon.com: 1" X 48" Hook & Loop Cinch Straps 2 or 5 Pack Super Heavy Duty and Reusable (48", 2 Pack) : Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Few years back I got a set of Stein gaffs from someone here. Never used, set up for SRT, with ascender and knee ascender attachment point, and fitted with big buck pads. The price was right so, I snatched them up. I setup an extra climbing kit and left them in it. About 4yrs ago I left my main kit in my friends shipping container. I was expecting to be back the next day for work. Schedule changed and I ended up not seeing that kit for a month. I just broke out the spare kit for use in between my busy roofing schedule. I wore them on a couple of jobs and loved the comfort of the big bucks.
Fast forward to last fall, the screws on my Buc Lights came loose on the shanks, and a couple fell out. I broke out the Steins and have been wearing them since. Last week doing some crane work on some big crown oaks, one shank started digging in my shin. Next day I did some regular climbing and made sure I got the velcro foot straps extra tight, which seemed to fix the discomfort. I haven't inspected the pads yet for wear. Gee....I've only been wearing them 7-8mons and winter was a bit slow.
I have replacement screws for the Bucs and they have the regular velcro wraps with steel inserts. They're wearing through a bit but haven't bothered me. I was going to order new pads but I've got bigger fish to fry. The only reason I didn't replace the screws right away and kept wearing the Steins. I never tried the Caddys, and have always loved the velcro wraps.
@rico how do the pads on the Caddys hold up for wear?
Fast forward to last fall, the screws on my Buc Lights came loose on the shanks, and a couple fell out. I broke out the Steins and have been wearing them since. Last week doing some crane work on some big crown oaks, one shank started digging in my shin. Next day I did some regular climbing and made sure I got the velcro foot straps extra tight, which seemed to fix the discomfort. I haven't inspected the pads yet for wear. Gee....I've only been wearing them 7-8mons and winter was a bit slow.
I have replacement screws for the Bucs and they have the regular velcro wraps with steel inserts. They're wearing through a bit but haven't bothered me. I was going to order new pads but I've got bigger fish to fry. The only reason I didn't replace the screws right away and kept wearing the Steins. I never tried the Caddys, and have always loved the velcro wraps.
@rico how do the pads on the Caddys hold up for wear?
The padding on the caddy pads will last for multiple years, and is very easily and cheaply replaced. I have found that the padding on the Bucks begins to break down after a season or so and the comfort level takes a rapid nose dive. Combined with the fact that the janky steel insert of the Bucks is nowhere near as effective as the Mallory/Opsal/Caddy pads at decoupling your shins from the spur shanks and the choice is an easy one for me. YMMV of coarse..
ATH
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
The picture distorts the size and the gaff cover obscures things.
How is the pad adjusted compared to the bottom of your knees' bony bulge?
Might they be adjusted too short?
Pic with them on your legs?
How is the pad adjusted compared to the bottom of your knees' bony bulge?
Might they be adjusted too short?
Pic with them on your legs?
Thanks for the review. They sound intriguing for my next replacements.
BTW, this is the 1st reference of "Mallory" I've heard. Well, 1st since my drag racing days....
Always learning something new.
Yea, they were known as Mallory's when I was coming up. Minor difference between them and the latest caddy version, with the caddies having much better padding than the originals...I still have 3-4 pairs of Mallory's and have been rocking them on my daily driver lately..
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