Crampons

“I'm headed out later to pick up my first set- I don't have anything picked out yet, I've been doing some research, and I was wondering what everyone here uses... I don't have the dough to buy a pair of Koflachs or anything like that, so I'll be going with the strap on kind, insert joke here___________.”

“I'm using a pair of SMC's, the are a little heavy, but they are bullet proof and they fit everything from my mountain boots to my tele boots.

Where, how and how often will you be using them?”

“You can get the Raid steel (10 point) for about $80.00 from ClimbAxe (there's you joke) They would be a good choice for casual use, occasional glacier crossings and such.
Raid Crampons
The Grand Nord crampons are 12 point and would work better if you were getting into mountaineering., they cost about $30.00 more.

I recommend you take the boots you will be using them with and try them on the boot, not all crampons fit all boots well, some better then others.”

“I'll be using them in the Catskills for some upcoming trips, lots of ups and downs- As for how often, I don't really know. I'll be trying to hit the trails as much as possible for the winter, but don't know how much more gear I'll be able to shell out for- Snowshoes, warmer clothes, etc. If I go and buy the crampons, I'll be itching to get as much use as I can out of them, that's for sure.”

“Just got back from EMS, where they were having their kick a$$ sale- I picked up a pair of Austrialps ten point crampons- They fit well, they feel good on the boots, I can't wait to field test these somanumbatches. While I was there, I also got me some gaiters. Not bad, considering I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for my family- Traffic was hell out there, everywhere was crowded, I'll have to leave the real shopping until later.”

“Congrats on the crampons Corporal!! I look forward to walking on/up ice with you next weekend! :-)”

“Keep the pointy side down....”

“I have (but not have yet used) a pair of Stubai Tirol Universal Ultralights. Supposed to be very nice, 12 pt aluminum, highly suggested in a BP'er Mag article, the one about the Heavyweights vs the Lightweights. They strap onto about all boots, and the guy in the article used these Stubais with his hiking shoes. They did like a week at high ele, including crossing a glacier, had nothing but incredible praise for the thangs. Ya can get'em for $99 online. Unfortuneately I cain't give ya personal experience, but they shore look purdy staring up at me from their box!”

“Are they a new model? I checked this link I saved and I see 'Stubai Tirol' and 'Stubai Ultralight' but no 'Stubai Tirol Ultralight', <G>.

http://www.promountainsports.com/crampons.shtml

And here's one for the He-Man Woman-Haters out there...

”

“Id let her walk on me....”

“I bought the 'strap on' grivels (10 years ago) as I did not want to purchase special boots to use with step-in crampons.”

“Just don't take those crampons anywhere near Hot Dog Johnny's corporal. I shudder to even think ...

Really, nothing good could possibly come from that.”

“Grivel G-10 (10-point strap-on). Hope you've got an ice axe and know how to use it. IMHO crampons and ice axes go hand-in-hand since you're typically on slopes that require purchase and need a way to stop if you fall and start sliding. It's better to opt for a horizontal frame to prevent snow from balling underfoot, thus losing purchase. For glacier travel and steep ice I use Charlet Moser Super 12's with toe bails and anti-snow plates. They go well with my Scarpa Invernos.”

“LOL @ mtnsteve; that's important all right!”