I am after advice, just recently purchased a pair of Raichle All degree lite GTX boots (nice and comfy) and am after a pair of crampons for winter walking, the choices make the mind boggle. Some shops are saying C1 and others are sayin C2. Help!!! If anybody has any advice about which classification and/or which crampons would be best then I would be grateful. Used crampons a bit about twenty years ago and things seem to have moved on hugely. Thanks in anticipation Darren
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 For walking use you can't go far wrong with a set of all-round C1 flexible walking crampons, I like the ones with the plastic cradle-type attachments. They're fast, pretty much idiot proof, very secure and there's no problems with straps cutting into your uppers / feet. You need to take your boots along to the shop when you buy them as different crampons suit different boots, you're looking for a nice, close match between boot and crampon with no big overlaps or gaps.
I'm not sure what grade the Raichle's are btw, but if you use C1s, it's not an issue and for walking it shouldn't make much odds anyway.
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Thanks for the advice, its appreciated  Better safe than sorry as they say
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 It should say on the litte info thing you get with the boots what rating they are and so what they are compatable with.
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Good idea, especially considering the amount of bumpf that you end up with 
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Some people like Kahtoola crampons for winter walking (not suitable for climbing, though). Even supposed to be able to use them with trainers! See towards the bottom of this page (the steel ones, not the aluminium ones):
Needle Sports crampons
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| Edited: 17/09/07 16:11 |
 The Kahtoola Crampons may feel a bit insecure. As Jon says, the newer style plastic cradle type fit anything and are quick to put on.
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Darren - how are you getting on with the All Degree's? They are top of my list at the moment but I've heard that they soften fairly rapdily. Having looked at the product review pages it would appear that the earlier versions were B2 but the 2007s are B1. Having tried them on in the shop I would agree that they feel like a B1 rated boot, which is what I was told they were in the shop. Bearing this in mind I would suggest, if you haven't already got them, that C1 rated crampons (strap on at both ends) as Jon suggested would be best suited but in terms of which brand and model - personally I always take my boots in to the shop and ensure they are a good fit.
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Hi Darren I had the same problem as you. I bought the All Degree Lites and had trouble finding out weather they were c1 or c2. Alot of shops i went too were unsure, one shop even rang a guy at Scarpa ( apparently they are they people who decide the ratings of boots in the UK) and he was unsure. I later found out the same as you, that the earlier version was c2 rated. Rip Van- I absolutely love my All Degree Lite's, they are comfortable, light, warm and feel very solid. I have used mine in harsh Norwegian Winter weather without any problems. I have the C1 Grivels and they are a perfect combo.
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Rip Van, well worth the price, definitely worth the price, comfy and they do wear in quickly but not to loose. Done a bit of moderate scrambling and they were great for that as well. My only bug bear is the in-sole but purchased some sorbathane in-soles and will give them a go Darren
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 I've had All Degree lights for a few years. Used my G12s (C2) and more recently G10s (C1) with them, both with no problems. Tisos told me I'd die if I put a crampon anywhere near the boot....miraculously this hasn't happened despite plenty of front pointing up steep neve in them. To be honest I'd go for the C1 as it suits the boots intended use better. In general they're great boots, but watch the stitching on them if you're doing a lot of scrambling - I had to have mine restitched where they'd been worn by rocks - probably mostly skye gabbro. Now I've put some shoe goo over the vulnerable bits - not pretty, but effective.
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