Normal Winter Boots For Climbing?

this is probably an extremely newbie question, but whats the deal with ice climbing and boots. everyone buys the high priced mountaineering boots that just really stiff, if you have a solid pair of winter boots will those work for simple ice climbing, just slap on some crampons to them and your good? probably not but some one please explain why i would need to spend 400 dollars on boots?

Depends what you mean by "a solid pair of winter boots". You need stiff boots (and preferably a stiff pair of crampons) in order to stand on your front-points. Yes, you can get flexible strap-on crampons and attach them to regular hiking boots, but front-pointing will be difficult, if not impossible. If the boots are too soft you may not even be able to kick your front-points into the ice without the crampons coming loose.

Ice climbing also involves standing around for long periods of time in frigid temperatures. An inexpensive pair of boots may be an invitation to frostbite.

'slap on some crampons' is the question. You've got to have the right toe rand for the front bail to catch solid if you plan on any good rigid cramps that will kick and front point for vertical ice. Otherwise yes, you can slap on some cheap cramps with some straps and french style your way up some low angle stuff for sure, with straight handled tools too.

If you have friends who ice climb, one of them can help you find some used boots too. The key is that they fit and some experience helps you find that.

If you only want to try it one day toproping easy ice (wi2/3) you can probably get by with whatever. If you wish to ice climb a lot, good boots are probably the most important thing you'll buy until you start leading.

Regular boots flex under your foot so you can walk in them. Throw on a pair of good ice climbing boots and you`ll notice the difference on your first step. There is a shank in the sole of the boot that allows you to stand on your toes on vertical ice. Also the ice climbing/mountaineering boots are better insulated than regular winter boots.

Yep this isn't one of those "need it because the companies tell me I do". That super stiff shank and warmth combined with dexterity is needed. Believe me I wouldn't spend 4 hundo unless I had to!

Chris Plesko wrote:If you have friends who ice climb, one of them can help you find some used boots too. The key is that they fit and some experience helps you find that. If you only want to try it one day toproping easy ice (wi2/3) you can probably get by with whatever. If you wish to ice climb a lot, good boots are probably the most important thing you'll buy until you start leading.

Totally Agree! You can get out there and swing the tools at a local crag for a few days, but if you catch the Ice bug, you'll most likely want a better set-up for warmth, performance and convenience.

Have fun out there!

Jason

Paul U Roberts wrote:this is probably an extremely newbie question, but whats the deal with ice climbing and boots. everyone buys the high priced mountaineering boots that just really stiff, if you have a solid pair of winter boots will those work for simple ice climbing, just slap on some crampons to them and your good? probably not but some one please explain why i would need to spend 400 dollars on boots?

If you find that you really want/enjoy ice climbing check out the geartrade website, I have purchased two pairs of ice climbing boots from there. I just bought a new pair LS Nepal Evo GTX for $200.00 from there. They were cheap because they were missing the box!

Many people learn to hate ice climbing because they try to get away with junk or borrowed gear. contrary to popular opinion ice climbing can be comfortable and fun rather than a macho man suffer-fest. you just need the right stuff. curved tools, real boots, vertically oriented front point crampons, these all developed because they made climbing more doable and fun. Try renting stuff and see what you think most gear shops or guide services in major ice destinations rent the stuff. Better yet, hire a guide for a day and learn some technique with the right gear. you will have way more fun and get much better faster than trying to just get by.

Let me rephrase my question.

I have a pair of columbia leather-rubber boots. its hard rubber for the sole and boot part of it and then the rest is thick leather. would i be able to climb say mt. washington with a pair of crampons on those boots or no? there nothing special just a good pair of boots. the rubber is stiff and i have kicked in snow foot holds to climb with them before.

Paul U Roberts wrote:Let me rephrase my question. I have a pair of columbia leather-rubber boots. its hard rubber for the sole and boot part of it and then the rest is thick leather. would i be able to climb say mt. washington with a pair of crampons on those boots or no? there nothing special just a good pair of boots. the rubber is stiff and i have kicked in snow foot holds to climb with them before.

If you're just hiking it, you might be fine. Anything technical I wouldn't recommend it. Like I said above, we all didn't buy expensive boots for the hell of it. Those boots that you think are stiff might not be so stiff when you're front pointing. Then your legs bonk 1/2 way up...no bueno.

If you are dead set on doing it that way, maybe it might be best to stick to the trails. If you get 50 feet up a gully and it turns to hard pack you sure as heck wish you had some heavy stiff boots on to kick steps. It doesn't take much to slip, fall and slide out of control to your death.

Why don't you just rent a pair, buy an old pair, go to a consignment shop etc. People are always selling boots here for a fair price.

You did specify "climbing", not shoveling the driveway. You've got a thread here with 7 people over the span of 3 months recommending other avenues, so no matter how your rephrase it you'll get the same answer. But if you don't want to get boots...well you don't want to get boots.

Scott McMahon wrote: If you're just hiking it, you might be fine. Anything technical I wouldn't recommend it. Like I said above, we all didn't buy expensive boots for the hell of it. Those boots that you think are stiff might not be so stiff when you're front pointing. Then your legs bonk 1/2 way up...no bueno. If you are dead set on doing it that way, maybe it might be best to stick to the trails. If you get 50 feet up a gully and it turns to hard pack you sure as heck wish you had some heavy stiff boots on to kick steps. It doesn't take much to slip, fall and slide out of control to your death. Why don't you just rent a pair, buy an old pair, go to a consignment shop etc. People are always selling boots here for a fair price. You did specify "climbing", not shoveling the driveway. You've got a thread here with 7 people over the span of 3 months recommending other avenues, so no matter how your rephrase it you'll get the same answer. But if you don't want to get boots...well you don't want to get boots.

Paul:

All the information above is pretty accurate. If you want to do the technical routes on Mount Washington (Huntington Ravine, Tuckerman's Ravine) then it would behoove you to at least rent a good pair of boots and technical crampons. The only reason I recommend this is due to the alpine nature of that environment.

If you just want to do some ice cragging, then strap some 'poons on your Columbia's and have at it.

If you are ascending Mt. Washington via a non-technical route (read: hiking), then you will most likely be ok with your previously mentioned boot set-up. However understand that it is in your best interest to have reliable boots and crampons when heading into alpine areas. To further that point; some outdoors organizations such as the AMC often require that you wear double boots for warmth/safety reasons when participating in their programs.

You've been given some sound advice at this point by the MP community. However, whenever I find myself "needing" that new piece of gear. I remind myself that no matter how innovative or hi-tech the new & improved toys look - the alpinists of the past seemed to make due with what they had.