what Boots for spurs?

[SkwerI]

You're correct, Dave. The Asolos worn by many here are better suited for spurless climbing but have enough arch reinforcement to be suitable for spur climbing when necessary. An excellent arborist climbing boot but probably not the best choice for someone on spurs every day.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...Gore-Tex-Hiking-Boots-Waterproof-For-Men.html

 

[Fiddler]

Thanks Brian, I saved the link. I want something for climbing w/out spurs too......just not the "immediate emergency".

 

[squisher]

These boots have been real good for me. I only climb if I have to, obviously, with having a bucket, but these boots will spur fine and are comfortable day to day.

 

[Fiddler]

Had to switch browsers to get to the sight on the box, then it was all in some other language.

checked around anyway, but didn't find the ones you show here.

 

[squisher]

Yah, not sure where they're from. European of some sorts I believe. I got a steal of a deal as a local store was discontinuing them. It appears two years will be all I'll get out of them. They're pretty much done now.

 

[sotc]

+1 on the Asolo's

Not the best for spur work but they will get the job done. They are comfortable, light, and waterproof.

I agree whole heartedly and I have been wearing wescos for 17 years without a bad experience. I have spent the day in the asolos on hooks and was fine though the wescos would have been a little more comfortable

 

[Frans]

Frans, as somebody who has owned a few pair of Asolos, I disagree with your uninformed assessment entirely. ...The rest of your insulting comments about them should be disregarded.

to each their own.


Sawdust entering the tops is one of my main complaints. Also the eyelets are tin, and bend easily, and the fabric and sewn threads catch and tear on prickly brush.
Also the laces are fabric and wear out quickly. The inserts are rather cheap and should be replaced with higher quality inserts as soon as the originals get flattened out. Which happens quickly under day to day wear.

Compared to even the Danner 'Quarry' model, the asolos are much cheaper. But they are lightweight and alot of guys are obsessed with saving a few ounces.

The danner has a softer sole and the leather holds up well. They are not as stout as White or Wesco, but they are a good boot. I have used them a number of years and prefer them to my heavier whites or wescos just because I am on concrete alot of the time so I like the softer sole and heel. The high heels are not really suitable for walking around all day on concrete.






I own a pair of asolos myself

 

[treesandsurf]

Found these boots; look good for spur work. I've used asolos for several years --> never had a problem standing on them for 8 hours in the hooks. Superfeet help a lot, though. The second pic shows the pair of asolos I use most these days, as I do mostly no-spur, pruning work.

jp

 

[Old Monkey]

The way the saw hangs at my side, I occasionally have the saw hit my calf, when I wear my my Wescos with 16 inches of leather up my calf, I am blissfully unaware of this. When I wear my Asolos, I feel it. I love having high rose leather boots. The Wesco Highliner has been a great boot for me. I am suspicious of White's as they seem to have entered the mass production game, where Wescos are just a small outfit.

 

[wiley_p]

Oh boy Darin, Do I hear the Nick's boots line coming on?

 

[Bodean]

16" wescos with the shank.

Get the sole screwed into the upper around the toe,
when you resole them, avoids the White's smiley.

 

[Old Monkey]

Oh boy Darin, Do I hear the Nick's boots line coming on?

I loved my Nick's boots. My White's fell apart in less than one season, which if you include the time it took to break them in, there days of good service were rather limited. I know lots of people who loved there White's and one pair of boots isn't enough info to condemn a whole brand, so I am not bagging too hard. Its there winter boots that worry me, they seem mass produced with the White's name slapped on. The quality of them seems poor.


On the lighter side of things I went hiking this weekend up in the Sawtooth range, wearing my Keene water shoes. My wife was seriously kicking my ass hiking. I had to ask her to slow down on the return trip of our seven mile evening hike. The firefighter in me cringed. We finished the hike in near total darkness and she had to hold my hand as she could not make out the trail and was tense. I recovered a little of my wounded ego at that point. I need to get some good hiking boots and get some hiking in to avoid future embarrassments like that though.

 

[wiley_p]

Shoot Darin, remember, if your partner is beating you on the hike, make them pack the saw.

 

[Gord]

I used to buy asolos but the store I often buy at stopped selling them. Looking at the pic there I remember how good they were, my next pair is going to be those again.

I used to worry about needing a stiff shank for spurs, but now I do all I can to give my feet (and knees and hips) short rests and it makes a huge difference at the end of the day. A bosun seat is key as well.

 

[rumination]

I'm a big Asolos fan as well. The stock inserts aren't all that great, though, so I usually replace them with Superfeet, which is definitely money well spent. I've probably posted this several times already, but Sierra Trading Post has the absolute best deals on Asolos that I have found.

Brian, they have your favorites in wide sizes now.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/347_Mens-Hiking-Boots.html

 

[Frans]

Superfeet? Biggest rip off I have seen in some time. Almost 40 bucks and what you get is a tiny bit of plastic arch and crappy flat foam.

For less money you can get inserts made for professionals such as hospital workers which actually do something for you.

I will research the brand name as soon as I have time to go to my local cobbler...

-stay away from those stupid superfeet. Another REI weekend warrior prious buying feel good product.
IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion)

 

[wiley_p]

I've always felt that if an insole was needed, A. the boots are poor quality or B. they are the wrong last for your feet.

 

[rumination]

Dear Frans,

I am deeply moved by your concern for my podiatric health. Any advice or tips on superior insole brands you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Most sincerely,
Pious REI Weekend Warrior

 

[klimbinfool]

Nawww Dave, I dont believe that. Not every ones foot is the same. Manufacture can only guess as to shape a shoe to so many arches. Even though I've been wearing Wescoes a long time, I still put in a different insert. Theirs is crap and will flatten out in 4 to 6 months.However, you would think for the price they should slip on like a glove and be ready to run.

Do Asolos have a steel shank? I'm a Merrell fan myself when buying the lighter weight shoes, but I have never tried Asolos. One thing I have found about most mid to upper grade hiking boots is the flaw in the toe section. I can never find one that is stiched or has a full wrap. They always seem to peel apart right at the toe and looking at the Asolo pic, that looks like the same problem I run into.

You guys that wear them, does this seem to be a problem? and what kind of time frame do you get out of them with everday use before you have to trash them.

Greg

 

[rumination]

I get about 1.5 years out of my Asolos, but by that point the tread is almost nonexistant. I have not had a problem with the toes separating in that time frame. The Asolos I wear do not have a steel shank, and if most of your work is on spikes than a sturdier boot would be appropriate. For spurless climbing, the occasional removal, and hiking I think they're great.

 

[klimbinfool]

Good to know, thanks Rumination

 

[SkwerI]

I got about 1.5-2 years out of my last pair as well. The grippy sole will wear out quickly if worn on concrete a lot. They have a composite arch support, not steel. I didn't have any issue with the toe stitching either.

In the last several years I have also owned a couple pair of Montrail and one pair of Vasque boots. They are slightly heavier than the Asolos and the arch is slightly stiffer. I consider them both a very good climbing boot for a mix of spur and spurless climbing. Build quality is very good and I never had a single tear in either pair before the soles wore out. Again, the softer, grippier sole will wear quickly on concrete.

REI no longer shows the Montrails but they look about the same as the Vasques.

 

[treesandsurf]

Anyone have experience using the asolo mountaineering boots for spur work; seems they would be more sturdy and comfortable while standing on spurs?

Greg, I get about a year to a year and half out of a pair of asolos. If you buy them at at REI though, you can return them and get a brand new pair for nothing. So I'm on my second pair of asolos from REI now and that was about two years ago.

jp

 

[rumination]

Greg, I get about a year to a year and half out of a pair of asolos. If you buy them at at REI though, you can return them and get a brand new pair for nothing. So I'm on my second pair of asolos from REI now and that was about two years ago.

jp

Oh sure, but that would make you a Pious REI Weekend Warrior.

 

[treesandsurf]

Haha, busted.

jp