The Kahtoola crampons (definitely get the steel model) will pretty much work on anything you have, from running shoes to heavy boots - they are made to flex. If it's super-
duper icy, the 1" points feel a bit wimpy compared to "real" crampons, but for most non-tech stuff in the whites, they are the bomb. IMO, you can boogie along over the icy/rocky terrain of the NE
much more efficiently and safely with a soft boot/short tooth crampon combo than a stiff boot/long tooth crampon.
I have been using Salomon's "Snowbow", (replaced but not equaled by the B52) for almost all my winter hiking, instead of mountaineering boots. I wouldn't use them in extended sub-zero cold, but for less-than-arctic day hikes they are great - super-comfortable and light, with just the right amount of stiffness. And they have a stiff blocky tread that is perfect for screws.
(There are still some discontinued Snowbows floating around the internets, particularly for women.
Here's some Here is another deal on a newer model:
Scrambler FG )
Some boot sole compounds don't hold the screws nearly as well, possibly because of their softness. My friend uses the North Face "Lifty" boots, which have a very squishy compound, and they don't hold the screws well at all, particularly along the perimeter of the boot. Another potential snafu is the clearance between the crampon and screw placement, depending on what kind of lugs are on the sole.
Unfortunately, this class of insulated but light boot hasn't seen that many entries from other manufacturers, although there are a few from North Face, etc. Maybe this year some more will hit the shelves.
What other light winter boots are out there, folks?
