Alpine or Technical Crampons

The quick hit differences between a technical crampon and an an alpine or mountaineering crampon are:

1. Mountaineering crampons are lighter
2. Technical crampons have vertical frontpoints for penetrating hard ice while mountaineering crampons have horizontal frontpoints to maximize grip in various snow conditions
3. Technical crampons ball up with snow much easier than mountaineering crampons
4. Alpine crampons come in many configurations for many reasons; fitting over an overboot, fitting on boots without a welt etc. They dot this with strap only attchment system, front strap rear bail as well as with front and rear bail.
5. Alpine/Mountaineering crampons walk better. They are not fully rigid and ussually have a rocker design.
6. Technical crampons are generally more durable.

The edge blurs between the two anymore. We have used alpine crampons on grade 6 mixed climbs and used technical crampons on the West Rib of Denali. Most climbers eventually end up with one (at least) of each if they climb mountains as well as vertical technical routes.