Your thoughts on climbing boots.

[bumble B]

What are your thoughts on wearing non protective climbing boots or approach boots when climbing?

 

My thoughts are:

 

1. More choice.

2. Better grip.

3. Better feel when placing your feet.

4. Cheaper. A pair of Sportive Boulders have lasted a year. My boots normally last 6 months before the heels crack and disintegrate.

 

For me I prefer approach boots in the tree and on the ground. I understand HSE have their thoughts.

[Steve Bullman]

They are great for climbing. With the new stein boots you have something inbetween though, Nice soft light boots which also have protection(minus the toecap)

[NickinMids]

They are great for climbing. With the new stein boots you have something inbetween though, Nice soft light boots which also have protection(minus the toecap)

 

Have you got a link plz

[Steve Bullman]

STEIN Worldwide

 

I've been wearing these 2 years now and they are great

[kev7937]

STEIN Worldwide

 

I've been wearing these 2 years now and they are great

 

 

 

Same pair ?

[Steve Bullman]

Yes. I wear them a lot when out with the kids for activities etc, very comfy boots

[kev7937]

Thanks 2yrs is pretty good if its not light use.

[Steve Bullman]

They are starting to go on the top of one of the toes, will need to replace them soonish

[kev7937]

They are starting to go on the top of one of the toes, will need to replace them soonish

 

Ha ha, bet you've got a cupboard full of freebies somewhere.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

My thoughts, at risk of courting controversy, are that it would probably need a particularly careless / clumsy operator to necessitate type C trs and protective boots for every job and that there will be occasions where the PPE is more likely to be a contributory factor in an accident.

 

Isn't it possible that wrapping yourself up in protective equipment and insuring against every possible eventuality is likely to lessen the personal attention and focus on doing things safely?

 

Example - hot summer day, type C trs, sweating and not re-hydrating properly = earlier onset of fatigue, greater chance of mishap.

 

Yes of course it's all manageable, start earlier, more breaks, remember to rehydrate but these are all consequences of 'having' to wear the PPE not examples of how the PPE may make the job safer.

 

So in a straight forward climbing task how often are climbers really reaching down at such awkward angles as to necessitate type C trs?

 

I wouldn't ask someone else to discard their PPE, but I have no problem doing it myself when I think it's appropriate.