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Mountaineering Axes/Piolets

The best mountaineering axes/piolets, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.

Recent Mountaineering Axe/Piolet Reviews

rated 5 of 5 stars
Stubai Tour Lite Telescoping

This is a great tool for exploring a wide range of terrain. The telescoping feature is reliable and well designed. After much research  I finally bought the Stubai telescoping axe as a versatile hiking tool. The first thing I noticed about this tool was how well it was built . It has an aluminum head. Delivered with snow basket. Perfect for trekking and glacier walking. Its telescopic shaft can be adjusted according to individual requirements from 60 to 95 cm. It works well for me as I am 6'1"… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
CAMP Corsa Nanotech

This is all the ice axe you need for any mountaineering objective that doesn't require a technical ice tool. There is simply no reason to own or consider using a more traditional / heavier ice axe, even for trips that involve mostly glacier walking. This axe is so light you'll never hesitate to bring it with you when other bigger axes might seem like a drag. I've used this ice axe on a few dozen alpine climbing trips over the last two years in various mountain ranges in Washington and British Columbia. Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
CAMP Corsa Nanotech

Awesome axe. So light, you'll actually bring it with you. Years ago, I bought a 50cm for ski mountaineering and for that purpose it is hard to beat. A year or two later, I bought another so that I now also have a 60 cm, and one of them now seems to go with me on nearly every trip, from winter ski tours to late-summer alpine traverses. Unless I know I will be facing lengthy sections of steep, hard snow or ice, I bring it. Because of the ultralight weight, I almost never leave an axe at the car only… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
DMM Cirque

My first axe. When I started looking for an ice axe I came across a lot of options for general mountaineering use, but not a single one included a sturdy technical grade one. I wouldn't know if a basic grade axe could withstand anything else than basically walking on soft snow so I really wanted a technical one but not something "exotic". So a hybrid axe it is! For now it's just walking and cutting steps since I never encountered a glacier in Crete to give it a go on ice, but I feel confident when… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Petzl Sum'Tec

Awesome multi purpose ice axe/tool hybrid. Climbs ice better than expected, and performs great as a ice tool. A perfect choice for the scrambler who wants a more climbing oriented axe, an alpinist looking for a tool to get across glaciers, snow, neve, and alpine ice, or the jack of all trades axe that can do it all. The Sum'tec is a terrific all round mountain tool. It's definitely an odd combination between a mountaineering axe and an ice tool. The tool definitely seems to be a perfect blend coming… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Petzl Summit 2

Best in class ice axe for all around mountaineering use. Pick up a Quark Trigger Rest to make the perfect all round axe. The Summit 2 took the comfortable stainless steel head from its predecessor but removed all the superfluous rubber, shedding half its weight. At a impressive 400g for the 66cm it works tremendously well. Self arrests feel natural compared to the BD Raven as you don't have to alter your grip on the head, and I find when holding a fall feels more stable than with the Raven. For… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Black Diamond Raven with Grip

If you have ever wondered if you need an ice axe, the answer is yes and this is probably the one you need. When your mountaineering requires a little pick swinging, but not enough to justify a hybrid tool like the Black Diamond Venom (I lost mine, then bought another later) the Raven is a very good choice.  The Raven is my fourth ice axe. I have climbed Mt. Adams, St. Helens, and I just returned from using my Raven on my second summit of Mt Rainier. I've also used axes on several smaller summit… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Black Diamond Raven

How much can you say about an ice axe? This is not the lightest axe or strongest axe, but it's the best general mountaineering axe on the market. It does its job. Call me old school, but I believe an ice axe is the last place to try to save weight. You want something strong and burly. If you want to cut ounces, go for a jog and lose the love handles.The Raven is perfect for self belay and self arrest. Make you get it long enough — if you need something shorter, get a more technical axe like the… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Black Diamond Venom Hammer Ice Axe

When you need a second tool, but not necessarily a technical ice tool. "You know when it's good picket snow when you drive one in and you really wish you had a hammer." These were the words of wisdom from my crevasse rescue instructor. He was basically saying that snow should be really hard if you intend to place a picket in vertically, otherwise you should bury it dead-man style.  "So I need to bring two tools?" I asked. "No," was his response. "Well if all I have is a hammer, then how do I dig… Full review

Other Types of Ice and Snow Gear

Find more ice and snow gear reviewed in these related categories:

Ice Tools

Crampons

all Ice and Snow Gear