Tech toe crampons

Used once
$85

I am not your huckleberry, but I am curious why you are moving on from these? The idea of these half 'pons has always intrigued me, but I don't know anyone who has owned or used them. 

wrote:

I am not your huckleberry, but I am curious why you are moving on from these? The idea of these half 'pons has always intrigued me, but I don't know anyone who has owned or used them.


 

These toe crampons are a very clever product. I haven't used them, but I expect they do what they're designed to do quite well. What they're designed to do is very specific: Front point up. Maybe front point down. That's it.

If a user fully understands this and is disciplined enough to only do this, they could be a great tool. But the moment you "forget" and try to flat-foot or switchback with these crampons, you may be in for a sudden, fast ride.

It's a very technical product for a very technical user.

 

I am with you Lowell. They are a very specialized tool. That is the #1 reason I never gave them a shot. Also, the method of attachment has always seemed a touch suspect.

I am curious about OP's and other users' experiences with them. If they work reliably  they could be perfect for early morning spring volcano climbing when you are sure the afternoon sun will work its magic.

wrote:

If they work reliably  they could be perfect for early morning spring volcano climbing when you are sure the afternoon sun will work its magic.

 

Maybe I'm just an old climber, but I almost always switchback when climbing on foot, same as you would switchback on skis. It's less fatiguing, if only because you can stand on your whole foot during each step (but it's more than that).

If I'm climbing a steep couloir, I might kick steps straight up, but otherwise I nearly always switchback. Toe crampons wouldn't be a good tool for me.