boot studs

[Kodiakmac]

Used logger's corks (caulks) back in the early 70s in McBride BC area.  Didn't use them much.  Although they had some value if you were falling (we didn't call it felling back then, city folks came along and told us we were saying it wrong) and trotting along the trunk to limb, they were no good if you were also running skidders or cats...slippery as heck.

For some reason early or late season snow seemed to like sticking to the cleats, to the point that you'd have an inch or snow of snow gummed up on the soles.  Haven't used them since.  I just look for boots that have a relatively soft sole compound with wide pyramid-like openings in the treads so that snow/mud can be knocked out with a side-ways kick against something.

Got a pair of "WorkPro" right now that seem to do the trick...heavy as hell, but they're good and wide and have warm thermolite liners.  Had them on yesterday morning on the skidder in - 23 C and they were still gripping okay because the sole is soft enough.   

[SwampDonkey]

Red Wings fit that bill with their soft soles. But, avoid hard soles in this climate. I had a pair of hard soles and it was horrible trying to walk on winter logging roads and yards. My feet went in all directions as if I was on ice. As fair as caulks snowing up, I have never seen that. I worked in wet snow and dry. However, any boot will ball up if your walking on partial frozen ground in late fall where your boot steps in a wet spot, then in the dry cold snow. I can imagine trying to wear caulks and driving skidder, that ain't going to work, neither will studs. 

[timberfaller390]

zack are you talking about caulk boots or something else. It sounts like you had some kind of do-it-yourself caulks. Is that right?

[zackman1801]

yes and no i have a pair of husqvarna boots, the orange rubber ones, and they sell some studs that you are supposed to put in them with a allen wrench looking tool, but it works like crap, the holes are about the size of a pinhole and the studs are about the size of a pellet for a pellet gun (look similar too) you are supposed to shove the studs in a be done, but as you walk they bend forward and dislodge themselves. although these arent anything that i could have dreampt up.

[SwampDonkey]

Is one end of the stud your inserting bigger (larger diameter) than the other? I guess there is no way to get the wrong end in because they fit that wrench. If your going to wear studs all the time, might as well get caulks and be done with it. You can get the same boot with the caulk soles. Caulks screw in on a  thread.

[arojay]

Baileys has a high top, lace up, pack boot that can be had with caulks.  They are kind of like a winter Viberg boot.  I have leather Vibergs and they are good boots.  I have been using Husqvarna caulks for a few years.  I am hand felling(falling) and line skidding and the caulks are good when on the ground and not so good when on the skidder.  As they dull a little they are better on steel.  Probably the greatest advantage for me is when I'm hauling out mainline.

[timberfaller390]

If your going to wear studs all the time, might as well get caulks and be done with it. You can get the same boot with the caulk soles. Caulks screw in on a  thread.

I agree if you need more traction, get a pair of caulk boots and don't wory about the "studs" falling out. I ordered myself a pair of "corks" from Bailey's I'll let you know how I like them as soon as they get here.

[Bret4207]

I have a pair of those Viking Tusks from back when Nokia made them They're the only safety type boot I never had cold feet in. The screw in corks worked good and you could take then out if you wanted to. I did because I couldn't enter any business in town with them on. Flatlanders.

[timberfaller390]

Got my new Red Dawg caulk boots in the mail today. I think I am going to like them but it is going to be a long hard break in. They seem to run a half size large too compaired to the danner firelines I normally wear but I don't think it'll be enough to hurt anything.

[SwampDonkey]

I'd rather have a touch large, than under sized. Cramped feet and blackened toe nails ain't fun. 

[grassfed]

yes and no i have a pair of husqvarna boots, the orange rubber ones, and they sell some studs that you are supposed to put in them with a allen wrench looking tool, but it works like crap, the holes are about the size of a pinhole and the studs are about the size of a pellet for a pellet gun (look similar too) you are supposed to shove the studs in a be done, but as you walk they bend forward and dislodge themselves. although these arent anything that i could have dreampt up.

Spit on them first.

I have changed the studs on my husky boots 3 or 4 times in the last 6 years. If you spit on them to lube them then push them in with the tool, then turn the tool around and push hard on the tip with the flat end of the tool they will seat and will not fall out. You can use rubber tire lube if you want to get fancy.

[zackman1801]

i used soap the other day, but half of em will stay in and the other half fall out....

[chevytaHOE5674]

Spend the cash and get yourself a pair of caulked boots and you will be set.

[zackman1801]

already spent my money on Labonville leather boots. not caulks this winter, but the snow seems to be covering up most of the ice anyways.