The Complete Handbook of Crampons

I've been guiding for twelve years and thought I knew everything about crampons, but this handbook still taught me a few things about micro-adjusting heel bails for different boot models. The section on business opportunities is a nice bonus, even if it's not why I bought it. My only gripe is that I wish the maintenance chapter had even more photos, but the descriptions are clear enough. Overall, a solid reference that's earned a spot on my office shelf.

This is the book I wish existed when I started managing a climbing gym. It's thorough, honest, and completely free of the fluff you get in most gear guides. The breakdown of rigid vs. semi-rigid vs. flexible crampons and how they interact with boot soles is worth the price alone. I don't have to take a sales rep's word for it anymore—I can look up the actual spec or principle myself. Highly recommended for anyone who takes this gear seriously.

Finally, a reference that treats readers like adults. I'm a SAR volunteer and these pages have already helped me better assess the condition of our team's rental fleet. The step-by-step instructions for adjusting fit with a file and a rivet were clear and something I actually put into practice. It's refreshing to read a book that focuses on practical details over telling you which brand to buy. I've already recommended it to two other team members.

It's a good, comprehensive reference, and I can't complain about the depth of information. It certainly covers more ground than any manufacturer's website. However, I found some chapters a bit dry and overly technical to read cover-to-cover, especially the early sections on point geometry and metallurgy. I was hoping for more real-world comparison examples of specific models in action, but it stays very general in that regard. I'll keep it for looking things up, but it wasn't the engaging read I anticipated.

I bought this for my husband who's a climbing guide, but I ended up reading a chapter myself just to understand what he does. The explanation of why a boot sole's rigidity changes your crampon options was really illuminating. He says the FAQs are surprisingly useful, even for a pro, since they address things like strap repair in the field that you don't always think about until you're on a glacier. It lacks a bit of personality in the writing, but as a reference, it gets the job done. A good, no-frills handbook.

This is a decent primer if you're new to the sport, but I'm not sure it fully lives up to the 'complete handbook' promise. The chapters on installation and choosing are great for beginners, but the section on advanced repair techniques felt a little light and didn't cover welding at all, which is something some clinics do. Also, the brand analysis seemed a bit conservative and didn't really hint at which brands are overpriced. It's a good starting point, but I'm already looking for more advanced info elsewhere.