Grivel G-Rider Crampons - test, review, price, features

OUR TEST OF THE GRIVEL G-RIDER

Test available only in the magazine

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MANUFACTURER’S OPINION

The Grivel G-Rider is a crampon designed for ski mountaineers who prioritize lightness and speed without compromising safety on icy terrains. Designed for ski touring and glacial approaches, it is part of the Italian brand Grivel’s tradition of innovation, a pioneer in crampon manufacturing for over a century. The G-Rider is made of forged aluminum alloy, a material chosen for its ideal combination of mechanical strength, lightness, and durability in winter conditions. Weighing approximately 350 grams per pair, it ranks among the lightest automatic crampons in its category.

The manufacturing process begins with the cutting of high-quality aluminum plates, followed by hot forming to give the points their precise geometry. Each piece is then machined and anodized to ensure maximum protection against corrosion and wear. The two parts of the crampon are connected by a light and adjustable central bar, allowing precise adjustment to the shoe length while maintaining sufficient rigidity for traverses and slopes. The bindings use the Cramp-O-Matic or New-Matic system depending on the version, offering optimal compatibility with boots with front and rear welts.

The assembly of the Grivel G-Rider is done in the brand’s Italian workshops, where each crampon is individually tested to ensure the quality of the adjustments and the strength of the rivets. The attention to finishing is a hallmark of Grivel: the edges are hand-polished and the welds are checked by visual inspection and mechanical tests. The result is a reliable crampon, with consistent performance, designed for hard snow and moderate glacial sections encountered in ski touring.

Thanks to its forged aluminum structure, the G-Rider ensures excellent grip while minimizing the wearer’s fatigue. It is particularly effective during conversions on icy slopes, where stability and lightness are essential. Like all aluminum crampons, it is not intended for use on rock or very hard ice, but in its domain — snow, spring ice, and glaciers — it offers an exemplary compromise between performance and weight. Compact, robust, and easy to adjust, the Grivel G-Rider perfectly illustrates Grivel’s expertise in designing technical equipment for modern mountain skiers.