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obsessed
Feb 3, 2010, 4:37 PM
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I am in the market for crampons but need them to fit my size 7 ladies boots. One pair I tried when borrowing didn't go small enough to fit. I am looking on a gear swap so I need to make sure they will adjust small enough.
Any suggestions?
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granite_grrl
Feb 3, 2010, 5:13 PM
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obsessed wrote: I am in the market for crampons but need them to fit my size 7 ladies boots. One pair I tried when borrowing didn't go small enough to fit. I am looking on a gear swap so I need to make sure they will adjust small enough. Any suggestions?
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obsessed
Feb 3, 2010, 6:16 PM
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granite_grrl wrote: obsessed wrote: I am in the market for crampons but need them to fit my size 7 ladies boots. One pair I tried when borrowing didn't go small enough to fit. I am looking on a gear swap so I need to make sure they will adjust small enough. Any suggestions? From what I remember it was the old BD Bionics that wouldn't fit (too long). I think the BD Cyborgs did. Did you try Nathan's crampons?
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granite_grrl
Feb 3, 2010, 6:26 PM
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obsessed wrote: granite_grrl wrote: obsessed wrote: I am in the market for crampons but need them to fit my size 7 ladies boots. One pair I tried when borrowing didn't go small enough to fit. I am looking on a gear swap so I need to make sure they will adjust small enough. Any suggestions? From what I remember it was the old BD Bionics that wouldn't fit (too long). I think the BD Cyborgs did. Did you try Nathan's crampons? I honestly don't recall which ones I tried. I think they were Nathans. Were his the Cyborgs?
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obsessed
Feb 3, 2010, 6:28 PM
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granite_grrl wrote: obsessed wrote: granite_grrl wrote: obsessed wrote: I am in the market for crampons but need them to fit my size 7 ladies boots. One pair I tried when borrowing didn't go small enough to fit. I am looking on a gear swap so I need to make sure they will adjust small enough. Any suggestions? From what I remember it was the old BD Bionics that wouldn't fit (too long). I think the BD Cyborgs did. Did you try Nathan's crampons? I honestly don't recall which ones I tried. I think they were Nathans. Were his the Cyborgs? Mine are Cyborgs. They're orange. I can't remember which crampons we eventually managed to get on your boots now. When you come over you should bring them over so we can check.
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kiwiprincess
Feb 3, 2010, 7:52 PM
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I use Petzl Charlet I am the same size. There is a short bar (I think) But also instructions on Shortening the standard bar with a hacksaw which I did.
they work well.
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lhwang
Feb 3, 2010, 9:45 PM
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Ice/mixed or alpine?
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obsessed
Feb 4, 2010, 2:03 PM
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lhwang wrote: Ice/mixed or alpine?
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smallclimber
Feb 6, 2010, 4:14 PM
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I find the problem is not so much adjusting the length (I have also cut a bar in the past) but that the boot I would prefer to wear is so narrow at the back that the back rests do not make contact with the boot no matter how short I make them. I don't think the crampon would actually come off, but there might be some lateral movement as I kick.
I have been wearing a boot that is way too big for me, but at least fits the crampon, but the weight tires me out so much on the approach I am going to try the smaller boot/looser crampon combo once.
I'm interested to hear what others recommend.
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carabiner96
Feb 6, 2010, 4:37 PM
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smallclimber wrote: I find the problem is not so much adjusting the length (I have also cut a bar in the past) but that the boot I would prefer to wear is so narrow at the back that the back rests do not make contact with the boot no matter how short I make them. I don't think the crampon would actually come off, but there might be some lateral movement as I kick. I have been wearing a boot that is way too big for me, but at least fits the crampon, but the weight tires me out so much on the approach I am going to try the smaller boot/looser crampon combo once. I'm interested to hear what others recommend.
what do you have?
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brokesomeribs
Feb 7, 2010, 8:05 AM
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In reply to: I find the problem is not so much adjusting the length (I have also cut a bar in the past) but that the boot I would prefer to wear is so narrow at the back that the back rests do not make contact with the boot no matter how short I make them. I don't think the crampon would actually come off, but there might be some lateral movement as I kick. I have been wearing a boot that is way too big for me, but at least fits the crampon, but the weight tires me out so much on the approach I am going to try the smaller boot/looser crampon combo once. I'm interested to hear what others recommend.
You have two issues you need to correct.
1) You say your boot is actually too large for you. If your heel is lifting when you're on your front-points then yes, it's too large. You are exhausting yourself trying to use your foot and calf muscles to force your ankle down into the boot's heelcup, instead of letting the boot hold you in (as it is designed to do). This situation is 10 times more tiring than simply wearing a boot that is a size too large, and therefore 3 ounces heavier. However, if your heel is locked in place, you might not actually need new boots. Instead, you can experiment with different/thicker insoles, padding the tongue, etc, to just reduce interior volume. You might be able to save a couple hundred dollars.
2) "The back rests don't make contact." - I believe you are referring to the rear bail. This is the thick metal bar that locks over the heel welt (i.e. the "lip"). If the bail does not fit your boot, you need to bend it so that it does. This requires a sturdy workbench and bench vise, along with some muscle, a hammer, and some wooden blocking. Hopefully you have a friend who has experience with this sort of stuff who can be enticed with pizza/beer/Jameson/420.
If you're anywhere near NJ, have all of the tools above, and I happen to prefer Weihenstepha 
(This post was edited by brokesomeribs on Feb 7, 2010, 8:06 AM)
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smallclimber
Feb 7, 2010, 6:28 PM
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I will preface the answer by pointing out that I have UK size 2.5 feet (US 4.5) so finding boots that fit has been very difficult. I have two sets of plastic boots, they are both old.
The light ones are Koflack Viva Lady Soft - I don't think Koflack still exists, and even when they did this boot was not in its range for a long time. I think its about 15 years old.
Its a ligthweight plastic boot and I bought it for non-technical mountaineering (trekking peaks in Nepal and S. America, Cotapaxi, Illiman sort of thing). They are light and comfortable for walking and I have used them on several trips with 10 point strap on crampons and they are great for that.
However the heel of the boot is too narrow for my technical crampon to grip at the back The technial crampon is a black diamond, but I can't see it in their current range. However my husband has sabretooths and they don't grip at the back either.
I also have a heavier plastic book, a koflack artis expe in a US 5.5, thats about 7years old. The crampon fits the boot, but the boot is way too big for me. Addmittedly buying this was probably a mistake but Koflack were discontinueing their small sizes and as the time I was considering Denali and needed a warmer boot. Realistically I would never have made it up with such a weight on my foot anyway.
So I have a boot that fits or a crampon that fits but not both.......
The answer is to buy a specialist ice boot and ensure the crampon fits and I know the smallest womens LaSportiva Nepal fits my foot, though I haven't checked the crampon.
But for 5-10 days ice a year can I really justify a third boot??
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lhwang
Feb 10, 2010, 11:36 PM
Post #13 of 14
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Sorry! Forgot about this discussion. I have slightly smaller feet than you and use Petzl M10s for ice cimbing.
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obsessed
Feb 11, 2010, 3:17 AM
Post #14 of 14
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lhwang wrote: Sorry! Forgot about this discussion. I have slightly smaller feet than you and use Petzl M10s for ice cimbing.
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