ProView – C.A.M.P. Peak 12 Mountaineering Crampons: Nanotech Review

In a highly saturated market, C.A.M.P. continues to deliver innovative and valuable products, and the Peak 12 crampons are no different. With new features and parts from C.A.M.P., the Peak 12 crampons are truly second to none in a range of uses.

I have used multiple models of crampons from just about every company on the market through the years and about two years ago I leveled up with the previous model of C.A.M.P. Nanotech crampons. Those crampons have been my go-to since then, so when I had the opportunity to review the new and improved version, I jumped at the chance. I am very, very glad I did because C.A.M.P. added some unbelievable additions from the prior model to make these more versatile and a better bang for your buck.

With a “low tide” winter across western North America, I managed to really put these crampons to the test in a wide range of conditions up here in Alaska. Conditions that the crampons were intended for, like booting ridges to summits and others not so conventional, like booting up 1,000 ft. of steep frozen moss and ice in a coastal rainforest. 

Performance

Throughout testing, I was very impressed with how the new Peak 12 crampons held up. They proved to be very lightweight, which made it easy to throw them in my pack and forget them, rather than constantly debating if I should pack a pair of crampons. I have found up here in Alaska that the moment you don’t have crampons in the pack is exactly the moment you’ll desperately wish you had them. These crampons made this a non-issue. When I did have to deploy them, they were easy to use and got the job done over and over again. 

Features

The Peak 12 crampons feature Alleima Nanoflew stainless steel over the front four points compared to only the front two on the previous model. The stainless steel insert protrudes past the aluminum points that it is bolted to, which protects the aluminum from abuse. The remaining eight points are aluminum, greatly reducing the overall weight compared to a set of full steel crampons.

This feature alone makes them great for ski mountaineering, where you are booting up and generally impact rock or ice only on the front points while climbing. Fortunately for us, the Peak 12 crampons are absolutely jam-packed with features and add-ons. The thing I was most excited for was the inclusion of the semi-auto front bail in this model. Previously, you had to purchase the front bails separately to convert them to semi-auto crampons, and they were pricey. The inclusion of the semi-auto front bails makes this set of crampons extremely versatile, especially with its updated adjustment system that I’ll talk about later.

That means the Peak 12 crampons will fit ski boots, mountaineering boots, and “three season” boots that only have a rear crampon welt like the La Sportiva Trango series for example. You can purchase the semi-auto heel bail separately to make them completely semi-auto as well. Aside from this massive addition, the crampons also feature two positions for the front and heel bails as well as three positions for the heel lever which make these highly customizable for your uses and fit. 

Fit/ Comfort

C.A.M.P. stepped it up with these crampons by incorporating their new “Boot Adapt System,” which allows for a precise fit on ski and mountaineering boots. Basically, what it comes down to is the new center bar can be turned over to accommodate large or small feet. If the center bar is removed and swapped to the other foot it changes the crampon from a straight orientation (for ski boots) to a slightly bowed shape (for mountaineering boots). Unlike the previous model of Nanotechs where you needed a flat head screw driver to adjust, the Peak 12 model has a “traditional” spring bar to adjust the length of the crampon.

What’s different with C.A.M.P.’s new adjustment system is that they now have two sets of holes running side by side, allowing for “micrometric” adjustments per C.A.M.P., but basically, they allow for half-sized adjustments compared to other crampons. All of these small features, coupled with the multi-positions for the front and heel bail as well as the heel lever, make these the most adjustable crampons on the market, at least to my knowledge. 

Look/ Style

If I could say one thing about the look of the Peak 12 crampons, it would be that they are very sleek. C.A.M.P. knows a thing or two about trimming away the fat to make their products fast and light, yet durable and reliable. These crampons are no different from their perfectly sharpened points to the minimalist adjustment strap.  

Weight/ Packability

Coming in at an overall weight of 18.5 oz and incredibly only a paltry 1.5 oz more than the all aluminum model (Peak 12 ALU) the Peak 12 Nanotech crampons provide superior reliability for very marginal weight gains.

They are one of the lightest-weight 12-point crampons on the market today. I will take this modest increase in weight all day for a substantial increase in durability. C.A.M.P. also included a durable bag to store the crampons as well as a small webbing keeper on the front of each crampon center bar which allows you to fold the crampons up even tighter than previously. 

Durability

The only reason I gave these crampons a 4.5/5 rating in durability is that full steel crampons are inherently more durable, but for the designed use of ski mountaineering, the Peak 12 crampons are as durable as they come for the task. Although the Peak 12 crampons are primarily aluminum, the aluminum does hold up well on most surfaces.

Prolonged periods of rock will wear them down, but you don’t have to baby them like old fully aluminum crampons that seemingly disintegrated as soon as they encountered rock. If I am expecting to absolutely thrash a pair of crampons on plenty of rock then I’ll bring steel crampons. If not, I reach for my trusty Peak 12 crampons. After extensive testing, including plenty of shenanigans booting up rocky frozen forests, my points are barely abraded after months of testing. 

What Sets This Product Apart?

These crampons are the perfect blend of weight savings and durability which make them extremely versatile and practical. The incorporation of steel reinforced front points for marginal weight gains is game changing. Also the addition of innovative changes from the previous Nanotech model and the inclusion of semi-auto toe bail really makes the Peak 12 crampons stand out. 

Who Is This Product For?

Ski mountaineering is what these crampons excel at. However, that is not the only niche that the Peak 12 crampons will work great for. The inclusion of the semi-auto toe bail and lightweight package makes these extremely desirable to alpine climbers that need a lightweight and packable set of crampons to approach a climb via snow, alpine ice, or glacier travel and then climb with in their pack. Think spring, summer, and fall climbing in places like the Cascades, Sierra Nevadas, Tetons, Wind Rivers, Rocky Mountain National Park, or the Bugaboos.

I personally have never had a good option in the past, and really look forward to using these crampons for this purpose in the future. These crampons would also be a great choice for general mountaineering objectives so long as it is more snow travel than travel over rock.

The Final Word

Do you need a best-in-class and great all-around set of crampons? Then look no further than the C.A.M.P. Peak 12 Nanotech crampons. These crampons are insanely well thought out by C.A.M.P. and have great value. Lightweight and durable, what else do you need. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I look forward to booting many, many more couloirs up here in Alaska with these crampons this spring and onward! 

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