Petzl Leopard Crampons

OUR TEST OF THE PETZL LEOPARD

With the release of the Leopard several seasons ago, Petzl marked a real turning point in ski touring, a sector where the brand was not particularly present. Result: an ultra-light and compact crampon model that quickly attracted practitioners.
To reach only 395 g per pair all included, Petzl replaced the traditional central bar with a Dyneema cord, which ensures both the front/rear connection and the length adjustment. The latter requires a bit of attention during adjustment to achieve an effective crampon/shoe connection, but once well adjusted, in the field, the system proves reliable: play is minimized and progress remains safe, even on very hard snow.
Another advantage: the express installation. The brand opted for a quick buckle rather than a classic metal buckle, which saves a few precious seconds during transitions.
In terms of bulk, it’s hard to do better: once folded, the crampons fit in a mini pocket. A real plus in ski touring, where crampons often spend the entire outing at the bottom of the bag.
The aluminum points offer sufficient grip for the vast majority of situations encountered in ski touring. Beyond that, if the terrain becomes more demanding, it is preferable to turn to the Irvis Hybrid model, which is slightly heavier but with a steel front.
Finally, the compatibility is wide: the Leopard is available in auto (LEVERLOCK FIL) or semi-auto (FLEXLOCK) versions, making it usable with both ski touring boots and snowboard boots.

THE PROS

weight
bulk
efficiency

THE CONS

none

MANUFACTURER’S OPINION

The Petzl Leopard crampons are ultra-light aluminum models, designed for snow progression and ski touring outings where every gram counts. Their CORD-TEC system allows for very compact folding and simple tool-free adjustment, while ensuring effective hold on hard snow and moderate glacial terrain. They offer reliable grip in their field of use, but their light construction limits durability on rock or mixed terrain, and they are not suitable for technical mountaineering. In summary, they are perfect crampons for those who prioritize weight and compactness on less technical routes.