Chain spikes vs. light crampons: differences and how to chooseOfficial weights are 240g and 520g

mont-bell's chain spikes and EVERNEW's 6-point crampons are both described officially as for "winter low mountains" and "summer snow gullies." What differs is build and weight: my pick, EVERNEW's Q.E.L. Cleat, is 240g and the 6-point crampon 520g. The 12-point Serac Clip is 905g, and its official description changes to traverse mountaineering and variation routes.

Chain spikes vs. light crampons: in the official wording, the difference is build and weight more than range

mont-bell's chain spikes are for "winter low mountains and summer snow gully walking." EVERNEW's 6-point crampons are for winter low mountains, gently sloping late-snow mountains and summer snow gully walking. Lining up the wording of use, the two ranges nearly overlap.

What clearly differs is build and weight. EVERNEW's Q.E.L. Cleat, a band pulled over the shoe, is 240g, and the same maker's 6-point is 520g. Go to 12 points and the official description changes to traverse mountaineering and variation routes. This article separates the four kinds of tools using only official numbers and wording.

How I chose

The first thing I read wasn't weight but the intended-use field and cautions on the official page. Next I lined up the weight and price of the left-right pair, and picked one for each kind. This pick is made from what you can buy on Rakuten. mont-bell and Kajitax, sold only through the official shop, appear as out of ranking with their numbers.

• Chain spikes and 6-point crampons have nearly the same official range. The split is a 280g weight gap and how they attach to the boot
• For 10-point and 12-point, look at your own boot's welt (the ledge at toe and heel) first. There are three ways to attach
• Which one you need changes with the mountain, the season and the snow. The type of tool alone doesn't decide it

Quick table of the 4 tools (chain spikes, light crampons, 12-point, ice axe)

By my own calculation, the gap between the 12-point and the chain spike pick is 665g (905 − 240). The weight is about 3.8 times (905 ÷ 240).

My chain spike pick | EVERNEW Q.E.L. Cleat, 240g

Lightness decides it. Many metal parts are replaced with urethane, giving 240g in M. The spikes are about 10mm stainless steel, and it explains that it works even on soft soles like those of sneakers. The official name is light crampon, but it's a pulled-over design, so I put it with the chain spikes in this article.

Here's the weak spot. The product page has no range of mountains it's usable on and no caution on where not to use it. mont-bell's pulled-over type writes that it is a simple crampon and not for serious snow-mountain climbing. I apply that caution to the Q.E.L. Cleat too.

My light crampon (6-point) pick | EVERNEW 6-point crampon, 520g

A snow plate that prevents snow from balling up is attached from the start, and it fastens with ratchet buckles. The material is carbon steel, S is 500g and L is 520g.

What to watch is care. EVERNEW writes that the buckles and tape wear with the years, so check for cracks before the season. It suits people who put weight on the plate and buckle construction.

My 12-point crampon pick | Black Diamond Serac Clip, 905g

Material and attachment decide it. It's rust-resistant stainless steel and covers 23–29cm in one size. It's written that the clip type can be fitted even to boots with no front welt.

Weight per point is about 43g for the 6-point (520 ÷ 12) and about 38g for the 12-point (905 ÷ 24). Even with double the points, it's lighter per point. Here's the weak spot. ¥31,900 is the highest price of the tools in this article.

What to watch is the boot side. I looked at boot weight and stiffness in hiking boot rankings, but the boots in that article are light boots for outside snow season.

My ice axe pick and length rule of thumb | Black Diamond Raven

It comes in 7 lengths from 55 to 90cm, the easiest to fit to your body of the 4 tools. The head is stainless steel, labeled CEN-B certified. The 65cm is 462g and ¥17,600.

The length rule of thumb is on mont-bell's official page: a length where, holding the head in your hand, the spike (the tip) reaches your ankle. It also advises that if you rarely use it as a walking stick, you tend to choose shorter, and to check in a shop.

Out of ranking: mont-bell and Kajitax (bought at the official online shop)

On numbers alone, the out-of-ranking ones come out ahead in places. mont-bell's chain spikes are 263g and ¥5,800, 23g heavier and ¥3,000 cheaper than my pick. The Snow Spike 6 is 517g and ¥6,400, 3g lighter and ¥3,280 cheaper than the 6-point pick.

Kajitax's LXT-12 is 825g and ¥17,490, 80g lighter and ¥14,410 cheaper than the Serac Clip. mont-bell's ice axe, the Snow Trek Straight Shaft, is 395g and ¥12,100 at 65cm. That's 67g lighter and ¥5,500 cheaper than the Raven.

How crampons attach is decided by the boot's welt

The welt is the ledge that sticks out at the toe and heel of a boot. Kajitax offers the same 12-point in three attachment types. The lever-fastened type fits only boots with a firm welt.

Even if the attachment changes, the weight difference is at most 45g. So I decide not by weight but by the welt on the boots I already have. Kajitax cautions against use with boots whose soles are too soft.

For a winter boot with a sole made for wet ice, I judged it in the Moab 3 Synthetic Ice review.

Which tool you need changes with the mountain, the season and the snow

The National Police Agency's winter mountain information says the equipment you need changes with the difficulty of the mountain and the climbing method. The type of tool alone doesn't decide where you go.

Nagano Prefectural Police's Mountain Rescue Team explains that the main ridge of the Yatsugatake in winter calls for crampons of 10 points or more with front points, and reliable walking technique. It also advises buying crampons and ice axes at a specialty shop and learning how to use them in courses and the like.

Who is it for?

This suits people who go to the mountains in a season with snow or frozen trails.

The 12-point crampons and ice axe are things to choose alongside your boots once a course or a trip with an experienced person is decided. For one-touch crampons, first check whether your current boots have a welt.

FAQ

What's the difference between chain spikes and light crampons?

Build and weight. Chain spikes are stretch bands pulled over the shoe, and the Q.E.L. Cleat is 240g. A 6-point light crampon is a steel plate fastened with buckles, at 520g. The chain spikes' range is winter low mountains and summer snow gullies, which nearly overlaps with the 6-point.

When do I need 10-point or 12-point crampons?

Nagano Prefectural Police, using the main ridge of the Yatsugatake in winter as an example, explains that you need 10 points or more with front points.

How do I decide ice axe length?

mont-bell's official rule of thumb is a length where, holding the head in your hand, the spike reaches your ankle.

Gear in this article

Ad · Images: Rakuten Ichiba

EVERNEW Q.E.L. CleatEVERNEW 6-point crampon EBY014Black Diamond Serac ClipBlack Diamond Raven

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