Petzl Crampon Compatability

Below, I've tried to add some clarity to some of the different crampon section options in the Petzl Alpen Adapt range. It's a great modular system allowing you to maybe just have one heel plate that fits your boots, but two different front sections adapting to two very differnet types of terrain e.g. A Back Lever lock which clips onto stiffer boots that have a heel welt, and then a Sarken front section for all your technical summer alpine mountaineering, and then have a Dart front section for winter icefall climbing.

Just one idea within all the various optiuons in the Petzl Alpen Adapt range.

There are two main options of front section that I’d recommend from the Alpen Adapt range.

Both options are for snow or glacial walking/general mountaineering, having two flat front points that give good security when kicking into steeper snow and downward pointing walking points, giving good security on flatter snow and ice when ‘flat footing’ (walking)

The key difference in both front sections is that the Irvis front section is smaller, giving you only four downward pointing walking points and two front points, whilst the Vasak front section has six downward pointing walking points and two front points.

For small feet I would recommend the Irvis front section as there won’t be much gap between the front section and heel plate. Those with larger feet would benefit from the Vasak’s extra two downward pointing walking points giving them that bit extra security when ‘flat footing on snow and ice in both ascent and descent.

All Petzl crampons have Anti-Snow, anti-balling plates as standard. which stop any wet snow clogging up the underneath of the crampon which would affect your security when walking on such snow.

The Barrette linking system joining the crampon front section to the heel plate is the same bar on the Petzl Irvis, Vasak & Sarken crampons, and it’s easy to adjust between sizes 36 to 46 without any extra tools needed.

The Heel plate is the same on the Irvis, Vasak, Sarken, Lynx and Dart crampons and so will adapt to any combination of heel fix systems such as the Back Flex as shown above or the Back Lever lock which clips onto stiffer boots that have a heel welt.

There are two main options of front section that I’d recommend from the Alpen Adapt range.

The Vasak is for snow or glacial walking/general mountaineering, having two flat front points that give good security when kicking into steeper snow and six downward pointing walking points, again giving good security on flatter snow and ice when ‘flat footing’ (walking)

The Sarken front section is for those wanting a technical mountaineering crampon that provides more security when climbing steeper ice and mixed terrain. This extra security comes from the more aggressive two front points that have a ‘T’ shape profile, rather than being just flat as like the Vasak front points.

The ‘T’ shape means that when you kick into the snow and stand up, there is still a flat section of front point helping with downward forces against any steeper snow, stopping the foot from slipping out. But there is also a vertical section underneath that which slices into any harder ice and the aggressive teeth stop the fronts points from slipping or pulling out. And so, stand on a bulge of hard ice wearing the flat Vasak front points, and your foot would just skate & slip out from underneath you. Stand on that same bulge of hard ice wearing the Sarken front section and the serrated teeth under the front points will bite into the ice stopping them slipping out from underneath you.

The Sarken’s also have a more aggressive second set of points again giving you more security kicking into that harder steep snow and ice.

All Petzl crampons have Anti-Snow, anti-balling plates as standard. which stop any wet snow clogging up the underneath of the crampon which would affect your security when walking on such snow.

The Barrette linking system joining the crampons front section to the heel plate is the same bar on the Petzl Irvis, Vasak & Sarken crampons, and it’s easy to adjust between sizes 36 to 46 without any extra tools.

The Heel plate is the same on the Irvis, Vasak, Sarken, Lynx and Dart crampons and so will adapt to any combination of heel fix systems such as the Back Flex or the Back Lever lock which clips onto stiffer B2 boots that have a heel welt as shown above.

There are two main options of front section that I’d recommend from the Alpen Adapt range.

The Sarken front section is for those wanting a technical mountaineering crampon that provides more security when climbing steeper ice and mixed terrain.

Or the Dart front section which has vertical front points with teeth underneath giving maximum security on steep technical ice or dry tooling and mixed climbing. The front points are modular and so for Ice climbing you can choose to kick in with either a single (mono) point or climb with two (dual) points depending on your preference. For steep and technical dry tooling and mixed climbing many climbers lean towards using single (mono) points… a single mono point is easier to place into small pockets, onto tiny edges or into small cracks & crevices in the rock giving you both the security you need underneath your foot but also the ability to twist and move your foot, ankle and body position to get the best from a hold or best set you up for the next move without being compromised by having a second point which can often get in the way.

Chose also between fitting a Fil wire toe bail which attaches to the front welt & toe of your boot, or if you’d prefer the Fil Flex toe bail if not. The Fil Flex is also useful as B3 boots age with use on rocky walking trails and ridges, the welt wears out and this will affect how secure fitting a Fil wire toe bail will be. You don’t need a front welt on your boots if you use the Fil Flex system of attachment.

All Petzl crampons have Anti-Snow, anti-balling plates as standard. which stop any wet snow clogging up the underneath of the crampon which would affect your security when walking on such snow.

The Barrette linking system joining the crampons front section to the heel plate is the same bar on the Petzl Irvis, Vasak & Sarken crampons, and it’s easy to adjust between sizes 36 to 46 without any extra tools.

The Heel plate is the same on the Irvis, Vasak, Sarken, Lynx and Dart crampons and so will adapt to any combination of heel fix systems such as the Back Flex or the Back Lever lock which clips onto stiffer B2 boots that have a heel welt as shown above.

I hope that helps a little!

Any questions with regards crampon compatability or which are the right crampons for me, please email ism@alpin-ism.com

Adrian Nelhams