Anyone who ventures into alpine terrain during the winter months or early summer often faces the question: Are lightweight spikes sufficient, or are crampons necessary? Both pieces of equipment improve surefootedness on snow and ice – but their intended use is fundamentally different. In the following article, we explain when which equipment is useful and where its limitations lie.
Shoe spikes – Lightweight and practical, with a clearly defined frame
Shoe spikes are a lightweight and flexible solution for moderate terrain. The short metal points under the sole provide grip on icy or snowy trails, as long as the shoe can be fully worn. In addition to traditional winter hiking or on smooth forest trails, high-quality spikes can also be used in alpine terrain, especially on early summer approaches when north-facing snowfields have not yet completely melted.
Areas of application of shoe spikes in alpine terrain:
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Crossing old snow fields while hiking
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Trail running on trails with snow or flat icy passages
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Tours on slippery, ice-free surfaces in pathless terrain (e.g. hunting, forestry, nature photography)
Important: Shoe spikes increase surefootedness on flat to moderately inclined snow fields, but do not replace alpine equipment on technical tours.
Crampons – For demanding, technical terrain
Crampons are an essential piece of equipment for classic mountaineering. With their long points and secure connection to crampon-compatible mountaineering boots, they provide secure footing on hard firn, glacial ice, and mixed rock and ice terrain. Crampons are mandatory wherever the boot is placed on hard snow and ice facing the slope.
Typical uses of crampons:
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Glacier ascents and high-altitude tours with crevasse danger
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Steep firn and ice flanks
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Combined routes with ice and rock contact
Important: As soon as the terrain becomes steep, exposed or technical, crampons in combination with an ice axe (or even ice tools) are mandatory.
Conclusion: Safety through appropriate equipment
Shoe spikes offer an ideal solution for the transition between hiking and mountaineering , especially on tours where snowfields still pose a safety risk in early summer. However, as soon as the terrain becomes steeper, icier, or more technically challenging, the limit is clearly reached – and there's no alternative to full-fledged crampons.