Crampon Fit Issue

[DayTrip]

I did my annual boot purchase in my desperate attempt to find boots that fit my foot right and keep my feet warm. After much shopping, I found a pair of Scarpa Ribelle HD's at a pretty big discount on Campsaver so I got them. They are supposed to be more of a general purpose boot, friendly for people with wide feet and with a rocker designed to be more forgiving for normal walking and for general alpine use. They are semi-automatic crampon compatible, which I have always wanted so I can use my G12's again.

So I wore them in my office for a few hours trying different sock combinations, took them for a 5 mile local walk and I think they fit fine and were nice to walk in! They actually fit (applause). So tonight I figured I'd size them to my G12's and snowshoes. Well I've been screwing around for over an hour now and my G12's just fall right off. The rocker has such a pronounced bend (see photo) that nothing I do keeps the toe in. I've read countless posts about people using G12's with these boots so I Googled and it looks like the toe design is different now.

So can I fit my G12's to these boots? Is there something I am doing or not doing that is the issue? Or is it simply the design and now I have to make yet another purchase? If anyone knows the flaw in my "process" by all means point it out. Thanks.

 

[KRooney]

This might be a simple fix. The G12 has a connector bar. Take the crampon apart, and notice that the front has two slots thru which the bar is positioned. Take them apart, and place the bar thru the rear slot only, and then attach the heel piece. You will have created a noticeable hinge.

 

[DayTrip]

This might be a simple fix. The G12 has a connector bar. Take the crampon apart, and notice that the front has two slots thru which the bar is positioned. Take them apart, and place the bar thru the rear slot only, and then attach the heel piece. You will have created a noticeable hinge.

Worth a shot. I'll tinker with it. Thanks. I think I might have "Cramp-o-matic" G12's. After all my issues I went downstairs and dug out my Scarpa Invernos (the boots I originally bought the crampons for) and all the cobwebs starting clearing from my memory. The whole B2 and B3 thing got resurrected from the recesses of my memory.

I was looking at new crampon models last night and some of the Black Diamond models specifically mention a curved front bar for "the modern boots of today". Is a rounded rocker a new development in boot design? Other than my Invernos (and now the Ribelles) I haven't really owned or used mountaineering boots.

 

[skiguy]

No doubt a lot of rocker there. You are probably going to need a crampon with a multipoint toe piece. Like the G12 New Matic EVO not the Crampo Matic EVO like you already have.

 

[DayTrip]

No doubt a lot of rocker there. You are probably going to need a crampon with a multipoint toe piece. Like the G12 New Matic EVO not the Crampo Matic EVO like you already have.

Yah. Bummer. I'm going to try that tweak Kevin mentioned. That will probably work with the strap connected but I think the lack of tension might make them a bit dangerous. No doubt I'll buy a new set but not until I'm 100% sure the boot is a good fit. It wouldn't be the first boot I bought that seemed fine until I started using it.

 

[DayTrip]

A little thread drift (but of course it's my thread so what the hell) - any recommendations on brands for crampons? I've always used Grivel but I like some of the Black Diamond model designs. They cost less but they are twice the weight as comparable Grivels. Looks like Petzl is another big brand in the mix. Any recommendations would be helpful. Prices nowadays are almost double what I paid just 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[skiguy]

Yah. Bummer. I'm going to try that tweak Kevin mentioned. That will probably work with the strap connected but I think the lack of tension might make them a bit dangerous. No doubt I'll buy a new set but not until I'm 100% sure the boot is a good fit. It wouldn't be the first boot I bought that seemed fine until I started using it.

An article from Alpinist suggests The Petzel Irvin. Again a multipoint toe piece. Scroll down in this article and you will see a picture of it. These are nice looking boots. Not to brag but I have experience fitting crampons for over 40 years and also responsible for selling them with a good fit to customers that expect to be safe. I’d put those G12’s up on the shelf in a heartbeat. That front bar and the front plate is meant to be in continuous contact with the the boot at all times. Your not even close and no adjustment is going to make it better IMO. https://alpinist.com/mountain-standards/scarpa-ribelle-hd-boots-that-can-keep-up-in-the-mountains/

 

[DayTrip]

An article from Alpinist suggests The Petzel Irvin. Again a multipoint toe piece. Scroll down in this article and you will see a picture of it. These are nice looking boots. Not to brag but I have experience fitting crampons for over 40 years and also responsible for selling them with a good fit to customers that expect to be safe. I’d put those G12’s up on the shelf in a heartbeat. That front bar and the front plate is meant to be in continuous contact with the the boot at all times. Your not even close and no adjustment is going to make it better IMO. https://alpinist.com/mountain-standards/scarpa-ribelle-hd-boots-that-can-keep-up-in-the-mountai

I agree. I actually read that article looking for crampon recommendations last night. Rainy crappy day so I was futzing around with some of my gear. I do have high hopes for these boots. I've yet to find a Winter boot that fits my feet right and keeps me warm. After 10 years of screwing around and many $$$$ down the toilet I may have finally hit pay dirt.

 

[skiguy]

I agree. I actually read that article looking for crampon recommendations last night. Rainy crappy day so I was futzing around with some of my gear. I do have high hopes for these boots. I've yet to find a Winter boot that fits my feet right and keeps me warm. After 10 years of screwing around and many $$$$ down the toilet I may have finally hit pay dirt.

Recycle and put gear on consignment. It makes being a gear junky a bit easier or at least one can rationalize the addiction.

 

[DayTrip]

Recycle and put gear on consignment. It makes being a gear junky a bit easier or at least one can rationalize the addiction.

I know. I have so much crap and I'm too lazy to catalogue it all and get it online.

 

[KRooney]

I also have a pair of Scarpa Inverno's and used them for several years, not only here in New England but also on Rainier and Mt Shasta and Adams. Once Cabela's started selling a boot they called Avalanche II I switched to them and the Scarpa's collect dust in the garage. Over the years I invested a couple of different versions of the G-12 and a pair of G-10's.

 

[sierra]

I use and swear by the Katoolah K10's. They are very flexible and after three hard seasons with them can't say enough about them. I have had zero failures with them after hard use.

 

[ImYourHuckleberry]

A little thread drift (but of course it's my thread so what the hell) - any recommendations on brands for crampons? I've always used Grivel but I like some of the Black Diamond model designs. They cost less but they are twice the weight as comparable Grivels. Looks like Petzl is another big brand in the mix. Any recommendations would be helpful. Prices nowadays are almost double what I paid just 7 or 8 years ago.

This is going back 20+ years, but I really like Black Diamond Sabretooths for both snow and pure water ice, and I see they are still on the market. Although I am having trouble fitting my ancient pair to my Fisher Travers CS AT boots. I bought a different toe bail that is supposed to help, but haven't gotten around to installing and testing yet.

 

[skiguy]

No doubt a lot of rocker there. You are probably going to need a crampon with a multipoint toe piece. Like the G12 New Matic EVO not the Crampo Matic EVO like you already have.

Saw these. Not sure if they would make a difference with all that rocker you got going but definitely cheaper than a new pair of crampons. https://us.grivel.com/products/transformer-bail

 

[DayTrip]

Saw these. Not sure if they would make a difference with all that rocker you got going but definitely cheaper than a new pair of crampons. https://us.grivel.com/products/transformer-bail

Interesting. Thanks for that link. I have not come across this in my web surfing. I've also noticed some models come in multiple configurations to go on many boots. Was considering this too.

 

[NH2112]

I’m a little late, but 7-8 years back I bought a pair of Asolo Alta Via GV and Grivel G12s, and they work perfectly together. I have wide feet, my normal size is 11W/2E and 11.5 regular fit me just perfect. There’s plenty of room for a footbed (SOLE Ed Viesturs) for my low arches. They have a really effective rocker, I did some road walking with them at first and they really did propel me forward. Interestingly, and totally contrary to what I’d been told to expect, they needed very little breaking in. Maybe 4-5 miles on the road and a couple short hikes (Douglas Mtn and Burnt Meadow Mtn), then I felt comfortable enough to wear them up Kearsarge North 2 weekends in a row. In August. They were very warm, I needed to change socks at the summit and then again when I got back to the trailhead, but I changed into shoes more suitable for driving a stick there anyway. No blisters or even hot spots.

As far as warmth, I’d rate them a 0F or slightly lower boot. I wore them up Kearsarge North on a cloudy Feb day with temps at the trailhead in the mid single digits F, my toes did get a little chilly but we were going very slow since my hiking partner had just spent 3 months recuperating from a pretty bad MTB wreck. On a sunny day they may have been good to -10F. On that day it was either these or my Sorels, and those just don’t have a technical enough fit. I started off with Hillsounds but changed to the G12s partway up when the trail became solid ice. Absolutely no attachment or stability issues, I’m not the most sure-footed or graceful person and I was 100% confident in them.

 

[DayTrip]

I've o

I’m a little late, but 7-8 years back I bought a pair of Asolo Alta Via GV and Grivel G12s, and they work perfectly together. I have wide feet, my normal size is 11W/2E and 11.5 regular fit me just perfect. There’s plenty of room for a footbed (SOLE Ed Viesturs) for my low arches. They have a really effective rocker, I did some road walking with them at first and they really did propel me forward. Interestingly, and totally contrary to what I’d been told to expect, they needed very little breaking in. Maybe 4-5 miles on the road and a couple short hikes (Douglas Mtn and Burnt Meadow Mtn), then I felt comfortable enough to wear them up Kearsarge North 2 weekends in a row. In August. They were very warm, I needed to change socks at the summit and then again when I got back to the trailhead, but I changed into shoes more suitable for driving a stick there anyway. No blisters or even hot spots.

As far as warmth, I’d rate them a 0F or slightly lower boot. I wore them up Kearsarge North on a cloudy Feb day with temps at the trailhead in the mid single digits F, my toes did get a little chilly but we were going very slow since my hiking partner had just spent 3 months recuperating from a pretty bad MTB wreck. On a sunny day they may have been good to -10F. On that day it was either these or my Sorels, and those just don’t have a technical enough fit. I started off with Hillsounds but changed to the G12s partway up when the trail became solid ice. Absolutely no attachment or stability issues, I’m not the most sure-footed or graceful person and I was 100% confident in them.

I've owned a few pairs of Asolo boots and I find them tight in the toe box and not particularly warm (those things are probably related). My feet are always cold. When it gets below 20 deg F just about anything I wear (other than the Baffin boots I mentioned above) does not keep my feet warm and comfy. At this point in my boot buying carrier "not cold" is a win.

Incidentally, I also use those Viesturs SOLE inserts in a lot of my shoes. Very comfortable. Unfortunately they take up too much room in my new Scarpa boots and restrict the fit considerably. I've been wearing Innov8 boots and trail runners for all things not Winter lately and have not needed the SOLE inserts in these, which is nice.

 

[NH2112]

I've o

I've owned a few pairs of Asolo boots and I find them tight in the toe box and not particularly warm (those things are probably related). My feet are always cold. When it gets below 20 deg F just about anything I wear (other than the Baffin boots I mentioned above) does not keep my feet warm and comfy. At this point in my boot buying carrier "not cold" is a win.

Incidentally, I also use those Viesturs SOLE inserts in a lot of my shoes. Very comfortable. Unfortunately they take up too much room in my new Scarpa boots and restrict the fit considerably. I've been wearing Innov8 boots and trail runners for all things not Winter lately and have not needed the SOLE inserts in these, which is nice.

I’d say the Alta Vias fit very similarly to my 11W Fugitives. A thin liner sock and thick outer, or just a heavy mountaineering sock, leaves just enough room to wiggle my toes with no pressure on the sides of my feet. They’re insulated with “Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort”, which I’d never heard of at the time but the guys at IME (where I bought the boots & crampons) liked it. It’s low-bulk but I found it warm enough for the dabbling I’ve done in those boots. If I was going to be out in much colder temps or for multiple days I’d absolutely buy double boots and bring the liners in the bag with me.