I was on a roof a few weeks back that was steep and nearing end of life.
At no point was I in any danger of falling off as three steep slopes all dropped down into a 4/12 area where I got onto the roof.
Anyway, I climbed to the peak, easy peasy, now getting down I’m skidding and sliding. Again, not worried about coming off…just needed better traction so I bought some Cougar Paws estimators.
I wore them for my Friday inspection and as expected, really give a nice traction. I wore them about half way through the full inspection and took them off to not wear out the soles.
Do ya’ll wear them the entire time?
My wife says they make me too tall(about 6’2" when wearing). My doctor says with my weight, I should be 6’8", so I’m trying.
A buddy had a pair. I tried them on a couple of roofs.
With the replaceable soles, I wouldn’t wear them off the roof much at all. I put them on near the bottom of the ladder and removed them near the bottom of the ladder. He had just replaced the soles and asked me not to wear them except on the roof for a couple reasons.
One, they wear out faster and two, the excess dirt and stuff contaminates them too and reduces the traction of the felt-like soles.
Cheapo sketchers. They have a soft, malleable sole that wears out quickly and are smoothish on the bottom, so actually do fine on the majority of my roofs i.e. mostly 5/12.
The roof on left is the roof piece that was problematic. The roof on right was just fine. I wasn’t about to go on the other side just so I got to the ridge and checked on the ridge cap. There is also a peak to the right and behind me, just like the one on the left. This was a big home with a bunch of slopes and such, but I didn’t leave my safe little valley area.
For what it’s worth, I get it as a 42.3 degree angle, i.e. 11/12 roof. It really depends on how level I’m holding my phone though. It could be a 10/12 or a 12/12.
I haven’t had a metal roof that wasn’t a low slope. I only see them on manufactured with super low slopes, so I won’t walk on them anyway. Anything with a pitch, I’m out for sure but that’s good to know.
I bought a pair and used them for about 3 mnths then sold them. To me it was too much trouble taking them on & off and I felt clumsy with them on. I ended up using raquetball shoes (soft soles) most of the year then my Merrills in winter
I use cougar paws and they are awesome. They are good for up to about 45° (12:12 slope) on new shingles. I only use them for the roof. You’ll wear out the replaceable treads if you keep them on for more. they are very soft and not long lasting.
If you are on a metal roof, you have to get creative and it’s not just about traction. You have to use the valleys, screw heads, overhead gutters and sidewalls and sometimes plumbing vent pipes to climb up. Anything you can grab to get to the ridge where you can traverse left and right safely is useful.
Also, avoid rain when on a metal roof as the roof can get really slick.
Don’t do 12:12 slope on a metal roof when it starts raining. Use the drone for that.
Yeah, that’s pretty much how I got off that particular peak. I’m not a roof rookie, I know my limits, I just like not sliding down a slope in a hail of granules
I was given a pair of Cougar Paws by my son who got them from his roofing company. I tried them on one roof then placed them on the Facebook Home Inspector page and sold them for $100.00. I prefer my Merrills. They have never given me a reason to doubt their traction and if the granules are too loose, I just don’t go up if the roof is steep.
Right on. If the granules are loose, hopefully you will feel it on your first contact with your boot and you won’t leave the ladder. Grippy shoes are no cure for loose granules.
