Ice tools

Ice tools — walk or climb in safety

Walking and climbing are great pastimes throughout the year, but when it's colder, you will need additional equipment to ensure your safety. And this is where various ice tools come in handy.

At Addnature, we're mindful of this fact and offer a complete range of different ice tools, perfect for different outdoor activities during the winter months. Whether you are just hiking on snow-capped hills or pursuing some climbing on an icy cliff face, it's important to have the right tools for the job.

Take a look at our full range of ice tools and walk or climb in safety.

What do you need for ice climbing?

When it comes to ice climbing, there's actually a lot of equipment you will need in order to do this activity safely. The amount of equipment will depend on the type of climbing you plan on doing though.

For instance, if you're just planning on some steep hiking, then some good crampons are a must. In conjunction with that, you should also be looking at grabbing yourself a walking axe to help you walk.

However, if you're planning on more serious climbing you're also going to need ice axes, climbing helmets, and a belaying device or two. Depending on where you plan on climbing, you may even need headlamps. So, what should you look for when selecting your ice tools?

Choosing the right ice tools

If you're looking to do some hardcore ice climbing, then you're going to need some serious equipment. Both Black Diamond ice tools and Cassin ice tools offer a range of different options.

For instance, if you're looking at crampons you need to select the style that will suit your needs. You can opt for full foot pro crampons with 12 zigzags for the ultimate grip. Just ensure you choose the right size. Crampons also come with different binding, such as lever binding for a quick, and sturdy fit. Make sure the crampons will fit with your alpine or walking boot too.

Staying stable

Whether you're walking or climbing, a good ice axe is also essential. For the walkers out there, an ice axe with a longer shaft is the better option. The length of the shaft depends on your height too — you should choose something between 55 to 65 cm. Check out the grip as well, it needs to fit comfortably in your hand. Non-slip handles are important.

If you're climbing, the ice axe needs slightly different features. Rather than an aluminium axe, you're likely to need something a little more durable. It's also important to have a more steeply curved pick when compared to a walking axe. This is to give you better purchase on the mountainside as you climb.

Opting for an axe with a leash or loop will make sure you don't lose the axe. The shaft length should also be shorter than those found on walking axes. This will give you better manoeuvrability when climbing.

If you're smart, you can get the best of both worlds in one axe!