Warnings, general information, maintenance, servicing, lifespan and instructional pictures.
Spire
Description
Tough enough to deal with the demands of modern winter mountaineering, yet light enough for general walking and ski touring. Optimised lightweight tubing and a complete re-design have struck a fine balance that means it carries without effort yet can penetrate ice and cut steps when required.
Machined chamfers on both the pick and adze, for efficient penetration of ice and neve.
Ergonomic pick and bung, for a comfortable grip.
A durable spike and bung for ease of penetration in hard and soft snow.
Large tethering points in the pick and spike, for ease of clipping and security.
Retail price
US$ 99.95
When you click a link below and then checkout online, no matter what you buy (climbing gear or not), we get a small commission that helps us keep this site up-to-date. Thanks!
Weight (g / oz) Weight (g / oz)In grams and ounces, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand. Since the most common ice axe length is 50cm that is the main length that we reference. When available, we list the weight for each length here. | 352 g / 12.41 oz 55 cm: 352 g / 12.41 oz |
Best UseBest UseUltralight MountaineeringThe lightest axes available, used most for ski mountaineering, adventure racing, and other "go light" ascents. 350 grams is usually the max weight. The decreased weight means they are axes are built for snow missions, not ice. MountaineeringThis is the most common type of snow mountaineering axe. These axes are above 350 grams and are a great balance of weight and durability. There may be a grip and they will always have an adze head (and no matching hammer pair). These axes are great for snow and can handle chopping steps in ice, or other small ice scenarios. Technical MountaineeringThese axes are for tougher conditions when the majority of climbing is on snow, but the axe needs to be able to handle a short ice wall. They generally have a bent shaft and T-rated (more technical) pick. Often these beefier axes will have a rubberized grip and they may have a matching adze and hammer version. They're basically the offspring of an ice axe and ice tool. |
Mountaineering |
Length Options (cm)Length Options (cm)Measured in centimeters, the best length is based on your height and ape index (arm length). Holding the axe in your hand, the spike (sharp end) of the axe should arrive around your shin. At the max size, it should go to your ankle. Two people of the same height could need a different sized axe, based on arm length (t-rex vs monkey). If in-between sizes, our bias is towards sizing shorter. Rule of Thumb
Worth ConsideringThere are other resources online that suggest a longer axe is a plus and that you should measure below the ankle. We absolutely disagree. A longer axe means you'll be tempted to use it as a trekking pole (which will put you off balance), or you'll have to give your arm a huge workout just to lift it in and out of the snow. Ice axes are meant to be used on the uphill side, which is already much higher. |
55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 75 cm |
Head DetailsHead DetailsThis refers to the back of the ice axe head (opposite the pick). 
For ice axes, adze's are (by far) the most common. An adze will allow you to break ice by chopping or shoveling in a specific area, and they also provide more room to hold on to the head than a hammer does. This grip helps for arresting too. Hammers are usually only used as a pair with an adze on the other axe (hammer's are much more common in ice tools than ice axes). A hammer uses a more broad force to break ice bulges. | Adze |
Ice RatingIce RatingThe certified rating of the pick and the shaft. These ratings might not match each other. There are only 2 possible shaft ratings: B / Type 1 / CEN-B: Basic | |
MaterialsMaterialsThe materials, as stated by the manufacturer / brand, of the pick, head, shaft and grip. | Pick: Steel alloy Head: Steel alloy Shaft: Aluminum |
CertificationCertificationsThe main climbing gear certifications are CE and UIAA--and normally the UIAA creates the rules that the CE body also supports. When possible, we try to list all the certifications the product carries. To sell a climbing product in Europe, the device must be CE certified. There are no official requirements to sell climbing gear in the US. The UIAA certification is a voluntary process. For ice axes, there is a separate certification for the pick and the shaft. Learn MoreRock and Ice Certifications Guide |
Not Certified |
WarrantyWarrantyThis isn't super common, but sometimes the manufacturers will state a specific warranty such as "3 years against manufacturer defects" |
|
No reviews yet.
Light yet solid; simple but effective - DMM's new Spire walking axe and Spire Tech mountaineering axe may not set out to win awards for innovation, but they very competently get the job done. You can spend rather a lot on a fancy axe these days. While I understand the urge to get 'the best', and I'm sad enough to covet a shiny axe as much as the next anorak, I'd say these models from DMM are proof that less showy quality and functionality don't necessarily need to cost a lot. Most of us will be tightening our belts this year, but in the case of the Spire and Spire Tech, that needn't mean compromising on the essentials. Both are superb value for money.
If you know of a good product video that should be here, let us know, and we'll put it up.
If you're looking for gear videos in general, check out our Vimeo and YouTube channels to see the newest gear.