Comments on: Widebody Ski Crampons — Jonathan Gives His All

By: Jonathan Shefftz

Jonathan Shefftz — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:15:55 +0000

Update for a quick review of the new Dynafit Speed Crampon. Weight including spacers (i.e., TLT Speed/Classic heel post extensions) and fasteners (hardware store T-Nut with Brad hole 6-32 x 1 ¼ plus corresponding machine screws, no drilling required) is 4.9 ounces, as compared to 8oz for the widest Dynafit crampon (as previously reviewed above). The width is officially designated as 82mm, which seems about right, and the tag that comes with the crampon shows it with the Se7en Summits, which is the widest ski in the Dynafit line-up that would fit.
However, the picture also shows the crampon with the Vertical ST, which really wouldn’t allow sufficient point penetration except in flat mode (i.e., no heel elevator). With the spacers I installed, penetration seems sufficient with a Speed on low elevator. But highest Speed elevator, or even low elevator on the Vertical ST/FT, and it’s not doing much good.
I used it for a tour of nearly 9k vert & 13mi distance for lots of ski cramponing including very firm snow, with Movement Fish-X skis and Plum Race 135 bindings. The very aggressive shape of the points seemed to more than compensate for their relatively short length. And the size is just absurdly small for packing away — the pictures really don’t do it justice, as when the crampons arrive, you think, what, how can something this small be effective? But with the binding compatibility caveats noted above (and the ski width limitations of course), it works!

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 01 May 2010 01:18:07 +0000

What is the crampon of choice for the Manaslu 187 with the FT12? Never used a crampon before. Thanks.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:58:00 +0000

Hi – Thanks for the review. I have the Manaslus and use B&D crampon which was sent to me overseas by B&D without hassle. However, the issue noted above of them being prone to twisting and bending is a major issue. I have trashed both crampons by way of them bending (across both vertical and horizontal planes) when standing on rocks. Clearly, you don’t do this by choice. I’ve done it on three occassions – once the rocks were just under frozen snow and invisible, another time I was tottering through rocks and the ski sawwed back and onto the crampon, third time a variation on both. All other people with me have been on Fritchi crampons and they have been way strong, allowing users to delicately walk through rocks. None of these situations were safe for ski removal, so this is a major issue. I would rate the B&D crampons as ‘very soft’ aluminum. Not ideal. Else they are fine.

By: Jonathan S. Shefftz

Jonathan S. Shefftz — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:25:29 +0000

Just a thought on tightness of fit – for a couple seasons in the spring and early summer I used a 67mm Atomic TM:11 with the Dynafit “92″ crampons. So with an effective interior clearance of ~86mm, I had about 19mm of excessiveness clearance. Never noticed any problems with torque or anything like that.
The Dynafit crampon is also significantly reinforced, which I think is a factor in needing only three sizes of crampons. The one thing I did notice when using the new Dynafit wide crampon on the Manaslu is that you have to be careful to keep your feet sufficiently wide apart, since with crampons that wide it’s like you’re skinning on skis with that wide a waist width.

By: Greg Louie

Greg Louie — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:40:16 +0000

Timely post, Jonathan! I just looked at the wide Dynafit crampons at Marmot Mt. Works today, and they are a lot wider than my 95mm waisted Manaslus. I’m with Lou, preferring a tighter fit . . . think I’ll go with the B&D’s. Thanks for the comparison.