For glacier/snow climbing you want 10 points. the secondary front points make up the additional 2 points on a 12 point crampon and just get in the way for walking over moderate slopes. 10 pointers do have front points which are more than adequate for most short moderate technical sections you may encounter. If you will be doing say grade 3-4 ice in the mountains than you will want a 12 point crampon. For anything else go with a 10 point. I have 3 sets of crampons 10/12/and vertical ice. I select based on the climb but for most situations short of technical/vertical ice the 10 point is more than sufficient. Additionally you may want a 10 point aluminum crampon vs. steel for snow and glacier travel. just be careful going over rock and on technical ice. however, if you will just be doing "easy" snow and glacier routes with no real technical climbing aluminum will be much nicer because it is plenty strong and much lighter on both the feet and pack.
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