Ok, here's the deal. Im new to ice and looking to get tools and crampons. Right now Im looking at either the New BD Cobras, Quarks, or Nomics for tools. Im open to suggestions for crampons.

Thoughts??

Thanks,

Ross

Go swing them and pick what you like and what works for you. Cuz nobody else's opinion really matters. But yeah - think what you'll be using them for mostly, and what you're going to be doing and go from there. There are about five hundred million reviews and threads and opinions out there on various sites, so ignore them all, go demo stuff at like mountainfest and whatnot and decide on your own.

Buy the best you can afford....avoid the off brands.... even if you quit climbing next year, good tools and crampons keep their resale value and you can get 75-85% of your money back reselling them.

Stick with Petzel-Charlet or Black Diamond

I would argue against the nomics for your first/only set of tools. They don't have a hammer which is limiting and a set of Quarks or similar tools would be more versatile, in my opinion. Beyond that, borrowing some tools is the best way to decide what you prefer. I love my rages and don't like the swing on the Quarks but most people seem to love them.

You'll get used to whatever you end up with.

Oh and do what d-elvis said, just stick with major brands (BD, Petzl, and don't forget Grivel), and as for crampons, figure out what kind of climbing you'll mostly be doing, look at the manufacturer's handy dandy chart (they all have em), figure out which model will work for you and make sure it fits on your boots.

Don't get Grivel Alp Wings, they use the Evolution picks, which when I was using them, leading with one tool became a common practice as the thin profile picks had a habit of breaking on really cold days.

Thanks for the advice guys. Im definitely going to fondle the tools in question as much as possible.

I really wish I could get my hands on the new Cobras... I heard they are sweet and got a lot of recommendations but I havent seen them anywhere yet. I guess I will wait til I can see them before ruling them out.

Good point about the nomics, Molly. I was thinking I may shy away from them anyway.

Any suggestions that I should consider for grivel??

Grivel Taa-K-oon's are really sweet. They use the Cascade pic.

I'm not a guru, but I've liked the Grivel Rambo crampons and they have held up very well. I've also got some of their old tools, which seem fine. I tend to be a more gentle tool swinger than some and like a slightly lighter tool. R&S have a good selection to swing, other than Grivel, and the DMM tools look quite good as well. R&S and The Mountaineer will let you rent tools and crampons, which is a great way to figure out what feels good while letting someone else fit crampons to your boots.