Crampons

[oriole_scott]

I'm looking to buy some inexpensive crampons, mainly for hiking on icy/snowy trails around here in winter. I've never bought or even used crampons before, so I don't know much about what to look for. My question is whether I can get away with getting a cheap pair of 4-point crampons (the kind that just strap across the instep of your boot), or do I need a more serious pair? Like I said, these will mainly be for slippery trails. I don't do any glacier hiking, mountain climbing, or hiking in really deep snow.

Any advice (including brands and where to find them) would be great!
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"We are here on the planet only once, and might as well get a feel for the place" - Annie Dillard

[doug]

I get by with the cheap instep crampons in the Grand Canyon, the ice on the trails is as bad as I have ever sean on an trail do to use. It is time to repace mine as the rubber band that goes over the instep is starting to crack.
The bigest problem with them that I have had was they will slip on my boot and slide to the inside. This is fixed if I put them on with the hook on the outside of my boot.
The only other crampons that I have used where on the bottem of my snowshoes. They where not any good on a icy trail but helped on an icy crust on top of the snow.

[fairweather8588]

You could try something like these
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47592235&parent_category_rn=40003537&vcat=REI_SEARCH
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But let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious


Kerouac

[doug]

Yaktrax have a reputation of not lasting I have not tried them but here is a review for YAhoo Grand Canyon Hikers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grand_Canyon_Hikers/message/33370

[tempe8]

I've never tried them...but if you wanted to support a local Flagstaff company, they have a product that looks pretty good:

http://www.kahtoola.com/script/aboutset.html