New crampon options?

[Buster]

Took a look at my kahtoola KTS aluminum crampons last night and they look like they're on the tail end of the life cycle. I've been pleased with their performance, but see they are sold out on their website. Their steel options are a little heavier (aluminum is 19 oz, steel equivalent is 23.3, with 1/4 inch longer spikes). Just wondering what other options guys have tried out there.

 

[Aron Snyder]

You're using my options! Between those and the K micro spikes I can accomplish just about anything.

I ran Black Diamonds for a while, but they were a bit aggressive for anything I was doing.

 

[Buster]

I don't want to get too aggressive either, if I go with the steel ones, might even carve 1/4 inch off to "detune" them a bit. I bought the micro spikes too, but blew out one of the eyelets pretty quickly. Customer service was great though and reimbursed me.

 

[Buster]

The wife is pretty little though, so she uses the micros and loves them.

 

[endorice]

If you decide to stay with a full crampon option, one that I use for winter/spring mountaineering is the Grivel Air Tech Lights. I've really enjoyed them.

 

[todd kelly]

I have spent a ton of time looking at crampons and for the average guy it is pretty hard to beat the kahtoola KTS aluminum or steel crampons. Unless your doing a lot of glacier travel the other options are too aggressive in my opinion. The last set I picked up were from Barneys when we were in Anchorage.

 

[Buster]

Aron, todd, do you guys run the steelies or aluminum? I know the aluminum would wear out, it is what it is. They withstood a lot of use, but at the same time I was hoping for a few more miles on them. How are yours holding up?

 

[todd kelly]

I'm on my second set of the aluminum. Yes they wear out faster, but I like how the softer metal of the aluminum will grab a hold of bare rocks when I'm in wind blown areas with patches of snow. I use to run regular steel crampons and found them to be slick on bare rocks.

 

[Buster]

I'm on my second set of the aluminum. Yes they wear out faster, but I like how the softer metal of the aluminum will grab a hold of bare rocks when I'm in wind blown areas with patches of snow. I use to run regular steel crampons and found them to be slick on bare rocks.

That was kind of my next question, good to know.

 

[Randle]

After taking a spill yesterday I am looking in to this option as well but For someone only using crampons a couple time a year , what would recommend for a lower budget aluminum crampon?

 

[luke moffat]

I have the KTS and the K-10s and the Cyrpess 6 from Hillsound....all work great. After breaking the rubber on the microspikes last year on my goat hunt and my buddy breaking a pair the previous year on a goat hunt I'm gun shy about that design.

I will say the Cyrpess 6 point are super fast to get on and off and the ratchets really let you crank down on them. The K-10s are nice and light as well. On my winter goat hunt next month I believe I'll be using the K-10s though with the Cyrpess 6 at the bottom of the hill as an extra pair.

 

[Buster]

Luke, can you elaborate on your preferences for the K 10's over the kts's?

 

[luke moffat]

Lighter and faster for me to get on and off....still have both so I can loan a pair to a buddy if needed.

 

[Buster]

Do the k 10's stay secured to the bottom of your feet as well as the kts models? Was worried they might shift a little more when side hilling etc.

 

[luke moffat]

Lighter and faster for me to get on and off....still have both so I can loan a pair to a buddy if needed.

Haven't noticed it so far, but I only had about 85-90 pounds on my back when I was sidehilling. But so far so good.

 

[Buster]

If you decide to stay with a full crampon option, one that I use for winter/spring mountaineering is the Grivel Air Tech Lights. I've really enjoyed them.

Took a look at those, pretty bad ass crampons. Prob just get me into places I have no business being though.

 

[fillthefreezer]

so between the k10s, kts, alum/steel, or the hillsound pros, what would you go with?

 

[Buster]

so between the k10s, kts, alum/steel, or the hillsound pros, what would you go with?

I'm hoping to get a collective answer on this one too before I completely wear out my kts aluminums.

 

[luke moffat]

I like the K-10s so far more than the KTS Steels I have as they are faster to get on/off, but I'd be willing to bet the KTS line would last longer due to being heavier. I have both so I'll use the K-10s until they don't work I don't think the weight savings of the aluminum is worth how fast they wear out from what I've read (not actually used the aluminum so take that with a grain of salt) Just basing it off of read and talked to friends more knowledgeable on the topic than I have said as well so I went with steel KTS. As far as Hillsounds I haven't used the pros, just the cypress 6 and the trail crampons. I'm not overly impressed with the trial crampons but the Cypress 6 are pretty sweet and easier to hike in (read don't notice them being in the way as much) as the K-10s or KTSs.

 

[JP100]

I dont know much about the other brands but have used the grivels a fair bit. We use the Grivel G10s( http://www.backcountry.com/grivel-g10-wide-crampon?rr=t) everyday(glacier guide) and they last forever and are fine for ice work if your not climbing. Aluminum stuff just wears out and breaks but it depends how much you wear them?
just my 10 cents worth