Best crampons and microspikes of 2024 | Our gear editor picks the best option for every budget

If you want to get stuck in to winter walking in the mountains without actually getting stuck in the mountains, you need a proper pair of crampons.  

The Grivel G10 is a classic 10-pointed (six under the front part, four under the rear) walker’s crampon. It's available in two fittings and is a great go-to.

The traditional full-strap New-Classic EVO model can be attached to any hiking boot that’s stiff enough for use with a crampon while the New-Matic EVO replaces the rear strap with a heel-clip for increased security and ease of fitting on boots with a rear crampon welt.

Think of the Spiderpicks as snow chains for your feet. Much like snow chains, these can be kept in reserve and utilised when conditions underfoot require a boost of grip.

Choose from one of their three sizes (S, M, L) and colours (green, black, blue) and you can pull these on over most types of footwear. But with their beefy undersole chains and more aggressive spikes, they’re perhaps best used with chunky hiking footwear.

Though not suitable for steeper hillsides, the Spiderpicks open up winter trails that might otherwise be out of bounds.

Founded in 1860 in Chamonix at the base of Mont Blanc (where its crampons are still made), Simond has been part of the Decathlon family since 2008. Like much Decathlon gear, the Caiman offers reliable performance at an excellent price.

The 10-point arrangement offers the best layout for walking, while the strap-on attachment means they’ll fit almost any winter hiking boots.

At 850g per pair they’re lightweight too. More technical models do exist, but these are ideal for walkers who occasionally venture into the hills in winter.

With their strong yet light stainless steel construction and no fewer than 14 spikes – including four forward-facing – it’s clear these have been designed for the toughest mountain terrain where maintaining grip on even the steepest gradients is essential.

While they’re available with a toe basket/heel-clip attachment (the Clip version), this Pro model with rear heel-clips and front toe-clips that attach firmly to mountaineering boots with the matching front and rear crampon welts provides the ultimate mountaineering performance.

Grivel’s G12s are classic ‘go almost anywhere, do almost anything’ crampons. With 12 points they offer maximum traction, with the front two points sticking aggressively forwards for tackling steeper ground in ascent.

At over a kilogram per pair they’re not especially light, but their solid build means they can be relied on to tackle the toughest terrain and last winter after winter, just requiring occasional filing to re-sharpen their spikes.

They’re also available as full strap (New-Classic EVO) or step-in (Cramp-O-Matic EVO) models.

This is another 10-point crampon that at first glance could be aimed squarely at walkers. But the Irvis from Petzl offers some features that make it suitable for easier mountaineering routes too.

For starters, although a fully strap on version is available (the Flexlock model), this Leverlock attachment fixes firmly to dedicated winter boots with a rear crampon welt. It can even be configured to work as a step-in crampon with boots that have a front toe-welt too.

Add in their remarkable light weight – just 766g per pair – and these look impressive.

For winter trail runners or hikers who don’t really get involved with winter mountaineering, but who like to tread the lower-level paths around the hills to enjoy their winter spectacle, these micro crampons are ideal.

Available in five sizes (and two colours – Day-Glo yellow and pink), these can be pulled on over almost any pair of trekking shoes, and all but the largest and chunkiest boots.

For steeper or more technical ground a proper pair of stiff, fixed crampons is required, but for a just-in-case grip boost for icy paths or snow-covered lanes, these are perfect.