I’m very familiar with the Grivel Evo ice axe, having owned one for nearly a decade. It’s a T-rated axe so can take you onto roped climbs should you wish, but although it’s one of the heavier axes in this roundup, it’s still light enough to backpack with (and I have, many times).
Materials: Steel head, pick and adze (1 piece hot forged), Aluminium shaft | Technical rating: Technical (type 2) | Grip: Rubberised | Leash or Pommel: Leash (48g) and a pommel (called the G slider) can be purchased separately | Lengths available: 48, 53, 58, 66cm
The 59cm shaft is long enough to make this ice axe very useful in walking mode. It’s perhaps a touch long for very steep terrain for me, but it’s a great all-rounder. A very gentle curve sits high on the shaft, so plunging the Grivel Evo into soft snow is relatively easy. There is a sharp, hefty pick and a huge adze which clears snow for steps or a ledge with relative ease.
The rubberized grip is excellent. It’s short (1 hand span) but includes slight finger indentations and is feels very secure in the hand. The grip can collect a little snow, but I’ve never found it reduce the ability to fully plunge the Grivel Evo if needed.
Black Diamond Swift and Grivel Air Tech climbing out of Coire an t-Sneachda. Credit: David Lintern
The balance is slightly top heavy but that does mean excellent performance when at the ‘sharp’ end, in that the weight of the head does most of the work. My single concern is the spike. It will take a sling or leash and gives excellent purchase, but it is thin and prone to wear over time. The plastic stopper that sits between the spike and rubber grip also gets very beaten up.
The Grivel Evo is a superb weight for a T-rated axe, equally at home walking or on steeper ground, with that one caveat about the spike.
Compare this axe with other models in our buyer’s guide to the best ice axes. Lucy Wallace reviewed the Grivel Evo in 2021 – you can read her verdict here.
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