[RichNH]

I have a pair of Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons designed to be worn with standard hiking boots, pure strap on. I don't have much experience with them but I have found over a few hikes that I seem to have to tighten the straps as tight as possible, so tight that it seems to affect the circulation in my feet. If I don't tighten it as much as possible, the heels boot lift out. Is this normal for strap on crampons or am I doing something wrong or are they just not suited for the boots I'm wearing?

http://www.blackdiam...t-strap-crampon

Does anyone else have this model and/or do you have similar problems?

Rich

[Ben Smith]

Those are the exact same crampons my hiking partner and I tried out for the first time today. They worked great for both of us. If you check out the pictures in my trip report, you'll see that the boot I wear is a relatively flexible low-top hiking boot, and I still had no issues. I do know that other people have reported a similar issue, and all I can guess without seeing photos is that it is either strapped wrong, or the metal bar is adjusted to the wrong length (both too short and too long would cause the heel to pull out).

First, look online to make sure you have the straps right. Then go over to a nearby snow back an try different settings on the metal bar. You should be able to bear all your weight on the front toe spikes without the heel pulling out.

One note I did run across when reading up on how to adjust them, is to also be sure your boot has a stiff mid-sole (i.e. if you push on the toe and heal the middle should not bend). Almost all hiking boots have a stiff mid-sole, but apparently some gear out there does not.

Here's how I have mine set-up:

[RichNH]

I have examined the whole setup and have concluded that the midsoles of the boots I'm wearing are just too flexible. If I shorten the length of the crampons by 1 notch, I cannot get the heel of the boots past the metal tabs that the crampon heel straps are attached to (at least not without forcing the metal tabs into the heels). It would appear that I need a new set of boots (which I am due for).

Other than that, when I was on the trail on Monadnock last week, as long as the straps were tight, the things worked great. Thanks for the feedback.

Rich