Description
Proof that simple designs provide great performance.
- Classic 12-point design ideal for mountaineering
- The horizontal front points provide excellent shear resistance in steep snow
- A Flexlock full-strap binding system to allow them to be strapped to any boots or even your trail running shoes in a pinch
- Anti-balling plates included
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Petzl Vasak 12-Point Mountaineering Crampon
? Share a...
Boot fitting issues
b.hp428038
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
I bought these crampons in the spirlock variety because I was interviewing for an entry level guide job and needed to fill out my equipment list. I tried pairing them with a pair of La Sportiva Nepal EVOs and had problems getting them to fit tightly in the back. As far as I could tell the two heel tabs were too far apart (and the boot's heel was too narrow) to make a tight connection. With the heel bail out of the boot's welt the heel points ended up right under the center of my heel, instead of behind it, by the time both the heel tabs made solid contact. With the bail connected a moderate amount of force (probably standing on a slope) would have made the heel shift side to side, and possibly loosen the whole attachment. This is a problem I would expect on all the styles besides the flexlock (which I also tried and was only able to get two the three heel tabs to make contact at any time).
This was the the first set of crampons (and boots) I owned instead of borrowed, so if I did something wrong I'd like to hear it. I think it's very strange that the most popular boot and most popular crampon wouldn't work together, so it's very possible I messed up the attachment.
Was given a pair of these by a NPS Ranger,...
Shawn E
Member since
Was given a pair of these by a NPS Ranger, what is a good hiking and mountaineering boot that go with these?
Pat Palmer
Member since
Congrats on the score!
Since they're strap style, they'll work on any boot. Take that with a huge grain of salt.
While strap crampons will work with regular hiking boots on lower angles, they are too flexible for effective crampon use on steep grades where you may need to front point. Your calves will be screaming in no time.
For general light mountaineering, a semi-flexible full shank mountaineering boot will work. I use La Sportiva Makalu's for non technical terrain, but that's because they are a good fit for my foot. A mountaineering boot by a reputable maker in the $250-$350 range is a good place to start.
If you're looking for some serious mountaineering where you'll find yourself on glaciers, the minimum I'd reccomend is a heavier boot like La Sportiva Nepal or Scarpa Mont Blanc for single boots and, of course, any sturdy plastic double,
Every maker makes their boots a little differently. I reccomend trying as many brands and styles as you can to get the best fit. It helps tremendously to have a competent shoe/boot salesperson to properly measure your feet and find you the best fit. The existance of your toes may very well depend on it.
Shawn E
Member since
Ill be doing some light hiking and mountaineering in them, but I also have plans on summiting Gardner, Adams and Rainier this summer with the same ranger that gave them to me. (If time allows). So need a good all around boot. I would ask the NPS Friend, but he is a difficult one to get hold of.
Courtney Dean
Member since
La Sportiva Batura is a winner too. It's built on the Nepal last, but features a zip up neoprene cover for waterproofing and insulation.
this boot, along with the Nepal, doesn't feature an inner boot (or liner) so you don't get the nice warm slipper for camp. Plastic double boots do for an affordable price. Top of the line boots like the Scarpa Phantom, La Sportiva Olympus Mons also feature an inner boot, adding warmth and avoiding exposure when donning/doffing. But you didn't mention the Himilaya and these cost many monies.
Work well from Nevada to Alaska
Jim Mabe
Member since
I have been using these for years and just got another pair (the first pair got stolen on Mt Hood, hope they work as well for them as they did me). I am old fashioned and a very hard Judge on equipment. I only wear Galibier Super Guide boots and only Vask 12 points. This combo has not failed me form the Coast Range Alaska to the Ruby's in Nevada and the Alps. If they make a better crampon of this type it is not out yet.
These have done well on vertical ice as well as mixed climbs and just going up or down when the need arises. At 54 I won't change my ways or equipment and these are the cats meow...
Great quality
Adam D
Member since
Just picked these up and the quality is great. Can't want to get them out in whatever this winter throws our way.
Has anybody swapped out the toe-bail on...
pet2962422
Member since
Has anybody swapped out the toe-bail on the level wire for the telemark-specific toe-bail that Petzl sells?
Great crampons...
Sco5527423
Member since
Beautiful crampons, quality made, awesome design. I just opted this season to try out the Petzl Darwin's instead - curious to see how vertical front points perform in waterfall ice.
This may be a dumb question, but what is...
gau5119769
Member since
This may be a dumb question, but what is the best campon style (leverlock, leverwire, or flex lock) for a climb up denali/rainier with la sportive spantik? thanks!
James Jenden
Member since
Spantik! Awesome, great boot (from what I've read). Because it has both front and wear toe welts, you can get the leverwire. It'll fit the best, and be the most comfortable.
This may be a dumb question, but what is...
gau5119769
Member since
This may be a dumb question, but what is the best campon style (leverlock, leverwire, or flex lock) for a climb up denali/rainier with la sportive spantik? thanks!
BzBrian
Member since
The Leverwire style is the most secure. All the other styles were created to fit a wider range of boots but the Spantik can fit Leverwire crampons so you're in luck!
great for snowboarders
Chris
Member since
Cant wait to strap these to my new boots this winter and keep up the the skiers.
These work really well for my tele boots,...
Andy Mention
Member since
These work really well for my tele boots, but I have had a few problems with my AT boots. I have them fitted correctly, but the prong at the back of the heel sometimes slides around and into the tech heel groove. Am I doing something wrong or should I just file the thing off?
Ryan Hamilton
Member since
I needs to be tight enough that it snaps into place, kind of like a ski binding. If it's that tight I don't know how it would slide around. But, if it does you might need to make some modifications.
Andy Mention
Member since
Thanks for the advice, but unfortunately I have the Flexlock style so there isn't any snap system. I took another look at them last night, and they're certainly tight, but the heel isn't wide enough to make contact with the rear "prong" and the two side posts (to which the rubber harness attach). I also could generate enough force in my basement to get them to slide around like they have on hard snow and ice. Maybe the boot is just too small. It's a Garmont Radium Mondo 28, for the record. I'll see if I can upload a picture tonight or tomorrow.
Would this work with a woman's boot?
Julio
Member since
Would this work with a woman's boot?
knanier
Member since
Yes!
also fits big boots!
Tom Hagler
Member since
love the design. I use them on a la sportiva trango evo size 48 (14) - perfect fit and theres even one hole left in the normal center bar for more extension.
Vasak's on snowboard boots
Neil Provo
Member since
Solid fit, on any boot. Strap system sits higher up on the heel than other models which makes for a secure fit on a snowboarding boot.
the Snowboarders crampon!
Neil Provo
Member since
The flexlock Petzl Vasak's are the best fitting crampons i have found for snowboard boots. I've had problems with both blackdiamond contact strap/neve strap crampons as they don't come up the back of the boot high enough. Making for risky situations when your crampon slips off mid climb! Not an option! The strap system on these petzl's accommodate snowboard boots much better in my opinion. The back part of the strap comes up the boot about 4.5" which makes for a really solid hold.
These things strap down so snug and tight- Snowboarders in need of crampons, look no further!
(burton serow boot pictured-size 10.5)
Neil Provo
Member since
These are the ticket, so secure.
Member since
Did you need extender bars to fit your snowboard boots?
Neil Provo
Member since
No extender bars needed for me, i wear a size 10 boot
Sweet Spikes
James Jenden
Member since
Petzle Vasek Crampons
John Easley
Member since
They are very stable and easy to use. I actually can't think of anything bad to say, I just really like the design and how simple it is to adjust the size to your boots.
Is there a way to convert from Flexlock...
ekl3089332
Member since
Is there a way to convert from Flexlock to Leverwire attachement by buying spare parts?
Backcountry Beacon
Member since
Youre in luck, sort of. The Flexlock version does have the holes where the Leverwires toe and heel bail points attach. No one sells these individually, but you may be able to call Petzl directly and order some. Your crampon frames will still have the front and rear posts where the Flexlock system attaches, but they wont really be in the way. You could always cut them off if it bothers you. My suggestion, however, is to simply buy a pair of Leverwire crampons and hang onto your Flexlock ones. I have three different pairs of crampons that I use for various things, and I still dropped dough on a full-strap model this fall for ski mountaineering and early spring rock routes with steep snow approaches. A full-strap crampon can be used for nearly anything. One day youll reach back into your close and be happy that theyre still there.
KyleS
Member since
I realize your post was from two years ago... But if you (or anyone else for that matter) are interested in trading your flexlocks for my leverlocks, I'm absolutely down. The leverlocks don't fit my boots. I contacted Petzl and they WILL NOT sell spare parts for these crampons.
I am climbing Mt. Rainier, I wear size 14...
Bigmann135
Member since
I am climbing Mt. Rainier, I wear size 14 mens shoe, will this be a good fit and what i will need?
rick1303223
Member since
You will need to get the extender bars, sold separately.
Is buying a semi-auto crampon getting the...
Ryan Cullen
Member since
Is buying a semi-auto crampon getting the worst of both worlds (strap-on/step-in) or do they hold their own with a secure fit. I'm trying to somewhat base the decision of buying mountaineering boots by what kind of crampon it can accept
gjw0232922050
Member since
Not getting the worst of both worlds; getting time saved as long as you are using a pretty burly mountaineering boot. In my experience, the wire toe bail step-in only works WELL with full plastic boots and other super rigid ice boots that have a hard plastic fitting in the toe. However the new style plastic binding e.g., Grivel "new-matic" is a VAST improvement all around and works with almost anything. This binding WITH the heel lever is VERY secure but be sure your boot is fairly rigid with a robust lip back there to mate up with the heel lever. The real benefit of the new-matic style binding is that the crampons go on quickly as opposed to ten minutes per foot as with the old SMC strap-on. (The old style is still the most secure and still the best for soft backpacking style boots on low angle stuff.) I have used the Grivel with a heavy Vasque boot for steep ice and other stuff without incident...at least no incidents that were the crampon's fault. They are all equally good when kicking yourself in the back of the leg. Hope this helps. Joe
Dependable crampon
Explorations
Member since
...for general mountaineering. I have been quite happy with them but they lack some of the finesse of Grivel G12's. (See my review of G12's if you care for details.)
View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.

Brett Sichello
Member since