The Kahtoola Traction System (KTS) fits over all types of common footwear — running shoes, hiking boots, snowboarding boots, ski boots, and more. Straps and quick-release buckles on both the toe and collapsible heel pieces make the KTS easy to adjust. Best of all, these durable crampons are extremely light in weight, so they won’t slow you down on snow and ice. And when you’re not wearing them, the KTS folds into a compact package.

Features:

The KTS Aluminum is the best choice for snow and ice travel when weight is most important. It fits men's shoe sizes 4–14 and women's shoe sizes 5+.

• Made from 7075-T6 anodized aircraft aluminum for maximum strength and durability
• Ten 3/4-inch points allow natural stride, reduce snagging and snow-packing
• Front points are 10 degrees open for optimal performance with flexible footwear
• Packed dimensions are 3.5" x 3.5" x 8"

"I've attached the photo of me on top of Aconcagua, December 25, 2001, wearing Vasque arctic boots and Kahtoola crampons. Two days earlier, there had been a heavy snowfall down to about 5000 meters, and there was still a lot of snow on the route, some of it icy. Other climbers were wearing heavy plastic climbing boots and alpine crampons, but I found winter hiking boots and your lightweight crampons to be ideal for the conditions." — Jim Milne

"Easy to adjust, quick to put on, super light and secure, the Kahtoolas have no peer when moving over ice and glaciers quickly. Thanks!!!" — Michael Tobin

"The Kahtoola traction system is clearly the lightest, most manageable, and most stable crampon available for everyone from the weekend warrior through serious adventure athletes. Using this system in Eco-Challenge New Zealand helped us pare down our weight significantly, a huge factor in our winning performance in this world championship race." — Ian Adamson

"Our team had the privilege this year of using Kahtoola® crampons in the Discovery Channel Adventure Racing World Championships in Switzerland. Before the race, we spent a few minutes adjusting the crampons precisely to our race shoes. About 130 miles into the race, we pulled them out of our packs for the first time. We had just reached the foot of the glacier, caught up to another team and prepared to rope up. The Kahtoolas went on like a dream and we were off into the darkness. We spent nearly 9 hours that night jumping crevasses and crossing the glacier to the sounds of near by avalanches and shifting snow. It was an extremely technical section that was a turning point in the race. The crampons performed extremely well. They didn't slide or roll on side hills or loosen after hours of hard climbing and descending. We felt as solid and confident as if we were wearing full step-in crampons, but without the heavy weight. Unlike other light crampons we've tried, the KTS did not compromise function when they shaved off the excess weight and bulk. They accomplished the best of both worlds…we will use them in all our mountain races." —Rebecca Rusch

"Regarding the Kahtoola® Traction System, I've used a number of different crampon systems over the years, and without question the Kahtoolas are the easiest and fastest pair to put on our shoes! They fit securely to our Salomon Racing shoes (lightweight running shoes) and the flexible bridge under foot enables them to stay securely attached…The Kahtoola traction system is a must for adventure racers and serious outdoor enthusiasts looking for an edge in technology!" — Mike Kloser

"A couple of my teammates in Eco-Challenge New Zealand used Kahtoola Crampons because Ian Adamson suggested them. The first thing I noticed was how small they folded down. They could just put their crampons in the side pocket of their Salomon packs. At just slightly under 19 oz, they are also one of the lightest crampons. I tested them out shortly after the Eco race. There are a couple of things that really set the Kahtoola® crampons apart from all the other crampons on the market and make them better for adventure racing. First off all, the extender bar between the toe and the heel piece is a double-layer leaf-spring. Kahtoola’s extender bar flexes with your footwear, which is absolutely critical if you are using your crampons on a trail running shoe or light hiker as most adventure racers do. The other design element is that 3/4-inch spikes reduce snagging, ankle twisting, and snow packing between spikes. All of this enables you to travel faster while still providing you plenty of traction. While testing the Kahtoolas in the deep snow in the Wasatch Mountains, I found them to be very agile while still giving surprising traction. Kathoolas seem to ball up less and where very easy to get on and off. On both my trail runners and light boots, they worked fantastic and adjusted for length quickly and with no tools. They come with a very nice cordura tote sack to boot! The bad: Because they are made out of aluminum alloy, they are not as durable as hardened steel crampons. The bottom line: The best crampons for speed and compactness!" — Michael Johnson for Team ARgear.com

"The KTS's have worked flawlessly for me and my teammates ... I really like how light and compact they are, especially for adventure races." — J.D. Eskelson for Team SCAAR