Review of cheap Amazon Tree Climbing Spikes / Spurs

[@TheSideLineLinemen]

I can tell no experience climbing but I’m glad he’s figuring it out he seems like a legit dude gotta love ‘em

[@michaelwest7649]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have the exact pair of spikes and tried them out today. (I realize you returned them. This is for the next person.) The spikes should be on the inside of your legs. You should have them oriented where the circle is behind the spikes towards the back. Yes, you can put them on the wrong legs and they seem correct. The red straps are for your shin area below the plastic. I doubled up the long brown straps and looped through the circle and under the "L hook". I tied them like I would my shoes. This is to prevent the "shoe" for dropping due to gravity. (This is the poorest part of the design. A quick release type of strap would have been nice. Let's remember, you get what you pay for.) I would not recommend these. I don't return anything. Final thought: If you have a telephone pole near you, practice on that. It's not easy climbing trees with spikes right out of the gate.

[@leonportelance9613]

Yes indeed I bought the same junk...the pain. Kick like a bowl legged cowboy to get them to dig in and fight each step toget the out; kicked out a few times once completely; owe. My boots were in great shape when I started, trash when I was done; for 1 tree.

[@bibleaday154]

Wow. I had these in my future cart. I am so glad I saw this. Thanks.

[@jerrym.2648]

I just purchased these to climb a tree half as wide as the one shown here which had thin slick bark. I found it impossible to climb as the spikes kept slipping. I was afraid that when I had all my weight on the right leg it was going to slip over and puncture into my left calf while I slipped/fell down the tree. When I briefly got both leg spikes into the tree it felt quite precarious as I strenuously struggled to stay in place against my sway to advance the harness loop up the tree. I don't recall much pain. I had the braces adjusted to go further up toward my knees though. Also I have a 38 inch waist and barely got the strap to go through the buckle.

[@CrazyDelanaCat]

I have the same spikes and used them today for my first time. My result was pretty much the same. The belt and slap line were great, but spikes were uncomfortable. It would be hard to wear them sawing a tree for an extended period.

[@chiliewhilie84]

I climbed 2 palm trees with these exact spurs and the metal bar bent on me. I wish i could post a pic

[@waltercastro2015]

As soon he said zip tie. I said "that is death"

[@foreclosurecleanout6776]

I just got mine and got 4 ft up a palm. They were digging in my legs and had hell getting spikes out the tree. they were made for short lil Chinese feet. And got no directions. I will never use them again. The only thing i found was good. was harness and a ladder. That way I can go up put my rope around the tree and lean back. using a pole saw. that worked.

[@capttaylor03]

Glad someone else had the same experience!!

[@elizaehrlich]

I can't afford the professional tree gaffs yet (they range from 300-800USD) so that's what been doing: I have a saddle harnass and a flipline and I secure a 13 feet telescopic ladder 🪜 straight against the trunk. So far I've managed to cut three 20-25 feet trees that way.

[@realgmaster]

Great Review! You are a life safer since I was contemplating trying these out for some DIY tree pruning. Your effort convinced me not to get these and potentially tire myself out and make mistakes. By the way, did you get the harness and flip line from amazon as well?

[@capttaylor03]

Here is what I ordered from Amazon. Harness: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0746GJZMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 flip line: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SN3NFFK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1 spikes: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QPL4P54/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 helmet: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D7JF2J8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 hand saw: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RD7LRO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@andycapp8843]

I too was caught in the Chinese torture trap and foolishly bought these spurs or gaffs as some call them. The quality control is typical of some Chinese companies in that, every day is Friday afternoon at 4.30pm, production deadline hasn’t been met and we’ll lose our jobs if we don’t meet the target by 5.00pm. The sharp edges of the steel cut into straps like a samurai sword beheads the enemy. The plate on the foot prevents the gaff seating snugly into the boot heel and as the shank was designed to fit a 5’ Asian climber with a 26” inside leg measurement the result is a a spur that wobbles far better than a strawberry jelly. The shank is far too short. Those tie wraps rub against the metal and break with irritating regularity. The pointy bits on the pair I bought were singular and far too short also, however on the plus side, the frequent slips makes you adapt at recovery. When you wear these contraptions, you most certainly walk like John Wayne, when you take them off after 15 minutes climbing, the pain in both legs is so severe the John Wayne gait continues until you reach a chair and beg first aid. No matter how secure you make the spurs attach to your boot and leg, after 5 minutes they become loose and when 40’ into a tree it makes life very exciting indeed. After one attempt to use these gin traps I ordered their replacements. Whilst the replacements were in transit I did everything possible to improve the things to no avail. In the very short time I used these implements of torture, one spike impaired itself into the bark of an alder tree and was intent on staying where it was. It was quite unnerving trying to dislodge the thing when it was flopping around like a drunk trying to find the ground with his foot. The more you struggle, the deeper the spur on the other foot digs in. Now you have a real problem. They are an incredibly good reminder that China still produces cheap rubbish and that is what they are….cheap rubbish. That said Chinese engineering has improved dramatically, I have many power tools that are serving me well, including a stump grinder and a chipper but these cheap leg contraptions have the potential to harm.

[@0ptimal]

😆

[@rosesnook8501]

I'd like to thank you for ur insightful review . It caused me to pay close attention to the dimensions they post on these climbers . I found 2 size selections on ebay . One was about 4 inches wide fitting for boot , the other choice is 5 inches . I measured the width on my shoe at the middle where it sits in the climber and it was 5 inches . I got them in the mail today and they fit perfectly . I do suggest people paying close attention to the measurements they post , usually in their images they post . I will totally discredit the whole package kit you bought though based on a few safety reasons . 1st the lap harness alone , people have flipped out of . There's no cushioning in the strapping for fall arrest so you will snap bones and then fall out. I didn't recall a fall arrest dorsal D-Ring on the back ( comes on top section for full body harness ) to hook your lanyard to . I don't recall a safety weight on this item that falls within the typical Americans body weight ; or around 200 pounds . I did a lot of research and concluded ; The climbers seem to be a descent buy , just pay attention to the measurement choices . Vevor body harness is tested ( ur life's at risk , spend the $60 ) and covers I think up to 310 pounds , best buy I found with credible credentials. Safety lanyard is a toss between KwikSet / Vevor , they're both reputable , well made , good pricing with close specifications but Kwikset had a little bit better spec .. Hope it helps someone, thanks for ur help ! ~D.P.

[@ajuber876]

This kit was made for small to medium size people, not this 200 lbs beast of a man

[@yishaithegift9953]

This is exactly how I looked climbing with spikes for the first time. Definitely not as easy as it looks.

[@pureblood1]

Thank you sir for doing this review I just bought and received the same Spurs I just turned 56 day after Christmas I done this type of work for a couple of years when I was 18 and 19 and the girl I was engaged to was killed in a car wreck so my life took a change for the worse but anyway I'm so glad you've done this review and now at least I know a little bit after reading the comments and watching you about how they work there nothing like the Spurs we had when I was doing tree work when I was a young man 1984 + 85 also I see you was in the Air Force thank you sir for your service to our great country which I'm scared that we are losing rapidly

[@16cdmonster]

I do tree work. Reading the comments and seeing how many people have these.. scares me. These are extremely dangerous and very unsafe. Buy yourself a real pair of spurs.

[@capttaylor03]

I agree!

[@msphil211]

Dang! I wish that I would have seen your video before I got these same spikes… I also had the same results to where I way halfway up a tree and lost trust in them. The top of the blue thin pad plastic leg support was constantly digging into my shin/ calf area. Also didn’t like the spikes being down pass your foot… made even more awkward walk in them. Going to return these and buy the leather ones with the gaffe/ spike above the arch of the foot and have the top buckle just below the knee.

[@wandango5913]

I bought the same and after using for 20mins my calves were sore, the arches of my feet are both aching 3 days later

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥 I’ve noticed that all of the top pro climbing spikes only have 1 spur and those have 2 🤟🏼

[@eldoradowoodcrafthobbies3888]

You would be a fun neighbor Cap; I believe I’m to old yet went to robe walking and love it. I was a lineman in my youth and alway in love with the idea of transition to tree climbing as a sport. Tree spikes are painful on my skin and brittle bones.

[@capttaylor03]

I feel your pain!!

[@ericgansauer708]

Get a foot ascender, a knee ascendrr and a rated tree climbing rope. Learn a few friction knots. You will feel much more secure and you won't damage the tree.

[@nickward5384]

I like your thoughts but putting newbies onto SRT and giving them a bunch of ascenders is asking for an accident. I like starting off newbies on closed system Blakes hitch

[@derby9175]

Well god damn thanks to you I didn’t hit purchase. Didn’t even notice the zip ties

[@tomhollingsworth9328]

Climbing with spikes is not an easy thing to do in the first place, and these are not $500 spikes either. Having said that a homeowner isn't doing it all day every day, I could see adding some customizing to increase the calf plate area for better support. The important thing I heard was that the spikes held good.

[@Sethhaun78]

You could just get set of kleins with any pad variations..like 300 .00 to 350

[@rakjy5628]

i have the same and they work. i use a heavy gortex gloves by the heel to keep the straps away from the skin

[@maxedoutanimations9936]

do you think it would work to use those spikes and hand claws? because that sounds very intriguing to me but do you think that it would be possible?

[@andrewriley5472]

I climbed about 10ft today in these and tennis shoes. I had a slip out. Didn’t feel so good. I’m in the same boat learning to climb. I used a 3/4” Hd rope as a lanyard (flip line) just to play around with but same issue with these as well. I’m goin to order some evokes or greccos

[@capttaylor03]

Yeah, sometimes we have to pay for quality. But we never know until we try. That what's great about KZbin reviews!! Glad you came to the same conclusion.

[@manjichromagnon5480]

2 spikes per spur is daft and they aren't shaped like a scoop to dig in. A spike can tear and slip.

[@santhoshsathya1654]

What price

[@jeremiahjohnson7109]

I going to have the second that one. Those spikes are bent for climbing up bamboo. The whole thing seems dangerous to me that stuff is complete garbage and you get what you pay for so be careful.

[@valeriofrego5817]

Signore le auguro una buona giornata, mi fa piacere vedere che non cammina con i ramponi equipaggiati , in altri video ho visto l incompetenza raggiungere la luna , il fatto che siano saldi allo scarpone è un bene ho diversi ramponi un paio in particolare tutt' altro che economico va registrato almeno due volte prima di iniziare, felicissimo che utilizzi una corda anti taglio questo da una molteplice garanzia, le consiglierei dei ramponi che sono una ottima via di mezzo ( molto comodi ) le auguro tante altre avventure in sicurezza con l arboricoltura ❤

[@itsjohnny497]

You needed more padding that’s all. I would have put piece of foam pad for added comfort.

[@AlexThegoat414]

While using the same spikes today the lower strap on my right foot broke while I was 25ft up in a tree luckily It was a small enough tree I could just slide down. DO NOT BY THESE SPIKES!

[@suziehartwright]

Thanks! 😉👍

[@backwardsrun]

Haha I have the exact same issue with them being uncomfortable I watched your video now I just know that that's how they feel for everyone I'm just going to wear my dirt bike boots when I use them

[@kg4hlz]

I got mine in. Same result. They are built so poorly that I think they are dangerous.

[@stephenrobinson478]

lets be honest these things are crap and should not be allowed for sale

[@rpbishop3079]

Gaffs are designed for supportive “climbing” boots to avoid the problem you’re having. Gaffing is unique with a steep learning curve and technique. Needed to keep from gaffing out at while at a high elevation. The last thing you want is a chest full of splinters. I was taught back in the eighties and climbed for years. You’re obviously in no condition to be climbing, and without a little conditioning “you will get hurt”. I’m 74, with a heart disease and cancer, and I still climb. But with a big advantage, I’ve been trained. If your serious, start doing a little jogging, a lot of squats, and maybe some jumping jacks. Then get some instruction to keep you out of the hospital. Send that crap back to Amazon, and at least take a look at Klein or Buckingham gaffs to see what the pro’s use. Another very important point, ( tree climbing gaff shanks are designed longer than pole climbers ) so as to pierce the tree bark. Good luck, and climb safe!

[@whitescreen1031]

Agree. Some tools are meant to supplement skills, and skills are honed overtime though practice and training. Don't blame those tools when you are not fit and/or don't know how to use them.

[@user-bentonglandscape]

Good

[@chrisfoxworth2494]

the difference between proferssional spurs and those is that you are litterally walking on the spikes themselves to get to the tree so you are dulling them before you use them. dull spikes are dangerious you can kick out and go sliding 70 feet to the bottom those people dont know what they are doing when they make and sell cheap stuff at least copy a designer like they always do. I've ordered some evokes but that chancing it.

[@AssafLevyIL]

Those zip ties are bomber

[@mainchef5240]

better to diy this thing

[@0ptimal]

They ways make sht just crappy enough to sell

[@RandyWatson80]

You’re sitting back wash too much