What kind of boots?

[UrbanLogger]

I recently posted that I've been rope climbing more, however I still climb with spurs alot (for removal only - the bulk of our work). I have always worn Redwing linemans boots with a steel shank and toe. I'm in need of some new boots and Wesco was highly recommended to me. but they offer a ton of differnt types. I know I want a climbing boot for when I climb with gaffs, but will this boot still be what I want for rope climbing. Also I'm leaning toward a #100 Vibram sole, but that doesn't come with a steel side plate how many of you guys use or prefer a steel side plate on your climbing boots? I guess my question is what kinds of boots do you use/prefer?

 

[Jumper]

Viberg Lineman here.

 

[Jumper]

System not allowing me to edit.. VIBERG.

Also do a search this topic has been discussed before.

 

[yooper]

check out www.sportsmanguide.com. I bye all my boots through them and have always been satisfied! bought a pair of 16 in.guidegear logger boots through them 3 yrs ago have worn them almost every day climbing (not winter) and they are still comfy and ya cant beat the price anywhere
They also have good ammo prices.

 

[Dave]

I've worn 5 or 6 different styles of Wescos and my favorite is the 10 inch lace-to toe Highliner with the #100 sole. You can spend all day on gaffs and feel fresh as a daisy when you come down. Not the best for footlocking but you can get the hang of it, just have to squeeze the line a little tighter. Steel sideplates only matter if you are climbing phone poles full of nails.

 

[Davey Dog]

I have tried Redwings...They are JUNK......

I have tried Baileys and Red Dawgs.....Not comfy and dont last....

I am on my 2nd set of Wescos at the moment...They are DAMN GOOD...

I also have 2 sets of Whites .. 1 pair of smoke jumpers and 1 pair of spiked loggers..... They are DAMN GOOD

Dont waste your money on cheap boots...They dont last and they are really hard on your feet..... Here are some pics of 1 pair of Wescos... These are the boots I wear every day for work... 14" lace to toe..#100 Vibram sole.

 

[Davey Dog]

Forgot one sorry.... Hoffmans makes a good boot also that is a little bit less money then Whites or Wescos.....

 

[Fumbler]

I use a pair of Nick's Foresters because that's what the state bought me.
I have owned Chippawa boots and those were complete junk due to the flexible midsoles, cheap thin leather, and overall poor design.
One day I'll buy a pair of custom fitted Nick's Hotshots. If I love the Foresters then the Hotshots must be realllly nice.

Stick with Nick's, White's, or Wesco and you'll be fine.
Make sure you get the right size. I see too many guys walking around with the sides of their feet hanging off the sole because they didn't get the boot wide enough.

 

[Davey Dog]

shucks....I forgot two....sorry all Nicks makes a good boot also....

 

[TreeBarber]

I wear White's Boots made in Spokane WA, the pair I have now have a born on date of 1988. Good boots, custom built to your feet. I have heard good things about Wesco also.

 

[beowulf343]

I've worn 5 or 6 different styles of Wescos and my favorite is the 10 inch lace-to toe Highliner with the #100 sole. You can spend all day on gaffs and feel fresh as a daisy when you come down. Not the best for footlocking but you can get the hang of it, just have to squeeze the line a little tighter. Steel sideplates only matter if you are climbing phone poles full of nails.

Same exact style of boot I've been wearing for 10 years. Love them-very durable, can stand on spikes all day without my feet hurting, have them in my size, and are very comfortable even when they are brand new. If I have to climb a rope, I simply strap on a pantin.

 

[kkottemann]

get a pair of 16" custome fit wesco's for spike work and keep a pair of low heel redwings in the truck for spikeless work. I got the 100 style sole and love em'. My redwings are just about done, so I will be ordering another pair of wesco's for spikeless. They will custom make the boots so you get them how you want them. For spikeless I will order the Jobmaster 10" with two of the heel lifts removed to make the heel a little less intrusive.

 

[JohnH]

I have tried Redwings...They are JUNK......

I have tried Baileys and Red Dawgs.....Not comfy and dont last....

I am on my 2nd set of Wescos at the moment...They are DAMN GOOD...

I also have 2 sets of Whites .. 1 pair of smoke jumpers and 1 pair of spiked loggers..... They are DAMN GOOD

Dont waste your money on cheap boots...They dont last and they are really hard on your feet..... Here are some pics of 1 pair of Wescos... These are the boots I wear every day for work... 14" lace to toe..#100 Vibram sole.

I'll second that . Wescos are by far the best boots made. I get around a year and a half out of a pair of Wescos. my Red Wings would blow apart in 7-9 mounths.

 

[Fumbler]

For those of you with custom fitted boots:
-How much does Wesco charge?
-How big of a difference does custom fitting make?
-Do any of you have flat feet?

 

[JohnH]

I have long narrow feet. No one out there made boots that fit. I had Wesco custom make a set for me and it was like night and day. Right out of the box they fit like a dream. I paid about 325-350 for them. They are worth every penny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fumbler]

I have long narrow feet. No one out there made boots that fit. I had Wesco custom make a set for me and it was like night and day. Right out of the box they fit like a dream. I paid about 325-350 for them. They are worth every penny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That sounds like a deal. Nick's Hotshots are already $400, then an additional $85 for custom fitting.
You can get their Forester boots for $325 and have those custom fitted, but they aren't as rugged as Wesco's lineman boots.

I have wide (EE) forefoots, narrow heels, and my feet aren't as fat as most guys. I know custom fitting will help all these a lot. But...I also have flat feet and I don't know if any of the good boot makers can make boots with posted heels and metatarsal pads.

 

[JohnH]

You will not be dissapointed

 

[Davey Dog]

For those of you with custom fitted boots:
-How much does Wesco charge?
-How big of a difference does custom fitting make?
-Do any of you have flat feet?

I have one set of custom fit Wescos and one off the shelf set also....
They both fit better than anything else I have ever worn.... EXCEPT the Whites.... Whites and Wescos are in the same boat..... They are the best!

I wear my custom Wescos because they fit that much better than the off the shelf boots do. They are like Cadilacs... PLUSH and COMFY..
I keep the off the shelf ones to wear while I have the others rebuilt. I have my boots resoled every year and rebuilt every two to three...

The Whites seem to last a little longer though.. I have hed both pairs for around six years. My smoke jumpers are on one rebuild after a really bad winter...

Nicks are good boots also, but not as good as Whites or Wescos...

My Whites both cost me $385.00, custom fit....

My Wescos cost me $240.00 off the shelf and $350.00 custom fit...

I have very short, wide feet...They are flat as boards... However, Both Whites and Wescos have very high Archs.... I love them. Even with flat feet they really help out. I havent ever had a boot with arch support. It helps out.

Good luck with your boots...... Jeremy

 

[Gologit]

For those of you with custom fitted boots:
-How much does Wesco charge?
-How big of a difference does custom fitting make?
-Do any of you have flat feet?

Check Wesco's website...lots of information there.

 

[Fumbler]

Nicks are good boots also, but not as good as Whites or Wescos...

The NCFS used to get White's, but Nick's has had the contract for the last 6 or 7 years.
The FS used to buy use the Hotshots, but in the last two years they've got us the Foresters. What we've seen is the hotshots hold up a lot better than the Foresters.
My Boss's favorite shoes are his 8 year old White's and says the Hotshots are just as good, but the Foresters are a joke. We end up losing money by going with the cheaper ones because we get them rebuilt more often.