Two exciting new ice axes from Grivel Italy. The acclaimed Air Tech Evo is now offered with a Carbon composite shaft Air Tech Carbon, and the odd looking Futura. First the Air Tech Carbon, dropped forged from a single piece of the finest steel, essentially Grivel’s finest, strongest, high performance, classic ice axe. The carbon composite adds insulation, and a new level of dampening and balance. T rated and stronger even than the Air Tech Evo. A truly beautiful and rugged classic ice axe.
Then there is the Futura, with the ugly yellow plastic and breaking the rule “all ice axes must have an adze”. Rather than classic beauty, the Futura is all about function and value. How will I chop a step you might ask? With the pick of course. While an adze is occasionally useful, so is a comfortable handle. Also, step chopping is rarely used since the introduction of crampons, especially the newer styles with front points.
While I would not recommend the Futura for serious ice climbs, it has become my absolute favorite axe for snow and glacier climbs. Why do I love this axe? I love the yellow handle. I can plunge the shaft more securely when the snow is firm. The self-arrest grip is superb, and has no adze threatening my face. The grip is warm, and easy on my hand especially when plunging aggressively.
For climbs where I need the ice axe only occasionally, I usually prefer my ultralight axes Corsa, and Corsa Nano-Tech. For long snow and glacier climbs, or any climb where the axe spends more time in my hand than on the back of my pack the Futura is now my choice.