Black Diamond | £50 - £149 | translate:/Global/SiteRating: 3 | Winter kit

This is a low-weight ice axe that can be used as a pair with a hammer or adze head for steeper snow and ice-climbing. You get an interchangeable pick as well as an ergonomic head grip. The shaft is rubberised towards the spike for a better grip. There is a leash provided too with padded wrist loop and easy adjustment. ...

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Black Diamond Contact Strap

£70.00

The Black Diamond Contact Strap crampon regularly gets good reviews, mainly thanks to its low weight. It also comes fitted with anti-balling plates as standard and these are an elaborate design to improve their resistance to snow balling. You get 10 points, and four of these are rotated through 90 degrees to improve grip on slopes. Some 3D stamping adds ...

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Black Diamond Serac Clip

£90.00

These crampons’ point configuration is designed to add more stability on slopes; anti-balling plates supplied and fitted; very easy to fit; 3D stamping for added strength. But 1160g is very heavy; instructions lack diagrams to aid fitting; anti-balling plates require screwdriver to remove or refit; high price considering drawbacks.

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Black Diamond Mercury Mitt

£70.00

7th favourite!; women’s fit; incredibly warm liner; wrist webbing adjustment; cord lock cuff; removable lining; liner mitt has first finger; leather palm; Kevlar reinforcement; nose wipe on thumb. But lining mitt isn’t ideal to be used alone (but it is okay for tying laces or belaying); shell is a bit too big to be used alone.

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Black Diamond Venom

£100.00

This ice axe is 530g (50cm), which is a low weight for the features; interchangeable pick; ergonomic head grip; rubberised shaft grip; leash provided with padded wrist loop; precurved shaft for easier placement in snow slopes; beautifully finished; very well-balanced; superb all-round mountaineering axe; technical rating so it can be used for rope belays. But very high price tag.