Spiking boots?

[B_Strange]

So I ordered a pair of Makalu’s to try on based on @rico’s posts about them. Absolutely loved them but need to size up a half size as my feet are wide. 305.00 at my local outdoor supplier.

I’m going to check out the Hoffman’s too. Right now I am in Asolo Neutrino’s and they don’t cut it for all day spur climbing. Great for prunes though. Chippewas lasted about 90 days in tree work before they gave up the ghost. I tried on the Haix’s at Expo and liked them.

Those Wesco Highliners would be awesome! Gotta save up though. Somebody on here said spurs and cheap don’t go together and they are rIght. Listening to all the experienced climbers on here has convinced me to drop coin on good, quality gear. It pays for itself. All the removals I’ve been doing lately has me kicking myself for not getting better boots last year.

 

[owScott]

So I ordered a pair of Makalu’s to try on based on @rico’s posts about them. Absolutely loved them but need to size up a half size as my feet are wide. 305.00 at my local outdoor supplier.

I’m going to check out the Hoffman’s too. Right now I am in Asolo Neutrino’s and they don’t cut it for all day spur climbing. Great for prunes though. Chippewas lasted about 90 days in tree work before they gave up the ghost. I tried on the Haix’s at Expo and liked them.

Those Wesco Highliners would be awesome! Gotta save up though. Somebody on here said spurs and cheap don’t go together and they are rIght. Listening to all the experienced climbers on here has convinced me to drop coin on good, quality gear. It pays for itself. All the removals I’ve been doing lately has me kicking myself for not getting better boots last year.

Having a pair of boots i like on the ground really saves the life of my climbing boots which are generally more expensive.

 

[rico]

Make no mistake B Strange, the Makalus are a more comfortable spur boots than any of the old school style linesman boots (Wesco, White, Hoffman, ect). I spent almost 35 yrs climbing in Whites/Wesco/Hoffman linesman boots and will never go back.... The euro style mountaineer boots are just a more comfortable boot, and if you get one that is purpose built they are incredible comfy and supportive. I feel that boots like the Makalu, Hoffman modified Meindl, and the Hoffman Classic are an evolution in Spur boots. Thats why my old-school linesman boots very rarely see action these days.

 

[B_Strange]

Thanks @rico! The Makalu is the way I’m leaning. Not wrecking monsters like y’all out there in God’s country but even for my Appalachian climbs I think those would be perfect. Gotta keep the feet happy.

I hear you @owScott about the right tool for the job and saving expensive climbing boots. If I was just going to be dragging brush all day i’ll most likely wear the Asolo’s.

 

[rico]

Thanks @rico! The Makalu is the way I’m leaning. Not wrecking monsters like y’all out there in God’s country but even for my Appalachian climbs I think those would be perfect. Gotta keep the feet happy.

I hear you @owScott about the right tool for the job and saving expensive climbing boots. If I was just going to be dragging brush all day i’ll most likely wear the Asolo’s.

For years I had the same approach as Ow. I wore my 16" linesman boots for climbing and they came offf as soon as I hit the ground. The Makalu's were a bit of a revelation because they offered as much or more arch support when spur climbing, but were so freaking comfy on the foot (something you would never say about a old school lineman boot).

If you are looking for an extremely supportive yet comfy spur boot I would 1st be looking at the Hoffman Classic (https://hoffmanboots.com/8-hoffman-classic-plain-toe-2), the Hoffman modified Meindle (https://hoffmanboots.com/10-meindl-logger-lineman), or the Makalu... The Hoffman Classics run true to size. The modified Meindle runs big so order a 1/2 size smaller, and the Makalus are best ordered a little large, as you found out. Another boot that has been getting some fairly good reviews is the Scaffell lites. I personally can't vouch for them but people I trust say they are very nice in spurs... The lack of a steel shank and the heal construction worry me, but what the fuck do I know?

If you do decide to go with a 16" all leather linesman boot look no further than Hoffman... No offense to Wesco but the Hoffman is a better boot, plus they cost less...

https://hoffmanboots.com/16-850-all-leather-powerline
https://hoffmanboots.com/16-dri-line
https://hoffmanboots.com/16-pole-climber

 

[owScott]

For years I had the same approach as Ow. I wore my 16" linesman boots for climbing and they came offf as soon as I hit the ground. The Makalu's were a bit of a revelation because they offered as much or more arch support when spur climbing, but were so freaking comfy on the foot (something you would never say about a old school lineman boot).

If you are looking for an extremely supportive yet comfy spur boot I would 1st be looking at the Hoffman Classic (https://hoffmanboots.com/8-hoffman-classic-plain-toe-2), the Hoffman modified Meindle (https://hoffmanboots.com/10-meindl-logger-lineman), or the Makalu... The Hoffman Classics run true to size. The modified Meindle runs big so order a 1/2 size smaller, and the Makalus are best ordered a little large, as you found out. Another boot that has been getting some fairly good reviews is the Scaffell lites. I personally can't vouch for them but people I trust say they are very nice in spurs... The lack of a steel shank and the heal construction worry me, but what the fuck do I know?

If you do decide to go with a 16" all leather linesman boot look no further than Hoffman... No offense to Wesco but the Hoffman is a better boot, plus they cost less...

https://hoffmanboots.com/16-850-all-leather-powerline
https://hoffmanboots.com/16-dri-line
https://hoffmanboots.com/16-pole-climber

Come on Rico, we both know comfort is over rated. Thats how we smash that shit down quick, we want to get done and get them Frankenstien boots off cause our feet hurt. Same idea with old school thin padded spurs.

 

[B_Strange]

Thanks guys! I looked up the boots @rico (thanks for those links man!) and know what to look for now. I don’t know from steel shanks but I think it’ll either be the Hoffman’s or the Makalu’s. Tried and true reviews mean a lot. Wife and youngest daughter need boots first then I’m up.

So if I am uncomfortable at work I get home faster, eh @owScott? So should I climb in a Swiss seat then?

 

[B_Strange]

Supposed to be a smiley after that last remark! Not trying to be an a-hole.

 

[Shane Courville]

backcountry has Makalu on sale right now, 25% off.

 

[Rmltree]

+1 on the scafell lite's. Great on spurs, waterproof for ever, still wearing my first pair after 2 years of use.
Linesmans would typically last me less than a year

 

[rico]

Thanks guys! I looked up the boots @rico (thanks for those links man!) and know what to look for now. I don’t know from steel shanks but I think it’ll either be the Hoffman’s or the Makalu’s. Tried and true reviews mean a lot. Wife and youngest daughter need boots first then I’m up.

So if I am uncomfortable at work I get home faster, eh @owScott? So should I climb in a Swiss seat then?

I don't think you can go wrong with either the Hoffman Classic, Hoffman modified Meindl, or the Makalu. The Hoffman's are purpose built for spurs and the Makalu is designed for ice climbing with crampons so all 3 have steel shanks and offer amazing arch support and comfort.

A well built old school lineman boot like a Wesco/White/Hofffman willl last a very long time and remains a great boot for standing in spur, but these new climbing boots designed around the euro mountaineer style bring the comfort to another level.

 

[owScott]

I don't think you can go wrong with either the Hoffman Classic, Hoffman modified Meindl, or the Makalu. The Hoffman's are purpose built for spurs and the Makalu is designed for ice climbing with crampons so all 3 have steel shanks and offer amazing arch support and comfort.

A well built old school lineman boot like a Wesco/White/Hofffman willl last a very long time and remains a great boot for standing in spur, but these new climbing boots designed around the euro mountaineer style bring the comfort to another level.

All true. Only issues i have with these mountaineer style boots is they fill up with crap and they suck to walk around in. I wear my pants 1 size too long to allow them to still cover my boots when my harness is on. I really hate filling my boots with crap. Not really what we are talking about but thought i would throw it in.

 

[owScott]

Thanks guys! I looked up the boots @rico (thanks for those links man!) and know what to look for now. I don’t know from steel shanks but I think it’ll either be the Hoffman’s or the Makalu’s. Tried and true reviews mean a lot. Wife and youngest daughter need boots first then I’m up.

So if I am uncomfortable at work I get home faster, eh @owScott? So should I climb in a Swiss seat then?

Now thats thinking outside the box. Swiss seats for the whole crew to increase production