11 Best Crampons For Ski Boots [Personal Experience!] -

Are you in search of the best crampons for ski boots? I’ve been there!

From the moment I started skiing, I absolutely fell in love with it. But I wish past Aisha had future Aisha to help with ski gear buying decisions!

So here I am doing that for you 🙂

Fun fact: The word “crampon” comes from the French “craper”, which means “to catch hold of”. Crampons are evolutionary of the traditional ice axe.

They are designed to be used on steep ice and snow slopes.

There are quite a bit of crampons out there, but I’ve done the research, so you don’t have to, and listed here the 11 best crampons for ski boots.

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Top 3 Crampons For Ski Boots

Best Quality Crampons For Ski Boots: Petzl Vasak Crampons

Lightweight, adaptable, and available in two different binding systems to work with different boot types, the Petzl Vasak Crampons come in here with great quality and grip on different types of terrains.

Best All Round Crampons For Ski Boots: Grivel G10 Crampons

I picked these for best all round crampons as they’re sturdy enough for rough walks but lightweight at the same time. Best part? They fit almost all boot sizes, so they’re great for women and even kids!

Best Budget Crampons For Ski Boots: Camp Stalker Universal Crampons

At just $100+ USD, these crampons work great for all sorts of use, as long as you’re not using them for technical climbing. Grab these durable crampons for your next hike or mountaineering trip at a pocket-friendly price!

11 Best Crampons For Ski Boots

1. Petzl Leopard Boot Crampons

The Petzl Leopard Boot Crampons are the best crampons for ski mountaineering in the lightweight section. These crampons are designed for booths with toe and heel welts and are great for steep neve. However, due to their lightweight nature, they’re not suitable for technical mountaineering or climbing.

The Good:

Lightweight – they weigh just 384g, that’s about 3 bars of chocolate!
Comes with a bag to store these Petzl crampons so you needn’t have a separate bag of your own

The Not-So-Good:

Only good on snow, not suitable for ice or mixed underfoot
Not suitable for technical pursuits

2. Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampons

Petzl’s Irvis Hybrid Crampons are a great combo of lightweight and durability. The front section of the crampons is made from steel, and the rear from aluminum, which enables the crampons to maintain traction and technical performance but with added durability through the use of steel.

One of my favorite parts of these crampons is that the low weight allows these crampons to be packed in a compact way.

The Good:

Interchangeable toe strap/ bail
Lightweight
Packs small so it takes up less room in your bag and even then, they come in their own protective carry bag

The Not-So-Good:

Requires rigid and semi-rigid soles
No plastic edge to assist in clipping the heel lever

3. Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra

The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra is great for preventing slipping and other icy conditions risks. They provide an impressive amount of traction when hiking up steep slopes.

The velcro front strap keeps them on and secured, which is fantastic, and the stainless steel spikes are really durable. These crampons can withstand a lot of force, even when you’re on open rock.

The Good:

Secure fit with Velcro straps
Easy to put on and take off
Strong traction

The Not-So-Good:

The toe bar tends to move around
The guarantee is only for 2 years, unlike quite a few crampons that has 3 years guarantee

4. Blue Ice Harfang Crampons

Blue Ice Harfang Crampons are automatic crampons that adapt to all ski touring boots featuring a toe welt and mountaineering shoes with a rigid sole and toe welt. This makes them great for both ski touring and classic mountaineering!

I like that the bag these crampons come in can be attached to the waist – you have your crampons with you without any additional clutter.

The Good:

1% of revenue from this purchase goes to environmental associations – bonus points for my environmental girlies out there! 🙂
They’re sold with a toe basket and convenient storage bag for you

The Not-So-Good:

Comes with only two points in the heel so you can find yourself sliding through the snow if you’re not extra careful

5. Camp Stalker Universal Crampons

Camp Stalker Universal Crampons are great for mountaineering and glacier crossings that don’t involve technical climbing.

They make a good investment as they’re compatible with all boot types, including soft-soled winter boots, rigid mountaineering boots, and regular hiking boots.

The Camp Stalker Universal Crampons are best for hiking on glaciers and packed and icy trails. They are also great for low-angle ice with outstanding durability over mixed ice and rock routes.

The Good:

Universal bindings fit most mountaineering and hiking boots
Easy size adjustment – no tools needed!

The Not-So-Good:

The little piece of steel in the back might cause discomfort if your heel is not fit right
Narrow rear heel cup may not fit wide boots

6. Singing Rock Unisex Adult Crampon Fakir Iii Classic Crampons

Singing Rock Unisex Adult Crampon Fakir Iii Classic Crampons are ideal crampons for soft snow and a variety of variable snow conditions. However, take note that they’re no good for very hard ice.

These crampons’ asymmetrical shape makes them adapt well to boots and front points, so they’re great for steep terrain.

The Good:

Easy to use with gloves on
Good stability while keeping traction
Fun color!

The Not-So-Good:

Frame coating chips off easily

7. Grivel G10 Crampons

Grivel G10 Crampons are the perfect lightweight walking crampons. They’re sturdy and rugged enough to take quite the beating; however, keep these only for general walking and not any technical pursuits.

I love that these crampons adjust easily, and the binding system is superb – works with different boot shapes and is easy to use even with freezing fingers!

The Good:

Available in strap or semi-auto bindings
Fits almost all boot sizes
Great for women with small feet or even kids

The Not-So-Good:

Not designed for steep front-pointing terrain

8. Petzl Vasak Crampons

Designed for adventure, Petzl Vasak Crampons are the perfect crampons for your mountaineering trips. Their all-steel design provides good stability and grip on various ranges of frozen terrain.

The best part is that they’re still very lightweight for what they can do and also very adaptable with available in two different binding systems to work with different boot types.

The Good:

Lightweight
Adaptable for different boot types as they come with different binding systems; (Flexlock) or semi-auto/fully auto (Leverlock) bindings

The Not-So-Good:

Anti-balling plates susceptible to wear

9. CAMP XLC Nanotech Automatic Crampons

CAMP XLC Nanotech Automatic Crampons are ideal for packed snow and icy routes.

With these crampons, you get the edging capabilities and control of a step-in crampon without the weight of steel, as the materials are a hybrid of steel and aluminum.

The steel points in front are for kicking into ice-covered rock, and the aluminum spikes underneath save weight.

The Good:

Lightweight
Supportive plastic toe bail so you can use them without welts
Tool-free size adjustment

The Not-So-Good:

Front points don’t reach the ground when traversing

10. Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons

The Black Diamond Crampons are an excellent choice for anyone who wants a rugged, durable crampon with a great grip for relatively high-angle ascents and descents. They are really one of the best crampons for mountaineering.

I love that these crampons fit securely on all boots and shoes. They are also constructed using stainless steel for a design that won’t rust. The perfect combo of style and function!

The Good:

Great traction

The Not-So-Good:

Might feel a little heavy

11. CAMP XLC 390 Automatic Crampons

CAMP XLC 390 Automatic Crampons is the world’s lightest 12-point crampon in the world! But the weight does not affect performance – its durable design makes spikes less likely to bend or snap, making them perfect for ski mountaineering and glacier travel.

However, do note that since they’re made from aluminum, these crampons are not suitable for ice climbing or intensive mixed terrain.

CAMP XLC 390 Automatic Crampons also comes with dynamic anti-balling plates and their own carrying case.

The Good:

The lightest 12-point crampons in the world – you might forget you’re wearing them!
3-D pressed frame distributes pressure so your feet don’t hurt or feel cramped
Wear indicators on the side points to show you when it is time to replace the crampons

The Not-So-Good:

Not suitable for ice climbing or intensive mixed terrain

When Should You Use Crampons On Your Boots?

Knowing when to use crampons can be quite tricky if you’re an inexperienced user, as crampons require specific conditions to be effective.

But let’s break it down to the basics.

For one, use crampons if you feel you might slip on snow or ice. If your treads aren’t gripping, then you need to use crampons on ski boots.

If you no longer feel secure with your boots and an ice axe, then you need your ski crampons.

Generally, you would need to use crampons when:

The snow becomes firmer
The slope angle increases
You’re moving on a glacier
You want to move more efficiently

Importantly, don’t wait until you’re on the terrain that needs crampons to put them on. You should scan the terrain up ahead and gauge if you will need your crampons.

Find a flat spot to stop and put your crampons on, and make sure you are away from any hazards. Even the best ski mountaineering crampons can’t help you if you put yourself in the way of danger!

Different Types Of Crampons

Basically, there are 3 main types of crampons, which are:

1. Step-In/ Automatic

2. Strap-On

3. Hybrid/ Semi-Automatic

Let’s delve into the 3.

1. Step-In/ Automatic Crampons

Step-in or automatic crampons are specialized crampons that you can use for extreme activities. This type of crampon uses metal bars and rubber welts to attach tightly to your boots.

The Good:

Better stability (with the tight fit between the crampon and the boot)
Can be used for technical pursuits as they have specialized design
Good ski mountaineering crampons

The Not-So-Good:

Incompatible with many types of boots
Heavy
Costly

2. Strap-On Crampons

Strap-on crampons are non-technical, slip over your boot piece of gear and give you a little extra traction. The spikes are normally 1/4th the size of a step-in crampon, and they are nowhere as sharp.

The Good:

Lightweight
Compatible with (almost) all boots
Good traction on low-angled snow

The Not-So-Good:

Not for technical pursuits

3. Hybrid / Semi-Automatic Crampons

Hybrid or Semi-Automatic Crampons are similar to step-in crampons. However, instead of a front bar to attach to your boot, there is a strap for you to pull into place.

The Good:

Easy to walk in
Compatible with a wider variety of boots
Good fit (almost as good as a step-in crampon)

The Not-So-Good:

A little heavy for casual activities
Can’t be used for technical pursuits

FAQs On Best Crampons For Ski Boots

Do Crampons Work With Ski Boots?

Yes, crampons work with ski boots. If you have a toe welt like a standard alpine ski boot, you’ll want automatic crampons. Automatic crampons have metal toe and heel bails. The most secure crampons connection comes from toe and heel bails. Without a toe welt, such as Dynafit TLT7, Hoji Pro Tour, PDG 2, etc., you will need a semiautomatic crampon.

Are Ski Crampons Worth It?

Yes, ski crampons are worth it! Ski crampons are amazing on hard snow, vastly decreased effort in general, even on lower angle terrain sometimes if it’s spring. They usually get you up most snow to about 35 degrees. If your skis are heavy, it’s nice to keep them off your back as long as you can.

How Do I Choose Ski Crampons?

You should be choosing your ski crampon width at least 5 mm wider than the waist of your ski. Maybe you’re using a ski with a waist of 88 mm, so then you should use ski crampons that are 100 mm wide.

Can You Put Crampons On Any Boot?

You can’t put crampons on any boot because most crampons require a special type of boot, or mountaineering boot. Crampons for hiking footwear are not made as they’re a completely different type of traction device. The reason for this is that crampons require a stiff-shanked boot to stay securely fastened to your boot.

So there you have it, 11 best crampons for ski boots.

A few things to remember – on steep terrain where climbing on skis is no longer possible, crampons are essential.

And the fastening system on the boot is essential for compatibility.

Each pair of crampons fits a different shoe size. Adjustments are usually easy, no tools are required, and you can do them the night before your hike.

Also, most of the time, crampons go in a backpack, so they should be light and compact.

I hope the list I’ve set out will help in your search for the best crampons for ski boots. Happy skiing!

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