Lightweight crampons for multi-day backpacking with limited snow/glacier travel

What do you pack when you are on a multi-day backpacking trip that might involve limited snow/glacier travel?

Are there any lightweight, hiking boot compatible strap on crampons (i.e. the boots are not rigid and have no heel or toe welts)?

I went on a 3 day backpacking trip into the Sierra Nevada and tried to scramble up Banner Peak. I debated for a long time on my footwear. I have the Scarpa Charmoz boots and hybrid/new-matic Grivel G12s, but this was a 3 day, 24 mile long circuit, and the scramble would take up only a very limited portion of the total trip length. It seemed insane to wear stiff mountaineering boots for 3 days. I considered packing the Charmoz in my pack, but in the end decided against it due to both the weight and volume (my pack was already 50 lbs). In the end, I packed gaiters, an ice axe, Kahtoola microspikes, and a helmet, and wore my regular hiking boots.

Most of the route was class 2-3 scrambling, but we eventually hit a large snowfield. The microspikes didn't really do anything on the suncupped snow, but the ice axe helped a lot. I didn't really need crampons in this case, but I imagine many other cases where I might have. What's the solution in cases such as this?

BD contact crampons; no welt required. 

petzl leopard or irvis hybrid

I'm a big fan of the Petzl Leopards.  They pack small, are light and fit flexible boots well.

+1 for the Petzl Leopard. I have the aluminum CAMP universal crampons and they work well with approach shoes, but the Petzl’s pack down far smaller and are lighter. Every time I’ve used my CAMP aluminum crampons my partner has used his petzl leopards and I’ve been jealous haha. Before my next big trip necessitating crampons with approach shoes I’ll likely upgrade to the Petzl Leopards.

I do have the Petzl Irwin hybrids and use them for ski mountaineering and love them (I opted for the Irwin’s here for the better durability of the steel front half and the ability to climb some easy ice).

Thank you all for the answers. The Leopard seems like a great option. My only concern is that my shoes are 46 EU/12 US, and it seems that would be unlikely to accommodate the Leopards. I know traditional crampons have longer bars that you can purchase, but I'm not sure if Petzl would send me longer Dyneema cord.
I'm also looking at the Grivel Air Tech Light and the BD Contact that was mentioned.
I read about the Petzl Irvis, but, if I'm not mistaken, they can not be worn on shoes with no toe/heel welt.

I wore the leopards with 47.5 trail runners, they will fit. The sizes they state are for really big bulky mountaineering boots. Practice with the alternative lacing pattern and they are very secure and weigh the same as a pair of microspikes...

IMO the grivel air tech lights look really aggressive but I don’t think they climb any better than the other aluminum crampons. If you don’t have some steel up front it is limiting. 

Lighter weight options (their 'heavy' duty ones might fall in-between microspikes and universal crampons)
http://snowlinegear.com/
https://hillsound.com/collections/all

I use my Leopards on size 45 boots and I have some room to expand.  I'm confident they would fit on size 46 approach shoes.  Petzl does offer replacement cord but I don't know if it is any longer than the original cord.  You could always pick up some Amsteel from a boating store in any length you'd need.  As was mentioned, practice with the alternate lacing method, it works really well for a secure fit.

Sounds like Leopards are the way to go. I'll start looking for deals on a pair.
Thanks so much again to everyone! 

Greg R wrote:  

On sale in Camp USA outlet $70 21oz.

That IS a very attractive price. What would I be giving up with these as compared to the Petzl Leopards? These seem a bit heavier, and the metal connecting bar seems like it would be potentially too rigid with non-mountaineering boots?

I have a similar sized shoe as you and have the BD Contact Strap-on Crampons. I had to buy flexible extension bars to get it to work well with my hiking boots, since the bars that come with it are too stiff and too short. That being said, I really like them and have used them around the Sierra and Shasta without real issue. They are capable enough on very steep snow/neve, even on terrain that required me to use two axes.

Ignas M wrote: Thank you all for the answers. The Leopard seems like a great option. My only concern is that my shoes are 46 EU/12 US, and it seems that would be unlikely to accommodate the Leopards. I know traditional crampons have longer bars that you can purchase, but I'm not sure if Petzl would send me longer Dyneema cord.
I'm also looking at the Grivel Air Tech Light and the BD Contact that was mentioned.
I read about the Petzl Irvis, but, if I'm not mistaken, they can not be worn on shoes with no toe/heel welt.

like other mentioned the Leopards will fit your shoes. Otherwise the replacement cord Petzl sells (mainly to replace worn out cord) is quite a bit longer so you could even make them work with size 47 double boots if you ever needed to.