 Backpacker.COM
These lightweight, aluminum crampons turn any hiking boots into ice- and snow-gripping winter footwear.
 In the mountains around my home in western Colorado, the snow falls early and stays late, so I often face a dilemma when it comes to traction in the backcountry: Do I carry in-step crampons to save weight, but risk wishing for more grip, or do I lug heavy-duty mountaineering crampons and find myself overburdened and over-cramponed for most conditions? Last year I found a new set of fangs that solves the dilemma. The Kahtoola® Traction System (KTS) bridges the gap between the two extremes of traction choices.
At first glance, Kahtoolas look like standard crampons, but closer inspection reveals a trimmed-down design, sans front points, that’s well suited to winter backpacking on moderate snow and ice, and excellent for crossing slick summer snowfields. Aluminum and stainless steel construction and 3/4-inch-long teeth keep the weight down to just over a pound per pair, a welcome change if you’re used to carrying full-size mountaineering crampons. And since the teeth are about half the length, I didn’t feel like Frankenstein teetering on the snow-packed trails where I tested the Kahtoolas. Truth be told, for hiking (not climbing) on snow and icy terrain, I never found myself wanting longer points. Only the most challenging conditions will test the Kahtoolas’ grip. When the terrain steepens to include scrambling on your toes, the Kahtoolas’ lack of front points limits their effectiveness. And in the deepest summer slush the points are a tad short for a secure purchase.
But for backpacking, not mountaineering, the Kahtoolas provided all the traction I wanted. I also appreciated the Kahtoolas quick adjustability. A lever on the heel plate lets the center bar slide in or out, easily adjusting the length (comes in three sizes; total range fits men’s shoe sizes 4–15.5), and enabling the frame to pack down to about half the size of standard crampons. What’s more, the toe and heel straps fit any shoe in my closet, from the light sneakers I wore in July on the Continental Divide to the bulky plastic mountaineering boots I used in the Elk Mountains in February. Another bonus for hikers: When mated with flexible boots, the springy center bar bends slightly for a more natural stride than you get with rigid crampons.
The drawbacks of the Kahtoolas are minor. People with small feet will find the center bar extends beyond their heel, reducing traction on descents. And those with large feet will experience a blank space between the forefoot and heel, a common problem with most adjustable crampons. Last, the aluminum teeth dull quickly, especially during forays on rock. Because the points are already small, they can be sharpened perhaps only a dozen times before being retired to the putting green. But if you’re careful to avoid tromping on rocks, the Kahtoolas will lighten your load and improve your traction for many snows to come.
—Tyler Stableford
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