Crampons & Boots

“Having a little trouble finding medium weight boots that are compatible with clip-on crampons. Everything out there so far appear to be in the heavy weight category.
Such things don't appear to exist.

Can anyone recommend a medium weight clip-on crampon-compatible boot?”

“Midweight boots usually have too much flex in ght sole for crampons, you may want to consider a strap-on.

80) 80) 80) 80) 80) 80) 80)”

“Mmmmm...that didn't come out right.”

“Mah fa-vo-rite stra pon be th' Water Dancer. Th' Water Dancer is a wata-proof vahshun of th' "pocket rocket" vibrato'. It's marketed as a "massaga" an' th' packagin' even has an illestrashun highlightin' various pressure points on th' back. Shet mah mouth! It's a mighty no-frills so't of vibrato', but them li'l nubs make all th' difference in th' wo'ld, cuss it all t' tarnation! This hyar pow'ful thin' does Vibrate INTENSELY & don't cornk out! Fry mah hide! Its water-tight rightties, howevah, may not be as impressive. Af'er usin' it once in th' bathtub, ah c'd see water corndensashun on th' inside an' thar now seems t'be a slight rest aroun' part of th' moto'. It don't seem t'effeck th' funckshuns of th' Water Dancer, but I'd imagun repeated unner-water usage'd take it's toll, ah reckon.”

“I concur with my esteemed colleague. Strap on crampons or instep crampons may work for most medium weight boots. I have a pair of clip-on crampons that only work with my stiff soled mountain boots. For clip-ons to work well, you not only need very stiff soles, you also need the clip-on grooves in the toe rand and the heel. That's a feature not found on many medium weight boots.”

“Both times I was wearing my regular 'ol hiking shoes. The first time was with a rented pair in the Teets, and the other was with a pair that I have since purchased. The crampons worked fine. It was the shoes lack-o waterproofness that was the issue for me...

I can't access my photopoint page, but you can from my bio page if'n you wanna see pics.

Album: "Twin Propulsion System"
Fotos: "Flatlanders Delite" (Tetons)
"Dinwoody Pass, Wind River Range"(?)”

“Montrail Vercors ($190) are great all-around boots, suitable for backpacking trips or light mountaineering. Supportive, reasonably light (1 pound, 15 ounces for men's size 11), and pretty comfortable. Construction is excellent - waterproof leather, Vibram sole, full-length rubber midsole with a nylon shank. Also out there is Boreal Bulnes, Raichle Mountain Trail, and Tecnica Stratus Bio-Flex, all around $170-210.

There's 3 types of crampons: hinged, semi-rigid and rigid. I'd stick with hinged for snow and glacier travel. There's a couple ways they attach to boots: strap-on or step-in. Straps are versatile because they attach to any boot, but step-ins are really simple and fast to get in and out of -- but your boots need to have a notch at the toe and heel.

If you use leather boots and they get wet, they may freeze solid at night. Not fun to wear the next day. Some people swear by leather boots, but they need to be REALLY waterproofed and be fairly stiff with a full shank. Whichever you choose, be sure you also have a good pair of gaiters because if you start postholing, your feet will get soaked.”

“I have a pair of charlet mosers i use with a pair of danner siskyous (leather w/ gtx lining). they're strap ons and work well. Only 10 point but hell, i only do light mountaineering with 'em. The boots are pretty broken in and while stiff for hiking boots, they're considered too flexi by most shops who don't want to rent crampons to ya unless you've got really stiff boots. Unless you're doing stuff that is fully vertical, like ice climbing, IMO you don't need step ins and rigid boots.”

“I have a pair of 12 pt french military issue that I bought on e-bay about 4 years ago. They are also strap-on and work well with both my Koflach Mt. boots and my midweight boots.”

“.”

“What do you guys know about numatic crampons? I just bought a pair of Montrails that are numatic (or flex) crampon compatible. They have a rigid toe cap that you slide the front of the crampon over and then a heal ridge to clip them to. I'm not familiar with this style.”

“Well, there you have it. That makes sense. Medium weight boots are just too flexible to support clip on retention. For now, strap-ons are the way to go for mid-to-light weight boots.

The Vercors look interesting, but it's my opinion that what a Gregory is to you back, is what Zamberlan is to your feet. I gave up on my Montrail Moraines because of fit problems (even though they were the right size). Some people think they're great.

The Civetta GTs, by Zamberlan, are great three season trekking boots. But with their use in the snow, my toes will get soaked even with occasional postholing. They're designed with what's called Hydrobloc and they've got Gore-Tex lining, but you'll have soaked toes with a full day of hiking in the snow nonetheless. Plus, my Civettas have several layers of Nikwax treatment and I've used full-length gaitors with them. Frequently kicking snow where there's progressive build up on the toes is part of the problem too. Maybe it's about how I walk.

The challenge is finding the lightest boot where your feet are best supported and protected with easily removable crampons.

Gojo- couldn't get to your photopoint site. I think it's off-line, or something's up.”

“American Alpine Institute (a great guide service alternative to RMI) has a gear page and they are running a sale on La Sportiva Makalu boots, regular $247 for $168 but sizes are limited. These are flexible and pretty light and compatible with step-ins.”

“If I am successful this should be a link to Outside Magazine's gear guy disscussion of boots/crampons:

Gear guy -- Crampons and boots”

“If I am successful this should be a link to Outside Magazine's gear guy disscussion of boots/crampons:

Gear guy -- Crampons and boots”

“hmmm I was successfull twice!

I use the g-10s and the g-6s (called "grippers" . ..with Vasque Clarions.”

“Wow...I don't own a pair of crampons!”

“I think I figured out why my new Raichle Mtn Trail GTX boots were so cheap ($40 instead of $160+). Looks like the toes were patched. I wonder if they leaked.

Here's my new boots:
http://www.ukpallas.fi/vaelkrai.htm#MT%20TRAIL

except they have patches on them”

“:(

guess I better go try em out. Oh well, even if they suck as snow/trekking boots, they're pretty comfortable for just wearing around town.”

“Why doncha get some reeeeeeeeeeeeeeel boots? <VBG> I'll bet you could do some Mega Clodbusting with a pair of those.

But Seriously Folks, I got a pair of La Sportiva TRK's and couldn't be happier with them: tons of ankle support without the weight.”

“Wow, cool color!

Reminds me of when I was in college and a saw a chic with pink Van's and I had to have a pair. I searched for 2 years! Finally gave up and settled for red Skechers. Not too many pink shoes in the world. Especially trekking boots. WOw. Impressive.

Ü”

“'1 pound, 15 ounces for men's size 11..'

For 1 boot or 2? That does sound light”

“Alas, the effect is somewhat lost on me, being that I am red-green colorblind. I thought they were "ice blue". I do alright with traffic lights as long they hang 'em up the right way (!)



Them Clod-Busters

How 'bout them clod-busters,
Ain't they neat;
Bust'n them clods flat,
With they feets.

Stomp'n them big clods,
Bust'n them little;
Mash'n them dirt clods,
In they middle.

Look at them clod-busters,
Have'n lots of fun;
Kick'n ever dirty clod,
Stomp'n on the run.

How to be a clod-buster,
Fix'n fields to sow;
Just find ya-self a dirt clod,
And bust it with ya toe!

Mason Williams
Them Poems”

“hmmmmmmmmmmm.

I think I need to break down and finally get a reeeeeeeeeeeal scale...”

“My boots do NOT leak!”

“Been out splashing in the mud?”

“busting clods Ü”

“I have quite rigid Raichle mountaineering leather boots that work beautifully with my Camp K2 strap-on crampons. I bought strap-ons because I bought my boots in 1989 (thet're still like new) and that was before step-ins and so they don't have the right welt. I wouldn't go back to step-ins because my Camps are so versatile and I now have plastic boots and use the crampons with both.

For what it's worth, my buddy has Vasque boots. I don't know the model, but the are heavy b'packing boots and very comfortable (it took me about five years to break in the Raichles). The Vasques are definitely more flexible than mine and he has difficulty keeping his crampons on. We have tried every strap combination and size adjustment and just when we think we have the problem solved they come off again.

We were blown off the summit dome of Algonquin this Easter Monday and they came off again as we were going down. This isn't a major problem in the Adirondacks, but could be extremely dangerous in technical climbing situations. I used to borrow his crampons before I got mine and they were fine on my mountaineering boots. That is my experience and I apppreciate my boots, although it took us a while to develop a relationship of mutual respect, if not affection. Happy trails.”

“My hiking boots are Raichles and they did take awhile to break in...these mountaining boots seem a lot more comfortable from the get go. Of course I am wearing 2 pair of socks with them.

Tilt, I can't believe you can't see pink!!”

“You can't beat those original Norwegian Welt monsters for some applications. I had a pair of Vasques I bought in 1975 --- lasted me almost 15 years (4 re-soles) until they just fell apart. The repair guy said they were goners, that they'd have to be completly rebuilt... that's what I should've done!

The few times I've tried strap-on crampons... by the time they were tight enough to feel secure, the circulation in my toes was starting to go...”

“Oh, I see pink... I just don't "see" pink, LOL”

“I see pink, hehehe.”

“Speakin' of pink, does anyone here have the Stubai Universal Srap-on cramps?? They're 10 pointers, aluminum, weigh about a lb and a quarter. I'd love to find a pair for under a hunnert bucks for my May Sierra trip.”

“Are these the ones? "Stubai Ultralight" "Universal Speed" (the third set down the list)”

“There ya go.”

“'With approximately 40 models and binding combinations to choose from, it can sometimes be confusing selecting the correct crampons for one's needs'


holy cow, at $100 a pop I hate to pick the wrong ones. naked ape, how do you know what you want?”

“I'm thinking of considering to make a decision whether to or whether to not purchasing a pair of crampons. I have Asolo 520-GTX midweight leather boots and will therefore need universal bindings on the crampons, and will be using them on icy rocks, slippery slopes and other conditions you may encounter on East Coast mountains in the winter. I certainly won't be using them all the time, but I could've used them in the past and know they will get use in the future. So...

I found these two onsale that I'm considering...
Cassin C-10L Aluminum 10-pointers for $89, or
Cassin C-12 Steel 12-pointers also for $89
Dang...You'll have to go down and click on the specific crampon links to look at them.

I'll bet the aluminum 10s would be nice and light, but I'll also bet the steel 12s (for the same price) would be a better deal in the long run.

Would anybody like to chime in with their thoughts/opinions regarding the two?”

“Buy both and send the second pair to me. :)

I would go with the steel points. They will last a lot longer.”

“The steel will last longer and take much more abuse.

12 points will offer more versatility later if you do any mountaineering, you don't just use the points for front pointing up waterfalls, they can come in handy in all sorts of conditions.

Biggest problem with 12 points is learning not to kick yourself in the calf while your walking, tripping or stumbling.

Of course you could always learn the French Technique.....”

“Steel points, both longer lasting and stronger than Alum.

I did a quick compare at REI between Stubai 10pt Alum. and Grivel 10pt steel. The Alum will only save you 9oz.”

“How the he!! do you adjust the front clamp on the BD Sabretooths? I can't seem to pull the wire out of the hole, and was wondering if a special tool is needed.”

“I thought you got the BD Bionics, Buddha?

If'n they're one and the same, you may want to take a look at THIS.”

“I just checked with the store and they didn't have universal bindings instock so they got ahold of the distributor for them and this is what they Emailed me...

I just checked with the Cassin distributor. The universal heel bails are available. However, they are only sold as a whole binding sets. A set includes the toe bails and heel bails. And so they get pricey: $49.95 for the Universal binding set. So, if you were to get this extra binding set in addition to the crampons, you would end up with 2 pairs of universal toe bails.

I would probably suggest going with the Cassin C10L crampons. Even thought they are made of an aluminum alloy and are not as strong as their stell counterparts, they are more stout than other ultralight aluminum alloy crampons. And these are definitely suitable for traveling on glaciers and snow. And they won't weigh your pack down. And they come with nice fitting anti-balling plates.


Oh well!”

“Buddur,

You can order crampons from Campmor. 10 points are okay IF they have front points like the Grivels; classic 10 points without front points are only good for ghlacier travel. This is also what the lightweights are for - you change to the steel crampons when you start real climbing. As there are no glaciers in the East, but the monutains can be steep and icy, you need front points. Steel crampons are necessary because of the rock and ice/neve mix.

I only use straps, but then I only have one pair, otherwise I could use straps on my leather boots and step-ins on the plastics. I know you have plastic boots too, but I still trust the strap-ons for rough conditions.”

“I was looking at the Subai Ultralights about a year ago...

YEP. Aluminum alloy. Oh well.”

“Actually Gremlin I don't have plastic boots. The boots I'd be using the crampons with are full-grain leather Asolo 520gtx midweights, so I definitly need straps.

From everything I've read so far I won't consider Al for the reasons you stated. Thanks for the tips!”

“Wha'da'ya thing about these BLACK DIAMOND Contact Crampons for $84.57?

10pts with front points, CrMo steel, strap on, and onsale. No anti-balling plates through, but I hear duct tape works just as well.

A Question if the sizes are...
Sm/Med (Men's US 4.5-10), and
Med/Lrg (Men's US 7-13)
...if my boots are a size 9, which is included in either size, which size would fit better for a more appropriate fit???”

“Those BD's would do for most stuff. Get the larger size because if you do get plastics later the boots are HUGE ”

“I sold the bionics because some of the boys in the know on this board said that the bionics are mainly used for climbing ice walls, and won't work well in the conditions that I intend to use them. It was too much crampon for me. So I bought the sabretooths, which will work well. I haven't used them yet, but they seem evry reliable and sturdy. I bought mine on ebay. Check it out, you can get them much cheaper there.

Good luck!”

“These Grivel G10 New Classic Crampons are very similar to the others I was looking at, and ClimbHigh.Com has them onsale for $69.”