Spiking boots?

[southsoundtree]

Platforms are only an idea for people who don't have the right boot. Around here, where the training was held, a lot of people never leave the trunk, doing fir removals or limbing.

I'm looking for a wide toe-box boot. My normal boots are Keen, with a steel toe, and reasonable tread for tree care. I spur with them a lot, and am proficient with the throw line, so it's easy to preset an SRT line a good way up the tree. I'll drop logs in the Keens as it doesn't take long to chunk down a tree in big pieces, but if I'm going to be doing a lot of spar work, with lots of cutting with a big saw, I'll wear Wesco's.

In the winter, I have mountaineering boots, if it's below freezing much.

Spring, summer, fall, I'm after non-insulated boots.

Recommendations for a wide toe-box, non-insulated.

 

[RyanCafferky]

Platforms are only an idea for people who don't have the right boot. Around here, where the training was held, a lot of people never leave the trunk, doing fir removals or limbing.

I'm looking for a wide toe-box boot. My normal boots are Keen, with a steel toe, and reasonable tread for tree care. I spur with them a lot, and am proficient with the throw line, so it's easy to preset an SRT line a good way up the tree. I'll drop logs in the Keens as it doesn't take long to chunk down a tree in big pieces, but if I'm going to be doing a lot of spar work, with lots of cutting with a big saw, I'll wear Wesco's.

In the winter, I have mountaineering boots, if it's below freezing much.

Spring, summer, fall, I'm after non-insulated boots.

Recommendations for a wide toe-box, non-insulated.

The HAIX boots are ridiculously wide or that is how I found them to be. I felt like I was wearing moon boots.

 

[Tony]

Platforms are only an idea for people who don't have the right boot. Around here, where the training was held, a lot of people never leave the trunk, doing fir removals or limbing.

I'm looking for a wide toe-box boot. My normal boots are Keen, with a steel toe, and reasonable tread for tree care. I spur with them a lot, and am proficient with the throw line, so it's easy to preset an SRT line a good way up the tree. I'll drop logs in the Keens as it doesn't take long to chunk down a tree in big pieces, but if I'm going to be doing a lot of spar work, with lots of cutting with a big saw, I'll wear Wesco's.

In the winter, I have mountaineering boots, if it's below freezing much.

Spring, summer, fall, I'm after non-insulated boots.

Recommendations for a wide toe-box, non-insulated.

If your never leaving the trunk then platforms will serve well. I still needed a boot with a decent heel to keep the hook in place. If you build your own, don’t make them flat, let the bottom of the spurs still snug up into the arch by having the platform front and back recessed a bit. Use grip tape. They didn’t exist at the time, but the Buck velcro lowers would have been the shit. (Hell, they are the shit now. Love those things with ultra wrap pads)

Tony

 

[southsoundtree]

Which Hiax model? How is the tread for tree care. I'll commonly do spur removal work, spurless work, and ground work in the same day. Would love an all-arounder that's a great spur-boot.

My Wesco's don't see much use, as they aren't good for all-around.

I'd like a better option, with a lower heel.

P.S. from what I gathered from the guy at the training, the plywood platforms he built were full footprint. I'm sure they are not better than the right boots, but everyone needs to build up their arsenal of gear piece by piece. So many guys wear bad footwear. Your feet are important, and investing in boots is PPE you use Everyday!

A routine check-up with a podiatrist is worthwhile. I'm planning on walking for my whole life.

 

[Tony]

These are the ones I currently have

HAIX Bootstore

HAIX is a leading manufacturer of high quality, functional footwear to thousands of firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers,…

www.haixusa.com

I Really like them for an all around work boot

Tony

 

[southsoundtree]

They look sweet. I'm seeing Wide and Medium widths in my size.

What about ordering a size smaller, as I've seen recommended?

 

[RBJtree]

These are the ones I currently have

HAIX Bootstore

HAIX is a leading manufacturer of high quality, functional footwear to thousands of firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers,…

www.haixusa.com

I Really like them for an all around work boot

Tony

How soft is the tread? Does it compare with boots designed for spikeless climbing?
I would love a boot that works good for everything.

 

[Tony]

The sizing is dead on for me. 9.5 wide, pretty much any boot that fits me is 9.5 or 10 W

They are a pretty good company to deal with so an exchange is a pain but worth it to get the right fit.

Full disclosure, I like a good, lasting comfortable pair of boots. My paws ain't to picky, but I will never buy cheap boots for work. Just not worth it. I figure I either spend my time on my feet or sleeping so good boots and a good mattress are things I will spend money on.

I will say it took me a good full 2/3 weeks for me to break them in. There were stiff, but eventually broke a bit. Still a stiff boot which is why I like them. They are O.K. to climb in. Like climbing in logger boots minus the heel. They will tear up thin barked trees and others that sluff easily in spring or wet weather. If I was a full time ornamental pruner these would not be my choice.

The tread is the best I have ever had. Stiff for in the tree /on the hooks. Plenty of traction. So much so I have gotten in the habit of taking them off outside as I track dirt through the house more with these than any other.

I tell people all the time that they look heavier and clunkier than they feel. Is this the correct boot for Japanese Maple pruning? Absolutely not. But for a comfortable, waterproof, warm in winter tolerable in summer (Mid Atlantic east coast) heavy work book, they are the best I have tried.

Good luck. Hope you have the same success if you buy a set.

Tony

 

[Merle Nelson]

@Tony. Overboot for when you just have to run in the house for something.

I just bought a pair of Haix for spiking and lots of ground chainsaw work days. Am loving them. Also tall tops that far less saw chips are getting into.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I'm all about lineman boots for spikes. I have a pair of nicks and a pair of hoffman lineman pacs. The hoffmans are probably the best boot I've ever worn, and cheaper than a lot of the alternatives. I just picked up some matterhorn 16" mining boots. They're interesting and honestly pretty good on gaffs as well.

 

[megadosevitaminc]

I have used platforms on my pole gaffs for probably 10 years or more. Gotta get used to no flex and really hard to walk in even for a short ways. I use them for utility poles only. I would never try them on a tree, probably slide off a branch if i stood on it. I have the cheaper georgia loggers and gecko climbers. I can be in them for 2 or 3 hours with no problem removing redwood stems. Any longer and they might not be fun anymore. I am only usuall in a tree for 2 to 4 hours at the most in a day since i am my own ground guy..

 

[Finky198]

I will agree with Brandon...

I have three pairs of Hoffman’s one pair of leather pole climbers which are my goto for all of my spur work... and 2 pairs of winter pac caulks. They are by far the best boots I’ve ever worn... tough, comfortable, warm, reasonably priced and made in the USA. What’s not to like.

I use Buckingham steel tree spikes with big buck velcro pad...for ref
Good Boots and Pads made a world of difference for me.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I will agree with Brandon...

I have three pairs of Hoffman’s one pair of leather pole climbers which are my goto for all of my spur work... and 2 pairs of winter pac caulks. They are by far the best boots I’ve ever worn... tough, comfortable, warm, reasonably priced and made in the USA. What’s not to like.

I use Buckingham steel tree spikes with big buck velcro pad...for ref
Good Boots and Pads made a world of difference for me.

Have you tried the velcro lowers on those??? I put em on my geckos and oh my wow. What a world of difference

 

[megadosevitaminc]

Where do u get the velcor lowers. My right strapnon my gecko always end up loose.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

i ordered them from bartlettman.com. they're the buckingham ones. Worth every penny. And I have big feet, size 13, and even in my pacs they fit well

 

[Jonny]

I got the White’s pac lineman boots, they’re about the same as Hoffman pacs I’ll bet, just different colors.
I don’t need them as much as I thought I would, it needs to be really really cold and wet and even then my feet will sweat in them. Soo yea my bitch about a severe cold weather boot is that they’re too warm.

 

[Finky198]

Have you tried the velcro lowers on those??? I put em on my geckos and oh my wow. What a world of difference

I saw them in the new catalogs.
They’re on my list and will be the last piece to the puzzle...

 

[megadosevitaminc]

Thanks for the info on the straps. They will be next to get once i get past Christmas and birthday season here at home.

 

[rico]

I'm all about lineman boots for spikes. I have a pair of nicks and a pair of hoffman lineman pacs. The hoffmans are probably the best boot I've ever worn, and cheaper than a lot of the alternatives. I just picked up some matterhorn 16" mining boots. They're interesting and honestly pretty good on gaffs as well.

I switched from Whites to Hoffmans decades ago... I am breaking in a pair Hofffman Classics right now and have to say they are amazing... https://hoffmanboots.com/8-hoffman-classic-plain-toe-2.

The Hoffman Classics have all the virtues and comfort that a Euro Mountaineer style boot brings, plus that all day spur comfort that Hoffmans dual shank design offers.. Finally a boot that might just dethrone my beloved La Sportiva Makalus, which has been the single best spur boot I have worn to date.....

Plus Hoffman is a family run business that builds world-class boots for a fair price....Can't ask for much more.

 

[owScott]

I dont care about all around. I dont mind having a few different kinds. IMO Wesco Highliner for all day spurring. I am continually trying different boots for non spur climbing. I have a different boot for ground work. I like the Highliner because the heal keeps my spur in place, they protect my lower leg and crap doesnt get in them and they have a very stiff sole. Also they are what i grew up with and are used to them, but as soon as i am done climbing off they come.Some may scoff at all the changing of foot wear but i am a firm believer in right tool for the job.