Dmm ice axe review. The DMM Spire is a lightweight ice axe that is well suited for winter walking and ski touring, with potential to branch into more demanding winter mountaineering days. Feb 18, 2025 · This DMM Spire ice axe is refreshingly no-frills and offers great value quality, says gear tester Alex Roddie. There are several types of axes, ranging from those intended as a winter hillwalking aid through to aggressive models designed for climbing. The Sum'tec is the brainchild of the late Ueli Steck (along Nov 18, 2024 · Here’s what DMM says: “The DMM Cortex is an advanced ice tool designed for technical mixed, ice, and dry tooling routes. Adze Weight: 559g; Hammer Weight: 559g; Length: 50cm; Related Collections. Jan 16, 2015 · The DMM Switch ice tools. It needs to be versatile, tough and easy to use - so make sure you pick the right one. Specifications. DMM offers three interchangeable picks, two hammers and one adze that are compatible with the Cortex, Apex and Vertex. Mar 10, 2022 · My review axe, a 50cm version, weighs just 340g. as a hammer for all thes can be purchased for when you want to do some 'real' climbing. Best beginner ice axe: Grivel G-Zero Ice Axe. Our top piece of advice here is to really spend some time reading the customer reviews over at Cotswold Outdoor, you really will get a good idea of the key benefits, pros and cons of this item as Aug 1, 2006 · In reply to Dave Murphy: it is a nice walking axe. Colder temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns and fewer daylight hours make factors like kit Jan 18, 2013 · Picks: For both the Fly and Apex, the picks and hammer or adze come as single piece units. They can only become lighter, stronger and better balanced and it will be interesting to see where DMM take their axe design next. It helps to keep you safe when the terrain turns hostile, especially if you have to do an ice axe arrest. One piece hot forge shaft/head; Hot Forged tapered pick; Ergonomic twin shot moulded handle Learn more about this innovative piece of kit by watching our full review video over on our YouTube channel. 1 / 10. There is a tendency, on less steep ice and neve, for the head of the axe to bury due to the pick angle and the curve of the shaft. I placed the screw, clipped the rope into a quickdraw and resumed swinging into the ice with my DMM Apex ice tools. Browse DMM's top-rated ice and snow gear and more. Mar 25, 2016 · The Best Mountaineering Axes/Piolets. FS: Petzl Charlet Ice Axes with Ice axes for Alps Edelrid Apex 4b ladies climbing My Favourite Route: Inigo Atkin Eurostar - Ice axe (help!) Anyone experience or views on REVIEW: Head to Head: DMM Cortex List more discussions Jan 3, 2024 · Whilst it’s only been used on some light chalk practice, the DMM fly ice axe is presented as a versatile, well-balanced tool that caters to the demands of various climbing environments, from steep ice to traditional mountaineering terrain. Mar 16, 2025 · Overall, the DMM Spire Tech, despite being one of the best ice axes on test, felt like an ‘in case’ axe to me. Enter the Black Diamond Hydra - a highly refined and versatile tool - and the DMM Cortex - a strikingly burly yet lightweight workhorse. No model is as much of a blend between a traditional ice axe and an ice tool than the Petzl Sum'tec, and that's a good thing. It has a straight shaft, made of anodised aluminium tubing, and the slightest of curves in the head. In this video, James takes us through the key features of @dmmclimbing81 newest technical Ice Axes, the Cortex. Jan 19, 2017 · A classic mountaineering axe, the DMM Raptor has been around since 1999. An axe designed to suit most out-there mixed, Dec 28, 2006 · The most exciting thing for me is what the development of hot forged ice axes means for the future of ice tools. however, i think that the Bd raven pro is much nicer (assetically and to use) better finished. Occupying a distinct and very useful intermediate niche, this is the lightest Type 2 technical axe that DMM have ever made, their Feb 14, 2024 · The best icy outdoor adventures demand the best ice axes. For less steep ground the main issue I’ve found is the way the pick seats. See full list on ukclimbing. i've i were you i would get either the Bd venom, Grivel Air tech or DMM Raptor (£70 the pair on needlesports). There’s a lot to like here, especially the weight. I found the Vertex axe which seems to be a good mid way between a walking axe and a technical tool. This review is part of our ice axes gear guide, and was first published in the February 2018 issue of The Great Outdoors. Large solid grips, attached using umbilical leashes for extra security. . Trailspace's community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top mountaineering axes/piolets. Oct 17, 2023 · David Lintern recommends the DMM Spire Tech ice axe crediting its weight in walking mode and large spike. I'm a big fan of DMM's equipment so I of course skimmed their website. If you’re thinking of undertaking some winter climbing as well as hillwalking the Cirque would be an excellent choice. More DMM ice axes are available in our DMM Ice Axes Collection Dec 23, 2013 · Your walking and mountaineering axe is a constant companion on a variety of snowy adventures. 6 out of 10 whereas the review score we gave DMM Fly Ice Axe was 9. Jan 21, 2022 · DMM Spire: first impressions New for winter 2021, the DMM Spire is the brand’s classic straight-shafted mountain axe – something that was previously missing from DMM’s more specialized and technical range of ice tools (such as the DMM Spire Tech, both of which feature in our best ice axe buying guide). DMM. Occupying a distinct and very useful intermediate niche, this is the lightest Type 2 technical axe that DMM have ever made, their The average review score that we gave on all our climbing reviews is just 7. I had the opportunity to test the DMM Apex tools over several weeks. How has it changed over the last 18 years? Feb 21, 2023 · Here's another to add to the collection - and while it's early days, I'm already a big fan. This fully 'Type 2' (T) Mar 6, 2014 · Wanted: Grivel Rambo Ice Axes. Designed with versatility and durability in mind, this ice axe strikes the perfect balance between performance on steep ice and mixed terrain while remaining practical for general mountaineering tasks. lengthwise, betwen 50-55 cm is fine naytihng else Oct 5, 2016 · I glanced down at my belayer wrapped in a down jacket, sheltered next to a tree. So, if you want a T-rated DMM ice axe, you’ll now have to look to the pricier and heavier DMM Raptor. ONE PIECE OF EXCEPTIONAL ENGINEERING The Cortex is a premium tool well suited to the most out-there mixed, ice, and dry tooling routes. Best for versatility: Petzl Summit Evo Ice Axe. Read more: David Lintern’s full DMM Spire Tech review and Lucy Wallace’s 2021 ‘Best Buy’ verdict Jan 18, 2022 · Secondly – and this is a point worth noting – despite the Spire Tech’s capability, the shaft and pick are not T-rated, unlike the older DMM Cirque, which it is effectively replacing. How has it changed over the last 18 years? Dec 19, 2023 · But I was looking for something that kind of bridges the gap between a walking axe a fully technical ice axe. Best Value: DMM Spire Ice Axe. Find the best ice/snow climbing device for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. The DMM Spire Tech ice axe has garnered plenty of praise, including a previous Best Buy from Mountain Leader Lucy Wallace in tests conducted for The Great Outdoors in 2021. New to the lineup this season is the Vertex, an axe that fits neatly between the aggressive mid-to-high grade Apex and the toned-down walking-to-mountaineering Spire Tech. He was stomping around in an attempt to stay warm in the 10-degree Fahrenheit day. The exoskeleton I-Beam profile is CNC'd from a single aluminium billet, achieving an optimal strength-to-weight ratio and delivering a perfectly balanced swing. Jan 28, 2022 · The number of different modular-headed ice axes has increased in the past few years, and manufacturers are responding to this rapidly growing hybrid category. Mar 6, 2025 · If you're looking for a fresh set of higher-end technical ice tools, two much-discussed models new this season are bound to turn your head. Key features highlighted include the ergonomic rubber han The Apex comes with the Ice Pick with either Compact Hammer or Adze. Filling an intermediate niche between DMM's existing ice axes, the Vertex is technically capable on lower grade Dec 19, 2016 · A classic Welsh-made, T-rated ice axe. #climbing #iceclimbing #winterclimbing #winterre Jan 19, 2017 · A classic mountaineering axe, the DMM Raptor has been around since 1999. Its CNC-machined I-Beam profile is made from a single aluminium billet, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio for a perfectly balanced swing. Full winter conditions in the hills and mountains present an added challenge for even the most experienced hill walker or mountaineer. Rating: 4/5 Feb 21, 2023 · Here's another to add to the collection - and while it's early days, I'm already a big fan. While this has the disadvantage of having to replace the whole lot when the pick is worn, given that the replacement pick and hammer/adze units come in at an RRP of £35 - less pricey than many other manufacturers picks alone, the only time this would really present an issue would be if carrying a spare Jan 22, 2025 · Best in Test: Petzl Glacier Adze Ice Axe. com Jan 25, 2025 · The Hammer Head Variant of DMM’s classic Fly ice axe is a trusted tool for winter mountaineering and technical alpine adventures. All Ice and Snow Gear. The DMM Cirque is a very strong candidate for the job. The DMM Vertex technical ice axes are useful in a wide variety of terrain, with enough curve for accurate swings and clearance over ice bulges, whilst still being straight enough to use on less steep ground and plunging into snow. In this review the current model goes head-to-head against its original ancestor. This can make retrieval difficult. qnhcq wek dtwc exure nvny hqmjetmuu jzcri wbmobzz ohhgsn xayf