summer climbing boots ?

I would like to add a few thoughts to this thread about boots and foot junk. Now, I'm no salesman for any products, but Smartwool socks have been the absolute BEST money I've spent in a while. I bought the 'snowboard' versions, and they come up to just below my knee. They actually stay there all day long, which is key. The properties of wool (also alpaca) are the best for me all year round. Sweat has never been an issue. I would start there.

Next, boots... the Arb Pro Evo boots that I got from Paul. I'm glad he didn't like them, because I LOVE them. The laces are double braided and the jacket is beginning to tear around an eyelet or two, but laces are cheap. These things are really really nice for climbing. Walking around on hard surfaces might not be great, but you couldn't ask for much more in the tree for all around mixed bag work.

For straight up pruning and blasting around, I found the La Sportiva Xplorer Mid GTX to be great. Kinda like rock climber's shoes in a boot form.

I had a decent run with a pair of Salewa Alpine Trainers, but much the hardware broke early on from footlocking. I wouldn't give up on the boots, so I did the Cormac Nagan trick and they hung in for a while longer. The Evo boots took their place when Paul gave up on his pair.

Wider footed dudes may want to investigate the brand 'KEEN'. They have a fairly wide bed and they make numerous models that I think would be great for climbing and pruning. I'm not sure about any KEEN/Spur dream teams, but worth a look.
 
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I second the smartwool socks. I have been using them for about ten years now and will not buy another brand. They are pricey but they are worth it.
 
I also like the arbor pro boots. Mine are kind of falling a part, but still a good boot. I think maybe Merrill boots for wide feet. Not too sure cause I have narrow feet. I have found that "light weight summer boot" usually means it won't last long. Although I did have a light weight pair of obonz years ago that were pretty sweet.(not spike friendly)
 
sherwood7 said:
I have found that "light weight summer boot" usually means it won't last long.
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Good point. It's like the joke about three qualities one would look for in the ideal relationship and you only get to pick two. Mind twister.

So, I gotta ask, how long does anyone reading this thread really expect to get out of a pair of boots? Honestly, I think a year is really really good, considering what we all do on a daily basis. I wouldn't doubt if people only get a "season" out of certain products in other disciplines. Gloves, a week. Climb line, a year. Pants, hopefully a couple years. Saddle, numerous years. Truck...errrrr, well, we hope right?
 
i just recently purchased the meindl airstream chainsaw boots from treestuff and i love them so far. its too soon to tell how they will stand the test of time, but as for comfort they're great. the break in period was naturally tough and the first few days-week they were extremely stiff, felt similar to hockey skates or snowboard boots. the in tree performance is in my opinion good, in and out of gaffs. i used the arbopro climbing boots for the last two seasons before switching to the meindls, and really liked them. although the airstreams are good climbing boots the flexibility isnt quite as good i feel the elevated level of protection offered makes up. if youre looking for something cheap the airstreams are not for you, at over $300 theyre def on the steeper side, but from what ive seen so far the money will be well spent. hit me up if youd like to know more. (just copied from another thread i just posted) so far i havent been hot in them so i dont see them being a problem in the summer. as for the keens theyre comfy climb well steel toe and fairly cheap but fall apart FAST... IMO
good luck
 
I'm lucky to get 8 months to a year about boots. This work is tough on them for sure.

David_Rubelowsky said:
The arbpro's are very comfortable but they are not water proof, not good when you get caught in a down poor or even dewy mornings.

This will be my second year in them and they are showing signs of wear around the top lace holes. In terms of the boots wearability I may not be the best tester since I do not climb everyday. I split my time with my other job and I'm climbing about three to four days a week.

One of the best tree climbing features of the boot, snug fit but flexible and sturdy at the same time. I like that there's no lace hard wear. I've found lace hard wear can get damaged when footlocking and get caught and pull on certain climbing lines.

I've climbed with them using spurs and they are ok, but if I'm going to be doing only removals for the day I will choose a traditional all leather logger type work boot and switch back to the arbpro's for climbing because they are so comfortable.
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Hi Dave I disagree with you on a couple points here. The arbpros are waterproof, but it seems like they have to "cure." The first few rain days in them my feet were wet, and I was disappointed, but kept wearing them, and now my feet stay dry every day. I'm on my second pair of them, and this is true for both pairs. I'm in portland, and it rains here. Alot.

The no lace hardware is a major flaw in these boots. I'm not a footlocker, but I just can't see a metal grommet like the eyeholes at the top of the boot really getting in the way that much or ever shredding a rope. Again I'm on my second pair, and these are showing wear identical to the first. It's the two eye holes on the inside Of the boot right at the flex point of the foot, an obvious high-stress point. I work them hard five or six day a week, so I know they see a lot of stress, but to sacrifice boot longevity for (IMO) a fictional rope shredding is illogical.

When I first had them, I would use them only for prunes and bring a better suited pair for spur work, but I don't bother anymore. They do just fine for me all day on spurs.

They're great boots, the best I've worn for our work. I'm bothered about the eyelets, and wish I could get at least a year out a pair though
My 2 cents
 
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x 2 on what Jon said. Great boots but they don't last as long as some others. They r the best I've ever had for climbing and removals. I personally don't like switching boots out for removals. So I always tend to go for something that works with spikes. That being said the toughest boots I ever had we're la sportive Karakorams. Got a year and a half out of those. I think about a year is all u can reasonably hope for out of tree boots if you use them every day. But that's the fun part about boots. Figuring out witch ones r next to be destroyed.
 
That's funny sherwood...which ones to destroy.

Jon, I'm looking at my Evos and trying to determine the weak point you're referring to. Not sure if our boots are different, but mine have a total of 3 metal eyes per side, so six total on each boot, and the eye at the flex point is a little webbing loop. I can't see how the eyelets above that loop could get worn out. I feel like the soles will lose all tread before anything else goes on these.
 
I just re-read your post and it makes sense to me. My mind drifted into thinking you would have wanted those metal hook thingies which really suck in those areas. I can understand now, though I haven't seen any wear there on mine. An eyelet at that point sure would be fine in my opinion. I'll keep a close eye on mine as time goes by.
Would it be crazy to unlace them and pour some epoxy into the weak lace holes, then drill the hole back out? I dunno, just thinking outside the box a bit.
 
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