There are high chances you’ve seen people with weird spikes on their feet, called crampons, especially if you’ve been in the mountains in winter. Even though crampons appear like bizarre old-fashioned devices, crampons are simply used to enhance the user’s grip on ice and snow or aid in climbing a technical ice climb. Here, we’ll take a closer look at how to choose crampons, but first, let’s find out what are crampons.
What are Crampons?
Crampons are metal devices equipped with “teeth” to offer sufficient user traction on snow and ice. Crampons are designed to mount onto the soles of specific boots. Ice climbers and mountaineers typically wear crampons, and they’re a vital part of winter gear, especially if you’re going beyond the snowline.
How to Choose the Right Crampons for You?
Like any other climbing gear, choosing crampons is no walk in the park. You have to consider your needs, preferences, and budget. Fortunately, we’ve done all the heavy lifting and reviewed what you need to consider when choosing crampons.
There is a growing specialization of crampons in terms of activities. Ultra-lightweight crampons designed for winter hiking are available. In addition to handling snow and glacier travel, traditional crampons also work well for technical hiking (with an ice ax) and mountaineering. Ice and rock crampons are becoming increasingly specialized for ice waterfalls.
Here is how to choose crampons based on activity.
For technical mountaineering choose crampons with strap-on, step-in, or hybrid binding, made from steel. The construction must be semi-rigit, the frontpoint type fixed horizonatal with around 12 points.
For snow walking choose crampons with strap-on binding, made from steel or aluminium. The construction must be flexible, the frontpoint type fixed horizonatal with 8 or 10 points.
For waterfall ice and mixed climbing choose crampons with step-in or hybrid binding, made from steel. The construction must be semi-rigit, the frontpoint type modular vertical with 14 or more points.
For general mountaineering choose crampons with strap-on, step-in, or hybrid binding, made from steel. The construction must be semi-rigit, the frontpoint type fixed horizonatal with around 10 points.
How to Choose Crampon Frames: Characteristics
How to select frame materials for crampons?
Most of the time, crampons are built utilizing two materials, aluminum and steel. Steel provides better corrosion resistance and durability than aluminum. Thus, they are perfect for alpine climbs, mixed climbs, and technical ice.
Nevertheless, this strength and durability mean they tend to be heavy. On the other hand, aluminum crampons are lightweight, making them ideal for snow climbing, ski mountaineering, and glacier travel. Learn how to sharpen crampons in five easy steps.
Aluminum crampons are perfect for ski mountaineering and approaches.
Stainless-steel crampons offer the best corrosion resistance.
Steel crampons are best suited for general mountaineering.
How to choose frame alignment for your crampons?
Nowadays, crampons don’t have to be as rigid as they used to be when people wore double plastic boots. Crampons with horizontally oriented frames are the norm. The horizontally oriented frames are flexible for walking, and your feet are closer to the ground to experience better stability.
Original article How to Choose Crampons.