EliteClimb makes a huge selection of picks for the Kruk, Salamandra and Raptor tools, and a few for the Morpho tools. But with this many models, choosing the right pick is not obvious. This guide brings together the details of every EliteClimb pick we carry: shape, angle, tip thickness, weight and intended use.
About the pictures: the new black picks
This guide has been in preparation for roughly two years, and most of the photos show the previous, silver version of the picks. EliteClimb's current production is black: the new picks are sharper and more pointed, and they are made from a stronger, higher-quality steel. The shapes and specifications below remain your reference for choosing the right model.
How to read the specifications
- Angle — a lower (flatter) angle penetrates delicate ice with less damage; a steeper, more aggressive angle hooks better on rock, roofs and dry tooling features.
- Tip thickness — thinner tips displace less ice and feel more precise; thicker tips are more durable on rock.
- Weight — pick weight changes the swing of your tool; heavier picks and pick weights add punch, lighter picks save energy on long routes, especially on tender ice and when dry tooling.
- Fits — the tools each pick is made for.
The picks at a glance
| Pick | Angle | Tip | Weight | Fits | Accessories compatible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New picks | |||||
| Pure-Ice Pick | Very low | 2.9 mm | 141 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Dry Pick | Mid-low | 3.3 mm | 151 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| The classics | |||||
| Pick Weights (masselottes) | — | — | 58 g | EliteClimb + Petzl picks | — |
| Alpine Pick — no spike | Medium | 3.3 mm | 140 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Ice Pick — spikes on bottom | Medium | 3.3 mm | 144 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Ice Pick — Hammer | Medium | 3.3 mm | 194 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Ice Pick — Adze | Medium | 3.3 mm | 193 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Mixt Pick — spikes on both sides | Medium | 3.3 mm | 145 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Light Alpine Pick — no spike | Medium | 3.3 mm | 123 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Light Alpine Pick — Hammer | Medium | 3.3 mm | — | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Light Alpine Pick — Adze | Medium | 3.3 mm | — | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Light Ice Pick — spikes on bottom | Medium | 3.3 mm | — | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Light Ice Pick — Hammer | Medium | 3.3 mm | 170 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Light Ice Pick — Adze | Medium | 3.3 mm | — | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Light Mixt Pick — spikes on both sides | Medium | 3.3 mm | 121 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor | Trango Raptor Head Weights |
| Discontinued picks | |||||
| Mixt Aggressive Pick — Low Volume Tip | Very steep | 3.1 mm | 144 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Mixt Aggressive Pick — High Volume Tip | Very steep | 3.1 mm | 146 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| All-Ice Pick | Low | 3.1 mm | 144 g | Kruk, Salamandra, Raptor + Petzl | Pick weights + Petzl masselottes |
| Morpho picks | |||||
| Morpho Pick Weights | — | — | 104 g | Morpho | — |
| Morpho Ice Pick | — | 3.2 mm | 134 g | Morpho | — |
| Morpho Mixt Pick | — | 3.2 mm | 131 g | Morpho, Petzl | — |
| Morpho Dry Pick | — | 3.9 mm | 107 g | Morpho | — |
The two tips side by side — low volume vs high volume:
Morpho Dry vs Mixt, side by side:
Alpine, Ice, Mixt and Light: what the names mean
- Alpine — no spikes on top and bottom elbow, for optimal comfort while grabing the pick in walking cane mode. Optimised for mountaineering, alpine, high mountains.
- Ice — spikes on the bottom elbow only. Optimised for ice.
- Mixt — spikes on top and bottom elbow. Optimised for mixed climbing
- Light — lightweight design that can be Alpine, Ice or Mixt. Optimised for mountaineering and high mountains.