I am sure many people can relate to this, especially early in the game, it happened to me too -- pulling a bit head low, I felt the lines of a deploying parachute brush against my legs and feet. Just slightly. But if I had exposed lace hooks on my boots, there would have been risk of catching a line... which could have then lead to all sort of bad things happen.
There is a video out there (don't have time to look for it, but it should be easy-ish to find) where a dude jumps what looks like Moab, has a cliff strike and as he fights to get off the face, he catches bunch of lines with lace hooks on his boot. This initiates a violent turn and he miraculously lands back-first into a tiny "balcony" on the face. Unharmed (if I remember correctly), but just by sheer luck.
The point is -- it does happen. Lines do get caught by lace hooks.
For this reason, established boot makers, who make shoes for para sports, do not use lace hooks. For example:
You could try e-mailing them about the hooks. They may be interested in making a pair without the hooks and push them to the paragliding, BASE, etc. community
Advice well received. Has anyone used the Aku spider boots? A JTAC para mate put me onto them. He is a non-jumper, so I'd be keen to hear from any jumpers who know the brand or have some personal or even anecdotal info on them. Thanks. Sky GTX Hanwags I have tried to order from Australia through a dealer but had difficulties as is very expensive to get them shipped here. The guy only does limited batch orders a year. So i have been rolling with salomons. With hooks i double cover up every single jump.
I know of shops in both Twin Falls and Riva del Garda that can replace the hooks with eyes (or anything else you want) for less than $20. You're probably better off getting boots that work for your feet, and then replacing the hooks. That's a lot easier than suffering through a poorly fitting boot.
I am sure many people can relate to this, especially early in the game, it happened to me too -- pulling a bit head low, I felt the lines of a deploying parachute brush against my legs and feet. Just slightly. But if I had exposed lace hooks on my boots, there would have been risk of catching a line... which could have then lead to all sort of bad things happen.
There is a video out there (don't have time to look for it, but it should be easy-ish to find) where a dude jumps what looks like Moab, has a cliff strike and as he fights to get off the face, he catches bunch of lines with lace hooks on his boot. This initiates a violent turn and he miraculously lands back-first into a tiny "balcony" on the face. Unharmed (if I remember correctly), but just by sheer luck.
The point is -- it does happen. Lines do get caught by lace hooks.
For this reason, established boot makers, who make shoes for para sports, do not use lace hooks. For example:
Have you considered 510 MTB shoes/boots? I'm a fellow Aussie, know all about shitty landing areas and that boots like that weigh a tonne. I run the MTB low shoes and they are the shit. Ample protection for late flares onto boulders. I know one person who copped a hairline fracture to his tibia with boots like that. The sole is usually thick, but very firm. In my opinion, it simply transferred the shock to his leg. I've pounded in before and only sustained a badly bruised heel. Food for thought.
Yes I had a pair once, were great. I appreciate all the tips from everyone. Just at the point of new boots and keen to try something in the Aku range. I'll buy some and post something about them here
*I have no affiliation with AKU and paid for these boots myself*
Initial impressions:
Look and feel is high quality. The fit is snug and comfortable. Grip feels good. They feel a little narrow as i have wide feet. Walking around in them feels great and they feel natural running. These boots breathe well. The ankle bones on the sides are protected. The cut out at rear allows for foot tilt. No hooks! :) I paid $279 Australian dollars. More to follow after i jump them this week.
(This post was edited by diver1 on Mar 12, 2019, 4:31 AM)
SmartSelect_20190311-172538_WhatsApp.jpg
