I am going to do some basic glacier trekking in Switzerland this summer. I had planned to use my backpacking boots (women's size 8 wide) with Black Diamond contact strap crampons...but am finding that the heel posts in the crampons are spaced too narrowly to accommodate the heel of the boot. I don't think this type of trekking would require a true mountaineering boot and step-in crampon, (half the trip will be on trails, not glaciers), and if I use a regular width boot, my feet will be uncomfortable. Are there strap-on crampons that will fit a women's wide boot?

I just did a quick search for crampons that fit snowboard boots (which I need and which I think would require a wide fit). While the forums did mention the older model of BD Contacts, they also mentioned Grivel's G10 wides. I will check the fit of my Stubai Ultralights on my snowboard boots tomorrow and report back.

I have a pair of full strap ons I can sell you at cost (new in box), $110, out of my guide closet. Sent me more pairs than I asked for this season....would not need another pair for what I do. Have no idea if they resolve your problem, you need to check that out on your own. Best snow plate (anti bot) design in the biz and why I prefer to use them when guiding anyone. Snow on crampons is one of the more dangerous items with someone who does not spend a lot of time in the backcountry during winter. Cheers.

Grivel Air Tech Crampons New Classic

I have cut grooves in the heels of vibram boots to make crampons fit. Obviously don't consider this unless the misfit is small and you are pretty sure the boot heels are solid (not foam-filled).

Never tried these, and they wouldn't be appropriate for "real climbing," but they look tempting:
http://www.camp-usa.com/products/crampons/magix-10.asp

Dow Williams wrote:I have a pair of full strap ons I can sell you at cost (new in box), $110, out of my guide closet. Sent me more pairs than I asked for this season....would not need another pair for what I do. Have no idea if they resolve your problem, you need to check that out on your own. Best snow plate (anti bot) design in the biz and why I prefer to use them when guiding anyone. Snow on crampons is one of the more dangerous items with someone who does not spend a lot of time in the backcountry during winter. Cheers.

Grivel Air Tech Crampons New Classic

Thanks- I'm going to do some research on that particular crampon, to try to figure out if it would fit my boot.

MoapaPk wrote:I have cut grooves in the heels of vibram boots to make crampons fit. Obviously don't consider this unless the misfit is small and you are pretty sure the boot heels are solid (not foam-filled).

Never tried these, and they wouldn't be appropriate for "real climbing," but they look tempting:
http://www.camp-usa.com/products/crampons/magix-10.asp

Yes, I saw those camp-usa crampons on-line; but one reviewer complained that the heel was too narrow for his boot- the same problem I have with the BDs.

martagon wrote:

MoapaPk wrote:I have cut grooves in the heels of vibram boots to make crampons fit. Obviously don't consider this unless the misfit is small and you are pretty sure the boot heels are solid (not foam-filled).

Never tried these, and they wouldn't be appropriate for "real climbing," but they look tempting:
http://www.camp-usa.com/products/crampons/magix-10.asp

Yes, I saw those camp-usa crampons on-line; but one reviewer complained that the heel was too narrow for his boot- the same problem I have with the BDs.

I just went to look at my BD contacts and the boots I wear with them... and realized that I had cut into the lugs on the heels to make the boots fit the crampons, using a very sharp jackknife. (2nd time I've resorted to that action.) Not necessarily recommended, but it worked! A grinder might offer finer control. My main complaint about the BDs was that the heel counter crossed very low on the heel and tended to come off.

I guess I'd say: bring the boots to a store and try on several pairs of crampons with them.

I have a pair of Grivel Air Tech aluminum crampons with universal binders. They fit everything from ski boots, mountaineering boots, and approach shoes.

I have a pair of old Salewa strap on flexible crampons that would fit. I can email a template of heel piece to make sure they fit. Sell for $25 + shipping from Seattle. look like http://www.flickr.com/photos/wotanofbal ... hotostream

strap on like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/wotanofbal ... hotostream

take longer to put on than modern crampons but stay on flexible boots better. for occasional use good value.

I wear a size 15 wide Asolo boot and my BD Contacts fit on the heel piece of the boot. Not trying to be rude, but are you sure you're sizing them correctly on the boot? The heel posts don't need to be on the side of the boot, they're fine lining up towards the back end of the heel. I wore the Contacts with some atrocious Hi-Tec boots this summer and they even fit on those!

Gafoto wrote:I wear a size 15 wide Asolo boot and my BD Contacts fit on the heel piece of the boot. Not trying to be rude, but are you sure you're sizing them correctly on the boot? The heel posts don't need to be on the side of the boot, they're fine lining up towards the back end of the heel. I wore the Contacts with some atrocious Hi-Tec boots this summer and they even fit on those!

No, you're not being rude- I think part of the problem is that these particular boots have a sort of squarish heel, so there's very little room to place the crampon as you described. I had wondered about this, since I don't have particularly large feet (women's 8 wide). I've used to crampons previously on other (narrower) boots without problems. Thanks for the suggestion-