 Outdoor Retailer Magazine
Unlike other step-in or adjustable crampons that require stiff-soled, welted mountaineering boots, the Kahtoola 10-point crampons fit over most shoes and boots, from running shoes and backpacking boots to portly pac-style boots.
 January 2002 - Kahtoola Seeks a Foothold with Adjustable Crampons. Flagstaff, Ariz.- Whether you’re traversing frozen trails or an icy parking lot, Kahtoola® Traction System crampons are designed to provide a solid purchase on slick terrain. Launched last year, the crampons from Kahtoola (which means “directly” in Tibetan) are flexible and adjustable. Unlike other step-in or adjustable crampons that require stiff-soled, welted mountaineering boots, the Kahtoola 10-point crampons fit over most shoes and boots, from running shoes and backpacking boots to portly pac-style boots. A springy extender bar connects the crampons’ front and rear sections. This allows footwear to flex naturally — a big plus for trail running and long approaches where foot flex is critical for comfort and efficiency. Another user-friendly feature is the 3/4-inch, short-point spikes that bite but aren’t so long that they snag, contribute to ankle twist, or cause snow build-up between spikes. The crampons are secured under foot through front and rear webbing straps made of water- and freeze-resistant 3/4-inch polyester.
A contoured, high-impact heel cup and folding heel support ensure rear ankle support, while the front section’s strap guide adjusts to footwear of varying widths. Weighing 1.2 pounds a pair, the Kahtoolas are made of anodized 7000-series aluminum. They scrunch into a compact 8-inch tote sack (included) and can be stashed into a lumbar or day pack as “just-in-case” insurance for questionable trail conditions. Kahtoola founder Danny Giovale came up with the idea for the crampon after a minor accident while hiking in the Dolomites. When Giovale started down the slope in his rock climbing shoes, he lost control and slid several hundred feet before coming to rest in rocks and snow. He walked away with only minor injuries — and an idea for what later became the Kahtoola crampon. Available in three adjustable sizes, they carry a suggested retail of [$139].
—Ted Stedman
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