Foot Wear!

[Steve D.]

Hey all! 

 

Need some recommendations (if any out there) on climbing spikes for hiking shoes/boots. Most locations I hunt are steep hillsides or road cuts. I recently used some hiking/snow cleat attachments to my hiking shoes hoping it would give me additional traction on a steep rocky road cut but the stress to the cleat snapped the rubber/metal. Does anyone have any product names they trust when investing in safety gear?

 

My main locations I hunt are Brookville & St. Leon, Indiana.

 

Thanks!!!

[snolly50]

I possess absolutely no experience or education that directly addresses your inquiry. However, that condition has never stopped me from providing an opinion. 

 

From your photo you appear very well-equipped, but a proper foothold is certainly a concern, given the environs you posted. From the photos, it would appear that a randomly placed footstep would most likely land chiefly on stone as opposed to dirt. I would think this would make metal or hard plastic spikes/cleats not utile or even hazard-enhancing. I can envision the spike/cleat simply sliding across the unyielding surface of one of those relatively flat stones, thus ensuing slippage. If I were betting (on my chances of not tumbling down the declivity), I would opt for an ankle covering boot with a textured, rubbery, non-slip sole. The texture might be of benefit as the foot falls at the edge of a stone, while the grippy part will help on the flat surfaces.

 

Good luck, have fun.

[Fossildude19]

I would add to Snolly's advice that you can never go wrong with a steel toed boot of any kind. 

 

[FossilNerd]

+1 for steel toed boots! I hunt steep road cuts in Kentucky. Very similar to your area. Steel toed boots are all I wear.

[TOM BUCKLEY]

I used to do a lot of fly fishing. Some of the rivers I frequented had bottoms made up of very slippery rocks. I would strap "Korkers to the bottom of my wading shoes and never had a problem. Rather than slip on the rocks the metal spikes would dig in. You can look at the LLBean or Orvis websites. To save money, check out Cabella's. Another option is to get boots that are made with the cleats built in. I don't know why your cleat snapped off. I've never had that happen. Hope this helps.

 

Tom