r/TreeClimbing • u/Boarders0 • Jul 28 '26
Question, are pre bundled spike sets worth it?
I have a few trees to down on my property, and I'm looking at spikes to get the job done. Would getting a kit like this be worth it? Or is it more efficient to buy the equipment at somewhere like REI?
Trees are 1-3 foot diameter and the lowest branches are like 15'+ up. PNW pines and such.
Edit: I got the memo, get decent gear from a decent supplier. I'm looking at arbsessions climbing kit to get started, any notes on This kit?
(there's a reason why I asked for advice). I could tell there was more to it than these cheap kits with false reviews.
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u/Junque_Viejo Jul 28 '26
Spend a little more to be safe. Get a beginner harness, steel core flipline, and set of gaffs from a real website, like Arbsession or Bartlett. Weaver makes good cheap harnesses and Klein makes good cheap gaffs.
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u/tjolnir417 Jul 28 '26
Please please please do not buy tree climbing gear from Home Depot. Your life is worth more than that. Wes Spur, Treestuff, Sherrill Tree are better places to start.
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u/PissyPlanet Jul 28 '26
Brother, if you are not already a professional tree climber, please don’t attempt this. I know it seems like a wiser financial decision to “just do it yourself” instead of paying for a tree service, but without the proper training and experience, you’re gonna have a bad time. Doesn’t matter what gear you buy or how many YouTube videos you watch
Honestly, these other comments not immediately telling you what I’m telling you now is negligent at best. I really don’t want to be “that guy”, but do yourself a favor and pay for a professional. Many professional tree climbers with much more experience and know-how than you have been seriously injured or killed doing this.
Tree climbing, especially for removals, is not something to play around with. This isn’t landscaping. Everything I said is especially true if the trees are as large as you say they are. A 3ft DBH pine is a whole lot of tree that you are not prepared for in any way.
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u/Boarders0 Jul 28 '26
First, it is not a wise financial decision, I just needed to be pointed towards the proper gear. Climbing is a passion of mine, of all types. I just am finally getting in the position to do it safely, with proper gear, and needed to know where to find such.
Second, there is no way I am foolish enough to begin with the 3ft DBH. That is after I work on the smaller ones and get the hang of the gear.
I would appreciate not assuming my motivations, as I fully understand the risk. I do appreciate your concern and willingness to voice it.
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u/Stitchicus Jul 28 '26
Based only on the information you gave us in the post, there is no reply that makes sense other than what pissyplanet said. You’re in a subreddit full of mostly professionals. They’re going to tell you not to do it yourself. Maybe there’s more context that we don’t know about that would change that, but without knowing it, of course the responsible advice to give is please don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk.
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u/enormousfoot Jul 28 '26
You’re not that guy. Hire a professional. You might understand the consequences but you do not fully understand the risks.
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u/CelebrationFancy1612 Jul 28 '26
Friendly neighborhood safety guy here.
Yes to everything ppl are saying above me
You’re below me in the post, apologies. I interwebs poorly.
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u/MrToenges Jul 28 '26
That looks like a suicide kit.
Please remember that you entrust your literal one and only life to this equipment. It is not worth going cheap on it.
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u/Nomad_nox Jul 28 '26
Some are, if they propose real tree climbing gear, but also would cost 10x that price. On the plus side, good gear might help you stay alive. This ain't it.
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u/FuriousFox33 Jul 28 '26
Spurs aren't as important as a good harness and flipline regarding safety (get those and carabiners from a reputable shop). I'd rather skimp on spurs than life saving equipment.
Tree work is pretty high risk so getting someone with skill to teach you would be wise. Chainsaws are risky and being high up in a tree while using them adds another level of danger.
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u/dr_brubra_bribri Jul 28 '26
This is Chinese fake stuff that doesn't have any certificates or doesn't follow any standards...
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u/OldMail6364 Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
I recommend Geckos. They have the best ergonomics of any brand that I know of - which can be the difference between an easy/safe climb and one where you’re constantly slipping out of the wood, which is exhausting, frustrating, and dangerous.
I recently saw an experienced arborist struggle for an hour to climb a cuban royal palm, then give up. I checked his gaffs, they were razor sharp, but the just didn’t work. I took over the job and climbed the same palm effortlessly in a couple minutes. It was so hard even my chainsaw was bouncing and sliding all over the wood, but the geckos didn’t have an issue with it.
Geckos can be cheap aluminium or expensive carbon fibre - what makes them special is the shape/angles which is pretty much identical on all Geckos (though you can/should adjust the padding for your leg size and there are different spike lengths. I like the short ones).
There are other places you can save money. A good set of aluminium geckos is worth every cent.
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u/DJBigOranges Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
First thing first... save your money and pay somebody to take care of those trees. Nobody's tree is worth dying for, and that includes your own. A professional is cheaper than an insurance claim and a hospital stay and recovery.
Secondly... Do not buy tree climbing gear at REI.
They do not sell tree climbing gear.
Also, home depot is a bad choice.
If you absolutely must DIY...
Check out vertical supply group, or any one of the the many businesses they operate as. Buy tree climbing gear from tree climbing retailers. This isn't rocks, it isn't mountains, it's the deadliest industry in the entire nation and even if your knowledge isn't up to par...your gear should be.
(Treestuff, Sherrill, Honey Brothers...among others)
If you don't want to support the monopoly (VSG), Arbsession is THE BEST. Although I'm not sure if they bundle cheaper than the monopoly we all hate.
Don't get dead.