Throwing footwear

[Alan H]

I've noticed that I wobble around a bit when I get the hammer up and rollin' but I knew I wasn't gonna to make a pair of "blades". fuhgeddit...

So instead I went to the local sporting goods store and picked up a pair of relatively high-top( about 3/4 top) general-purpose turf (soccer, baseball) cleats. They were less than $20, and first quality...just a three-year old model.

Any comments from throwers on using these while throwing hammer and caber on the grass?

[SnakeEyes]

I thought this was going to be a thread about tossing shoes at eachother...

[Fearnest]

I thought this was going to be a thread about tossing shoes at eachother...

Yep, just like the "Kilts in Heat" thread on another forum...

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, PLEASE!!!

;)

[beloitpiper]

I'd recommend Football (American football) cleats. They have toe picks which are good for when you're hoisting up the caber.

[Yaish]

Soccer cleats. They give me good grip on grass but dont lock me completely in so I can still move when I spin. I might make some hammer boots eventually, but in the meantime the cleats give me good lateral stability even then.

Some advice for anyone who plans on picking the caber in inclement weather - get cleats. Twice now, once on grass and once in mud I almost had my feet go out from under me while carrying the caber. Believe me, the last thing you want to see is a 16 foot long, 120 lb log falling down on top of you.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...Some advice for anyone who plans on picking the caber in inclement weather - get cleats. Twice now, once on grass and once in mud I almost had my feet go out from under me while carrying the caber. Believe me, the last thing you want to see is a 16 foot long, 120 lb log falling down on top of you.

Saw this twice at the Gatlinburg games last year. I don't know how the gents throwing got away unscathed! Muddy ground and both slid at the end and ended up on their a$$e$ with the caber in the air centered between their outstretched legs! I thought they would be singing sopran for sure! Luckily the caber had enough momentum to continue forward and they were OK. Broke 2 cabers though!

[beowulf67]

Saw this twice at the Gatlinburg games last year. I don't know how the gents throwing got away unscathed! Muddy ground and both slid at the end and ended up on their a$$e$ with the caber in the air centered between their outstretched legs! I thought they would be singing sopran for sure! Luckily the caber had enough momentum to continue forward and they were OK. Broke 2 cabers though!

It was the same guy both times. His name's Mike, but I don't remember his last name right off. He said it's amazing how much strength you have to push the caber away when it's dropping towards you!

Did you compete there, KCW? Are you going back this year?

[Barclay]

I use soccer cleats and they work brilliantly in mud or wet turf, as well as dry turf.

[TimC]

Alan,

I used my soccer cleats the last time I went out to throw and felt very comfortable and had great footing.

-Tim

[N. Campbell]

I wear blades for the hammer. They give me better balance and grip.
For all other events I wear a pair of Adidas baseball cleats, that allow you to adjust the cleat pattern to suit your needs. Or you can remove all the cleats and you have a turf shoe.