I agree.
When I climbed Whitney, years ago, it was April of a moderate snow year. I used "the chute," and I was very grateful to have full crampons. It wasn't really scary. Proper foot-fangs is what made it okay.
Black Diamond makes a model called a "Contact Strap Crampon" which can be used with ordinary hiking boots. I have a pair of Grivels with a similar design. Each feet has ten points, and it works well.
I would recommend staying away from models made of aluminum. Aluminum is softer than steel, and thus it's more easily damaged. I also own a pair of Salewa aluminum crampons, and they're great on steep snow, but I worry about damaging them. In mixed terrain, where occasionally you have to cross a small patch of jumbled rocks, a pair of steel crampons is just better. They can take the abuse.
I also recommend getting an ice axe. With a leash. A length of paracord is better than nothing.
