Just thought I would share some feedback with window/gutter cleaning footwear that I have used. It may seem trivial, but I firmly believe that if you are working on ladders and at heights, the proper footwear could literally save your life.
And it’s mainly about having the right soles.
For the last year, I have been alternating between my Vans skate shoes and my Thoroughgood roofing boots.
The roofing boots have better traction on ladders and roofs, but they are heavy and hot during the summer which is why I broke out the skate shoes June-August.
However, as I am approaching middle age I am realizing that my arches need more support than the skate shoes can provide so I am going to just suck it up when it starts getting hot and pools of sweat start building up in my boots… or I am going to go to a cobber shop and have them slap on a vibram cristy sole on a pair of jungle boots.
These soles have more than paid for themselves with the added efficiency they have given me. Today, I was walking on some pretty steep roofs with my backpack blower cleaning out gutters in 1/4 of the time it would take me if I had to ladder up and clean them by hand. Not only could I clean the gutters faster, but I could also blow all the branches and debris off the roof from the recent storms.
I tried to use my skate shoes last fall for those same properties, but found myself slipping several times and had to resort to climbing and reposition, climb and reposition - which wasted a lot of time.
Does anyone else out there use these boots or other boots with a cristy sole?
Rockin the same pair, I love the sole but they are not very comfortable and blistered my feet all up. I have a bunch of new calluses from them, so I was a bit bummed out since the soles feel great for ladder work and all.
Recently switched back to my timberlands and the comfort was night and day.
I never had a problem with them. Maybe they were too big or something. I wear all day almost every day. I ended up putting a DR. Sholes insole pad to soften up the inside, but I do that on most of my shoes after I break em down. They get wet everyday and keep on ticking. Every couple months I rub in leather cream to keep em from cracking. The ones I bought did not have the stitching around the toe. They have a smooth toe.
When I worked on the road last year doing security installation I spent 6 to 8 hours a day on a ladder. I found that boots with a steel shank in sole worked best for me. Sometimes I would be on a ladder for 3 hours straight.
Merrells are nice boots, they have good rubber. Traction depends on the surface. If you are in soft muddy terrain, Jungle boots with hard rubber is great. The same boots will have you slipping all over the place on hard surfaces.
Some people feel that a heel is necessary for ladder work, but I have never had my feet slip with the Vibram Cristy sole. I think the Die Hards have a similar sole. The only drawback to those whites soles is they wear out quickly.
The other drawback to the boots is the weight, and the heat during summer.
Can someone please make me a skate shoe with a steel shank.
Love my merrells, but just picked up a pair of Simms Pursuit gtx from bass pro. On super sale and are giving the merrells a run for their money. Stiff sole, great traction and waterproof. Who would have thunk a shoe made for fly fishing would work so well…Forgot to mention they run a half size smaller than most shoes though.
I am realizing that my arches need more support than the skate shoes can provide so I am going to just suck it up when it starts getting hot and pools of sweat start building up in my boots… or I am going to go to a cobber shop and have them slap on a vibram cristy sole on a pair of jungle boots.
