Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Backcountry Hunting => Topic started by: Tikka300wsm on June 03, 2017, 10:56:38 PM

Title: Crampons
Post by: Tikka300wsm on June 03, 2017, 10:56:38 PM: What's everyone running for crampons? I want a lightweight set to keep in the pack this year. Let's say under $100..any suggestions?
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: kselkhunter on June 03, 2017, 11:08:13 PM: I don't do mountaineering so don't do full crampons. But do like my Kahtoola spikes. Keep in my pack for November hunts, and general winter conditions.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Jim/WA on June 04, 2017, 12:34:26 AM: Grivel G10's on steep snow/ice. Kahtoola microspikes on everything else including scree and loose ground litter.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: TheHunt on June 04, 2017, 08:00:21 AM: I use Kahtoola Microspikes.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Tikka300wsm on June 04, 2017, 02:26:04 PM: It looks like they just slip over your boot? No straps over the top? I mainly want them for steep sidehilling and crossing snow fields.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: kselkhunter on June 04, 2017, 03:14:22 PM: They slip over your boot, and stay on well. I've never had them come off.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: CaNINE on June 04, 2017, 03:18:24 PM: Quote from: TheHunt on June 04, 2017, 08:00:21 AM
I use Kahtoola Microspikes.

I run these
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Tikka300wsm on June 04, 2017, 03:33:03 PM: Perfect, I'll be picking up a set. Thanks guys
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Okanagan on June 04, 2017, 04:40:20 PM: Another Ditto for Kahtoola microspikes. I bought them for hunting icy snow conditions and was blown away by how good they are. Easy to slip on and off, I wear them much more in wet woods than I do in snow. I wear them to pick hucklberries and the little wild trailing blackberries on steep hillsides in summer.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Justdecent on March 25, 2018, 09:22:25 PM: Has anyone else experienced snowballing under their spikes with the Kahtoolas? I was ready to just leave them on the side of the mountain.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Okanagan on March 25, 2018, 09:30:47 PM: Quote from: Justdecent on March 25, 2018, 09:22:25 PM
Has anyone else experienced snowballing under their spikes with the Kahtoolas? I was ready to just leave them on the side of the mountain.

I've used mine a LOT for three years and only had the snowballing happen once. It was annoying but not dangerous where I was. About every third to fifth step I had to kick the built up snowball loose from under my foot. My guess is that snow balls up in the micro-spikes only under certain temperature and density conditions that are not common to my area.

I have worn them waaaay more than I expected, not only on snow and ice but while picking trailing blackberries and huckleberries in summer, plus hunting slick wet blacktail slopes in Fall. They are great on wet wood.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: 3dvapor on March 25, 2018, 09:42:55 PM: Yeah, Work great for chukar hunting. I've also had them snowball before though.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: addicted on March 25, 2018, 11:25:57 PM: I just got some similar to the kahtoolas on Amazon for like $18 with an optional top strap.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: MacAttack on March 26, 2018, 07:04:33 PM: Quote from: addicted on March 25, 2018, 11:25:57 PM
I just got some similar to the kahtoolas on Amazon for like $18 with an optional top strap.

I bought these, they lasted 1 season for me. I'm buying the Kahtoolas now.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: Rob on March 27, 2018, 03:45:28 AM: If you want true crampons, I have had great luck with the black diamond Sabers.
https://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-sabretooth-clip-crampons?skid=BLD00ET-POL-ONESIZ&ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6Q3JhbXBvbnM6MTo3OkNyYW1wb25z

Work on any boot with a heel lip and they have got me up many a mountain. A bit more than your budget, but backcountry is giving you 20 percent off an item right now and free shipping and that gets it closer. I have not had issues with balling with mine. They are great for ice and hard snow, but walking over thin snow cover, light ice, or combo of Intermitant snow and dirt makes for tough walking. Microspikes are best for that kind of terrain. Microspikes however are not really good for the serious stuff.

All depends on what kind of terrain. You need to cross.
Title: Re: Crampons
Post by: davk on March 27, 2018, 08:24:00 PM: Look up hiking crampons. More of a mix between microspikes and mountaineering. I use the Kahtoola K10.