Pain on Gaffs

joezilla11 said:
I have a size 10 I don’t use. I wore them for like 2 weeks and they were so stiff I never wore them again. Perfect for spikes tho
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No doubt they are extremely stiff. Couldn’t imagine using them as a hiking boot. Ouch.
As you say, perfect for spur climbing!
 
rico said:
I sure hope I catch you before you buys those. Friends don’t let friends use stein gaffs or pads. Gawd awful. Run for your life.
I used caddy pads for 30 + years and they are wonderful. I have been using the Buck Velcro Wraps with the inserts (not the Big Bucks. Too bulky for me) for a couple years now, and I find them damn near perfect. A little more expensive than the caddy’s, but I like them a little better.

If spur climbing comfort is your goal, I think you made the right decision with the Makalu’s. Since I got my Makalu’s I very rarely wear my Hoffman’s. I actually just purchase another pair of the LA Sportiva’s for a back up pair, hoping they will be the last pair of climbing boots this old knuckle dragger will need.
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I didn't buy them, Just inquiring. I'll get the opsal ( I think thats roght for Caddy pads ) Sherrill has them ,but a fair bit more money. I don't understand the pricing between treestuff and Sherrill , it's the same company
 
I'm reading that I need 2 upper leg straps per set of caddy pads, 4 total, is that right? Or @rico are you saying I can get those 24" Velcro straps and use thise I'm both upper and lower?
 
I’ve used only la sportiva’s and they are wonderful! I bought a pair of wesscos but don’t really like them.
For what it’s worth the older style of la sportivias (glaciers I believe) ) were much better with the adjustable tongue. The main wear point was the rand peeling and then the toe of the sole. I researched a bit, and they make a “wild land fire boot”
It’s a little cheaper! Slightly harder rubber (wears longer, but still easy on bark), a little taller up the ankle, and they use a heat resistant glue, which solved the separation issues I had.
 
evo said:
I’ve used only la sportiva’s and they are wonderful! I bought a pair of wesscos but don’t really like them.
For what it’s worth the older style of la sportivias (glaciers I believe) ) were much better with the adjustable tongue. The main wear point was the rand peeling and then the toe of the sole. I researched a bit, and they make a “wild land fire boot”
It’s a little cheaper! Slightly harder rubber (wears longer, but still easy on bark), a little taller up the ankle, and they use a heat resistant glue, which solved the separation issues I had.
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The Makalu has a full steel shank, and the Glacier appears to have only a half steel shank. I would think the Makalu would be a better gaff boot, and the glacier a better all around boot? Either way the sportivas do kick ass!
 
rico said:
The Makalu has a full steel shank, and the Glacier appears to have only a half steel shank. I would think the Makalu would be a better gaff boot, and the glacier a better all around boot? Either way the sportivas do kick ass!
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Oh yeah they have a good shank but it’s not a full. I don’t spend much time on gaffs so I haven’t been too concerned
https://www.sportiva.com/glacier-wlf.html
 
As I spend most of my time in gaffs, I went with the Makalu. The Glaciers do look like a killer boot, and a better all a rounder. Love me some la sportivas.
 
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I have been Very happy wearing the Asolo Aconcagua Mountaineering Boots. One of the few mountaineering boots I found with a good heal for spurs. I came across a good deal at sierratradingpost but they can be kinda hard to find.

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/a...ntaineering-boots-waterproof-for-men~p~9051f/

asolo-aconcagua-gv.jpg
 
The Makula's came in yesterday, man, stiff, like walking in ski boots, don't know how people use then for hiking or mountaineering, gonna likely put these on and take them off contract spur climb.
 

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I know this may sound like poor form, but when I have an entire 7 hour day in large wood, I wear spurs but only use them if I cant stand on a branch stub. On certain trees ie. the Bull or Ponderosa pines around hear anyways, they are commonly 60" at the butt and all branches for 150'. Its a natural ladder so why not use it? That alone has saved my feet and legs. However, lineman boots are designed specifically for the rigors of climbing and for the last 12 years I have found the Viberg linemans work well. Pretty pricey but very durable and they are a high top so you get less chaffing. I also have a pair of Meindl Canadians which are a very comfortable boot. Another thing, the deeper heel will help to keep the leg irons from slipping off. The lower strap if long enough, should wrap around the iron then around the leg and then enter the buckle, this keeps the iron from moving around. This I find strange? People think nothing of buying Oakley sunglasses at 300 bucks a pair but scrimp on footwear? Bad idea... you dont walk on your eyes!
 
Raven27 said:
The Makula's came in yesterday, man, stiff, like walking in ski boots, don't know how people use then for hiking or mountaineering, gonna likely put these on and take them off contract spur climb.
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those boots are likely designed for crampons, most ice climbers have a separate pair of approach boots for the hike in.
 
Welcome to TreeBuzz Stephen. Great post and thoughts.

I notice how different we all are as human beings. Little or nothing that I do works for everyone around me.

If I were communicating with a new to figuring out spurs person I would say take great info like what you posted, or someone else if it resonates better with you, and then try to find a way to test it before you buy the climbers and boots that you think will be the cats meow.

What works great for one may not be just right for the next.
 
Honestly.....most things in climbing must be personally tried. Our climb styles and physical attributes make this a reality. I have spent a lot of money finding what works for me. All my suggestions are based on my personal experience and cannot work for all.
 
Bucks, Bashlins, and Geckos, Malakus, Whites, Hoffmans. Vibergs, and Wescos are all great tools for making climbing in spurs much easier on your body. They are not gonna instantly make you a spar pole champion though.
If you want to get truly comfortable in spurs then you need to spent a lot of time climbing in spurs, learning the craft, and toughening up those body parts. Like anything else in life, practice makes perfect.
 
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