Tree Hog Aluminum Climbers with Soft Cushion Pads

Tree Hog aluminum climbers with soft cushion pads pair light aluminum shanks with soft padded calf pads for climbers who want comfort on long removals. The cushioning helps on all-day spar work, while the aluminum keeps weight down.

Cushion pads or L-pads

Spur pads are mostly about how pressure lands on your calf. Soft cushion pads put a thick layer of padding between the shank and your leg, which many climbers prefer for long days on the spurs. L-pads wrap further around the calf for more lateral support. Both do the same job; it comes down to what feels right on your legs.

Spurs are for removals only. Gaff wounds on a tree you are keeping are an open door for decay. See the other options in our aluminum spurs section.

Soft cushion pads are also a good choice for climbers with sensitive shins or those coming back from leg strain. Try the fit with the boots you actually climb in, since boot height changes where the pad rides on the calf.

Fit and inspection

Adjust shank length so the top sits just below the knee and the stirrup is under your arch. Keep gaffs sharp and correctly profiled following the maker's guidance, and replace them when they wear past the limit. Dull gaffs cause cut-outs.

Inspect before every climb: gaff tightness and condition, shank cracks, strap and buckle wear, and pad attachment. Always climb on spurs with a flipline or lanyard, follow ANSI Z133, and get trained in spur work before you rely on it.