Crampons

[TrunksWD]

I'm looking at getting myself crampons, since they should be on sale now that Winter is over. I own Microspikes, but there were a few times while hiking in the Catskills I lost traction due to ice.

How are these?
http://www.backcountry.com/black-diamon ... ap-crampon

I've seen this style, but they appear to be like Microspikes just a little longer.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/71548?fe ... Id=1198252

What do you guys recommend?

[mike]

I would worry about the plastic bar in front breaking. You might want to look at the Kahtoola crampons. I have a friend with the Kahtoola K10's and they were real nice. The spikes are 3/4" instead of the full 1". But, for hiking they worked great. Just my opinion.

[kkayaker8]

Yes!!!! Kahtoola Hiking Crampons!!!!

I got a pair this winter and used them a bunch....I decided against microspikes in general because I saw too many people slipping yet wearing them. They are super easy to take on and off and the traction is great. They are adjustable and flexible to bend with a hiking boot as you walk as opposed to the mountaineering crampons you posted (1st link). Honestly, in my own opinion, the 1st set of crampons are over kill for hiking in the Catskills, and heavy if they're in your pack for "just in case."

That's my vote.

[TrunksWD]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Of the 3 in the link below which ones do you recommend? Are the $100 ones good enough or should I go for the more expensive pair?

http://www.kahtoola.com/hiking_crampons.php

[kennykb]

According to AMC, aluminium crampons don't hold up to the mixed rock and hard ice that you find in the East, even though they're better for, say, California conditions. AMC recommends steel crampons only. That would suggest that either the first or third set on that page would be better than the second.

(I'm relaying what I've heard. At the moment, I don't have the skills or equipment to stay safe in mountains in full-on winter.)

[mike]

I like the K10's. More then enough spike to handle anything in the Catskills. But, if you like to ice climb, then I would go for the KTS's. Avoid the aluminum ones.

[TrunksWD]

I'm not sure if I will ever Ice Climb. The K10s can handle the toughest rock scrambles? I'm working on my winter badge, though when I KHP I'll more than likely avoid Hurricane Ledge.

[mike]

The K10's are enough to handle hike in the Catskill's

[Jon]

All steel-i agree (all i can thing of is aluminum cans under my feet getting crushed)

hiking crampon- I disagree. There is no such thing as overkill. Those black diamond ones from the first post look great, pretty simple strap mechanism. Look like a lot of parts though, sometimes simplier is better (less things to break/fix).

I would recomend getting mountaineering crampons, just so if you do the winter badge, then start heading north more (like I have) you got sufficient crampons can tackle any mountain east of the Mississippi.

here are mine on sale actually :
http://www.campmor.com/camp-stalker-crampon-flexbar.shtml?source=CI&srccode=cii_23393768&cpncode=31-127590193-2

you can get from REI too: http://www.rei.com/product/798361/camp-usa-stalker-universal-crampons

Even the ones I linked above don't count as "full mountaineering" crampons by climbers because they have the spring bar in the middle. They might not be great for the Himalaya, but for Eastern North America it should be sufficient.They are easy on (less than 30 sec per foot) and easy off. Big spikes, lots of grip for under $100. Just takes some getting used to if you're dry tooling so you don't twist an ankle.

I would go browse around at sites. Like eastern Mountain Sports I know has a big crampon deptartment. REI is good. Campmor has some stuff but they don't have very good return policies (i hardly reccomend the place). See what you can get for 100-150 bucks, then go to the store with your winter gloves and try to put it on and off your boot with a gloved hand without sitting down. (as this is most likely the position that you will be putting them on and off. Sometimes even doing it while hanging onto the side of a cliff)

I mean if you're going to spend $150 bucks on a hiking crampon why not get something with even more bite? You already have the microspikes for slush and less icy conditions.

Also remember that the crampons will dull as you use them, and you're going to file them a bit to keep an edge on it and sometimes get rid of oxidation (with steel ones). Every year you lose a bit of metal from use-wear and filing. If the spike starts out at 3-4cm then you've got a few years before it's a useless nub. So if you get those Hiking crampons (which just look like shorter nub versions of mountaineering crampons) then after 1 or 2 years you sharpen them it'll be like nothing left. The Mountaineering ones you can sharpen for 5-10 years and still have enough tractions. I don't know about the longevity of those hiking ones, especially if you're going to start doing more winter stuff.