Boot crampons with telemark boots

[Natoplank]

Hello fellow telemarkers and mountaineers!

I am in the process of getting a pair boot crampons to be used mainly with my NTN-boots (Crispi Evo NTN) for scramling ice and snow.
I am considering the semi-automatic option with heel and toe anchors, with only an ankle leash (no leash between ankle and toe, see image)

These crampons are made with AT boots in mind, so i am wondering if the sole flex of the tele boots may risk dismounting the crampon from the boot.

Feel free to share your knowledge about tele boots and crampons in general. Thanks!

[spopepro]

That's a full auto crampon--semi-auto has the lever in the back, but the straps connect to a basket in the front (not the bail as shown).

And yes, for a NTN boot a full auto crampon will work fine. The flex isn't going to have a real impact since it's in one small area and overall the boot is very stiff. Some folks will suggest using a flex bar with tele boots but I haven't ever used one and don't see the need to unless you're spending lots of time climbing steep ice.

If you can take your boots in to a shop that has different crampons it can be helpful. The particular shape of the toe and the heel lug spacing will be slightly different and something might fit your boot better than others. Sometimes a different bail is needed as most manufacturers make a wide and narrow (and I believe petzl is the only that still offers a "telemark" bail for 75mm duckbills. which does in fact work very well, but that's another story for another day).

Best of luck... I personally ended up giving up and getting an AT setup just for mountaineering. I couldn't deal with the weight penalty and the discomfort and instability while front pointing.

[spopepro]

I should also say that the crampon pictured is very, very nice. I'm all on petzl gear currently, but a couple seasons ago I demoed those alpinist tech crampons and thought they were just about perfect for long mixed and gully routes. I'd have picked up a pair if I didn't have so much invested into another system.

[wabene]

I'm guessing Manney is googling ski crampons and now working hard at preparing an authoritative post.

[Nitram Tocrut]

I'm guessing Manney is googling ski crampons and now working hard at preparing an authoritative post.

@wabene just for fun I used ChatGPT and this is what I got :
It seems like you're interested in understanding how boot crampons and NTN (New Telemark Norm) bindings work, as well as how to mount and dismount them. Here's some information on each:

**Boot Crampons:**
- Boot crampons are designed to provide additional traction on icy or steep terrain when wearing hiking or mountaineering boots.
- Mounting boot crampons typically involves attaching them to your boots using straps or a step-in mechanism, depending on the specific type of crampon.
- To mount boot crampons:
- Strap-on crampons: Adjust the straps to fit your boot snugly, making sure the crampons are centered under the sole.
- Step-in crampons: Align the crampon's toe and heel bails with the corresponding points on your boot, then secure them by locking the crampon in place.
- To dismount boot crampons, reverse the process:
- For strap-on crampons, release and loosen the straps, then remove the crampons.
- For step-in crampons, unlock the crampon's bindings and remove them from your boots.

**NTN Bindings:**
- NTN bindings are used in telemark skiing to connect NTN boots to skis. They provide a secure and responsive connection, allowing for precise skiing control.
- Mounting NTN bindings typically requires specific equipment and expertise and is often done by a professional technician at a ski shop.
- The process of mounting NTN bindings involves drilling holes in your skis to attach the bindings securely.
- Dismounting NTN bindings typically involves removing the screws and bindings from the skis, which should also be done by a professional technician if you're not experienced in ski binding maintenance.

It's crucial to follow manufacturer instructions and seek professional guidance if you're unsure about mounting or dismounting boot crampons or NTN bindings, as proper installation is essential for safety and performance. Incorrect installation can lead to accidents or damage to your equipment.

[wabene]

I'm guessing Manney is googling ski crampons and now working hard at preparing an authoritative post.

@wabene just for fun I used ChatGPT and this is what I got :
It seems like you're interested in understanding how boot crampons and NTN (New Telemark Norm) bindings work, as well as how to mount and dismount them. Here's some information on each:

**Boot Crampons:**
- Boot crampons are designed to provide additional traction on icy or steep terrain when wearing hiking or mountaineering boots.
- Mounting boot crampons typically involves attaching them to your boots using straps or a step-in mechanism, depending on the specific type of crampon.
- To mount boot crampons:
- Strap-on crampons: Adjust the straps to fit your boot snugly, making sure the crampons are centered under the sole.
- Step-in crampons: Align the crampon's toe and heel bails with the corresponding points on your boot, then secure them by locking the crampon in place.
- To dismount boot crampons, reverse the process:
- For strap-on crampons, release and loosen the straps, then remove the crampons.
- For step-in crampons, unlock the crampon's bindings and remove them from your boots.

**NTN Bindings:**
- NTN bindings are used in telemark skiing to connect NTN boots to skis. They provide a secure and responsive connection, allowing for precise skiing control.
- Mounting NTN bindings typically requires specific equipment and expertise and is often done by a professional technician at a ski shop.
- The process of mounting NTN bindings involves drilling holes in your skis to attach the bindings securely.
- Dismounting NTN bindings typically involves removing the screws and bindings from the skis, which should also be done by a professional technician if you're not experienced in ski binding maintenance.

It's crucial to follow manufacturer instructions and seek professional guidance if you're unsure about mounting or dismounting boot crampons or NTN bindings, as proper installation is essential for safety and performance. Incorrect installation can lead to accidents or damage to your equipment.

that'll do! Work smarter not harder, Manney

[Manney]

Tried that already. It works.

Typed in “wabene AND crampons”. ChatGPT instantly responded with a story about tampons.

AI has either developed a sense of humor or it knows something you’re not sharing.

[iBjorn]

With flexible boots (like tele boots), rigid crampons are preferable if you want to front point imho. For general mountaineering get a pair of used Grivel 2F from eBay for 25 bucks, or if you want more serious climbing on ice, or dry tooling get a pair of Grivel Rambo (version 2, 3 and 4 of them are rigid crampons).

You also have some info on below link:
https://www.voile.com/blog/the-telemark ... on-points/

[spopepro]

The voile link is good, but be careful about understanding exactly what he is saying. Their toe fit is the most important, and why he is suggesting semi-auto for NTN. I’ve seem more combos work than he mentions, but it is an always changing thing. If full auto is desired, it does need testing first.

His recommendation for full rigid when front pointing is about long ice/couloir routes. This isn’t about fit as much as it is for comfort. I would not want to walk around for any period of time in Rambos. But if I was doing 400m of front pointing I’d get as rigid as a setup as I could.

But again… it’s all kinds of compromise and down to personal fit.

[satanas]

FWIW, I've successfully used CAMP XLC 390 automatic crampons...

https://www.camp.it/m/us/us/outdoor/product/20

...on a variety of tele and AT boots including Scarpa T2X, F3 and Dynafit TLT 5P; I may have tried them on Scarpa T4s and Garmont Excursions too, but can't recall now. Note that I was using them for booting up on ski trips *not* for front pointing up waterfalls or on mixed terrain(!), but had zero problems on any of the aforementioned boots. Ice climbing is outside my skill set so I cannot really comment on what might work for that, except that I suspect at least the front points ought to be steel, not alu. (For my use fully steel crampons were serious overkill and nearly always got left at home; YMMV.)