Having lightened my load over the last year including footwear. I have been researching about using crampons with my inov'8 shoes.
I had heard about Kahtoola crampons before and they have been mentioned here previously (I think ptc) but I wonder if anyone has had any experience in the UK or abroad with them. I have found some reports throughout the states and they appear to get quite a good right up.
Coupled with the fact you can buy direct I was wondering about getting some.
The Kahtoola KTS Steel crampons are great. I got a pair last year, and I'm sure ptc* and Frank have them too. I didn't get a lot of use out of them but they coped fine for general mountain use - I'm not trying to go ice-climbing!! And they went easily onto a range of footwear.
I also lent them to someone for the OM Winter Skills course anf they were fine for that when they ascended Aladdin's Couloir in the Cairngorms.
But the best thing about them is just how light and compact they are compared to my Grivel G12s - now I don't bother wondering whther to lug crampons around in case I meet winter on the hills, I just sling them in the pack!
Aye, those chain things are frightening. Aimed at US runners on icy trails. They also do a wonderful neoprene overshoe with bits of pastry cutter stuck on.
IceBug are doing a similar thing, but it's a studded rubber mesh that fits over their shoes looks much better. But in use? Time will tell.
I think it's great to see all these companies trying this wacky stuff. Innovation is a precious comodity indeed.
