Think all winter traction is the same? Your life might depend on knowing the difference... Certain bits of gear are vital in the winter if you still want to get out and enjoy the mountains. Even though snow and ice can make these trips much more difficult, with the right gear, they can be epic.
What do you need to consider when choosing Crampons? The options available to hill goers are ever-increasing, and whilst micro spikes are becoming an increasingly common sight on the hills, they are not suitable for full winter conditions in mountain terrain. So, when are they suitable, and how do you go about deciding what kind of hardware you actually need? The good news is that the options can be broken down into three categories:
Microspikes
Flexible Crampons
Rigid Crampons
Microspikes
● Very light and extremely packable ● Fit on almost any shoe
● Good for level ground or gentle slopes, especially when ice is compacted
● Short spikes don’t penetrate very far
● No front points - limited grip for kicking into steep snow/ice
Flexible Crampons
● More versatile than rigid: work in a variety of winter conditions
It's important you get this bit of kit right, for your own comfort but most importantly, your safety. So, don't just buy on a whim and end up with something that is not suitable for your adventure. We've written a full guide on crampon choices, and we really recommend you give it a read before investing!
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