Crampons
What are the best crampons for ski touring, mountaineering or glacier hiking?
To be safe on snow and ice in the mountains, whether it is winter hiking, mountaineering, ski touring, or glacier hiking, you need a good pair of crampons. Made of steel or aluminium with 10 or 12 points and various binding systems, strap-on, hybrid or step-in so that you can find the right pair for your boots and use. We offer models compatible with hiking, mountaineering, ski touring and even snowboard boots.
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Deals
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Recommended price
£156.51
-16%
£130.41
The Neve Pro Envy Green are very lightweight aluminium crampons from Black Diamond. The cable design of the central part allows to fold them in two and limit their footprint.
Deals
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Recommended price
£126.06
-20%
£99.96
The Camp Ascent Auto & Semi-Automatic Vert Noir can used in step-in and hybrid modes. They can also be turned into strap-on models with a heel piece sold separately.
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What are the best crampons for ski touring, mountaineering or glacier hiking?
To be safe on snow and ice in the mountains, whether it is winter hiking, mountaineering, ski touring, or glacier hiking, you need a good pair of crampons. Made of steel or aluminium with 10 or 12 points and various binding systems, strap-on, hybrid or step-in so that you can find the right pair for your boots and use. We offer models compatible with hiking, mountaineering, ski touring and even snowboard boots.
Choosing the best crampons for snow and ice depending on your boots
There is a wide range of crampon models on the market today. It’s a good idea to review the technical characteristics of the various models to understand their specific features and make the right choice. Understanding these elements will allow you to pick the right crampons for your needs and the boots you intend to use them with.
Binding systems
Strap-on crampons: These models are versatile and lightweight. They are compatible with the greatest number of boots, hiking boots, snowboard boots and even stiff mountaineering boots thanks to a system of straps that allows to attach them. However, they are not suitable for steep terrain because of their lack of stiffness.
Hybrid or semi-automatic crampons: These very widespread models require boots with a rear welt. This binding type is reliable, quick and easy to use. These crampons are suitable for technical mountaineering, while being more versatile than automatic crampons regarding the choice of your boots. Some snowboard boots with a rear welt are compatible with this type of crampons, they are splitboard dedicated models.
Step-in or automatic crampons: These crampons can only be used on stiff boots with front and rear welts. They are stiff and precise, making them perfect for technical mountaineering or ice climbing. They are compatible with most ski touring boots. This type of crampons offers the most secure boot/crampon interface.
Some crampons come with interchangeable binding parts to switch between binding types and improve their versatility.
If you are in any doubt, here is a summary chart to choose the proper crampon depending on your boots.
| Crampon types | C1 Strap-on | C2 Hybrid | C3 Step-in |
| Ski touring boot | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| B3 Stiff mountaineering boot with front/back notch | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| B2 medium stiff boot with back notch | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Soft boot (snowboard boot) | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Number and type of points
Most crampons have 10 or 12 points. Nowadays, all feature front points (or 1 in the case of some technical mountaineering or ice climbing models). 10 point models are lighter but lack the third pair of points. 12 points offer better stability.
Regarding their profile, flat points promote floatation, making them better for walking, snow and moderate slopes. Serrated vertical points penetrate better in ice, crampons with this type of points are meant for steeper slopes. Finally, crampons with a single front point are exclusively for ice climbing or technical mountaineering. This configuration is more precise.
Materials: steel or aluminium
The material used influences the crampons’ weight and strength. Aluminium is lighter but weaker. Aluminium crampons are ideal for ski touring, to keep the weight down. They are also perfect for glacier hiking and moderate snow slopes. However, these crampons are not as strong than steel or stainless steel models on ice and rocks.
Lightweight crampons for ski touring
When you’re ski touring, your crampons are only used for some sections where climbing skins and ski crampons are not enough. Consequently, pick very lightweight crampons to keep your backpack light. 10 point aluminium crampons are perfect to overcome difficult sections during when ski touring.
Crampons for glacier hiking
For glacier hiking, high-altitude treks where hiking trails can be covered in snow and require the use of crampons, you need crampons that are compatible with your hiking boots. Strap-on models are the best option, aluminium reduces weight, especially for multi-day treks. 10 points are enough as long as you remain on snowy trails or glaciers and don’t venture on steeper terrain.
Automatic crampons for mountaineering
For technical mountaineering and ice climbing, step-on crampons with front points that offer maximum precision and penetrate easily in hardpack snow and ice are preferrable. For classic mountaineering routes, hybrid models offer better versatility as they can be used with boots that have either front and rear welts or a single rear notch.
When should you put your crampons?
Owning the best pair of crampons money can buy but leaving it at the bottom of your mountaineering backpack isn’t very useful. Realising too late than you need your crampons to climb a difficult section means you’ll have to put them on in a less than ideal spot and risk slipping. Anticipate! Whether it is ski touring or mountaineering, a fall can have serious consequences. It is safe to say that crampons constitute a piece of mountain safety equipment just like an ice axe, avalanche beacon kit, shovel and probe.