Gear

Hi peoples,

I've got a problem, my LaSportiva Glacier Evos have been brought out for inspection at the weekend prior to a walk in the Lakes snowy loveliness and I have noticed the stitching near the ankle has failed where the rubber bits that go around the back of the ankle go under the thick leather. This was part of what I think is a design flaw in the boots (don't go there). Anyway unless they can be repaired (also needs new soles as they are lethal on compacted snow as I found out last year coming down Gatesgarth) I need new boots.

One problem I don't have £220 for the ones I first looked at. Other problem is I don't wear boots but wear fell shoes.

Anyway I do need something that I can fit crampons too, unless yhou can get crampons for Walsh trail shoes which I am wearing now. I went all of last winter wading through snow in my old Montrail Highlanders but they are tougher and have harder studs on them than the walhs trail shoes.

My foot fit seems to be small width heel and average width forefoot and I'm a kind of 8.5 to 9 foot size. The LaSPortivas were a nice narrow and snug fit. When I say average instep I think that is for Europe not the wide British foot. IMHO that rules out Brasher and Meindls. Scarpas are not well liked by me as they used to fit and last a long time (first pair of SLs lasted about 6 years, second 2 years but I had increased my number od days out, third pair lasted about 1 year before the leather started to crack aroundthe flex point, the sole was coming undone despite repeated glueing and finally the sole cracked at the flex point completely) I do think Scarpa SLs have been going down in quality over the years. My LaSportivas have lasted about 18 months before the early signs of decay.

Anyway what boots are fairly narrow, especially at the heel that will be crampon compatable? Also what crampons do you use with the one you recommend? I do have Asolo Flame lightweight boots, would these take crampons? They are a fabric boots (with goretex) and are only B0 rated. I heard Monte Rosa's and perhaps G10s can be used with B0 boots at a push, how feasible is this really. It is unlikely I'd beusing all day but might occasionally do so. I have never used my old crampons since I got them but have managed ok it is just getting worse the winters than what I remember in the recent past. Last year was proper winter conditions in Lakes unlike previous few years. I wouldn't need them in deep snow of course or even powder snow only on compacrted snow and ice. They're really just in case use.

Anyway, with all that in mind does anyone have ideas? Of course I would always try them on in the shop and realise fit is everthing but just looking for suggestions first. I have described my feet shape/size as a rough guide though.

Pretty much any boots will take a flexible walking crampon like a G10

Kahtoolas and microspikes will work with shoes.

So why is the B1/C1 shop thing going on? Even mags go with that line. I have my conspiracy theories as I told ppl last winter when I caught them in the shop. I told one lass in front of the shop assistant in The Climbers Shop in Ambleside that she didn't need one of those stiff boots with the C1 crampons and many people  use them ok with normal boots they already own. She was in there with her meindls or other fairly stiff but only B0 rated boots on her feet and he told her they were not able to take crampons, the crampons would just fall off or she would break the bar linking the front to the back (flexibar). I told her that he was only telling her stuff to get a £220 sale of these B2 boots with a pair of overpriced crampons (C1 rated IIRC but over £100). That was from a highly regarded retailer and one who had the outdoor shop assistant of the year in it too. Anyway I think I got on his nerves and my friends one too as she ended up going back a week or so later and got something like a pair of Trangos (B2).

So you think the monte rosa or G10 crampons would go on the Asolo Flame boots then?(Both crampons have similar flex system bar thingy but the rosa is cheaper both in manufacture and price - in fact somewhere said they were basically the same crampon but the monte rosa is less well made with relief stamped spikes not the more 3D spikes of G10 or something like that).

Yup, the G10s (or Monte Rosas) will be fine on Asolo Flames. I know of a couple of folk using that combination.

I use G10s on Scarpa ZG40s which are about the same stiffness.

i've got a pair of meindl burma pros and have been told by a shop assistant that they will not take crampons. i've been thinking f buying a pair of scarpa mantas as it seems it is going to be a good winter. however this thread has caught my eye.

does anyone know if my meindls will take crampons. if yes, which ones?

You'll be fine with any flexible walking crampon on them, Elfed, as long as they fit securely.

This whole B1/C1 thing is a load of bollocks.

You can't go far wrong with G10s although the Monte Rosas look excellent for the money too.

I've no experience of other makes. Camp etc.

The B1/C1 mantra is nice and easy to understand, so as far as a lot of shop staff are concerned it must be right.

I've got a couple of friends who regularly use G10s with Meindl Burmas with no problems, even on long days. I use Kahtoola steel crampons myself -- on both light boots and shoes -- and have found they're fine for walking in the Lakes and Highlands.