Pre thread your crampon strap
When putting crampons on your boots, especially with gloves and/or cold fingers, threading the strap through the buckle can be quite the back-twisting hassle.
Here's a simple solution: pre-thread the strap through the toe section and the buckle BEFORE you step into it. Tie an overhand knot in the end of the strap so it can't pull through. Plus, the overhand gives you something to grab when you have gloves on.
Insert your boot through the loop, engage the heel lever, and grab the knot, and crank down the buckle. Done!
I have to say, when I first saw the video below it was one of those face-palm moments of, “Why have I been doing it wrong for all this time?!”
Here's a nice video from IFMGA Guide Karsten Delap showing how it's done.
