Vargo’s new 2015 4oz 10point crampons

I don't see these replacing my microspikes for running, the heel spikes are used quite often

but….. for throwing in a pack when hiking/backpacking (or on long trail runs where conditions are variable)-these look to be the bee's knee's :)

4 oz vs 14 oz for microspikes, I think these would definitely have a niche- now just need to be patient for a sale

…I'm now a Vargo fanboy. They're continually coming up with awesome stuff out of thin air. D@mn magicians, they are…

I'm with Mike M on these. On a spring snow climb where conditions are often hard on the morning approach it will still be microspikes. But for a backpack where I don't expect to need traction often, or at all, it would be nice to have a pair of these tucked in my pack.

What keeps the folding bars from creeping out to the side when sidehilling for more than about 10 paces? I know that there is a strap that goes over your foot, but that seems to offer limited lateral stability. A straddle chain or something to keep th bars from spreading seems in order. But then I guess it would inhibit folding. I guess I just need to accept the limited application of these? :^)

Thanks, Roger, for the feedback. Will pick some up later. Tapped out by Xmas right now.

For those of you that have these things, please post more pictures of them on your feet. Thanks!

it would seem a solid piece of titanium, without hinges, in the shape of a serif'ed capital I, and a toe and heel strap would be a more useful shape, without the possible damage or rusting of bolts, and possibly lighter as well?

Hi
Why not rotate the design so the V shape opens backwards..I would add wire at at the ends to keep em from opening up…with V turned as it is I agree that forward moving force will open them up..and the strap to prevent from doing so will put too much pressure on your toes…tried them while running downhill?
Cheers

… replace the arch webbing with longer webbing to criss-cross behind the heel

OR add webbing to the arch webbing to run behind the heel and fasten on the outside of the boot.

When I get mine, I will call them my "Billy's" in honor of Billy's baseless insult of calling Gary "foolish." Gary, thanks for the actual information and experience using this product! This is exactly what this forum is for.

Any updates from folks who have a pair?

http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/sports/the-winter-running-cleats-you-can-store-in-your-pocket-20141218

Hey guys, I finally tested these out this weekend in Yosemite.
The traction on them is actually pretty functional WHEN they stay on.

I can't speak for all shoes…but I had them on a pair of Merrell Moabs mids, and they fell off 6-7 times in perhaps 300 yards…when I walked carefully. They kept wanting to move forward no matter how tight I made them. The failures were sudden…fine one second, then the front would fall off, turn upside down with the spikes facing upwards stabbing into the sole of my shoe.

I did kind of solve this by threading the crampon straps through my boot laces. (Top strap under the bow of my laces, and bottom strap under the bottom lace rung.)
This helped a lot…they stayed on for the next 3 miles….but by the end were stretching out my laces and had moved forward about an inch from where I had originally put them.
Also any lateral movement would open up the "y" shape and I'd have a sideways piece of metal sticking out that tripped me up.

Again…maybe these work great on other shoes. Just not so good on merrell moabs.

Conclusion:
For trips where I need traction…I'm bringing my microspikes. For trips where there's a small chance for traction, or just a small section….I'll use these. (Threaded through my laces and walking carefully)

I'm not usually the guy to say stuff like this…but I think a redesign is in order. Perhaps with stretchy straps that secure around the ankle to prevent moving forward…..and the "Y" shape could be replaced by more of an "8" shape with no hinges. Yes they won't fold as small…..but….at least they would stay put.

If anyone had better results then I, please respond with any pointers you may have.

christopher, thanks for the review. they sound disappointing.

^ agreed; I wonder if there might be an easy fix to have them not "open up", some kind of stop so they can only open so far

OK. Got these. Arrived fast for me too. Since I live in Israel and here there is snow only on single mountain during 20-30 days in a year I couldn't really test them. But what I did is running in them on grassy field. On the website and in the manual they state that those cleats should be used only with footwear with 8-shape sole (hourglass shape). My trail runners (inov-8 trailrock 235) has hourglass shape and the cleats didn't fall off during my run. A bit of dirt and mud stick to them however but this is not something you will experience on a snow patch.

I'm planning to take them to hikes with high passes where snow patches are likely to occur. I'd not recommend them for serious glacier walk/climbing. These are minimalist traction devices and according to my tests I believe they will perform fine.

While I'm a minimalist runner and I strike with forefoot/midfoot the cleats bite into soil and provide good traction. I can't see how "classic" runner will use them with heel striking. They provide zero traction in this case. This is also something to consider since when you walk downhill you will probably strike with heel and will slip. Uphill is a non issue since most of us strike with forefoot when walking uphill.

My $0.02. Hope this was helpful for someone who consider ordering them.

Greg.