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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Came across this new product recently in a shop. It is an approach crampon Any comments from someone who has used them, especially with Sorel style pac boots or on actual ice rather than hard pack snow?   Well, here’s the deal, ya see. I’ve never tried em but I got friends, ya see, and after going to the dealers page… sure nuf… Neptune’s.   They’ve got em in the demo program, for sure, and they don’t really have a problem with the 7000 series aluminum points wearing badly, so’s good. Matter fact, don’t ya know, they haven’t had any problems with them at all.   Good, good. How’s bout wearing em on Sorels? Short pause, don’t ya know. "Well, the toe/boot needs to fit and you’d need to bring em in, I’ve used em on running shoes though and they’re great".   $129 is a bit to spend, but hey, igloo tools cost $140 plus, ya sure, b’golly.

Thanks. Being in a demo/rental program says something about durability as well as ease of use. Usually the flex of Sorel soles is an issue, but running shoes are no better on this. As always, the wide toe is an issue, but these look good with snow boots, snowboarding boots, and so on. There is probably a maximum size Sorel type boot, but they say they fit up to size 15 regular boots. Crampons these days are in that range, $99 being about the least expensive out there. Ones requiring straps need to add about $25 to be ready to go. We should all support the small independent outdoor equipment makers who come out with innovative new gear, eh? Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

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I have personally used the Kahtoolas on plastic boots, soft boots and on running shoes.  They are a really good option for hiking and running on not-so-steep terrain.  As an experiment, I climbed up Mexico’s Orizaba volcano with them this past spring.  Because of the spring steel connection between the front and rear parts of the crampon, they don’t a side point between the heel and the ball of the foot.  They also don’t have front points.  This made me think a bit while traversing across the steep slope. I don’t recommend that type of use. I have been up steep slopes with soft leather shoes and even running shoes with a pair of SMC flexies, which seem to perform better when it gets steeper.  Obviously, you won’t climb waterfall ice with either setup. Edward – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – These Kahtoola crampons appear to be a good solution, but I would like a little more to work with. There have been some positive reviews. I would try them myself, but we have had a shortage of snow and ice here the last few months.

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Came across this new product recently in a shop. It is an approach crampon, well suited for winter hiking, that looks to work on almost any footwear except sandals. See their website: http://www.kahtoola.com I am updating our list of recommended winter hiking gear, and we have had issues with hikers using soft boots, such as Sorels, and crampons. Beginners do not always want to purchase double plastic boots, which of course are the best option for extended crampon usage in the cold. For those who have never hiked in New England, we often have conditions where even low altitude trails get icy, either from packing with freeze-thaw cycles, or from water flowing across the trail and freezing. Crampons are sometimes needed even when staying entirely below treeline. These Kahtoola crampons appear to be a good solution, but I would like a little more to work with. There have been some positive reviews. I would try them myself, but we have had a shortage of snow and ice here the last few months. Any comments from someone who has used them, especially with Sorel style pac boots or on actual ice rather than hard pack snow? TIA, Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

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Came across this new product recently in a shop. It is an approach crampon Any comments from someone who has used them, especially with Sorel style pac boots or on actual ice rather than hard pack snow?

   Well, here’s the deal, ya see. I’ve never tried em but I got friends, ya see, and after going to the dealers page… sure nuf… Neptune’s.    They’ve got em in the demo program, for sure, and they don’t really have a problem with the 7000 series aluminum points wearing badly, so’s good. Matter fact, don’t ya know, they haven’t had any problems with them at all.    Good, good. How’s bout wearing em on Sorels? Short pause, don’t ya know. "Well, the toe/boot needs to fit and you’d need to bring em in, I’ve used em on running shoes though and they’re great".    $129 is a bit to spend, but hey, igloo tools cost $140 plus, ya sure, b’golly.    Ed Huesers    http://www.grandshelters.com

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