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This article is about the traction aid. For the heraldic device, see crampon (heraldry).
Rigid step-in crampons used for vertical ice climbing

A crampon is a traction device that is attached to footwear to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing.[1] Not only are crampons used during ice climbing, but they are also used for secure travel on snow and ice, such as crossing glaciers, snowfields and icefields, ascending snow slopes, and scaling ice-covered rock. There are three main attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings. The first two require boots with welts, as a tension lever attaches the crampon to the heel. The last type (strap bindings) are more versatile and can adapt to virtually any boot or shoe, but often do not fit as precisely as the other two types.[2]

Oscar Eckenstein designed the first 10-point crampon in 1908, dramatically reducing the need for step cutting. This design was then made commercially available by the Italian Henry Grivel.


Yellow/grey plastic "anti-balling" plates prevent snow from building up
Walking crampons


Crampons are made of steel alloy, light weight aluminium, or a combination of the two. Lighter weight crampons are popular for alpine ski touring where demands are generally lower and light weight a premium.


Early 10-point crampons lacked forward angled spikes and thus required step cutting on steep terrain. In the 1930s two additional forward-slanting points were added, making them exceptional for mountaineering and glacier travel and beginning a revolution in front pointing. There is currently a range of models, including specialized crampons with as many as 14 points and models with single points for ice climbing.


Crampons are fastened to footwear by means of a binding system. Improved attachment systems - such as a cam action "step-in" system similar to a ski binding and particularly well adapted to plastic technical mountaineering boots - have widely increased crampons use. Crampons also utilise a full "strap-in" system and a "hybrid" binding that features a toe strap at the front and a heel lever at the back.[3]


To prevent snow from balling up under crampons, especially in temperatures around freezing, most models can be fitted with plastic or rubber "anti-balling" systems to reduce build-up. Rubber models use flexion to repel snow while plastic anti-balling plates employ a hydrophobic surface to prevent adhesion.


Crampons are graded C1, C2 and C3 relative to their flexibility and general compatibility with different styles of boots.[4] No crampons are suitable for B0 boots (flexible walking boots).

Crampon / boot compatibility
Use B0 boot (flexible) B1 boot (semi stiff) B2 boot (fully stiff) B3 boot (technical climbing boot)
C1 crampon relatively flexible walking crampon No Yes Yes Yes
C2 crampon versatile crampon for both walking and mountaineering No No Yes Yes
C3 crampon technical mountaineering crampon No No No Yes

Ski crampons[edit]

Specialized "ski crampons" are employed in ski mountaineering on hard snow and ice. Far more common in the Alps than in the United States, these ski crampons are known by their European names: Harscheisen (German), couteaux (French) and coltelli (Italian)[citation needed], literally French and Italian for "knives" in those languages.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Cox, Steven M. and Kris Fulsaas, ed., ed. (2003). Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills (7 ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. ISBN 0-89886-828-9. 
  2. ^ "Crampons: How to Choose". REI. Retrieved 2014-02-11. 
  3. ^ "Crampon Attachment". Crampons Guide. 
  4. ^ "The Hike Boot Grading System and the Crampon Grading System". H2G2. 

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