What are crampons and when do you need them?
Crampons are metal frames with spikes that attach to the soles of your boots, giving you grip on snow, ice and frozen ground. They're essential for winter mountaineering, alpine climbing and glacier travel, and useful for winter hill walking when paths turn icy.
The key is matching the crampon type to your boots and terrain. Stiffer mountaineering crampons need boots with a welted sole, while flexible crampons suit softer hiking boots. Some designs work with approach shoes or trainers for low-angle ground.
Crampons for hiking boots versus mountaineering boots
Hiking crampons are designed for flexible boots without welts. They typically use a strap or hybrid binding system and have a hinged frame that flexes as you walk. They're lighter and simpler but less rigid, so they're better for walking terrain than steep ice.
Technical mountaineering crampons need boots with toe welts, heel welts, or both. A toe welt takes a wire bail at the front; a heel welt takes a heel lever. These rigid crampons are built for front-pointing on steep ice and mixed ground, and they stay secure on technical terrain where a strap-on crampon would shift or pull off.
- C1 (strap binding): fits any boot, best for walking and moderate slopes
- C2 (hybrid binding): strap at toe, heel lever at back; needs heel welt
- C3 (step-in binding): wire bail and heel lever; needs full welts front and rear
Choosing crampons for shoes or approach footwear
Some lightweight crampons are made to fit approach shoes, trail runners or even trainers. These are intended for low-angle snow or icy paths, not for steep ground. They're a good choice for winter trail running, easy winter hillwalking, or as emergency traction in your pack.
Check the attachment system carefully. Most use elastomer straps or chains that stretch over the sole. They won't fit every shoe shape, so pay attention to sizing and compatibility.
Front points: horizontal or vertical?
The front points are the spikes that dig in when you kick into ice. Horizontal points stick straight forward and are easier to use on snow and moderate ground. Vertical points drop down and are better for steep ice and mixed climbing, where you need a more precise placement.
Some crampons let you swap between configurations. If you're mostly winter walking or on snow slopes, horizontal points are more forgiving. For steep ice or technical routes, vertical points bite more securely.
What to look for when buying
Start with your boots. Check whether they have welts and what binding system will fit. If in doubt, the guides linked on this page explain the boot and crampon categories in detail.
Think about the terrain. Rigid crampons with more points suit steep ice and mixed ground; lighter, simpler designs are fine for winter paths and snow gullies. Brands such as Grivel, Petzl, Black Diamond and Kahtoola each offer models across the range, from walking to alpine climbing.
- Match the binding to your boot's sole and welt design
- Consider weight if you're carrying them in a pack most of the time
- Anti-balling plates reduce snow build-up underfoot in wet conditions
- A crampon bag protects the points and keeps them separate from other kit
Questions we get asked
Can I use mountaineering crampons on hiking boots?
Only if your hiking boots have the right welts for the binding system. Most flexible hiking boots don't have welts and need strap-on or hybrid crampons instead. Forcing a step-in crampon onto an unsuitable boot risks the crampon coming off.
Do I need crampons for winter hillwalking in the UK?
It depends on conditions. On icy paths, frozen ground or hard snow, crampons give you secure footing where microspikes or trail shoes would slip. Many hillwalkers carry them and decide on the day whether to put them on.
What's the difference between 10-point and 12-point crampons?
Twelve-point crampons have front points for kicking into steep ice, making them suitable for technical ground. Ten-point crampons lack front points and are designed for walking on snow and moderate slopes, not for front-pointing.
How do I know what size crampons to buy?
Crampons are sized to fit a range of boot lengths, usually given in UK or EU shoe sizes. Most have an adjustable frame, so one size covers several boot sizes. Check the manufacturer's sizing chart and measure your boot sole length if you're between sizes.
Should I get anti-balling plates?
Anti-balling plates are plastic or rubber inserts that stop wet snow from building up under the crampon. They're very useful in mild, wet conditions common in the UK, where snow sticks and clogs the points.
