Pain on Gaffs

I can wear most hikers and stand whole days in spikes. It really boils down to genetics and how strong your feet are. I never wear shoes outside of work...grew up not wearing any...except at school.
 
Could be Achilles tendonitis, sounds like he's describing pain above his heel and in his calf. Pictures of you pointing to the pain would help us give you some advice so you don't get worse.
 
Years ago I used buy Georgia and Carolina logger boots and climb in them. I had the same foot pain, feet falling asleep, ect. Hoffman dual shank lineman boots (pole climber or dri-line)will make a huge difference over Carolina boots when standing in spurs for a long time. The dual shank gives you much more arch support and distributes the weight across the bottom of your entire foot better. Good pads in the boot will help some. Also, tie in to spar srt if your not already doing so. Then you can reduce the constant pressure on your gaffs. Your gaffs may be contributing to the problem but in my personal experience, the boots made all the difference. I would start there.
 
Wow, lot s of info pain is definetly in heel, though it does sometimes extend on to the calves. I was in the Army, infantry for 18 years so my feet took a beating. I'm Thinking better boots and gaffs might help after reading comments. I've wanted to try more spurless removals too, as much as can be.
 
Sounds like Achilles tendonitis to me without pictures or an examination. You need to rest, ice, compress, and elevate when you can. KT tape will help too. There are good videos on how to apply. Achilles can rupture, it's inside of a sleeve and when it swells it can bind causing a tear. I think you should rehab it until the pain goes away then look at your systems after that. Can you get a profile (y) No run no ruck no climb.
 
@SpaceGhost thanks, but I'm pretty confident it's a gear issue more than a body issue. I could be wrong, I so have cheap gaffs, older Buckingham steeles, and just Chippewa logger style boots. Nothing in my lower legs bothers me in any way other than when I use gaffs, I can run,big, and trim spurless no issue all day. I'm in my feet a lot like everyone else here and no issues, it's only when I put on the spurs. I'll try better boots and gaffs first .
 
Raven27 said:
@SpaceGhost thanks, but I'm pretty confident it's a gear issue more than a body issue. I could be wrong, I so have cheap gaffs, older Buckingham steeles, and just Chippewa logger style boots. Nothing in my lower legs bothers me in any way other than when I use gaffs, I can run,big, and trim spurless no issue all day. I'm in my feet a lot like everyone else here and no issues, it's only when I put on the spurs. I'll try better boots and gaffs first .
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Exactly...get some gecko alis and some arbpro evos......
 
rico said:
I can say that the La Sportiva Makalu's are the most comfy climbing boots I have ever worn.
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Hmmm. Weird.

LOL. Just kidding Rico. Those look great. I might get some. I shoot for $300 as a limit. Getting harder to do. I've been in Danner Super Rainforests for about 8 years now but they're about to crack $400. Gonna find a new boot. These Hoffmans look sweet but the price:vomito::
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You don't need to go spend money on new spurs. Although they are not the latest, greatest, shiny day-glow green, super fly spurs, steel Bucks are simply great spurs. In fact I spent 5 hours in a pair today. They are comfy, kickass, affordable, and are bullet proof, so whats not to like. Set em' up with some Caddy pads or the Buck Velcro wraps (with inserts) and its as good as it gets.

Spur climbing is my thing. It's what I do. Trust me when I tell you, go get a boot thats used by folks who spend their lives in spurs. It will make a massive difference in your comfort level. Don't waste your money fucking around with some Arbpro's or any other arborist boot. You need a boot with a serious shank inserted in the insole. Get some Hoffman Pole Climbers, Power Lines, their modified Meindle Linemen, or some La Sportive Makalu's and be done with it. If they don't make a huge difference in your spur climbing pain I will do a swan dive out of a 200 ft Fir and pay for your new boots ( if I survive the 200 ft fall )!
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Bucknut said:
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Hmmm. Weird.

LOL. Just kidding Rico. Those look great. I might get some. I shoot for $300 as a limit. Getting harder to do. I've been in Danner Super Rainforests for about 8 years now but they're about to crack $400. Gonna find a new boot. These Hoffmans look sweet but the price:vomito::
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Gosh Bucknut, you had me worried I was wearing woman boots. Lucky for me I bought the mens version!
The Hoffman 10" Pole Climbers are $310. The dual steel shanks make this boot a truly all day spur climbing boot (walking on the ground in these things sucks). Plus their hand made in the USA by a great family run business! Whats not to like?
 
Rico it is all good....no way in Rome would I wear those boots or use steel bucks...I can do a day in spurs no pain.....but with SRT and sprawling trees I want some light boots and carbon fiber gaffs....I am not doing tall conifers so it is geographic location.... I love spurless climbing in huge spreading trees.....making big swings and out to tips...you are good at what you do and trust me I am good at what I do....as for the OPer you will have to make your choice based on your location....my east coast friends are not wearing loggers and most are not using steel bucks. Just my 2 cents.
 
swingdude said:
Rico it is all good....no way in Rome would I wear those boots or use steel bucks...I can do a day in spurs no pain.....but with SRT and sprawling trees I want some light boots and carbon fiber gaffs....I am not doing tall conifers so it is geographic location.... I love spurless climbing in huge spreading trees.....making big swings and out to tips...you are good at what you do and trust me I am good at what I do....as for the OPer you will have to make your choice based on your location....my east coast friends are not wearing loggers and most are not using steel bucks. Just my 2 cents.
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I apologize if I came across as an a-hole (again). I have mucho respect for you, and have learned quite a few things from your posts.

I have climbed in a lot of different spurs in my life, and to tell you the truth I find very little difference between better brands such as Gecko’s, Bucks, or Bashlins (love them all). I believe that the choice of pads and boots has a much larger impact on comfort than the gaffs.

You are spot on with your geographic location statement. Today I pulled out my old steel Buck's with some custom 4.5 inch permanent gaffs because I was in some super shaggy barked Reds and Firs. I imagine most folks here would cringe at the sight of them, but they were the perfect tool for the job.

The OP is experiencing some serious pain in spurs, and I believe boots intended for spur climbing could bring him some much needed relief.
 
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Respect Rico...I have thick skin so no offence taken at all. What you do over there is some serious work. And I listen when you speak. One day in my bucket list I would love to experience the feeling of sitting at the top of one of those majestic redwoods or sequoias. As an island climber my needs for equipment can be quite different. Rigging heavy wood in tight spaces from crappy TIPs takes a bit of doing. Trees not tall but wide and odd shaped. That being said I have travelled and done work in US, Canada and UK so I relate to what goes on in the arb world. I have had buck tis and steel plus gecko ali and carbon and now kiwi klimber carbons. All were good and comfy. I have only used shitty redwing loggers and many hikers and even meindl airsteams. I believe having a high arch has helped me not have problems with standing long hours in spurs. Good insoles and correct adjustment of spur sets is important. I consider myself lucky. Now I only strap them for a crane job or when I reach a clean stick. SRT gives me some great work positions to dismantle the crown. But it is based solely on the shape of the leads and scaffolding branches. All this I am saying is purely for you to understand my thought process. I would not want the OP to be misimformed and spend money he would regret. Just putting food for thought. Again just here to help from my own experiences.
 
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