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Description

Lightweight, flexible traction compatible with almost any shoe.

Use the Kahtoola KTS Crampon with your trail runners, backpacking boots, or snowboard boots for grip in icy conditions. Its innovative, flexible traction system aggressively bites into sketchy terrain. Kahtoola made the KTS Crampon's ten-point gripping system from strong anodized aircraft aluminum or virtually indestructible Cro-Moly steel. And at 19 ounces per pair for the aluminum, the KTS Crampons won't weigh you down.
  • Quick-release buckles make getting in and out of the Kahtoola Traction System a smooth process
  • The durable 3/4-inch points maintain a natural stride and reduce snagging, whether you're hiking, adventure racing, ice-fishing, or salting the driveway
  • Works with nearly any shoe or boot
  • Tool-free adjustment

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Kahtoola KTS Crampon

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Here's what others have to say...

4 5

foup104280

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

we have two pair and have used them a lot we like them work great but little problems we have my brother is big and wont fit his shoes need to have a larger size and the out side is in to far and we both slip side hilling a lot snow also sticks if its not really cold out

5 5

nel5000195

Member since 

Had to watch the video a couple of times to figure out the initial sizing of the crampon. As long as you use the same boot, there is no need to adjust again. Works great on ice when the microspikes are not enough. I would recommend getting the bag (I didn't). Crampons did not slide at all.

5 5

Jeff Douglas

Member since 

Tried them on a late spring hike up Mt Quandry, Colorado. They worked perfectly on the snow and snow/scree mix! I wore a pair of light hiking boots...didn't have any issues chaffing/rubbing and they stayed snug the entire day (I didn't have to re-tighten them). They exceeded my expectations!

5 5

jon4415318

Member since 

I recently purchased a pair of Kahtoola aluminum crampons. Once i adjusted them to my boots they were awesome. Very lite compared to the steel ones I had been using the last two seasons. Very easy to deploy and take off. Very good traction with not a lot of snow and ice build up. No worries about rusting either because of the aluminum. The straps work great with zero chance of loosening up. Overall very excited about purchase. I hike twice a week so we'll see how they hold up.

5 5

brett

Member since 

Took these with me for a week long tour of the southwest in january, lots of snow and ice, these took everything in stride. They even held their own on the slickrock, my only problem with these is they are not the easiest to get on and off which caused problems in mixed media, I got the steel KTS I dont know how the aluminum ones hold up but these are rock solid

1 5

anc100264427

Member since 

I would avoid buying this pair as your heel has no left/right support even when adjusted properly. It is an adjustment nightmare. As soon as your heel falls out the entire crampon falls off. I would fine a good pair that has bars to keep your heel in place. The BLACK DIAMOND Contact with ABS Crampons would seem to be a much better choice (note the bars on the heel) They are also stainless steel which means you don't have to dry them off every time to prevent rust.

Philip Werner - Sectionhiker

Member since 
Responded on

I thought the same thing too, and I do own a couple of BD steel crampons like that. This crampon works very well with non-rigid soles, like trail runners, but works far less well with a soft boot or a rigid boot.

Do I need to buy an extender for size 14...

andrew

Member since 
Posted on

Do I need to buy an extender for size 14 shoes? Do they have an extender bar like BD? Thanks.

Dakka

Member since 
Responded on

Kahtoola does not make an extender but the M/L size will fit boots size U.S. 9-14.

Which crampon should I buy, KTS Alluminium...

dga2903110

Member since 
Posted on

Which crampon should I buy, KTS Alluminium or KTS Steel, what is the difference? Which one is more durable?

knanier

Member since 
Responded on

Aluminum will be lighter but less durable. Steel will last longer but be heavier. Good luck!

5 5

Grant

Member since 
Groups:

My review might be a little biased as the Kahtoola KTS Steel is the only crampon I’ve ever seriously used. However, I really don’t see the need to use any other for anything but the most technical climbs. If for some reason you might think these crampons are not quite beefy enough for hardcore use, just consider that Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa set the former speed ascent (10 hours 56 minutes and 46 seconds) of Mt. Everest using a pair of Kahtoola KTS.

I purchased my pair of Kahtoola KTS steel crampons before climbing Gannett Peak, WY. This was my first glacier climb, and admittedly was rather naive and made many silly mistakes. One mistake I didn’t make was choosing the KTS. The first thing that appealed to me was that these had been called “racing” crampons. I didn’t want to spend 500 dollars on crampons and mountaineering boots, and the Idea of crampons strapping onto practically any piece of footwear was very appealing. Add to that they were the least expensive crampon I could find at the time. :-)

I will fully admit… using my Brooks Adrenalin road runners was a weeeee bit of a mistake on Gannett, but the crampons worked exactly how I would expect them too. Since Gannett, I have used my Kahtoola KTS on Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Shasta. On the latter three peaks I upgraded my footwear a bit; using the Asolo Fugitive GTX on Hood and the Raichle (Now Mammut) Mt. Trail XT GTX on Rainer and Shasta. On all peaks the KTS performed beautifully.

The advantages should be fairly apparent. The leaf spring allows you to wear flexible footwear. This means lighter more comfortable travel. In my opinion the ability to move quickly and agilely, more than compensates for perceived shortcomings that the Kahtoola might have against a C2/C3 set up.

As with any product the Kahtoola KTS is not perfect. Adjusting the crampons with mittens is next to impossible. The Leaf spring can get bent. I took a hard fall on Gannett (not the crampons fault, I was being dumb) flew over the bergschrund and the first thing to hit the side of the mountain were my Kahtoola KTS. I tweaked the leaf spring a bit. Once I got back home I adjusted them a little and haven’t had any problems since. After a awhile the rubber bands that hold the excess strap in place can become brittle and break.

I’m not sure where my next glaciated climb is going to be, but my Kahtoola KTS are going to be right there with me.

Philip Werner - Sectionhiker

Member since 
Responded on

Did you worry at all about frostbitten toes? What if you'd had to spend the night outside? I love trail runners on a mountaineering route is questionable, as you admit. You can rent plastic boots and crampons, you know.

5 5

Rob

Member since 

A good set up for the weekend warrior. Light weight and compact. Great for hikes on snow and ice. all purpose set up.

My ice fishing boots are 15 inches long,...

Jim Skamarakus

Member since 
Posted on

My ice fishing boots are 15 inches long, toe to tip, & 5 1/4 inches wide across the ball of the foot area. Will these crampons fit them?

Steve Tibbitts

Member since 
Responded on

You should be fine with the M/L crampons.