It came in brown leather and had 25 hobnails. Early rock climbers used heavy-soled mountaineering boots studded with metal cleats and hobnails. Boots were leather with hobnails, specially made for them in England. In this case she would place a shingle over the hobnails, rendering the boots safe. Tricouni nails are also referred to as hobnails, boot nails, cleats and shoe studs. Vehicle drivers wore boots without hobnails because they would damage the pedals and create sparks.