NC High Country snow and ice

Hey guys, I live in Boone, NC and do a lot of hiking around the High Country here (4, 5, & 6k peaks).  I am taking a class in alpine search and rescue, and am interested in getting into what little mountaineering/ice climbing we have around here.  My main winter boots are insulated rigid hiking boots with some microspikes, but I just bought a used pair of plastic double boots with toe and heel welts.  Would it be best for me to get strap on crampons that will also fit my hiking boots for more general use, or step in ones for my mountaineering boots?

The microspikes that I have currently work well, there has really only been one time where I needed real crampons.  My main concern/reason for wanting proper crampons is being on a winter search on Grandfather Mountain and needing those front points.  

I'm going to say that if you are spending anytime frontpointing you are going to want to be in stiff soled boots (your double boots), just from my limited personal experience.  I've never worn crampons on anything but mountainnering boots, but I can say that my lightweight summer mountaineering boots are not stiff enough through the entire sole that I would want to climb ice on them.  

If you plan to get in to ice climbing then I'd recommend getting a leather or synthetic single boot rather than the plastic doubles.  Lighter and typically much more comfortable for both climbing and approaching/hiking, likely all the warmth you'd need in North Carolina (guessing a bit here as I'm from Northern British Columbia so I don't pretend to know what your weather is like but presumptively not too cold?)

I have Petzl Lynx crampons and they come with both a front toe bail and a basket so they can be attached to any boot that has a heel welt.  Pretty sure other manufacturers offer similar set ups, so that might solve your problem.

it isn't cold enough in NC for doubles, plus hiking in to any climbs other than what is road side will be a bitch. 

Mac McMahan wrote:

The microspikes that I have currently work well, there has really only been one time where I needed real crampons.  My main concern/reason for wanting proper crampons is being on a winter search on Grandfather Mountain and needing those front points.  

Keep in mind that climbing, of any kind, will get you fined on Grandfather Mountain. "Hiking" with crampons and ice tools isn't really hiking haha.