Children's Boots & Crampons

Angus Taylor

03/01/2004 at 18:11

Considering introducing my eldest (11) to low-level winter camping/hill walking with a gentle introduction to some gentle slopes around Ardvorlich. Does anyone know of any suitable 3-4 season childrens' boots (about size 4) and any suitable flexible crampons? Most childrens boots I have come across seem to be fabric and I would envisage crampon-attachment being uncomfortable. Any adults out there who have experience in taking children out for walks (PS I am no Steve Irwin and have Winter UEL from my Army days!)

Gricel G9?

Ninja Marmot

03/01/2004 at 18:18

I wouldn't try to attach them to fabric booties; the toes could be compressed inside the soft uppers and the flexible nature of the boots could make the crampons pop off.

Snow chains (for cars) are also made in a version for shoes that don't have to be C-rated...see http://www.roofbox.co.uk/
and click on snow accessories on the left.
They start in a size 'up to 4'. I have no idea as to their efficiacy however.

"The RUD 'Bergsteiger' is altogether a much more serious shoe chain, available in four sizes.
It is standard issue to most European post offices, including our own Royal Mail!

Made of alloy steel, easy to put on, take off, and store and (amazingly!) self-cleaning, i.e. no snow and ice residue is left between the chain and the sole of the shoe."

Any experts out there know better?

BTW, I am a size 4 - you don't need to buy flexy-bendy children's boots in that size.

Angus Taylor

03/01/2004 at 18:20

Considered lady's boots for him but are the heels not somewhat different between ladies & gents?

Angus Taylor

03/01/2004 at 18:26

Thanks for the website although the chainlink-effect may not give sufficient grip. Do you 'winter-walk'?

Ninja Marmot

03/01/2004 at 18:36

Yes - and I find that crampons are very rarely necessary but are always carried together with the axe - which DOES get regular use. I would always carry it in my hand anywhere slippery or on a ridge etc. It's also great for extra purchase when ascending steep bits. Have a look at
this and then click on Deepdale Horseshoe on the left. Ben was the only person that day to pop on his crampies; and that was because they were new and he wanted to play with them.

With regards to the fit - the heels vary between manufacturers - it's worth trying a few on to see what fits best - some blokes I know buy women's approach shoes anyway because they fit better.

HTH

Ninja Marmot

03/01/2004 at 18:38

Oops sorry, typo.
here

Angus Taylor

03/01/2004 at 18:38

Sorry All I get is the page cannot be found?

Angus Taylor

03/01/2004 at 18:42

Got it now! Nice pictures! Lovely snow.

Ninja Marmot

03/01/2004 at 18:42

Hopefully the second attempt works for you - it does for me :)

Ninja Marmot

03/01/2004 at 18:43

Yeah the snow was soft and to be honest crampies wouldn't have helped. The cleated soles of the boots gave us plenty of purchase in those conditions.

Ninja Marmot

03/01/2004 at 18:45

BTW Angus - we've taken our kids out in soft snow and they don't have crampies ...but on carefully reccied sites not far from a road and the minute the weather is anything but bright and sunny we retreat to a nearby pub.

Iseler

04/01/2004 at 14:22

Angus, my children are 12 and 9 and had been using various Meindl children's boots for the last couple of years, but they were fabric and a bit soft, and not ideal for winter. Luckily, CCCoutdoors are selling women's Scarpa SL 3-4 season boots for only £70 so I bought them these and the results over the last few weeks up in the snow around Crianlarich have been great. For only £20 more than the Meindls you're getting a great boot which is significantly more substantial and is also compatible with C1 crampons. My children haven't complained at all since they got them, so I reckon that's a big success. Presumably the fact that these are women's boots means that they're made that bit smaller in the heel and elsewhere, which would make them suitable for children, assuming their feet are at least a 37 or 4. Also, if you've a boy, I don't think there's any way of telling the difference between the women's and men's, particularly when they're dirty.

Angus Taylor

05/01/2004 at 13:55

Unfortunately CCCOutdoors is now listing Scarpa SL as £126 (down from £140). Love Crianlarich however school camping trips down by the river when I were a lad were intersting with the wee beasties. Often we used to light a fire each end of the tents in an effort to keep them out!

05/01/2004 at 14:07

Not really relevant to the crampon issue, but the following website:

http://www.youngexplorers.co.uk/

Does outdoors clothing for kids. I got it from this months AT magazine. Seem to remember that someone said it was hard to get wicking tops for kids - well theres some on there.

No idea if any of its any good, but thought I'd post it up anyway.

Si

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