ProView – Cassin Blade Runner Crampons

“The Humvee of Ice Traction”

Weight: 900-1100 grams

Price: $349.00 MSRP

Putting on the Blade Runners is akin to standing on the shoulders of Jeff Lowe himself – solid and unshakable. It’s touted as “the most versatile technical ice crampon on the market,” and I’d have to agree. But, it comes at a price ($349.00 MSRP).

The crampon incorporates the now-standard asymmetrical design (following modern, curved, anatomical boot forms). The uniqueness of these crampons comes from the combination of a stiff, chromoly, V-shaped front platform, giving phenomenal stability under-foot, and a patented wide heel-slide that adds to the torque of the crampon without dulling the feel or sensitivity under-foot. Resulting in the best of both worlds, a sickly rigid crampon that works, ‘feels,’ and flexes with the more-sensitive modern ice boot.

Equally impressive is the orientation and infinite adjustability of the front points for personal preference and assorted terrain. You have an endless variation of not only mono or dual-point possibilities, but also offset versions too, and vertical (ice) or horizontal (snow) individual points. This makes the Blade Runner a truly one-world ice, alpine, or snow contender. Add to this the ability to use a semi-automatic toe bail for softer-flexing alpine summer boots, and you really do have a go-anywhere, climb-‘everything’ crampon.

Burly-but-light antibots finale the package, and custom sizing is addressed with 2 size options (37-47) and (40-49). It’s Euro sizing… hey, they are Italian.

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By Gary Ryan, an AMGA Mountain Guide & Founder of the Guide Garage in Ouray, Colorado