Climbing trees whether for sport or for a living can be a dangerous exercise. This is especially true when climbing tall erect trees whose branches to which you can hold or step on are perhaps a hundred feet or more above the ground. In such cases, you will need all the help you can get. A Climb Right Aluminum Climber Kit with T Pads can certainly give you a lot.

The climber kit consists of a pair of climbing spurs fastened to aluminum shafts that are curved at the bottom. To dig the spurs into the side of the tree, you step on the curved end. At the shafts’ other end are sleeves that are wrapped around your calf.

The aluminum shafts or stirrups are made of two pieces joined together just above the ankle, in a design that is intended to enhance their durability and strength. Both pieces are T6 tempered for strength, while the lower section has the added advantage of being made out of aluminum intended for the aerospace industry. This means that it is extra strong, and that you can be confident, even when standing on it a couple of hundred feet above the ground.

The gaffs are heat-treated to harden them so that they can more easily sink into the tree. They measure 2-5/8 inches, which deliver sufficient support provided they are fully sunk in. In case they are damaged, or lose their sharp edges, they can be replaced.

Once you get to where the branches are and begin stepping on them, the serrated bottom of the stirrups can provide additional traction.

The top sleeve can be adjusted to suit your calf length. You can move it between 15-3/4 to 18-3/4 inches for a perfect fit. Inside the sleeves are leather T pads with a 1/2-inch felt liner for a comfortable wear.

The material often referred to as carbon fiber is actually a composite of a plastic or polymer that is reinforced with carbon or graphite fiber. The plastic used is usually epoxy but it could also be polyester, nylon, or vinyl ester. In any case, the reinforcing carbon or graphite fiber gives the plastic enormous strength without increasing its weight. Weight-to-strength ratio is exceptional that the composite is considered space age material. It is commonly used in building high-end automobiles and Formula One racing cars, airplanes, and expensive bicycles and boats. It is also used in the manufacture of the Gecko Carbon Fiber Climbing Spurs.

The makers of Gecko tree and pole climbing spurs are the first to use carbon fiber reinforced materials for their products. Owing to the carbon fiber’s excellent weight-to-strength ratio, the Gecko spurs are extremely lightweight that, apart from the strap wrapped around your calf, you can barely feel that you have them on. Yet, they are very strong and durable that they can be expected to last a lifetime of climbing trees.

The stirrup, shank, and upper cuff consist of a single solid piece. At the top is a wide and comfortable Velcro strap assuring a secure and tight yet comfortable hold on your leg. A slim upper pad that is breathable and washable cushions your calf against the carbon fiber cuff. The gaff is firmly affixed to the shank. Like the stirrup, shank, and upper cuff, the gaff is also made of carbon fiber and is therefore lighter by more half of the weight of regular gaffs.

The extremely light weight, which is only 3.5 pounds, and comfortable fit of the Gecko Carbon Fiber Climbing Spurs enables you to climb higher and longer without unduly tiring yourself. It comes in four sizes –17, 18, 19, and 20 inches. Your particular size should be measured from the arch of your foot while wearing your climbing boots to the point just below the knob of your knee joint.

Adventurers, sportsmen and women will tell you that the excitement of any activity is directly proportional to the danger involved. That is why they continually seek and perform more and more dangerous stunts. Nevertheless, they also recognize Murphy’s dictum that if anything can go wrong, it will. For this reason, they are not averse to wearing and using protective and assistive gears. This is why motocross racers don helmets and elbow and shin guards, and why tree climbers also have their own helmets and tree spurs, like the Bucklite SPU202 Titanium Tree Spurs.

The Bucklite Titanium Spurs are extremely lightweight weighing in at only 2.4 pounds without the pads and straps, yet it is durable and sturdy. This is because titanium is one of the strongest metals when compared to others pound for pound. Given the same weight, it is almost two times stronger than steel.

This decreased weight greatly helps reduce leg fatigue allowing you to climb higher with lesser breaks. The gaffs measure 2¾ inches and can be replaced in case they are worn down or damaged.

The Bucklite spurs can be paired with any of the pads from Buckingham Manufacturing. These include the Cast Aluminum pads, L pads, T pads, Super Climbers, Stiff Wraps, Ultra Stiff Wraps, and Cushion Wraps.

Except for the Cast Aluminum pads, all others are made of padded and cushioned leather in varying designs, cuts, and widths. Super Climbers and Ultra Stiff Wraps use two belt straps for a more secure hold on your calf. Cushion Wraps, on the other hand, has a Velcro strap.

The Cast Aluminum pads, however, are deemed the “Cadillac Pads” because they provide solid leg support while at the same time keeping you comfortable with its thick foam padding. Being made of aluminum, the pads will not rust and will remain serviceable for a good number of years.

Using materials that resulted from breakthroughs in engineering researches that led to the development of lightweight yet strong materials, the Wolf Claw Pole and Tree Climbing Boot Harness breaks away from traditional steel and leather climbing spurs. These new materials include high impact nylon and chromoly, a steel alloy containing chromium and molybdenum that is substantially harder and stronger than standard steel.

The Wolf Claw consists of a molded nylon shell that envelops the entire calf from right below the knee to the ankle. In terms of keeping the harness straight on the leg, this design beats the older models that have a steel strap on only one side. Pushing the gaff into a pole or tree forces the single-steel-strap harness to rotate. This is because the leather strap in the knee area is not enough to anchor on. You can, of course, tighten this but it can be very uncomfortable.

The nylon shell, on the other hand, provides a better anchor. Support for the force of pushing the gaff against the tree is spread over the whole calf area down to the ankles.
This keeps the harness straight and also distributes pressure over a wider area instead of concentrating it on a narrow one.

Underneath the nylon shell is a padding of neoprene that shields the calf from the hard shell, making it comfortable to wear. There are perforations lined along the height of the shell to allow the flow of air thus keeping your legs cool. Embedded into the shell is the chromoly frame on which the gaff holder is welded. The gaff can be fastened either through bolts or quick-release pins. It is made of heat-treated stainless steel and is guaranteed to remain sharp even after extended use.

The Wolf Claw Pole and Tree Climbing Boot Harness is fully adjustable. All straps and the knee pad can be adjusted to fit snugly for maximum comfort.

While most sports and adventures require a certain amount of effort and even danger, there is nothing that says you cannot make things safer and easier if you can. This is exactly what the Climb Right CTB Quick-Change Aluminum L-Pad Spur Set does to tree climbing.

This Climb Right spur is new for 2010. It is made of an aluminum lower section and is mated to the upright shaft which is also made of aluminum. The latter, however, is of aerospace grade meaning that while it remains lightweight, it offers superior strength and resistance to rust. Both lower section and shaft are tempered to T6 hardness assuring durability. They are joined with solid rivets in stainless steel, and for increased resistance to wear, they are anodized with a clear coating.

The spikes or spurs attached to the lower end of the shafts are made of forged 4340 alloy steel that are quenched and tempered to keep their tips sharp and pointed for easy piercing into the wood. These are 2 5/8 inches long and are fastened to the shaft with two screws. In spite of their tight and secure hold on the shaft, they are easy to remove for a quick replacement in the event that they are damaged or when you need longer models.

The height of the spur shank is adjustable providing a comfortable calf support. For added traction when walking on tree limbs, a grip strip is incorporated. This also serves as a wear strip indicating when to replace your J-hooks. The inverted L pads to which the shanks are attached are soft and comfortable on the legs. They are strapped to the legs with rubber belts that are impregnated with nylon. This makes the belt stronger, lighter, and more resistant to the elements than leather.

It is often difficult to explain why people climb trees for the sake of climbing them. Trying to describe a tree climber’s feeling as he reaches the top is equally taxing. Climbing the tree itself, however, is not that difficult. With all the gears and gadgets developed to assist climbers, tree climbing is a very safe sport that does not require extraordinary strength. Indeed, even children can enjoy it.

Among the different devices designed to assist climbers is the Klein CN1907AR Tree Climber Gaffs. This consists of climber pads, steel sleeves, leg irons, straps, and gaffs. Together, these different components of the CN1907AR help make life easier for the tree climber.

The pad is made of 8″ x 8″ leather of a superior grade which not only makes the climber look attractive but also provides the wearer a comfortable fit. It is also fitted with a cushion for a relaxed wear. It is secured with a strap that is closed with a buckle.

The steel sleeve connecting the leather pad with the leg iron is adjustable in 1/4″ increments, thus making it suitable for climbers of different heights. With this adjustment, the CN1907AR can be as short as 15 or as long as 19 inches.

The sleeve is attached to the leg iron with two slotted hex-head bolts with barrel-type nuts and lock washers firmly securing the two together. The leg iron is contoured in a way that positions the gaff in the best possible angle to break through the tree. Two TORX screws and a center pin fasten the gaff to the leg iron.

The stirrup on which the wearer’s foot rests is wide at approximately 4.5 inches. At the end of the stirrup is a second strap that binds the climber gaff to the ankle. It is made of nylon that is infused with neoprene and is secured in place with a steel split ring.

Featuring quality leather T Pads that are lined with wool which has been felted and compressed to prevent pressure from its shank, the Buckingham Steel Spurs Set with Leather T Pads provides a comfortable wear. This feature is especially appreciated by tree or pole climbers who are just learning the basics of climbing with spurs. Indeed, this set has been designed specifically for them.

The leather T Pads of the Buckingham spurs set secures the flat leg irons that run alongside the inner lower legs and curve to become footrests. At about the level of the foot arches, the gaffs are fastened to the irons by special screws to assure a secure attachment. This design allows the replacement of the gaffs should you wish to switch to a different size or if they are permanently damaged. Available gaff sizes are 2¾ inches for trees and 1¾ inches for poles.

Both the leg irons and the gaffs are made of forged high strength steel thus guaranteeing durability and strength. The shanks of the irons are contoured to avoid the possibility of hitting the anklebone while climbing.

With the included sleeve, the Buckingham Steel Spurs Set with Leather T Pads can be adjusted from a height of 16¼ to 18¾ inches. Optional extra long sleeves are also available. These maximize the height of the spurs set to 21¾ inches.

Other options are footplates which attach to the footrests. These serve as a stable platform for a climber to stand on after an exhausting climb. Bolts screw the plates to the footrests. It has a ridged rubber bottom to prevent slipping. A pair of heel shields for protection against accidental stabbing with the gaffs is also available.

The pair of boots you often see worn by workers climbing wooden utility poles for telephone, telegraph, or electric wires and cables are variously called tree climbers, tree spurs, tree hooks, and tree spikes. There are plenty of such climbers/spikes/spurs with different styles and designs and different brands. One of them is the Gecko II Tree Climber.

The Gecko II is a complete set that includes boots and spikes. The sturdy boots are high, rising up to right below the knee. This is needed to provide additional support for your shin. The leg shanks are made of aluminum alloy resulting to reduced weight. It stretches on the inside of the shin from the about the height of the boots down to its sole. Here it makes a 90° turn to support your instep. This support is designed in a way that it cups the foot arch, thus making it comfortable to step on.

The gaffs or spikes are also made of aluminum alloy that are easily sharpened. They are attached to the leg shanks at about the level of the ankles. These are kicked into the wood to provide a stable anchor as you climb.

A cuff made of fiberglass wraps the upper section of your shin for bracing. A wide cinch strap with Velcro secures the cuff to your leg and keeps it from moving. An inside padding, also attached with Velcro, makes the cuff comfortable to wear. This is removable for easy washing.

An adjustable belt at the ankle further secures the leg shank keeping it from sliding on or slipping from the instep. This can be adjusted from 41 to 48 cm, in increments of 2 cm.