Gear Review

Black Diamond Neve Crampons

1. 10-point trekking comfort
2. Enhanced Attachment Security
3. Toolless Length Adjust
4. 1 lb 9.7 ounces w/Antibot

Black Diamond's Neve Pro and Strap crampons carve a narrow niche between true ultralight aluminum designs and full-service steel.

You won't have any trouble finding aluminum crampons that are lighter than the Neve series. Indeed, at nearly 26 ounces per pair (including antibot plates), the Neve Pro may be the heaviest 'lightweight' crampon on the market.

What do you get for all this extra weight?

In a word, security.

Black Diamond builds the Neve with a beefy attachment system: in the case of the Neve Pro, steel bail wires and a solid plastic binding with plenty of adjustability to get the fit right.

The Neve Pro also features a front attachment strap to make sure the crampon stays on your boot lug, where it belongs.

As an added benefit, the front strap also helps keep your boot's instep buckles from opening/flipping up.

The Neve is a ten point aluminum crampon with what I'll subjectively call 'shorter' points. Both these features make the Neve suitable for hiking/trekking. Fewer, shorter points tend to catch less, making for a more natural gait.

In keeping with this theme, the Neve features a flexible, steel-spring center bar. The Neve borrows the toolless adjustibility of Kahtoola's LeafSpring™ extender bar, allowing you to effortlessly match the crampons to your boot size, and tweak as necessary in the field.

Note, however, that you will need a phillips screwdriver to add or remove the included Antibot plates (and drop approximately six ounces per pair without them).

As you'd expect, Black Diamond says the Neve is not intended for waterfall ice or rock—neither of which should be a problem if you're backcountry skiing. The larger question is whether or not the Neve's extra weight makes sense if you're seeking an aluminum crampon.

I get the feeling that building ultralight 'disposable' gear just doesn't fit with Black Diamond's company identity. That, more than anything else, may explain the design of the Neve. Heavier climbers or those needing extra durability may enjoy the extra heft of the Neve crampon—or they may simply choose to buy steel instead.

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