Salewa Alpinist Alu Combi are crampons for alpine and ski-touring use, built with an aluminium frame and anti-balling plates to keep weight and snow build-up down. Reduced mass makes long approaches and skin-ups less tiring and gives more confidence on straightforward snowy routes. Are the trade-offs in durability acceptable for regular, technical mountaineers?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Wearing Comfort: Lightweight aluminium frame and stable points reduce fatigue on long approaches
- • Best for: Ski tourers and easy alpine walkers using snow and light ice
- • Not ideal for: Technical ice climbing or sustained rock contact
Aluminium crampon designed for snow and not-too-demanding ice with semi-automatic rubber front cage and rear attachment. Includes anti-balling plates and targets easy alpine excursions and ski touring.
Easier approaches and reduced fatigue - with lightweight aluminium construction
Aluminium construction keeps mass down compared with steel, while retaining sufficient stiffness for non-technical snow travel. User feedback highlights clear weight savings versus steel models.
Lower mass reduces energy spent on long uphill approaches, making multi-stage tours and ski-touring days feel noticeably easier.
More consistent traction on soft snow - with anti-balling plates
Anti-balling plates fit beneath the points to prevent packed snow accumulating underfoot, preserving point geometry and contact with the snow surface. That mechanical solution is common on snow-focused crampons.
Fewer interruptions to clear snow means steadier, more predictable grip on softer snow, reducing stops and improving rhythm on tours.
Fast fitting and reliable boot compatibility - with semi-automatic rubber front cage and rear attachment
Semi-automatic rubber front cage secures to the toe while the rear clip fits boots with a rear notch, allowing rapid attachment and a secure hold on compatible mountaineering or touring boots. Design suits mixed approach walking with minimal rock contact.
Quick to put on and take off when boots have a rear welt, making transitions and short technical steps straightforward for ski tourers and alpine walkers.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for Salewa Alpinist Alu Combi
- Significant weight saving - Noticeably lighter than steel, eases long uphill approaches and tours
- Anti-balling plates - Keep crampon points clear to maintain traction on soft snow
- Semi-automatic rubber front cage - Fast to fit on boots with rear notch for quick transitions
- Good value for limited-use touring - Practical choice for occasional tourers who want lightweight, low-bulk kit
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Category: Crampon (Sports)
- Brand: Salewa
- Material: Aluminium
- Intended use: Snow and not too demanding ice; easy alpine excursions
- Front attachment: Semi-automatic rubber front cage
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these crampons suitable for technical ice climbing?
A: They are intended for snow and not too demanding ice, so they are not suitable for sustained technical ice climbing. For heavy ice use, a steel technical crampon is more appropriate.
Q: Which boots are compatible with the fittings?
A: A semi-automatic rubber front cage and rear attachment are supplied, so compatibility requires boots with a rear notch (heel welt) for the rear clip to engage.
Q: Will these crampons stop snow from balling up underfoot?
A: Yes, anti-balling plates are included to reduce packed-snow accumulation and help maintain traction on softer snow.
🏆 Our Verdict
Ideal for ski tourers and easy alpine walkers who prioritise low weight and quick fitting over heavy-duty ice performance. Aluminium construction, anti-balling plates and semi-automatic fitting balance weight savings with straightforward functionality. Offers solid value for occasional touring use and helps conserve energy on long approaches.
