The moment I picked up the package I was surprised by how light it was. I'd just expected it to be heavier for some reason.

Like the big kid that I am, I eagerly opened the box and lifted them out - Grivel Air Tech Crampons with the New Classic Binding. They had the appearance of danger with their yellow antibail plates, 12 black steel spikes and the yellow red Grivel embroidered straps.

The literature that comes with these spikes claims that they should be so easy to fit that they almost don't need to provide any instructions. To be honest, I did need the instructions to start with, but once I saw how to adjust the length of the regulation bar and the straps, I'd agree that they are very easy to fit. I'm pleased about this, the last thing you want in the freezing cold is having to take off gloves for an extended period of time to faff about with something fiddly. You end up rushing things, failing to do it properly only to have to do it all over again a few moments later and endure yet more cold.

Unfortunately these crampons are too small to fit my boots as they are. To remedy this I've also ordered a pair of Long Grivel G10/Monta flexible bars which arrived yesterday. These longer bars should allow the crampons to extend the length of my boots, which they did - just.