Kahtoola KTS Hiking Crampons
Reviewed by
robohiker
+41
February 24, 2016
Would be excellent, but for a design flaw. Rear cleats are too close together causing an instability when hiking over hard surfaces, such as ice or rock.
Pros
- Long, strong steel cleats
- Great on packed snow
Cons
- Rear cleats too narrow
- Unstable on ice and other hard surfaces
The Kahtoola hiking crampons shown in the photo are of a flawed design. I bought a pair last year and tried them out in a variety of conditions—ranging from packed snow to icy trails.
The length of the spikes make them very good on packed snow, but on ice or icy trails they are very wobbly. This instability on hard ice is caused by the too-narrow back spike plate. As the heel of the boot lands on ice (or any hard surface) that narrowness translates into twisting the boot left or right.
Other similar hiking crampons—such as those from Natuworld and the KTS shown above—have a wide enough rear spike plate to provide ample lateral stability.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $65
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The KTS Hiking Crampons replaced the Kahtoola KTS Aluminum Hiking Crampons.
Accessories: Kahtoola KTS Snow Release Skins,
Specs
| Price |
Current Retail: $169.95-$169.99 Historic Range: $19.95-$169.99 Reviewers Paid: $65.00 |
| Spikes per foot |
10 |
| Spike length |
1 in |
| Spike material |
4130 chromoly steel |
| Weight per pair |
23.3 oz / 662 g |
| Pack size |
8 x 3.5 x 3.75 in |
| Use |
hiking, non=technical mountaineering, backpacking, fastpacking |
| Terrain |
rugged trails, glaciers |
| Conditions |
ice, packed snow, rocky with mixed snow and ice |
