SWLCAT Climbing 4-6 Practice Test

Climbing gaffs come in two designs: solid units or with replaceable tips. The idea behind this distinction is maintenance and longevity. Replaceable gaffs let you swap in a fresh spike when the old one wears down, keeping grip reliable and reducing cost and downtime since you don’t have to replace the whole boot or gaff assembly. Solid gaffs are integrated into the boot as a single piece, so once they’re worn, you generally replace the entire gaff or boot, which can be more costly and less convenient. So the best choice is the type that can be swapped out when worn.