Cast Aluminum Climber Pads

Cast aluminum climber pads use a rigid cast aluminum support to hold your spur shank in line with your leg. They are a stiff, lightweight option for climbers who want more support than simple strap pads.

How these pads work

A pad's job is to connect the spur to your leg so your weight goes straight down the shank. Rigid cast aluminum supports resist twisting better than soft straps, so the gaff stays at the correct angle to the trunk and you waste less energy fighting the spur.

Aluminum keeps the weight down compared with steel supports. The trade-off is stiffness: some climbers love the locked-in feel, while others prefer softer wraps.

Pads also wear in ways that are easy to miss. Padding compresses, straps stretch, and hook-and-loop loses its grip as it fills with bark dust. A pad that lets the shank wobble makes every step harder and can let a gaff cut out, so replace pads before they are completely worn out rather than after.

Fitting and inspection

Confirm the pads fit your climber shanks before you order; mounting slots, straps, and hardware vary between spur makers. Fit them to the shank so the top of the pad sits just below the knee, and tighten the straps snugly without cutting off circulation. Compare other climber pads if you want more or less support.

Check straps, buckles, and stitching every time you put the spurs on, and replace worn parts promptly. Spurs are for removals and trees that are coming down, not for pruning, and climbers should be trained before using them.