Kahtoola KTS Crampon Review

KTS Alu - added Nov/2010,

by Mark Hartell

Every once in a while, a new product comes along that is radically different. Kahtoola KTS is just such a product - it is a game change and re-writes the rules of what is possible in winter. If you have ever teetered from boulder to boulder whilst trying to run a verglassed ridge in the winter or frantically tried to kick an edge into spring neve on a frosty morning then Kahtoola KTS are for you.

Kahtoola KTS
UKC Gear, Nov 2010
© Kahtoola

With Kahtoola KTS you have something that is light, fits in seconds and provides massive reassurance. In fact I have verified them as good for the occasional Grade I/II gully and used them very effectively on a traverse of the Welsh 3000s last winter on a day when we saw the big yellow helicopter in action twice – scooping up those who had taken long slides into the boulder fields.

The key is not to tighten them up too much, keep your feet flat to the snow as far as possible and have confidence - you will discover a new world of possibility and it will not be long before someone uses them to break the 24 hour target for the Ramsay Round.

We know what the crampon market looks like: technical, non-flexible, boot-specific...limiting. We designed crampons that would take you through a wide variety of conditions and accommodate pretty much any kind of footwear you have on at the time. The result? The KTS Crampon.

Simply the Best Non-technical/Flexible Hiking Crampons and Walking Crampons

We know we're bragging, but we believe that the KTS Crampons are the best for both hiking and walking. Why? You don't need specific boots or tricky bail systems. The KTS Crampons fit over you're your existing footwear and work with everything from hiking and running shoes to ski and snowboard boots. This is possible due to the patented flexible LeafSpring® extender bar and easy to use straps. Just fasten the straps in the front and around the ankle and you're instantly equipped with a walking crampon or hiking crampon that will take you securely through the day's adventures.

Ultralight Crampons – Yes, They're Light!

Nobody needs extra weight on their feet when they're managing icy conditions. That's why the Flexible KTS Crampon was designed as an ultralight, flexible crampon that's both easy to put on and walk in. Our aluminum model weighs in at a mere 19 ounces per pair and the steel isn't far behind at just over 23 ounces. We mean it when we say that they're ultralight crampons. We built a crampon that we were comfortable putting into our own backpacks and on our own feet. We hope you'll enjoy them, too.

UK Stockists: Click HERE

I did the Bob Graham round with friends over three days in very wintry conditions recently. I had decided to try out the Kahtoola Microspikes for the first time. I was unsure whether I would need them or not, but at 360g for the pair it didn't seem like a big weight penalty to carry them. Day 1 was Skiddaw, Great Calva and Blencathra, followed by a steep drop to Threlkeld. Refuelling, then a big climb up to the long ridge running south, crossing Helvellyn and taking in Fairfield and Seat Sandal to finish at Dunmail Raise. There were patches of snow above 750m but I didn't feel the need to put the spikes on as it was pretty flat running for the most part. I woke to fresh snow at valley level, and as we were crossing the Central Lakeland Fells I thought there was a greater chance of using the Microspikes.

It started relatively low level running through a couple of centimetres of fluffy powder in the sunshine, starting with Steel Fell then heading over to the Langdale Pikes and heading to Rosset Pike. I was last there a couple of months ago on the Langdale Horseshoe race, squelching through the permabog of Martcrag Moor. This time it was bone hard and frozen solid- quicker than previous and a lot more pleasant. After Rosset Pike the route goes very steeply up Bowfell, and here the patches of old snow were inclined at 35 degrees. Out with the 'Spikes and despite cold hands they were a total doddle to put on. 2 out of the 7 of us didn't have any and they were slithering around feeling insecure and significantly slower.

I found the grip adequate though not as good as a crampon with longer spiky bits. But clearly they come with a weight penalty. I also think that had the snow have been harder they would have gripped better, and certainly on ice such as frozen paths they were excellent. I took them off for a while until we reached Scafell. Others kept theirs on and with well padded trail shoes they said they barely noticed them. I found with thinner soled fell shoes I was aware of them, so perhaps if conditions had dictated wearing them for hours as a necessity a different shoe choice would have been a good idea. Steve wore his for at least a couple of hours with no discomfort and swears by them, running throughout last winter in his pair. Scafell loomed in the afternoon sunshine and after a quick look at Broad Stand I rapidly decided it would be a bad idea with verglas on the slab. The alternative was Lords Rake and I put the 'Spikes back on.

To access it you descend steeply and then traverse into the rake. This would have been very unpleasant in just shoes and the gully itself would also have not been much fun at all. But spiked up it was a doddle and in no time we popped out onto the summit plateau before the long descent to Wasdale. Day 3 was bluebird Alpine cold and a little windy. We headed east from Yewbarrow to Great Gable, then north crossing Honister, eventually to Keswick. My Spikes stayed in the bag but I was happy to carry them, knowing how useful they could be and how simple they are to put on and take off. So in conclusion they are a must have accessory for winter running. They certainly widen the scope of where you could safely go, and give you a lot of confidence. I could imagine using them in the Alps to approach rock routes early season, crossing old snow patches. In fact Steve said he did a Chamonix to Zermatt walk wearing only Microspikes as opposed to “proper” crampons. Light is right.