Topic of the day: Crampons: Outdoors 101
A crampon, invented in 1908, is a traction device consisting of angled spikes, that is attached to footwear to improve mobility while climbing or hiking in icy/snowy conditions.
Besides climbing, crampons are also used for secure travel such as crossing glaciers, snowfields and ice-fields, ascending snow slopes, and scaling ice-covered rock.
There are three main crampon attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings.
Depending on where you will be doing most of your hiking determines what type of grade crampon you choose to wear.
Crampons are designed in a corresponding range of styles, including hiking crampons, mountain crampons, and ice fall crampons. Each style has a different degree of points and angles.
Crampons are graded C1, C2 and C3 relative to their flexibility and general compatibility with different styles of boots. Crampons with 8-10 points are usually adequate for winter basic climbing and “peak bagging”. For more difficult underfoot conditions like a glacier, water ice, 12-14 point crampons are required for optimum safety.
Crampons are typically not suitable for everyday 'flex' walking boots, and require specialized rigid hiking boots.
Some similar and sometimes more favorable footwear traction devices include micro-spikes & snowshoes.
For more information, please visit the US National Park Service for recommendations and tips for choosing the right gear for your adventure.
Besides climbing, crampons are also used for secure travel such as crossing glaciers, snowfields and ice-fields, ascending snow slopes, and scaling ice-covered rock.
There are three main crampon attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings.
Depending on where you will be doing most of your hiking determines what type of grade crampon you choose to wear.
Crampons are designed in a corresponding range of styles, including hiking crampons, mountain crampons, and ice fall crampons. Each style has a different degree of points and angles.
Crampons are graded C1, C2 and C3 relative to their flexibility and general compatibility with different styles of boots. Crampons with 8-10 points are usually adequate for winter basic climbing and “peak bagging”. For more difficult underfoot conditions like a glacier, water ice, 12-14 point crampons are required for optimum safety.
Crampons are typically not suitable for everyday 'flex' walking boots, and require specialized rigid hiking boots.
Some similar and sometimes more favorable footwear traction devices include micro-spikes & snowshoes.
For more information, please visit the US National Park Service for recommendations and tips for choosing the right gear for your adventure.