Camp Camp Ice Rider 12 NB

ben brockway
Reviewed: 16 April 2003

WELL PRICED BASIC CRAMPON FOR GENERAL WINTER WALKING.

Shorter points make travel on flat terrain less tiring. Easy adjustment without tools and fit is good on the 4 pairs of boots I've tried them on. Standard new style strap system works well and is IMHO as quick as fiddling with step-in bales and heel levers. Compact down well for transport. Supplied with anti-bott plates fitted. Cheap!

Not a technical climbing crampon, but then you wouldn't expect that at this price.

Those not entirely at ease with their sexuality may not wish to have "Camp" written on them.

A step down in spec from my old crampons (Grivel 2Fs and Charlet Moser S12s, reviewed elsewhere on the site) as my new winter boots have no front welt. I was pleasantly suprised by these crampons, mostly because the already keen price was a further 50% off at Snow&Rock. Standard spec includes the anti-bott plates, to reduce balling up in soft snow, although flexible crampons with horizontal frames tend to be less prone to this in most conditions. The front 8 points are relatively non-aggressive and so are very easy to walk in; they are also quite hard to stumble over when tired!

Essentially, these are solid, simple, quick fitting crampons with a good degree of flex for walking and adequate front points for limited front pointing. The extra points probably give more security over a pair of flexi 10-point crampons for general walking and light mountaineering duties; but there are many better models for steep ice or mixed. With anti-ball plates as standard these are a good buy for anyone on a tight budget.