Crampons for hiking boots and mountaineering boots: what you should look out for

Regular hiking boots are unlikely to be up to the task when you’re trekking over glaciers, wending your way through scree or climbing on rocks and ice. Instead, mountain boots will give you the grip you need. Robust hiking boots can also be used with crampons, depending on the model, but it’s generally worth buying mountain boots. It’s easiest to affix crampons to mountain boots and they offer the safest grip.

Different kinds of mountain boots

Mountain boots have a very robust sole to ensure you can walk safely on snow or wet ground. If the shoes are crampon-compliant, you’ll notice this on the rear portion of the sole. There, you’ll see an indent where you can affix your crampon. In that case, the shoes are crampon-compliant under certain conditions. For fully crampon-compliant footwear, there’ll also be an indent at the front, near the toes. In addition, the soles will have hard edges to give you a firm grip, even on scree. 

As with hiking boots, mountain boots also come in a wide range of materials. Most are made from GORE-TEX®, leather or a combination of the two. Depending on the tour, you might be more concerned about the weight of your shoes. However, dry feet are always a bonus. And Alpine tours, in particular, often take you over glaciers. GORE-TEX® is perfect if you’re going to be walking through snow for extended periods and want to keep weight low. Leather’s advantages include its ability to allow moisture to escape.

The right crampons for your tour

Crampons are also made of all kinds of materials. Steel crampons are somewhat more stable and offer good grip on rocky surfaces, while aluminium crampons are lighter but less stable. In short, the best crampons for you depend on the tour you’ll be doing.

 The shape of the spikes is also governed by your tour. Vertical spikes pointing downwards from your foot are best for gradients of up to 35 degrees. If you need to climb, front spikes are required: you push them into the ice like an ice pick. 

It’s crucial that you pack your crampons properly, which is why special transport bags are available to prevent the spikes from damaging fabrics and stopping you and others from injuring yourself on them. Generally, your crampons will be wet and dirty after a tour. You’re best cleaning them at home and leaving them to dry.

Of course, your feet aren’t the only thing to consider. It’s also important to plan the right clothing for your Alpine tour. Ideally, you should dress in layers to protect you against wind, cold and bad weather.