Good for the steep stuff, Alex Roddie recommends the Petzl Summit ice axe.
The Petzl Summit Evo received 4.5 stars and a Recommended rating from David Lintern when he tested it in 2023. This Petzl Summit ice axe is a slightly less technical version, lacking the Evo’s rubber grip and hydroformed aluminium shaft. Otherwise, apart from cosmetic differences, they are similar.
Alex Roddie recommends
Overall, this is a beautiful tool on the technical end of basic mountaineering axes.- lightweight
- comfortable to hold
- good pick for hard snow
- good adze and spike
- expensive
- machined shaft grip not as grippy as it could be
- no T-rating
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £129 |
| Weight: 380g (59cm) |
| Materials: steel head, pick and adze, aluminium shaft, steel spike |
| Technical rating: CEN-B (Type 1) |
| Grip: bevelled metal |
| Leash or Pommel: none (optional pommel available) |
| Lengths available: 52cm, 59cm, 66cm |
| www.petzl.com |
Three sizes are available, and although lacking sizes at the longer end they will satisfy most users. It’s a lightweight axe with superb balance that swings exceptionally well.
The shaft’s curve is the most pronounced of all the axes I tested, making it very good for the steep stuff; I found it a pleasure for climbing easy gullies, with its reassuringly aggressive pick that bites well in both snow and ice.
It’s also very comfortable to hold in walking mode and the teeth don’t get in the way. Although self-arrest works fine, the more curved shaft does require a slightly different technique.
Although the shaft has a machined grip at the spike end, it’s nowhere near as grippy as the Raven Pro’s grip and I found myself wishing for a leash when cutting steps.
The shaft’s texture is also less grippy. An optional pommel is available.
Moving on to the adze, it’s broad and effective as a shovel due to a lack of cutouts. The smooth corners do make it slightly less efficient at cutting steps than some tested, but it’s a very small difference. You also get a nice sharp spike that anchors well.
Overall, this is a beautiful tool on the technical end of basic mountaineering axes. However, a T rating would have been welcome given its proficiency on steep ground, and the price is high.
Testing notes
Alex tested these ice axes on a range of day routes and short backpacking trips throughout the Cairngorms and West Highlands, including a real mix of terrain – typical easier winter walking all the way up to Grade I gullies and easy mixed ridges. Weights stated are as measured on Alex’s digital scale; note that the same length was not available from every brand, so the length of the axe tested is also stated.
This review first appeared in the December 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors. For more ice axes tested by the experts, see our guide to the best ice axes for mountaineering.
