The climbing shoe is the piece of equipment that arborists replace most often and think about least. It sits between you and both the trunk and the spikes on your climbing irons, and the wrong shoe makes an entire workday heavier on your legs. This guide goes through the difference between climbing shoes and chainsaw protective boots, what to look for, and which models we sell the most of right now.
Climbing shoes and chainsaw protective boots do two different jobs
Many confuse the two. A climbing shoe is built for efficient climbing: low weight, a soft sole with good feel against the bark, and an upper that can withstand abrasion against ropes and the trunk. A chainsaw protective boot is something else. It has integrated cut protection designed to stop a chainsaw chain, usually a toe cap, and weighs significantly more.
The point is simple. If you are climbing a tree with a hand saw or handling branches without a chainsaw, you want a pure climbing shoe. If you are on the ground cutting with a chainsaw, or climbing with a chainsaw in hand, you need chainsaw protection on your feet. Climbing in a heavy chainsaw boot is possible, but it takes a toll on your legs and reduces the feel against the trunk. Cutting on the ground in a light climbing shoe without cut protection, however, is a risk you should not take.
What a climbing shoe for tree work should be able to do
A good climbing shoe for arborists has some common characteristics. The sole should be stiff enough in the middle to stand steadily on a branch or climbing iron, but soft enough at the front so you can feel where you place your foot. The grip should bite on both dry bark and wet wood. The upper needs to withstand rubbing against ropes and the trunk day after day, and most people want a waterproof membrane as Swedish trees are rarely dry.
Weight plays a bigger role than one might think. Every hectogram you lift with your foot hundreds of times a day will be felt in your calves by the afternoon. At the same time, the shoe must not become so thin that it lacks support. This balance distinguishes a true arborist climbing shoe from a regular hiking or approach shoe.
The fit around the ankle is also important. A climbing shoe should fit tightly enough not to slip when you push against a climbing iron, but not so tight that it chafes when you sit in your harness for a long time. Always try them on with the socks you actually work in.
Three climbing shoes we recommend
We stock several models, but three account for the majority of sales. All three are designed for climbing, not for chainsaw work on the ground. Prices below include VAT.
| Model | Type | Waterproof | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arbpro EVO 2 | Climbing boot, high | Yes | from approx. 2,690 SEK |
| Arbpro NEO | Climbing shoe | Yes | approx. 2,550 SEK |
| Zamberlan TREELOGY GTX | Climbing shoe, GORE-TEX | Yes | approx. 3,300 SEK |
Arbpro EVO 2 is our best-selling climbing boot. It sits high on the ankle, provides good support for climbing irons, and has a sole that grips well on bark. It suits those who climb a lot with spikes and want extra stability.
Arbpro EVO 2
from approx. 2,690 SEK
Our best-selling climbing boot, high on the ankle with stable support for climbing irons and a grip that bites into bark.
View product →Arbpro NEO is slightly lighter and softer, with a waterproof upper and a sole called Limbwalker. It's a good choice for those who move around a lot in the canopy and prioritize feel over maximum stability.
Arbpro NEO
approx. 2,550 SEK
Light and soft with a waterproof upper and Limbwalker sole, built for feel and mobility in the canopy.
View product →Zamberlan TREELOGY GTX is the most premium of the three. It features a GORE-TEX membrane, Italian manufacturing, and soft but durable leather. If you want a shoe that lasts a long time and stays comfortable all day, this is the one we recommend.
Zamberlan TREELOGY GTX
approx. 3,300 SEK
GORE-TEX and Italian manufacturing in soft but durable leather, our choice for those who want all-day comfort.
View product →If you're looking for something lighter and cheaper for ground work and lighter climbing, there's also the Arbortec Ascent Pro (approx. 1,250 SEK), a lower-cut approach shoe. It doesn't offer the same support for climbing irons but works well as an all-around shoe for the worksite.
Chainsaw protective boots for ground work and felling
As soon as a chainsaw is involved, your feet need cut protection. The standard is EN ISO 17249 and classifies shoes into classes according to how fast a chain the material stops. Class 1 withstands 20 m/s and Class 2 withstands 24 m/s. For professional felling, we recommend Class 2.
Zamberlan Logger Pro GTX RR (approx. 4,500 SEK) is a chainsaw protective boot with GORE-TEX as well as cut and puncture protection, built for long days on the ground. Arbpro EVO Safety Boots (approx. 4,200 SEK) provide Class 2 chainsaw protection and combine protection with a more agile fit than many traditional chainsaw boots. Both are available in our chainsaw protective footwear category.
A common mistake is to think that a sturdy climbing shoe with a toe cap also protects against the saw. It does not. Cut protection is an inserted material that slows down the chain, and if it's missing from the shoe, it doesn't matter how robust it looks.
Size, fit and care
Work shoes in this class last a long time if you take care of them. Wipe them down after wet days and let them dry at room temperature, not on a radiator, so the leather lasts longer. Treat leather shoes with wax or impregnation regularly, especially in the seams where water can most easily get in.
Most arborist shoes come in European sizes and fit fairly true to size. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one if you work in thick socks in winter. Shoelaces wear out and can be replaced separately, so don't throw away a pair of shoes just because the laces have broken.
Summary
Choose climbing shoes according to how you actually work. If you climb a lot with spikes, Arbpro EVO 2 is the first choice. If you want low weight and feel, go for Arbpro NEO, and if you are looking for all-day comfort, the Zamberlan TREELOGY GTX is worth its higher price. As soon as the chainsaw is involved, switch to chainsaw protective boots. If you don't know which model suits your climbing, contact us and we will help you choose. The full range can be found in the climbing shoes category, and chainsaw protection for your feet is collected under chainsaw protective boots.