What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I have used the Stinger Crampon on steep ice in Ouray and on a handful of alpine routes where precision really matters, and the asymmetrical fit locks into modern boots far better than older symmetric designs. The replaceable monopoint is a huge practical advantage because swapping a worn tip in the field takes minutes and keeps the rest of the crampon in the rotation for years."The ice curtain comes into focus as you rack up at the base, and every piece of gear has to earn its spot on a route like this. The Black Diamond Stinger Crampon was purpose-built for exactly these moments, delivering the precision and reliability that serious ice and mixed climbing demand. Its asymmetrical stainless steel frame fits the contours of modern mountain boots the way a crampon should, with a low-profile heel lever and thin toe bail that dial in fit without the slop or pinch that generic designs often leave behind. At the front, the hooded monopoint and aggressive secondary points work together to find placements on everything from vertical curtains to thin mixed smears, inspiring the kind of confidence that lets you focus on movement rather than footwork. When the frontpoint eventually wears down, it swaps out quickly and inexpensively without retiring the rest of the crampon, which means the Stinger stays in your kit for the long haul. Stainless steel construction keeps rust out of the equation entirely and sheds snow cleanly on the walk-in, so the points are ready to perform the moment the real climbing starts.