Blue Ice Harfang Alpine

The central textile strap is incredibly durable and allows the crampon to flex slightly with your boot, which actually improves stability on uneven terrain compared to rigid metal bars. It also allows the front and rear rails to fold together, making them significantly easier to pack inside a small ski mountaineering pack.

Yes, the Harfang Alpine is designed for exactly that. Because the front bails are interchangeable, you can switch between automatic configurations for boots with both toe and heel welts, and semi-automatic configurations for boots that only have a heel welt.

While they are highly capable for glacier travel, ski mountaineering, and general alpine climbing, they are not designed for vertical, technical ice climbing. The 12-point design is optimized for efficiency and weight savings rather than the aggressive, rigid geometry required for steep, sustained ice.

No, the Harfang Alpine comes with anti-balling plates included. They are essential for preventing snow buildup under your feet, which helps maintain traction and safety in variable snow conditions.

At 623 grams, these are quite competitive for a 12-point steel crampon. The use of the textile strap system and lightweight materials significantly reduces the bulk and weight, making them an excellent choice if you are trying to keep your kit light for long approaches or skimo races.