Making the right choice of footwear for ice climbing can not be overemphasized. Unlike other outdoor activities, ice climbing requires the best gear to protect you from frostbite, and injury, and to give you a grip when climbing. In this article, we will be showing you how to select the boots for your ice climbing expeditions.
Table of Contents
Description of Ice Climbing Boots.
The best boots for ice climbing are mountaineering boots. They are ankle boots that are made of leather, plastic, or synthetic material. This allows them to give rigid support and fit.
Grooves are designed on the soles to allow the attachment of crampons which give climber traction on ice.
Types of Ice Climbing Boots.
Mountaineering boots are divided into three major categories. The first two are perfect for ice climbing while the other (single mountaineering boot) is best suited for warmer conditions.
Insulated Boots.
These have multi-layers that give a comfortable fit. They are moderately warm and lighter when compared with plastic boots. Although more expensive, insulated boots are waterproof and the leather versions can resist abrasion.
Plastic Boots.
Plastic boots have a soft inner part with a hard plastic shell. These are usually the options for rentals as they easily fit beginners. They are heavy and are only suitable for mountaineering and ice climbing. They also provide sufficient warmth to the feet.
What to consider when getting Ice climbing boots.
Warmth:
Ice climbing boots provide warmth to the feet as the climber is exposed to a temperature of about 0 degrees Celsius. This can affect the feet and thus, suitable boots are designed to provide warmth.
Ice climbing boots are created with a thermal lining to trap warmth inside the boot. Some boots come with additional lining. The boot design also allows the climber to wear multiple layers of socks for warmth.
Weight
The lighter your boots are, the better you can climb. This does not necessarily affect the warmth that can be provided. There are ice climbing boots that are lightweight and designed to provide enough warmth.
Stiff Soles and ankles:
Mountaineering boots are designed with very stiff rubber soles and strips along the side and bottom of the boot. These restrict the movement of the feet.
Beginners usually find it difficult to walk in these boots. They help with balance when climbing. The stiff soles help climbers to stand comfortably against the wall as weight is evenly distributed in the foot. Thus, the toes are not the only part bearing the weight during ascension.
What are crampons?
Crampons are steel spikes attached to the boot to give you traction. The crampons are fixed underneath the soles of the boots to aid mobility when moving against ice or snow.
Crampons are made of steel alloy or lightweight aluminum. Crampons usually have 10-12 points, but there are models with 14 points as well.
And that’s what you need to know about ice climbing boots. My closing points would be: Get comfortable boots, preferably a half size larger. Do not forget the one rigid rule: Your gear must be in perfect condition. Your safety comes first.
Have fun ice climbing!
