 I'm currently shopping around for some basic crampons. I have a pair of Scarpa SL M3 boots, size 46, and was wondering if the Grivel G10 crampon would fit. I think someone in the member review section said that the G10 would only just fit a size 10 (British), which is about 44 or 45 on the annoying European scale ... anyone else had problems with larger boot sizes?
I'm also looking at the Camp Stalker, a 12-point C1 graded crampon, but can find no reviews on the site, and very little information on sizing from the manufacturer (argh!).
My problem will be trying to find somewhere locally that stocks crampons. I live in Norwich, and I don't think Venturesport (our only gear shop other than Millets) actually has any crampons in stock. I wouldn't like to have to buy crampons online or through mail order, but I may end up having to!
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 I can only tell you that for safety you should make the effort to go into a retailer to try them on, even if it means travelling some distance. You can't take a mail-order chance on something your life may depend on.
Just my opinion.
The best fit for MY SLs were Troll crampons - totally bombproof fit - but I'm a size 37 - it won't be the same for you. Grivel fit Bob's better - he has size 43 boots.
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 Alex, Jeannie is correct, you should take your boots in. Generally compatibility between Grivel and Scarpa is quite good and they have the same UK importer.
I've used SLs with G10s, size 43 and they were a good fit, but while that suggests the combo probably will work, it's impossible to say for sure.
If you can find a nice, friendly retailer who stocks both brands and order over the phone they may try the combination for you.
Alternatively, contact the Mountain Boot Company, fortuitously the UK importers for both Scarpa and Grivel and they should be able to say yay or nay.
See: www.mountainboot.co.uk
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Thanks for the info! I think I'll try contacting Venturesport. I got the boots from Venturesport only a few weeks ago, and I was very impressed by their service, so maybe they'll be nice enough to try the combination and let me know.
If not, I'll drop the Mountain Boot company a line.
JJ: is it true that the Troll crampons are very similar to Grivel, only generally a bit cheaper? They might be worth looking into if I can find somewhere nearby that sells them!
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Not sure about cheaper but they have a better rep than Camp, as do Grivs
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 Alex, I wear scarpa sl m3s as well, size 47. I took my boots in to Tiso in Leith to check if g10s fitted. The answer is no. It was touch and go though, so maybe a 46 would be ok.
However, Ally in Tiso was really helpfull and came up with a pair of longer bars and the g10s now fit. The price was the same £70.
The answer may well be to go to the store and try. Good luck
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Update: As it turns out, my boots are size 45, NOT 46, so things may be easier for me. I'm going to go into Venturesport on Wednesday and see if they actually have any crampons in stock.
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 Alex
If Venturesport are unable to help you, if you can get to Cambridge try Countryside or Open Air
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 I've just bought Scarpa SL M3s size 45 and Grivel G10s.
I was going to go for the Camp Ice Rider but, in the opinion of the F&T shop assistant, due to the slightly curved sole of the SLs there was too much off a gap between the toe end of the sole and the crampon. This would lead to too much build up of snow.
He recommended the G10s as they are flexible, allowing the gap between the sole and crampons to be closed.
My initial choices were based purley on what Trail had rated first in their tests. I figured both Scarpa and Grivel are widely accepted brands with good reputations so I would be backing a winner, especially if I went to a reliable retailer.
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Wow, that's great to hear! Now that I know there's definitely a reliable fit between the SL in size 45 and the G10, I'm feeling much happier about the possibility of buying online.
I still think I'll go into the shop to make sure, though ... it'd be just my luck to find out that my pair of boots is slightly bigger or smaller than the "standard" size 45.
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From what I saw of the G10s, there was at least one more hole left in the plate of the crampon to allow it to go up in size. The official G10 spec reckons it covers sizes 35-46. Like others above, I'd recommend a fitting of the boot first. I've gone for the standard fitting, though my mate needs the wide fitting. You'll only find this out by trying them on. Incidentally, this is my first 3-4 season boot. I noticed the sole felt hard so got some Sorbathane Double Strike insoles - it completely changed the feel (for the better). If you intend to use such insoles, try them on as well as they can affect the fit.
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The boots are done and dusted: got them fitted and bought a couple of weeks back. But it's only just occurred to me that I'll need crampons as well!
Based on your information, I think I'll cut the hassle and just order them over the Internet. I can return them easily enough if for whatever reason they don't fit.
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 I've got G10's and Size 10 SL's. The Crampons only fit on the very last hole in the bar.
Nuff said
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Here's another question: If the crampons end up being slightly too small, where can I get an extension plate from? I know that Grivel makes them, but I can't seem to find them on any of the regular UK retailers (Cotswold, Venturesport, F&T, Ellis Brigham etc.).
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And while I'm thinking about it, will the extension plate designed for the G12 and G14 also work with the G10?
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 Alex, check this out... Crampons at NeedlesportsI'm not convinced that extension plates apply to crampons like the G10 - Needlesports are excellent (deal online or by phone if you can't get to Keswick, & free postage) and this page covers lots on crampons, but the extension plates they mention are for the F2 rigid crampons - at the opposite end of the scale from G10s. There's also some sizing info against the crampons and it doesn't look to me like you'll have a problem. If by extension plate you mean the longer adjustment bar (near bottom of page) then yes it should fit but it's a more rigid bar and you'll effectively be giving yourself a 10 point C2 crampon instead of a C1 - I'm not sure how that would work with SLs, someone else might have experience of it. I'm pretty sure the bars are interchangeable though because I went the other way, downgrading my G12s by fitting the flexi-bar to make them more compatible with my 3-season leather boots. PS You'll also get the adjustment bars at www.outside.co.uk
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Thanks--just what I needed! After all, if Venturesport (or anyone else, for that matter) sells me crampons that are too small for a size 45, when they're advertised to fit 47, I should be entitled to a refund!
I doubt I'll be using the crampons for long periods at a time, so even if I do have to fit longer extension bars the extra stiffness probably won't be too much of a problem.
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 'but they have a better rep than Camp, as do Grivs'
Tell the Italians that, when I went to the Dolomites just about everyone was wearing CAMP everything! I am very happy with my Ice Riders but like my wife's G10's too.
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