Five Alternate Names for Crampons and Why Every Man Should Own a Pair

Crampons may rhyme with tampons, but the two… devices… should not be confused.

So what are crampons? They’re metal spikes that are designed to go over your shoes or boots so that you can run (walk, climb, or hike) over ice and snow without falling.

Although crampons were first designed in 1908, they’ve evolved a lot over the years. They’re less heavy, less cumbersome, and less likely to be called crampons.

But a rose by any other name is still a rose, Romeo. So, climb up my balcony and I’ll tell you five alternate names that are less likely to catch a side eye from your favorite REI clerk.  

Traction Devices

No guessing games here; the name says it all. It’s a device designed to give you traction, no matter what terrain you’re conquering.

Ice Cleats

The name conjures little league baseball matches, grass-stained pants, and the feeling of failure as you slap hands with the winning team. Cleats helped you make it to all the bases. Ice cleats are here for you when things are extra slick.

Spikes

Careful with this one. It can mean both the harness that wraps around your footwear and the shoes that come with removable or built-in metal grips. On the plus, either will prevent you from slipping.

Running Grips

By far, the least exciting of the names. Grow a set of calluses and stop complaining.  

Yaktrax

Have you ever been to the drugstore to pick up adhesive bandages? How about Band-Aids? It’s not often that a brand is so popular that it replaces the generic name for the product. Have Yaktrax done that with crampons? You be the judge.

Yaks spend most of their time climbing over the earth’s most formidable mountain peaks in the mighty Himalayas. Bring the fortitude of the yak to your subpar human feet with Yaktrax. They’re designed to keep you moving in any weather.   

So why should every man (or woman) own a pair of crampons? To run outside in bad weather, of course. Who wants to log long miles on a treadmill when you can strap on a set of ice cleats and earn yourself a reputation as badass as the yak? And besides, just using the name crampon is bound to make any lady smile.