Petzl Leopard Crampons
The Leopard is a lightweight, aluminum crampon with a unique linkage Petzl calls Cord Tech. By eliminating the metal linking bar that is traditionally used between the toe and heel of the crampon the weight, and especially the bulk, of the crampon are greatly reduced. These are the crampons you forget are in your pack and won't hesitate to have with you just in case. Much easier to put on than other foldable race-style crampons, the Petzl Leopard can be used in races or light-n-fast ski mountaineering where you may need to put them on in dicey situations.
- 10-point design is optimized for glacier and snow travel.
- Tool-free length adjustment uses a simple cord re-routing.
- Two binding options: LeverLock FIL and Flexlock.
- Comes with protective carry bag.
- CE certified for mountaineering.
Leopard LLF - Lighter LeverLock FIL automatic binding is suitable for boots with toe and heel welts. Ideal for use with most ski touring boots.
Leopard FL - FlexLock binding can be used with all boots with or without toe/heel welts (e.g. TLT7). Can even be used on hiking and approach shoes.
Specifications | |
Weight |
159g [LeverLock] 193g [FlexLock] |
Weight (pair) | 318g [LeverLock] 386g [FlexLock] |
Points | 10 |
Specs Verified | Yes |
Design | |
|
Aluminum, stainless steel, Dyneema cord, nylon |
Skimo Co Says | |
Usage | Lightweight ski mountaineering |
Notes | Protective bag included |
Bottom Line | Don't leave home without them |
Compare to other Crampons |
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Questions & Reviews
When I tried to fit it on dynafit boot with speed nose, i found the toe box a bit wide to slide further into the toe bail. I'm a bit worried about the front toe being too backward and making a loose fit. Is there any other way to make a more snug fit or is there any other way to tightne up the strap around the toe bail?
Important to keep in mind that the dynema band does stretch pretty quickly and will become quite loose on the first setting - so best not to have your first use be in a place where you cant afford a crampon falling off.
Once adjusted I found them good to go without more adjustment - however I do keep an extra cord in the bag as steps where the midfoot comes in contact with rock slowly wears on the cord.
Given the Skimo Co review and Eric's 2017 review, it seems like the Flexlock version is exactly what I want, but I just want to confirm because the Petzl product page itself makes it seem like the Flexlock won't fit on ski boots w/ toe and heel welts.
Thanks for any help.
All around great cramp-on!
Just got the new Alien 1.0 (or 1.1 as it is called). The fit on toe part is not really good unless I have the front welt assymetrical mounted. See picture. Any field experiance with this combo? Do you see any problems by having the toe mounted assymetrical? It does make the whole front part of the crampon a bit "inclined"/rotated, but it seems securve when hand flexing it.
Best regards.
Do either of the attachment styles of this crampon fit a Scarpa NTN boot, such as a TX Pro? My CAMP XLC 390's, toe clip edition, are totally out of the question.
Thanks!
john
Thanks for the follow-up! Unfortunately, the NTN tele boots have a front ledge that fits into the toe pieces of all non-tech style tele bindings, and I've seen for myself at least one crampon with semi-auto attachments that does not accommodate that ledge: Grivel Air Tech Lights -- the non-wide version. That is why I'm asking the question more generally for other makes/models of crampons.
Cheers,
John
Hope this helps!
Also, is everyone adding on the antisnow plates?
But I wanted to start using my Alien 3.0 boots for some spring and summer ski mountaineering, and their boot sole is longer than my PG boots.
The Race 290 takes hours to adjust back and forth between boots, and I even considered buying a second pair, but having two pairs of dedicated Race 290 crampons seemed a little bit too strange.
(Even for me...)
So the Leopard LeverLock FIL seemed to offer nearly the same ultralightness and storage compactness of the Race 290 while adding easy adjustability – and indeed it does!
Adjustment out of the box was nearly instantaneous, probably the easiest of any crampon of any type on the market. The attachment point of the heel lever onto the crampon frame is also easily adjustable. The attachment point of the toe bail onto the crampon frame is adjustable too, but takes some effort, which I didn’t bother with since the stock position seemed fine.
The toe bail shape is very secure, with less slop than the CAMP version.
On the Alien 3.0, the heel lever fits fine, although more secure when slightly asymmetrical, so just have to remember upon each attachment to move the lever off to the side ever so slightly.
As for complaints regarding the Dyneema cord’s initial stretch, I don’t think this is quite accurate, as the inherent properties of Dyneema include minimal elongation. Instead I think what’s happening is that the cord “seats” itself more in the notches after some use. Based on that premise, I made sure the fit was as tight as possible during initial setup, and indeed it was fine in the field.
My only complaint is that I wish the outside color of the ankle strap were orange (as it is on the inside) instead of black for better visibility. Otherwise, this model combines the best of a traditional attachment system (both security and adjustability) with the weight and storage compactness of the Race 290.
Sure, you can boot up a slick/firm slope without crampons; but when having the option in your pack weighs less than your phone, and packs down smaller than a pair of goggles, it's just silly to not have these crampons.
These crampons are so light and compact; if there is even a remote possibility of a slick/firm booter I do not hesitate to toss these in my pack.
Easy to adjust, easy to don/doff, and secure and stable with no heel or toe movement.
Upon first use and before charging up a steep icy chute, I recommend: taking a brief stroll in some snow to get the dyneema wet and allow for its initial stretch; tighten the crampons from initial stretch; and toss in pack for the season and enjoy! This initial adjustment only needs to be done once.
I have paired these with the Movement Alp Tracks boot (love that boot see reviews). The toe bail and heel welt fit perfectly, but I had to grind down the lever lock a few mm to allow for full boot walk-mode articulation. The lever lock mechanism had plenty of extra material, and this small grind (which is not required for nearly any other boot) did not affect the durability of the lever lock.
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