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Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Kahtoola K10 Hiking Crampons > Test Report by Doug White
KAHTOOLA K10 HIKING CRAMPON
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TESTER INFORMATION
Backpacking Background: I've been backpacking for several years. I have tested a lot of different systems to find what works the best for me. I pack as light as possible without sacrificing comfort and functionality. I enjoy backpacking in all kinds of weather including winter. I also do snowshoeing and year-round mountaineering. I backpack in the Rocky Mountains just below treeline most of the time. My trips are normally at least a few miles (5 km) or more. Anytime I can get out and enjoy the mountains, even for a day hike, I do.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Kahtoola INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The crampons arrived in a simple cardboard box. Simple is good though. The information on the packaging was informative yet not over-whelming. The packaging also has some information on it comparing the K10 crampon to some of Kahtoola's other products. The instructions were fairly simple for me to understand, however, I have had experience with other crampons as well. The instructions include information on how to adjust the length of the crampon and how to setup the bindings to ensure they fit the user's footwear properly. The instructions also contain information on care and maintenance, and show how to attach the snow release skins. I was very happy to find out that the leaf spring that came pre-installed in the crampon fits my boot! This is the first pair of crampons I've owned that came 'ready-to-go' right out of the box. TESTING STRATEGY I plan on testing these in a variety of winter conditions from packed snow to solid ice. I hope to also do some light mountaineering. I am anxious to get out and try them. Being that we're approaching spring, this is a great time for mountaineering as the snow layers pack and provide great testing for crampons. SUMMARY
I am impressed by the appearance of quality of these crampons. They look like they will be ideal for winter hiking and backpacking. I don't really have any concerns at this time. FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I've had the opportunity to use these on two trips so far. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
I love these things so far. I own two other pairs of crampons, so it was good to compare these to those. By nature I am a hiker, not a technical climber, so testing these non-technical crampons are perfect for me. The fit is great and the crampons are easy to put on and take off for me. The buckle system is very convenient. As far as comfort while hiking, they are very comfortable. I haven't experienced any blisters or sore spots thus far. Using them on ice, they grip well. Several times I walked on icy hills with a 30 degree slope with no issues at all. On other flat icy ground, I tried to make myself slip or fall and it didn't happen. These crampons are great for gripping icy ground. The spikes already show wear which isn't uncommon in my experience with other crampons I've used. I made sure to wash the crampons off in water after each use. The snow release skins work great as well. The high-altitude climb that I did was on a warmer day and the snow was loose; this was a perfect testing environment for the skins. SUMMARY
Great crampons for hiking on ice or snow-packed ground. They are comfortable to wear and for me, they were easy to put on and take off. I am also impressed with the function and design of the snow release skins. At this time, I can't find anything about the crampons that I don't like. I look forward to testing these more. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
For my long-term testing, I used the crampons on more trip. The hiking trip was around 5 miles (8 km) and started around 10,000 ft (3048 m) elevation. The temperatures were around 35 F (1.6 C) and the trail was snow-packed. I even got to do some snow climbing on a 30 degree slope. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD Once again, these crampons performed flawlessly. They were extremely comfortable and left me with no blisters. They gripped the snow well and the skins released the snow very well. On this trip, the trail was snow packed the entire way and was a constant uphill hike. The crampons really grabbed the packed snow well and were a great traction device. They have held up very well as far as wear goes. The spike tips show a little wear, but that's not uncommon with crampon use. The buckles, straps, skins, and metal components do not show any wear or damage. SUMMARY AND CONTINUED USE
I have enjoyed testing these crampons. I actually own another set of Kahtoola crampons but of a different model. I found the K10s to be much more comfortable for longer hikes and much easier to put on. I really like the material that Kahtoola used for the release skins on the K10s as they are soft enough to flex and release snow but are still durable and have stood up to the test so far. The leaf spring design is also very comfortable. Read more reviews of Kahtoola gear Read more gear reviews by Doug White Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Kahtoola K10 Hiking Crampons > Test Report by Doug White |