Excellent 12-point semi-rigid ice, snow and mixed crampon with simple no tools adjustment. This crampon is similar to the G12 but has shorter points which make it easier and more comfortable to use as a walking crampon but still suitable for mountaineering and lower grade snow and ice climbs - and in fact just about any grade of mixed. Its lighter weight will appeal to high altitude mountaineers.
The Dual-Matic version is a model that can be set up either as a Cramp-o-Matic or as a New-Matic by changing the front binding:
This means you can either have a full step-in with a wire front bail and fairly rigid bar which is quick to put on in a blizzard and feels more rigid and secure than the other bindings, but you do have to get them on just right - rigid boots only, so fit only to a B3 Mountaineering Boot. Or you can have a semi step-in but, instead of the plastic toe cap, webbing straps are supplied - fit only on semi-rigid B2 or rigid B3 boots, with a step in on the heel.
Antibott (anti-balling plates) are included.
This Evo model has three major changes over the previous version:
- New heel lever is lighter and has only one moving part (as opposed to five) but still adjusts to all suitable boots.
- The webbing tape is narrower (12mm as opposed to 14mm) and lighter.
- The buckle has been redesigned to be lighter and more compact but still give a strong hold.
All this means that Cramp-o-Matic and New-Matic models are 54g lighter that their predecessors, whilst New-Classic models are 14g lighter.
Top Tip 1: For Cramp-o-Matic and New-Matic models, to fit smaller boots, take the bars out, and swap them over, turning them upside down before fitting them. This brings a small blocking lug into play, effectively shortening the length of the bar.
Top Tip 2: If you have problems fitting the Super-Asymmetric bars, take off the AB plates, and you can then slide them in from underneath.