Ah...we're you telling us a year ago that you didn't like your new tools? (apologies if I'm confused)

Just remember...not all crampons will fit all boots. So when you go buy crampons, bring your boots and make sure they all work and play nicelt with each other. Climbing gear is not returnable!

RR

Also, make sure you get tools meant for ice climbing. A lot of higher end new tools are designed for hard, steep, mixed climbing, which is a lot different from swinging tools into ice. These tools all work on ice, just not nearly as easily. The balance and swing is wrong. They're made for hooking. As an example, you'll have much more fun climbing ice with BD Vipers than with BD Fusions.

Yeah. But see, I had my old tools, which I was used to, and the new tools were radically different!

RR, you can return climbing gear at EMS. We don't encourage it, but you can.

Oh and re: the new cobras, supposedly BD sent out a few pairs last week/this week, so you might see them around some time soon.

i have a pair of rambos that I would be willing to sell cheaply. they are a hybrid rambo/rambo comp now after i swapped out the inside of the foot rails.

PM me if interested

First get boots that fit your feet. Then buy crampons that fit the boots. IMO the 'poons are not so important in the early years, so you might consider a used pair. If you buy something snazzy later on, you'll have your first pair to loan to friends. Same with the axes, but here I am going to agree with those who suggest trying a bunch first. There ARE differences in tools, and yes, the top brands can easily be resold, but why take a $100+ hit if you don't have to. I borrowed 8 different tools before I bought, and they are still my favorites (Quarks FWIW).

i'm pretty sure that if they're still around, you can get alp wings with cascade picks instead of evolution picks.

also, if you buy crackboy's old poons and want the other side of the comp rail, i'll send it to you for postage. do you want it crackboy?

finally, agree with everything aya said. you've got to swing 'em to know what you want.

i don't need it, i haaven't been ice climbing in god knows when, plus i just broke my ankle/leg so its likely not going to happen this season

that sucks! what happened?
feel better.