UKC

Raichle footwear

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BigChris 22 Dec 2005
Hi guys,

Sorry if i've placed this in the wrong forum, but I thought it probably the best place to start.

Im a total novice to the moutaineering, but have enjoyed hill walking in my local Peak district for some time now.

I'm in the process of setting myself up for 2006 with a series of new-year resolutions to raise some money for charity, through the idea of doing some mountains throughout the year (hoping to do some Munroes but I'll definately need to work up to them *cough*)

My local climbing centre (The Edge, Sheffield) and the CCC shop that located in the same building have been recommending some 3season Raichle boots as the best all-rounder. However they're also saying that the boots themselves aren't designed for crampons, but can be used with them?

I'd like to get some input from people in the know - are there specialist boots which can use crampons, or is the advice im being given ok? If I do need to get crampon-specific footwear, whats the likelihood of being able to use the boots without them? Will they be too inflexible for fine-weather walking?

I know that in reality, a set of boots for set conditions would be ideal - but I cant really afford to throw hundreds of £'s on footwear, just for the sake of it.

The boots they're recommending are Mt. Extrem GTX, and the raichle website mentions nout about crampons for them..

Any advice?
 Ridge 22 Dec 2005
In reply to BigChris:

http://www.scarpa.co.uk/crampon/

In practice if the boots have a stiffish sole they will probably take a walking crampon. I think Mrs Ridge has the same boot as you, and that's rigid enough to take a crampon for walking rather than climbing, although she does have small feet, which probably makes the boot stiffer than the larger sizes. Best to ask for advice in a good shop.
 Craig Geddes 22 Dec 2005
In reply to BigChris: Raichle's are good boots and any reasonably ridgid boot will take a strap on crampon, it's just a lot more comfortable and stable to use boots designed for it. I have heard of people using C1 crampons with a pair of trainers before though I wouldn't like to try it myself! Depends on how much time you expect to be walking on compacted snow/ice. A lot of the time it is better to just have an ice axe and stiffish boots rather than faff around with crampons. There are people on here who can give much more experienced advice though.
In reply to Craig Geddes:

Most people will have a pair of winter and a pair of summer boots. No point wearing big heavy boots in good weather.

P.S. It's MUNRO!!!!!!!!!
 skeev 22 Dec 2005
In reply to Humphrey Jungle: Common mistake surely, if Munro wasn't a proper noun then it would have an "e" added when made plural. Like potato/potatoes innit.
BigChris 22 Dec 2005
In reply to Humphrey Jungle:

Well, given that im doing it for Charity, I cant really afford to spend £300ish quid on boots! I would much rather see that go to the charity itself.

And yea. Munro or MunroE. To me, they're just big obstacles that need conquering for the sake of some people in dire need.
 Craig Geddes 22 Dec 2005
In reply to BigChris: If you are pretty certain to use a crampon a lot then it might be better to invest in a B2 (Raichle 60degrees currently on offer with Ultimate Outdoors £110 if they are a good fit) and use them all year. I use a semi ridgid year round and have never had a problem plus it protects my dodgy ankle when I'm movign on boulder fields scree etc. Most guides I have ever seen seem to do the same but that could just be selective vision on my part.
 The Crow 22 Dec 2005
In reply to BigChris:

Any boot stiff enough for clip in 'specialist' crampons is entirely innapropriate for serious long distance walking. Too heavy and too stiff.

Unless you plan on climbing/mountaineering in them (as opposed to winter hill walking) then get a pair. Flexible C3 articulated crampons will be fine with a 3-season boot, which I suspect is why you are being offered this advice.

PS. Those boots all look fussy in design and rely on Gore-tex. IMO you should look for a simple leather boot with as few seams as possible and without a membrane lining. Something like this http://www.scarpa.co.uk/hill/sl.html but not neccesarily by Scarpa. Find a brand that fits your feet.
BigChris 22 Dec 2005
In reply to Craig Geddes: ~Cool thanks for the heads up.
Bambi 03 Jan 2006
In reply to BigChris:

Hello.

I've got a pair of these and I tramped around in them for a week in the wet and snow and they were absolutely fine. The will also take crampons, though not C3s, but I think something like this which is quite stiff will do the job for lots of walking and some crampon stuff, but not quite be stiff enough for any serious ice climbing.

Looking at them more serious winterboots you've been recommended, they look a bit stiff to me for what you are on about doing, but as others have said they all fit a bit different so just find some that fit your feet most importantly.

Anyway you can stick crampons on all sorts of boots, don't be afraid of the hype I say.

Bambi
 TN 03 Jan 2006
In reply to BigChris:

If you're in Sheffield you could nip to Foothills (off Abbeydale Road) - they know their stuff when it comes to boots.

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