Ice Axes

An indispensable part of every climber's gear and winter hiking equipment, ice axes facilitate climbing and movement on ice or serve as support during winter hiking on snow-covered terrain. In our range you will find more than 10 models of hiking, climbing and ski-touring ice axes from the French brand Petzl, with a long tradition in manufacturing climbing equipment.

Key Differences Between Hiking and Climbing Ice Axes:

Hiking — Type B (Basic)

These are designed for less demanding tours, winter walking, ski touring and light mountain running. Hiking ice axes therefore typically have a straight or less curved shaft, which ensures more effective penetration into snow. As they are designed for undemanding routes, they also have lower strength. One ice axe is usually sufficient for hikers. They are generally fitted with a safety loop, though in some cases they may not be. Unlike climbing ice axes, hiking ones do not have a replaceable spike.

In our range you will find Petzl hiking ice axes at various price levels. An excellent choice is the Glacier ice axe with a classic curved pick, available in three sizes: 60, 68 and 75 cm. It is made from high-quality stainless steel. It also features a loop that serves as a loss-prevention measure.

Climbing/Technical — Type T (Technical)

These are designed for steep terrain, glacier walls and demanding expeditions, and climbing ice axes are adapted accordingly with a shorter curved shaft. The more curved the ice axe shaft, the more suitable it is for vertical and steep ascent. Climbing ice axes are also fitted with a shaped rubber grip that ensures a better hold and prevents slipping.

The head of the ice axe can be fitted with either an adze or a hammer. When climbing on glacier walls you always need two ice axes, one for each hand. The ideal setup is one axe with a hammer in one hand and one with an adze in the other. Available are climbing ice axes with a hammer.