Grivel G1 Crampons Review – SectionHiker.com

Grivel’s G1 Crampons are 10-point steel crampons with a universal binding and flexible center bar, called a leaf spring, that makes them compatible for use with all types of boots including ones with soft soles that flex (like most insulated winter hiking boots) and rigid mountaineering boots. They are easy to adjust without tools and come with a unique anti-bott system (also called an anti-balling system), that prevents snow from clumping under the crampon teeth.

Specs at a Glance

• Points: 10
• Materials: Carbon steel, plastic
• Binding: Universal
• Front Points: Yes
• Flexible leaf spring: Yes
• Certification: CE EN 893. UIAA 153
• Weight: 764 g/pair
• Sizes: 36-44 EU
• Antibott: front and rear

There are two kinds of winter boots: those with rigid soles like mountaineering boots and those with soft flexible soles, ranging from 3-season hiking boots and mids to 200g and 400g insulated winter hiking boots.

When choosing a crampon for boots with soft flexible soles, you want one that has a flexible bar, called a leaf spring, that connects the front spikes to the rear spikes. Without it, the center bar can snap if you try to use a pair of crampons with a rigid leaf spring with a soft-soled boot. It might not happen right away, but over time the metal bar will be stressed and may break in half when you need your crampons to climb or descend a steep icy slope. You can also use crampons with a flexible leaf spring with rigid mountaineering boots as long as it’s just for walking and not climbing, where a rigid crampon with sharper front teeth is required.

Crampons like these G1’s are way more aggressive than the Kahtoola K10 or Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro crampons that many winter hikers use, with 3 cm long teeth, including four on the heel, four under the ball of the foot, and two front points. You’d use these G1’s in places where you’re likely to encounter lots of ice and densely packed snow, where you want a deep bite because an uncontrolled slide or slip could have serious consequences. While you could wear these G1 crampons on long approach hikes, you probably be better off using a lighter-weight traction aid like Kahtoola Microspikes in terms of comfort and where there’s less danger of an uncontrolled fall down a steep slope.

Universal Binding

These Grivel G1 crampons have what’s called a universal binding with plastic front and rear “cups” (also called “bails”) that hold the front and rear of your boot to the crampon and secure it to your foot with a webbing strap. The webbing strap loops from one ankle, through the front cup, back to the other ankle, and across the front of the boot’s tongue, before slipping through a buckle that holds it in place. As long as the webbing strap is pulled tight, the crampon stays on quite securely. It’s a very simple attachment system that works with almost all boots and is extremely durable despite intense abuse.

Sizing

The G1’s fit boots that are a men’s size 36 to 44 EU (approx 5 US to 10.5 US). For larger sizes, you can replace the flex leaf spring with a longer flex bar, also sold by Grivel, which is compatible with many of their other crampons models too. To fit the crampons, you expand or shorten the length of the flex bar, using a simple spring-loaded pin adjustment system so that the front and rear heel cups fit snugly over the ends of your boots. That’s all there is to it.

Anti-bott (Anti-balling plates)

The G1 Crampons come with anti-balling plates that prevent snow, often wet or damp snow, from sticking to the underside of the crampon. This is hazardous when it occurs because prevents the crampon teeth from getting purchase – it’s a lot like trying to walk on top of bowling balls. These plates are simply pieces of soft plastic riveted to the underside of the crampon with flexible centers shaped like little domes. This creates some flex in the anti-balling plates when you walk, which is enough to dislodge any ice or snow that has stuck to the underside of the crampons.

Recommendation

Grivel’s G1 Crampons are 10-point steel crampons that have a flexible center bar which is recommended for use with soft-soled boots that have more flexible soles than those found on mountaineering boots. They are designed for walking on moderately angled ice and densely packed snow, including glacier travel, where the extra bite provided by their 3 cm carbon steel teeth provides aggressive traction and prevents high-consequence, uncontrolled slides. They have a universal binding compatible with all boot types and anti-bott (anti-balling plates) to prevent snow from sticking and clumping underneath. Appropriate for entry-level mountaineering, these crampons require no special training to use although I’d recommend taking an Introduction to Mountaineering Skills course so you can exploit them to their full potential.

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