Crampons for approach shoes (TX5 GTX Mid)

Im looking for some crampons that i can fit on my approach shoes. I want to do hikes in icy environments upto approaches which need crampons. I've read many things on the internet about the crampons having to to be flexible, because the sole is.

Do you recommend any specific product or type of crampons?

Thanks in advance!  

Luis

What do you mean when you say hikes in icy environments? Do you mean actual glaciers or are we talking iced over trails? If the latter you might be better off with microspikes. 

If the former, get the cheapest good crampons with a flexible bar and universal binding that you can get your hands on, if possible even second-hand. If they're from a reputable brand you could also buy a flexible linking bar separately and replace the stiff original linking bar. Obvious contenders are Grivel G10 or G12 New Classic, Petzl Irvis or Vasak Universal, and Black Diamond Contact but literally anything similar will get you started. 

Check these out (if you haven’t already): https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/ These are fantastic for icy trails, approaches, hiking, and they fit over almost every shoe.

Usually, if you’re in terrain that need real crampons, you’ll be wearing mountaineering boots not approach shoes. 

Kahtoola microspikes are every bit as good as Ry C says, that's why they're frequently sold out in stores. I've worn the Black Diamond Contacts with trail running shoes, and I've seen them worn with approach shoes. In both cases we were on terrain that was barely steep enough to warrant crampons and ice axe, and we were both pretty confident about our footwork. We were also both covering long stretches where mountaineering boots would have been a handicap.

Ive used the Petzl Leopard with the rubber heel and toe bails on my running/approach shoes for early season training hikes up high. But if I was primarily concerned with icy trails, I'd suggest the Kahtoola's like everyone else 

shredward wrote:

Ive used the Petzl Leopard with the rubber heel and toe bails on my running/approach shoes for early season training hikes up high. But if I was primarily concerned with icy trails, I'd suggest the Kahtoola's like everyone else 

Leopards are pretty sweet if you have another pair of petzl crampons so you can take advantage of the modular bindings, but otherwise petzl’s strap on bindings are more fiddly/less secure, especially on shoes with a narrow toe than standard riveted strap ons.

+++kahtoolas for icey trails.

If you really do need a crampon for this either the CAMP Stalker Universal or CAMP Ascent Universal will work. Both are steel with a flexible linking bar. The Ascent is a bit lighter, more compact, and completely modular if you want to run it full auto or semi auto for other boots. Snowline Chainsen traction footspikes could also work depending on the terrain.

https://www.camp-usa.com/outdoor/product/crampons/stalker-universal/

https://www.camp-usa.com/outdoor/product/crampons/ascent-universal/

https://www.camp-usa.com/outdoor/products/brands/snowline/

1+ for BD contact crampons, would work great for ascending a low angle snow or neve slope.

Not sure why everyone is offering their two cents on his need for crampons. Going to give my guy the benefit of the doubt that he knows microspikes exist and isnt going to be hiking with these.

There are definitely some situations where I would consider wearing crampons over a shoe instead of boot. If you are going to a semi technical alpine climb that you will want rock shoes and approach shoes for but may require a bit of snow climbing to get to the start, then I would definitely consider this option rather than ridge scrambling 5th class terrain for a whole day in mountaineering boots.

I’ve spent a lot of time with crampons on with my approach shoes.  Sorta sucks but is always better than not having crampons.

Check out the BD neve strap on or Grivel Air Tech lite.  I’ve found the grivels to fit best with approach shoes.  I’ve also tried the Camp aluminum crampons and found them to be a poor fit with approach shoes.  YMMV

Generally speaking aluminum should be adequate for anything you will be doing in approach shoes.  If it is actually hard ice on the approach moving up a tier to lightweight mountaineering boots and steel crampons might make sense.

I have an old pair of SMC hinged crampons. Having the hard posts on the sides helps greatly in keeping the shoe in place. They work best on high top approach shoes so the strap that goes around around one's ankle wraps around the shoe. You can find these crampons used for cheap. The only PITA is they use a screw for the adjustment. 

A word of caution about Katoolas.  They can  climb icy surfaces like refrozen morning crust MUCH more securely than they can descend them.  I've climb-jogged myself into a corner a couple time and had some hairy descents as a result.   They're super useful just be aware.

Anyone tried the new blue ice crampons? Maybe they would be a good fit for approach shoes

https://us.blueice.com/pages/crampons

Nathan Doyle wrote:

Anyone tried the new blue ice crampons? Maybe they would be a good fit for approach shoes

https://us.blueice.com/pages/crampons

I’m not sure if I am missing an option on their website but I couldn’t find anything that was a fully strap on crampon that would work with shoes.

Mikey Schaefer wrote:

I’m not sure if I am missing an option on their website but I couldn’t find anything that was a fully strap on crampon that would work with shoes.

No, you're right, I'm an idiot.

Just saw a pair of these in an ad:

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/shop/traction-devices