Petzl Lynx front section compatibility

I recently bought a 4 season boot to get into ice climbing and I’m looking to get a pair of automatic technical crampons. To maintain the most flexibility between my 3 season (La Spotiva Aequilibriums) and 4 season boots (Scarpa Mont Blanc Pros) I was interested in buying the Petzl Lynx (though I’d also be open to the Dart) along with Vasak front points. That said, I’m also interested it what may be the most economical option for taking advantage of Petzl’s modularity. (This may be a Vasak crampon with Dart front section).

I am wondering if anyone might share their experience using a setup similar to this, especially in regards to the Barrettes. It’s my understanding that the general and technical Petzl crampons use a different barrette.

I have the added complication of large feet. My 3 season boots are a 47 and my 4 season a 48. I think I’d need to purchase the size L reverse barrette. If buying the Lynx crampon, would I need to buy the standard barrette as well in order to properly attach Vasak front points?

It’s my understanding that I’d need a Lynx crampon, the Barrettes L, a Vasak front point, and it’s corresponding Barrettes. Is this correct?

Thank you for reading and any insight would be greatly appreciated!

The Petzl Lynx come with both types of front bails. I would start with them and see how they work with both boots before doing much else. An by how they work ... at home so if not happy they can be changed.

If you really want to take advantage of petzls modularity system consider the leopard and the front dart section or the kit cord-tec, cordtec is pretty sweet from what I've heard only unsuitable for really hard mixed climbing. Cordtec system also has the added benefit of fitting hugeboots just fine.

You're definitely going to need the long linking bars.

I also just came across this video that seems to indicate that the Lynx or Dart can accept the Sarken, Irvis, or Vasak front piece with their own barrette. Similar adaptability for the Leopard.

Also a good break down of each crampon and it’s compatibility.

https://youtu.be/YtfJ7lNxtqE

The darts (and I presume the lynxs are the same, but I haven't put my hands on them) have a linking bar that doubles as a wrench and is shorter than the bar you get with Irvises/Vasaks (Irvis front sections are short, vasaks have a second position to install the bar to shorten the length, so they both can accommodate smaller boots even with a longer bar). The bar connects to the front/rear exactly the same though, so as long as you can adjust them to fit your boots, you should be good with vasaks and lynx/dart front sections. Try that combo out in store.

that guy named seb wrote:

If you really want to take advantage of petzls modularity system consider the leopard and the front dart section or the kit cord-tec, cordtec is pretty sweet from what I've heard only unsuitable for really hard mixed climbing. Cordtec system also has the added benefit of fitting hugeboots just fine.

I would not recommend the cord-tec system for general ice climbing especially for someone new. The cord-etc is a pretty specialized piece of kit (namely weigh saving).

Allen Sanderson wrote:

I would not recommend the cord-tec system for general ice climbing especially for someone new. The cord-etc is a pretty specialized piece of kit (namely weigh saving).

Agree. Also mainly because sharp steel heel parts are a clear advantage for water ice routes.

@OP the Vasak with the regular linking bar will fit your boots. Petzl says up to size 50. They also come with both front attachments. So just get the Vasak and then also the Dart front sections with the BARRETTES L and you are set. But I have seen the Darts with decent discounts from time to time but never just for the front sections so you might end up not paying much more to just get Vaseks and Darts and then you also end up not having to swap out parts.

Thanks for all the responses!

I reached out to Petzl customer service and they indicated that while they once advertised their barrettes and front sections as universal, they no longer recommend using them interchangeably. Petzl crampons for general/technical mountaineering and ice climbing/dry tooling use distinct barrettes.

I was able to get my hands on both the Universal Barrettes (what comes with Vasaks and Sarkens) as well as the Reverse Barrettes in both sizes (what come with the Lynx or Darts in size regular).There is a clear distinction in their geometry and the way they rest in the receiver piece in their respective front sections.

I’ll update this post soon with some pics and a more concise breakdown and explanation!

I found this PDF helpful when building out a custom crampon with Petzl components: Petzl Compatible Components PDF

I did Dart front points, with front and back Flex bindings, and Kit cord-tec heels. Up to short sections of WI/AI 3 in approach shoes on the way to alpine rock objectives.