ski crampons

Was wondering if any body has any opinions/recommendations on ski crampons for tele set up? I use three pin hardwire bindings. Really prefer skinning over booting but for steeper, seems like ski crampons would be the ticket in some situations..

I've used the the Voile ones and they seem to work pretty well -- their fixed design is simple and secure, with a little bit of wasted energy having to lift the ski off the snow.

I've heard favorable reports about B & D telemark crampons, which pivot, allowing the ski to be slid on the snow. www.bndskigear.com/telemarkcrampons.html

I've used the Voile ones for a few years and would recommend them.  The down side is that you need to mount the plate to your ski so it is always there, adding some weight and attracting snow on those sloppy days when you don't need the crampons.  However, the crampons themselves work well.  I also think the fixed design is better then the more common hinged AT design because it work wells with heel risers.  The need for ski crampons implies a steep slope which in turn implies heel risers.  Most of the hinged designs don't have much bite when the heel risers are up (the B&D design looks like an exception, although I've never used them or seen them in use).

Proski can fit dynafit ski crampons to your tele skis (whick B & D also sells).

Other folks with tele gear (such as Randy) swear by the voile fixed ski crampons which require that you raise your foot before taking a step forward citing their feeling that the fixed crampons "feel" more secure.  

Being that I have been considering how I might adapt my walker to my skis I certainly am of the ilk to prefer dragging my skis while skinning to picking them up and then putting them back down. The dynafit ski crampons hinge at the front allowing the skis to slide forward without their leaving the snow.

Once you have ski crampons you may only use them a few times a year... but when you do you will be really glad you have them.

The need for ski crampons implies a steep slope which in turn implies heel risers.  Most of the hinged designs don't have much bite when the heel risers are up (the B&D design looks like an exception, although I've never used them or seen them in use).

I disagree with Matt - I use ski crampons when the snow surface it too firm to break into, but too steep to head straight uphill. That's not a very steep angle. And when I use ski crampns - especially with intermediate skiers - I typically don't use the heal risers at all and set a lower skin track. The added security of the crampons + the lower track = more efficient pace, and I can usually motor right along.

That said, I know several guys who have figured out how to modify dynafit crampons to work with their tele rig. The voile option is still the simplest to install and use. Better yet, switch to Dynafit bindings and not have to bother with all this!!

I disagree with Matt - I use ski crampons when the snow surface it too firm to break into, but too steep to head straight uphill.  That's not a very steep angle.  And when I use ski crampns - especially with intermediate skiers - I typically don't use the heal risers at all and set a lower skin track.  The added security of the crampons + the lower track = more efficient pace, and I can usually motor right along.

That said, I know several guys who have figured out how to modify dynafit crampons to work with their tele rig.  The voile option is still the simplest to install and use.  Better yet, switch to Dynafit bindings and not have to bother with all this!!

Oh, I like messing with tele gear for some wierd reason.  What I am sort of excited about is Voile redesigning  the binding they currently make that free hinges like rondanee bindings, but with a new further back hinging point for the hardware heal lever assembly i.e where it connects on the toe plate. 
This will produce a more active flex as good as the Voile three pin hardwire or better (hopefully...depending on how far back this point actually is of course..).

This set up is suppose to give 22 designs a 'run for their money' so to speak (and probably still quite a bit lighter...we shall see..).