ski crampons

Referring to Voile Switch Back free hinge tele binding...

I'm with Ron on not wanting to be forced to pick up the ski each step and thus liking a hinge. But sure, there are sometimes cases where I'd have liked to have had the ability to lock the crampon down so as to get bite while using high heel lifts (NOT the majority of cases when I've used them though). B&D has a crampon lock that supposedly allows for this. I will be adding it to my skis soon in anticipation of spring/summer consolidation and thus a more likely need to futz around with the cramps. I'd assume this lock also works with their setup for tele skis, but didn't check it out for this purpose since I'm now on AT gear...

I have fixed and hinged harscheisen on different skis and have a slight preference for fixed.  I don't notice any energy savings with hinged, maybe because there's no reason to set an edge with fixed.  The B&D lock is a nice thing but I don't have room to install it with TLT5 + Speed combo which puts the boot sole very close to the ski deck.

I have mounted Voile ski crampons on Jill's and my skis. We've used them for years and are pleased with their performance and ease of attachment. I've also learned to attach the crampons before approaching steeper terrain.

I have mounted Voile ski crampons on Jill's and my skis.  We've used them for years and are pleased with their performance and ease of attachment.  I've also learned to attach the crampons before approaching steeper terrain. 

This great to get these inputs. Right now I'm leaning toward the voile fixed set up but I'm all ears to other notions..have not made a purchase yet...

I have Voiles on my teles and Dynafits on my AT's. The dynafits are more efficient if you're not going steep on rock-hard snow because of the rise, and the Voiles are more bomber and slip-proof because they're fixed - the times that matters (as stated) are when going steep with lifters or side-hilling on frozen gnar. There is an effort difference if you are shuffling on them for long periods of time (favors Dynafit-style) or trying to bite into high-angle ice repeatedly (favors fixed Voile-style). We just "enjoyed" the relative advantages of each on last week's Freez-eastern Sierra Endless Wind-ter trip. Think about how you would ski with them (on the foot for long periods, like volcanoes, versus shorter but scary frozen steepness) before you decide.