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Reviews > Snow Gear > Crampons > Stubai Light Combi Crampons > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
Stubai Light Combi Crampons
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my wife Jenn or brother-in-law Dave. The Product
Manufacturer: Stubai Product Description
The Stubai Light Combi (hereafter called Stubai or crampon) is a light weight 10 point crampon constructed primarily of aluminum. A steel center plate attaches the two crampon sections. A steel spring plate is affixed at the back of the heel piece and has a steel peg that goes into the hole of my choice on the center bar locking it at the length I need. While this combi attachment is made for pneumatic compatible boots it can be used with boots that have an extended welt contruction. (Goodyear welt, etc.) Modern boots with glued on soles and no crampon groove can not be used with these crampons. A universal attachment system (strap-on) must be used in those cases. Stubai does make this crampon with such a configuration. Each section of the crampons has four 1.5 in (3.8 cm) downward spikes along with two more front-pointing spikes on the front sections. The front sections have the left and right identified for ease in applying. Field Conditions In the three seasons I have owned these crampons they have been with me on fourteen multi-day trips. Five of these have been in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, four in the White Mountains and vicinity, three at Mount San Jacinto, once on Mount San Gorgonio and one trip to Mount Shasta. (All are in the state of California.) Temperatures have ranged from 9 F to 50 F (-12 to 10 C). Elevations have ranged from 7000’ to 13200’ (2100 to 4000 m) Snow depths have ranged from 4’ (1.3 m) to God-only-knows. Snow conditions have run the gamut from hard packed snow, iced over snow and glacier ice. Observations
I bought these crampons for two reasons. The very good crampons I had been using to that point were fully automatic crampons, meaning once adjusted to my boot I can just click them on, affix a safety strap and I am good to go. The problem with them is they are made only for plastic-double climbing boots. I had some LaSportiva Makalu boots that were supposed to accept autos but found that they did not hold securely on them. I had them pop off twice on a climb of San Jacinto, the front bail being the culprit, and decided I better remedy this problem before I find myself in a world of hurt. Hence the change to the Scottish-toed Stubai. We got clobbered by a storm near the summit and watched a white-out rushing at us. We turned around and went down as fast as we could to stay ahead of it. I did not want to glissade at the steepest parts of the descent but did practically run plunge-stepping back down towards Helen Lake. The Stubais performed flawlessly. I like these so much that I have used my steel crampons only once since buying the Stubais. I look forward to many more trips with them holding me to the side of a mountain. Pros: Light weight, fits a lot of boots, fast application Cons: not as sharp or strong as steel crampons This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Read more reviews of Stubai gear Read more gear reviews by Ray Estrella Reviews > Snow Gear > Crampons > Stubai Light Combi Crampons > Owner Review by Ray Estrella |