Hey all,

I realize this is either way behind or very forward thinking in regards to seasons but it's been on my mind.

I have a pair of Black Diamond Contact Strap crampons. I've used them a few seasons with Mid boots and they're great. This last year and the end of last winter I didn't need them and found my Merrell Trail Gloves were up to the task. I want to move onto a little more ridged trail runner for winter. The lower straps work well when tested on the Merrells but I'm wondering what people do about the strap that wraps the ankle? It seems that it could cause issues without the cuff of a Mid boot to support it. Perhaps I'm concerned about nothing. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I've never used those Black Diamonds but I was considering buying these for when my microspikes are not quite enough:

http://www.kahtoola.com/crampons.php

On these Kahtoolas, the ankle strap seems designed to go directly on the ankle if necessary. I think with yours, if they are designed to go around a boot, then they may just be uncomfortable or not quite secure enough on your ankle. If you end up trying it, let us know, I'd be curious how they work out.

Thanks, Adan.

Those look really good, perhaps more specifically for shoes than boots. The BD Contact Straps are designed to be worn with a variety of footwear including trail runners. The ankle strap is quite long to accommodate all sorts of boots as well. Perhaps I'll just cut them down and see how it goes. I'll probably have to update next year at this point, no snow.

Perhaps others can chime in with their experience with trail runners and crampons and what's working best.

This old thread might be helpful.

I have the aluminum Camp XLC 490s and they've been OK with low top trail runners.

Honestly though, I haven't worn them for a while now. Kahtoola Microspikes seem to do the trick on the majority of all the terrain I'm on in snow/ice. I'm usually wearing pretty minimal trail runners (NB MT110 these days)...seems to me if Microspikes won't cut it, the shoes likely won't either and I'll be wearing crampons and a light boot.

I have the same crampons. I use them with Merrel mid-height boots and they work well. I don't know that I would be able to wear them with my Merrel trail shoes. I might end up with the ankle strap wrapped around my sock/ankle.

Let us know how it works out.

Thanks, Angelo. I remember reading that now. Good help all. Thanks. Think I've got it sorted.

Edited by ojsglove on 05/09/2012 00:44:18 MDT.

but cannot comment on crampons. Probably dependent somewhat on strap configuration. Certainly for you to be able to kick into vertical stuff with toe spikes on crampons and climb up the vertical stuff you would benefit from stiffer soles, but they might still work.