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Mid-weight hiking boots with crampon compatibility?

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Matthew E · · Denver, Colorado · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 5

Anyone know of any mid weight/mid height boots that also let you slap on some automatic crampons? And it would be nice if they weren't $400...

Matthew E · · Denver, Colorado · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 5

I should note that I'm hoping to replace some Vasque hiking boots and would love it if the new ones could take crampons. It would be great to not have to do summer hikes in my insulated mountaineering boots when there's some snow fields to play around on...

Steve Marshall · · Concord NH · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 45

most won't have a solid shank sole so any automatic crampons will just pop off when you flex the boot. they also wont have a heel/toe welt for the bails.

i have a pair of Asolo gtx 520 (I think?) and some old-school strap-on 12-points that work just fine for "icy, snowy hikes."

they are not secure enough for anything like french technique on steep snow or front-pointing. but they do let me cruise a good deal better than my friends with yaktrax / microspikes / hillsounds. the heel does lift though and its not ideal.

a stiff sole, warm weather boot with heel/toe welts for crampons might be the scarpa Charmoz but i think its in your $400 category. a used pair is likely cheaper.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

Performance on steep, icy terrain is going to be a function of how stiff the boot is. If you need only to negotiate iced-up hiking trails, most any solid boot will work with strap-on (don't laugh, they've been bombproof for decades) crampons. If you get into spots requiring frontpoints, then a very stiff (not necessarily rigid) boot will be best, and you can consider a hybrid binding - straps on the toe, lever in the back. As mentioned above, a fully auto crampon really needs a rigid boot, and that's why you'll find the requisite toe ledge (for the wire bail to sit on) only on serious technical boots. Yes, the $400 kind. If you find the right fit, these can hike just fine on soft surfaces (snow), but probably will be a pain on rocky surfaces.

Bottom line - learn to love a strap-on.

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506

I own a pair of Scarpa Charmoz "summer mountaineering" boots, light as hell, rear crampon welt that allows newmatic crampons.
Big problem though is the sole isn't deep/aggressive enough for muddy trails.

Zac St Jules · · New Hampshire · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 1,188

Scarpa charmoz are a great option. Can take s semi auto crampon.

Matthew E · · Denver, Colorado · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 5

Thanks. I own a pair of strap on crampons as well but was hoping to loan them out when taking some friends out this summer. So, I figured I may as well try and find some new boots that can take my crampons (capable of going to a strap in the front).

Those Scarpas look nice. i was also looking at these:

backcountry.com/salewa-rapa…

Hans Lacasse · · Canaan, NH · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 15

I have Vasque us the trail pro crampons from hillsound all the time they work !!great!Have even done some easy ice gullies with them (I am A climber)

Ancent · · Reno, NV · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 34

I use my Asolo tps boots with strap-on crampons for most easy snowy/icy uphill ventures, including mountaineers route on Whitney, disappointment clever on rainier, the sisters in Oregon, most mellow things in the sierras, and most winter trails/gullies in the Adirondacks. They work great and are stiff enough to give me some confidence. Cold can be an issue when camping, but I always try to keep them near/in my bag. I do switch to "real boots when doing anything more serious however.

They're hands down my favorite backpacking book and I'm glad they work pretty well as an alternative crampon boot.

Doug Hutchinson · · Seattle and Eastrevy · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 311
Matthew E wrote:i was also looking at these: backcountry.com/salewa-rapa…
I was in the same market earlier this year, tried every boot in the category and ended up with Rapace. I really like it for summer alpine climbing with a decent amount of glacier travel. Great boot.
that guy named seb · · Britland · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 236

just about any boot can be crampon compatible just use the right crampons ;)

Brie Abram · · Celo, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 493

Has anyone tried dropping a rigid insole into a trail shoe? Something like this:

myfootshop.com/carbon-graph…

I'm curious about dropping something like this in under the insole of something like the Sportiva Crossover for warm approaches with easy ice.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492
Brian Abram wrote:Has anyone tried dropping a rigid insole into a trail shoe? Something like this: myfootshop.com/carbon-graph… I'm curious about dropping something like this in under the insole of something like the Sportiva Crossover for warm approaches with easy ice.
I really doubt they'd make a shoe rigid enough for an auto crampon. Flat carbon fiber structures can still bend.
Jon H · · PC, UT · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 118

Sounds like you're looking for a Scarpa Rebel Carbon GTX. Not overly warm, but very light, reasonably stiff, and takes a semi-auto crampon (lever at the heel, straps at the toe).

I happen to have a pair for sale in the Buy and Sell board. Size 45.5 (Probably ideal for a 10.5-11 US mens).

mountainproject.com/v/dynaf…

Brie Abram · · Celo, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 493

Sorry, I meant with a strap on crampon. Sorry for thread drift

Jason4Too · · Bellingham, Washington · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0
Matthew E wrote:Anyone know of any mid weight/mid height boots that also let you slap on some automatic crampons? And it would be nice if they weren't $400...
You aren't going to find what you're looking for. Pick 2 out of the 3 metrcis and you can get there though.

Takes an auto crampon
Mid weight/height hiking boot
<$400

The Scarpa Rebel Pro satisfies the first 2 but it's over $400 unless you find a great deal.

Scarpa Charmoz satisfies the weight and price metrics but they only take a semi-auto crampon or a full strap-on.

You can find Scarpa Mont Blancs or La Sportiva Nepal Evos on Amazon for much less than $400 and they'll take step in crampons and meet your price target but I wouldn't consider them to be a mid weight/height hiking boot.

You'll have to go used or adjust your targets. Or buy another set of crampons to fit the boots that you'll be using when you loan your other pair out. Everyone needs a quiver of crampons.
Jason4Too · · Bellingham, Washington · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0
Matthew E wrote:Anyone know of any mid weight/mid height boots that also let you slap on some automatic crampons? And it would be nice if they weren't $400...
You aren't going to find what you're looking for. Pick 2 out of the 3 metrcis and you can get there though.

Takes an auto crampon
Mid weight/height hiking boot
<$400

The Scarpa Rebel Pro satisfies the first 2 but it's over $400 unless you find a great deal.

Scarpa Charmoz satisfies the weight and price metrics but they only take a semi-auto crampon or a full strap-on.

You can find Scarpa Mont Blancs or La Sportiva Nepal Evos on Amazon for much less than $400 and they'll take step in crampons and meet your price target but I wouldn't consider them to be a mid weight/height hiking boot.

You'll have to go used or adjust your targets. Or buy another set of crampons to fit the boots that you'll be using when you loan your other pair out. Everyone needs a quiver of crampons.
Matthew E · · Denver, Colorado · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 5

Thanks for the replies. I ended up going with these:

amazon.com/Salewa-MS-Rapace…

They worked very well for back[packing this summer when I knew I was going to have some snow to climb to get where I needed to go. Crampon compatible, very stiff, still a pretty light boot. And I got the 2014 model on clearance.

T340 · · Idaho · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

Glad you found something that suits. I was going to suggest the La Sportiva Trango. They hike and climb very well for me and take a "semi auto" Crampon quite well. Probably the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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