Simond Makalu Crampons

12-point Makalu crampons are for general mountaineering. There are three versions of binding for different types of boots. All Makalu are semi-rigid and suitable for mountaineering boots with stiff soles, although the Makalu Strap version has an articulating (pivoting) mode that can be used with semi-flexible hiking boots. Most importantly, Makalu crampons are asymmetric (as for all Simond crampons).

Asymmetry is important:

• 1. for the crampon to conform to the shape of your boot,
• 2. because crampon points along the inner length of your boot are used differently to points alongs the outer length when climbing, and
• 3. so points that push snow in the same direction aren’t directly in line with one another.

Essentially, it is assymmetry that wil give you the feeling of being glued to the mountain with each step.

Makalu crampons come with anti-balling plates as standard (not pictured). As for all Simond crampons, the anti-balling plates are a flexible but thoroughly durable rubber. Flexible rubber is superior to hard plastic in terms of preventing snow from sticking to the base your crampon.

Makalu crampons have horizontal rails, horizontal front points, and are quick adjust. If that doesn't make much sense, then click on the link below. 880–990g

explanation of crampon terminology

Simond Vampire Crampons

Vampire crampons offer everything for the mountaineer and ice climber. Both duo-front-point (for alpine climbing) and mono-front-point (for waterfall ice climbing) configurations are included as standard. Anti-balling plates are standard. Vampire crampons are asymmetric, semi-rigid with quick adjust, horizontally railed and have a toe-bail binding. 1115g

The vertical front points are hot-forged stainless steel. The stainless steel used by Simond for their Vampire front points is stronger and remains sharper than the chromoly steel typically used for crampons (and for the rest of the Vampire crampon). The materials geeks out there will know that there are different grades of stainless steel, some very soft and some exceptionally hard. The hardness rating of the Simond stainless steel is 48 HRc (versus 44 HRc for chromoly steel), which is why it is also used for high-end knife blades. Despite its strength, Simond's stainless steel is also resilient, which means that when overloaded it can slightly bend without breaking. The down-side of using the Simond stainless steel is that it costs three times as much as chromoly steel, so it is fortunate you can get it from iclimb.

What does this all mean for you as a climber? It means your front points are better able to remain sharp for your whole climb, even after several pitches of kicking and grinding them against rock, and it means you don't have to sharpen your front points several times a season.

Simond Caiman Crampons

10-point Caiman crampons are for alpine trekking; that is, they are specifically suited to semi-flexible hiking boots. This is because the connecting bar flexes with the boot. They are the crampon of choice for your first snow climbs on Mt Ruapehu or 2-week alpine traverse. Anti-balling plates are standard. Caiman crampons are asymmetric, quick adjust and horizontally railed. 838g

explanation of crampon terminology