NickfromWI
Participating member
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
Friday I received a recent purchase from sherrill. My first pair of spikes I've ever owned. I bought 2 of them, to try them both and see which I prefer. I got the aluminum Geckos and the Titanium T2's from Buckingmam. I put the velcro wrap pad on the T2s. Here's the break down.
WEIGHT: Thought Titanium, by the time you put the pads and straps on, the pair of T2s ended up weighing 2 pounds more than the Geckos. Official weights according to my dgital scale: Geckos: 2 lbs, 3oz. T2s: 3 lbs, 4oz. (this is for ONE spike, not the pair)
TOP STRAP: The T2s had a good doubled-back cinch down velcro strap, whereas the Geckos have just a plain once-around velcro strap. I was certain the T2s would be way better, but as far as security/snugness, it was about a tie. A coworker today pointed out that the buckinghams (T2s) are more prevalant today. If needed replacement parts for either of the spikes, I'd have to order for the Geckos, whereas the T2s I could surely go to a local store for parts, and certainly just take some off the many pair of old spikes lying around the shop. It's a good point to keep in mind.
BOTTOM STRAPS: The bottom straps were of the same design, the T2s with Buckinghams strap, and the Geckos with weaver. There is a large flat piece of leather on each of them that lays down on the top of the boot. The weaver one kepts getting sucked into the buckle when I was tightening it. It was annoying. Otherwise, the 2 lower straps were identical.
OVERALL COMFORT: The Geckos win this category by a super, super long shot. Soft foam conforms to your leg/shin. I did what I called the ten minute test, where I stood in one spot, barely shifting my weight and never lifting my spikes for, you guessed it, TEN MINUTES each! I noticed a LOT less pressure points in the Geckos than in the T2s. I'm sure this is due to the Geckos' combination of fiberglass/foam. I felt some definate pain on the upper inside of my shin when wearing the T2s. Granted, ten minutes in ONE spot is a LONG time when you're in a tree...I thought it was worth trying the 10 minute test none the less.
GAFFS: The actual spikes on each of these are quite different. The length is more of less the same, but there are other major differences. The first, and most obvious is that the T2 spikes are more or less straight whereas the Geckos have a slight "s" curve to them. So that's one. Other is the angle. The T2 spike point straight down more, creating a 30* angle with the shaft, while the Gecko points out more, about a 60* angle. BUTTTTTT remember that the Gecko spike has that curve to it, so the part that actually sticks into the tree, the last inch of it curves down, making the angle of that last inch similar (though still not and sharp of an angle) as the T2s. Both spikes are replaceable, but not interchangable (you can't put a Gecko spike on the T2's).....I think.
USE: Like I've already stated, the Gecko's were better to have on, but once I started climbing, it seemed the T2s are the way to go. I climbed 2 trees, a dead (almost) Sycamore, and a super smooth trunked Palm (I think it was a Mexican Fan Palm...I'm still learning them). In both trees, I only gaffed out once or twice in the T2's (keep in mind that I was not going slow, and I haven't had spikes on for like a full year, and have less than 10 hours of total spike experience in my life). When I put the Geckos on, I gaffed out several times. I didn't count, but I should've. It happened enough that it quickly made me think maybe the Geckos AREN't the ones to get.
Other than the gaffing out, I noticed the T2s allowed my feet (heels or toes) to get closer to the tree, probably due to the steep angle of the spike. I don't quite understand it because if you measure the distance of tip of spike to the frame, the gecko was actually closer by like a quarter inch or something like that. The T2's seemed to have a little play in them. Because the shaft is adjusted by sliding it up or down, you can feel that wobble a bit when you're climbing. It's really no big deal and doesn't affect the climbing, I just prefered the perceived sense of stability that you get with the Geckos lack of moving parts.
The point: Can anyone offer any tips? I have about $600 worth of spikes, and can't afford to keep them both. Anyone use the geckos that think I might get used to the shape of the spike...or should I stick with the heavier, but more secure T2's?
I just thought I'd put this thread in as a service to anyone looking to buy some spikes, and maybe y'all can help me out a bit, too!
love
nick
WEIGHT: Thought Titanium, by the time you put the pads and straps on, the pair of T2s ended up weighing 2 pounds more than the Geckos. Official weights according to my dgital scale: Geckos: 2 lbs, 3oz. T2s: 3 lbs, 4oz. (this is for ONE spike, not the pair)
TOP STRAP: The T2s had a good doubled-back cinch down velcro strap, whereas the Geckos have just a plain once-around velcro strap. I was certain the T2s would be way better, but as far as security/snugness, it was about a tie. A coworker today pointed out that the buckinghams (T2s) are more prevalant today. If needed replacement parts for either of the spikes, I'd have to order for the Geckos, whereas the T2s I could surely go to a local store for parts, and certainly just take some off the many pair of old spikes lying around the shop. It's a good point to keep in mind.
BOTTOM STRAPS: The bottom straps were of the same design, the T2s with Buckinghams strap, and the Geckos with weaver. There is a large flat piece of leather on each of them that lays down on the top of the boot. The weaver one kepts getting sucked into the buckle when I was tightening it. It was annoying. Otherwise, the 2 lower straps were identical.
OVERALL COMFORT: The Geckos win this category by a super, super long shot. Soft foam conforms to your leg/shin. I did what I called the ten minute test, where I stood in one spot, barely shifting my weight and never lifting my spikes for, you guessed it, TEN MINUTES each! I noticed a LOT less pressure points in the Geckos than in the T2s. I'm sure this is due to the Geckos' combination of fiberglass/foam. I felt some definate pain on the upper inside of my shin when wearing the T2s. Granted, ten minutes in ONE spot is a LONG time when you're in a tree...I thought it was worth trying the 10 minute test none the less.
GAFFS: The actual spikes on each of these are quite different. The length is more of less the same, but there are other major differences. The first, and most obvious is that the T2 spikes are more or less straight whereas the Geckos have a slight "s" curve to them. So that's one. Other is the angle. The T2 spike point straight down more, creating a 30* angle with the shaft, while the Gecko points out more, about a 60* angle. BUTTTTTT remember that the Gecko spike has that curve to it, so the part that actually sticks into the tree, the last inch of it curves down, making the angle of that last inch similar (though still not and sharp of an angle) as the T2s. Both spikes are replaceable, but not interchangable (you can't put a Gecko spike on the T2's).....I think.
USE: Like I've already stated, the Gecko's were better to have on, but once I started climbing, it seemed the T2s are the way to go. I climbed 2 trees, a dead (almost) Sycamore, and a super smooth trunked Palm (I think it was a Mexican Fan Palm...I'm still learning them). In both trees, I only gaffed out once or twice in the T2's (keep in mind that I was not going slow, and I haven't had spikes on for like a full year, and have less than 10 hours of total spike experience in my life). When I put the Geckos on, I gaffed out several times. I didn't count, but I should've. It happened enough that it quickly made me think maybe the Geckos AREN't the ones to get.
Other than the gaffing out, I noticed the T2s allowed my feet (heels or toes) to get closer to the tree, probably due to the steep angle of the spike. I don't quite understand it because if you measure the distance of tip of spike to the frame, the gecko was actually closer by like a quarter inch or something like that. The T2's seemed to have a little play in them. Because the shaft is adjusted by sliding it up or down, you can feel that wobble a bit when you're climbing. It's really no big deal and doesn't affect the climbing, I just prefered the perceived sense of stability that you get with the Geckos lack of moving parts.
The point: Can anyone offer any tips? I have about $600 worth of spikes, and can't afford to keep them both. Anyone use the geckos that think I might get used to the shape of the spike...or should I stick with the heavier, but more secure T2's?
I just thought I'd put this thread in as a service to anyone looking to buy some spikes, and maybe y'all can help me out a bit, too!
love
nick
