Katoola Micro Spikes - Mini Review

[buckwheat]

So, I took the Kahtoola's out for a spin yesterday (5 miles). I'm pretty anal about my gear, so it's rare that I can't find something I dislike about a product, but I was pretty pleased with these babies:

http://www.kahtoola.com/images/spikes_prod.jpg

Conditions
In my neck of the woods near the Mass/NH border yesterday, we had about 4-6 inches of very packed powder on the ground, with a top-coating of basically about a quarter inch of ice. Really nasty icy slippery stuff to try to walk on. Without a traction device of some kind, this sort of snowpack is really physically dangerous if you slip and fall.

I've now hiked (full pack) in this sort of crapola in 3 different types of gear, looking for the best solution to this problem:


overshoes with Stabilicers
30" snowshoes
Kahtoola Microspikes

By far, the Microspikes were superior for numerous reasons, but mostly weight and maneuverability. The overshoes are weighty and the snowshoes are fine for hiking fire roads and such, but you can't really scramble well with them in the rocky, rooty New England bike trails that I hike near where I live. With the snowshoes and overshoes, my feeling was along the lines of "OK, this is acceptable. It is possible to hike in these, but the gear required takes some of the enjoyment away."

But with the Microspikes, I felt like I was hiking in summer again. After a few steps, I really felt like, "OK, I'm able to hike on the same trails that I hike in summer and just hike with no real issues or having to think too much about my step." These things felt like bear claws on my feet. Total stability and a great feeling of complete confidence. Plenty of side-to-side stability, good on the downhills. The only area where I'd say you have to be a bit careful it is stepping over the larger downed trees. There are only two spikes in the rear of the shoe, and I found that when stepping over downed trees, that was a limited drawback.

Acid Test
I was able to put these onto a frozen pond with zero fear of slippage. I probably wouldn't run across the pond with them, but I was able to walk completely normally. (I might run, but didn't try it. Wasn't sure the pond was solid enough to take that kind of a pounding yet.) With the Stabilicers, I felt like I was still having to watch my step a little bit on pond ice.

Nitpicks
1) Whoever stocks these things at Eastern Mountain Sports needs to get it into their head that most people want the large size. EMS had 200 pairs of medium and small, and no large pairs ... the large were sold out (naturally!). I'm not sure if Kahtoola stocks these, or EMS employees do.

2) Hey, Kahtoola marketing folks, get on the stick: I wanted to also purchase a carrying case for my Microspikes. Sadly, you don't profit by offering accessories to me with with your logo in bright letters so everyone can see my traction solution when I pull them out at the ski lodge resulting in hundreds of additional sales to your fine organization when people say "Hey, Buckwheat has Microspikes, we should get some too", meaning that you're going to get laid off next Christmas and you won't be able to get your kid the G.I. Joe with the Kung Fu grip.

3) I can tell by the medium size ones that I got that Kahtoola should probably make an extra large size, but they don't. They make an extra-small (for very young kids), but no extra large. I have a couple of pairs of workboots that would probably need an extra-large size.

I was able to get the medium size onto these size 11.5 Merrill Vibram trail runners:

http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/wolve/wolve176923_76998_lg.jpg

but the medium-size Microspikes did compress my toe-box somewhat. I'd recommend the large on this shoe (and comparable ones). That is if the stock guy at EMS will get his head out of his rear and put more large than medium's on the shelf.

Durability
Not sure about this, as I haven't had them long enough to form an opinion. They certainly seemed durable. I put them on everything I could find, including a frozen roadway, rocks, down trees, sheer ice etc., and they didn't seem to budge an inch. Pretty solid feel. We'll see how long the red plastic stretchy stuff holds out. I paid the manufacturer's suggested retail price for these ($59). If they'll last 3 winters, I'll feel like I got my money's worth. If they don't, I'll whine and moan about it until I get a free replacement pair.

Should You Get 'Em?
If you're looking to round out your winter traction devices, these should definitely be in your arsenal. My experience in winter hiking has been that I feel like I need two or three solutions, depending on what the conditions are at the moment. These would probably not be my choice in deeper snow (I'd go with overshoes for some extra insulation, or regular snowshoes for the really deep powder). For mountaineering or ice climbing, you're still going to need actual crampons, but for crusty, icy, hardpack bike trails or well-worn hiking trails and such ... these were awesome and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Incidently
I don't work for Kahtoola, or have any other connection to them or anyone who sells these. I was merely happy with them and wanted to pass along my experience with them to all WB'ers. You guys are always giving me great info on the gear you have, so I wanted to pay back a little bit.

Cheers,
Buckwheat

[George]

great review thanks

[mudhead]

Agreed.

The noise was bothersome for me at first. Now I like the crunch.

Some sort of flat storage case thing would be nice. If you fold them over twice, 1/4 pie shape, they go in a jacket pocket easier. Take up the whole pocket tho.

Last Winter LL Bean and Zappos had the size L.

[buckwheat]

The noise was bothersome for me at first. Now I like the crunch.

You're right about that. I was going to mention about the noise, but I forgot.

You aren't about to sneak up on anything with these babies. You're going to be heard coming about a half a mile away, owing mostly I think to the chains. I got to thinking about it though that a lot of the noise that I was hearing was the cracking of the snowpack underneath my feet. These things just shred the ice underfoot and grab on like claws. Makes a helluva racket that I really noticed, mainly because I was the only one in the woods making any noise in the first place. Everyone else was warm at home!

But then I thought, you're pretty much going to get that ice cracking noise no matter what traction solution you decide on if you hike on snowpack like this. Winter hiking just isn't quiet like in summer unless you're using skis. So, I didn't take any points away from the Microspikes on account of the noise.

Cheers,
Buckwheat

[River Runner]

I've found I can fold the MicroSpikes over and they fit very well in a small square ZipLoc plastic container, which is easy to pack in a daypack or backpack.

[buckwheat]

I've found I can fold the MicroSpikes over and they fit very well in a small square ZipLoc plastic container, which is easy to pack in a daypack or backpack.

Do you mean one of their "sandwich" containers?

[River Runner]

It looks a little bigger than sandwich size. I think it is called 'small square', but it's been awhile since I bought mine.

[gregor]

Are you guys wearing these all the time on the trail, or putting them on when you get to a particularly dicey section? I went out in the Northern NJ area this weekend, and on north facing slopes it was kinda sketchy, would have liked to have something with grip, but only lost my footing once. The south facing slopes were pretty clean. Would these things be alright on dirt and rock trails and the occasional ice, or are the strictly for ice/snow covered trails?

[JAK]

Great review.

What do you think would works best for trail conditions that consist of a combination of snow, not too deep but not a broken trail, ice, snow over ice, and also some slippery rock and roots in places? No steep climbs and decents but alot of swithbacks. The long not so steep descents I consider most worrisome, as they can catch you offguard and onto you tailbone, or worse. Thinking of doing the entire Fundy Footpath during winter some year, but so far only stuck my nose in as far a Cradle Brook, and it was treacherous. Its remote enough that I would feel pretty stupid if I broke something and they had to come in and get me out. Sketchy traction is primary show stopper so far. I will figure out other details later. Those microspike look to be the answer. I've done my own solution similar to stabilicers and round them to be too slippery and unpredicatble on rock.

[River Runner]

Are you guys wearing these all the time on the trail, or putting them on when you get to a particularly dicey section? I went out in the Northern NJ area this weekend, and on north facing slopes it was kinda sketchy, would have liked to have something with grip, but only lost my footing once. The south facing slopes were pretty clean. Would these things be alright on dirt and rock trails and the occasional ice, or are the strictly for ice/snow covered trails?

They are all right on dirt and rock, but my feet and legs tire more easily wearing them for long distances, so I generally put them on only for icy sections. It's fine to leave them on for sections that go back and forth from ice covered to bare.

[buckwheat]

Are you guys wearing these all the time on the trail, or putting them on when you get to a particularly dicey section? I went out in the Northern NJ area this weekend, and on north facing slopes it was kinda sketchy, would have liked to have something with grip, but only lost my footing once. The south facing slopes were pretty clean. Would these things be alright on dirt and rock trails and the occasional ice, or are the strictly for ice/snow covered trails?

Gregor,

I don't use these on dirt/rock trails with occasional ice. In those instances, I generally will hike carefully, or hike around the ice. The "spikes" are about 1/4". There are 5 on the front, and 2 on the rear, connected with lengths of chain, so when you get on concrete or any other solid surface like a roadway, it's not the most comfortable walk. You could use these on dirt with no problem I think, but it's probably pointless and adds to the weight of your shoes for no real additional benefit.

I use these on solidly iced over or snowed over trails (4-6 inches) attached to my trail runners. These are also great for exploring frozen ponds (even iced ponds with some snow on them). Any deeper snow though, and I might go with overshoes for the warmth or snowshoes for the flotation, depending on snow depth.

In my neck of the woods, I'm pretty much wearing some kind of traction device all the time at this time of the year since we'll proabably have snowpack for the rest of the winter. I put these on at the trailhead and take them off before getting back into my car.

Cheers,
Buckwheat

[buckwheat]

Great review.

What do you think would works best for trail conditions that consist of a combination of snow, not too deep but not a broken trail, ice, snow over ice, and also some slippery rock and roots in places? No steep climbs and decents but alot of swithbacks. The long not so steep descents I consider most worrisome, as they can catch you offguard and onto you tailbone, or worse. Thinking of doing the entire Fundy Footpath during winter some year, but so far only stuck my nose in as far a Cradle Brook, and it was treacherous. Its remote enough that I would feel pretty stupid if I broke something and they had to come in and get me out. Sketchy traction is primary show stopper so far. I will figure out other details later. Those microspike look to be the answer. I've done my own solution similar to stabilicers and round them to be too slippery and unpredicatble on rock.

Dude, these are probably perfect for what you describe (I am not familiar with the Fundy Footpath exactly).

For example, I used them today. What we have on the ground today is 3-5 inches of packed powder base with a coating of 1/4 inche of ice on top of that, covered by about 2-3 inches of very fine loose powder that fell day before yesterday. The ponds I hike on are froze over with about 3-4 inches of loose powder on top.

I wore the Microspikes today and never gave a single thought to a step I took really. I was today hiking some fire road, some bike trail, did some bushwacking (tracking a coyote I saw cross the trail about 100 yards in front of me), some ice pond island exploring. I've also done some rock scrambling with these on no problem; stepping on downed trees isn't a problem as these aren't so sharp that they penetrate that deep (like crampons might).

I had no problem today at all with traction. It was almost like hiking in summer. A little tougher owing to the snow depth, but my traction was solid.

I don't think you can go wrong with these unless you break them on trail. They'd be hard to repair. If I was going deep into the woods, maybe I'd take a backup set, even just in case. At $60, you can probably afford two pair.

Cheers,
Buckwheat

[Kerosene]

Here's a link to the vendor's product description: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html

Weight ranges from 9.8 to 14.4 ounces.

[Tinker]

Here's a link to the vendor's product description: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html

Weight ranges from 9.8 to 14.4 ounces.

Check out the other equipment on their website. Their crampons look nice, too. Beware of aluminum on rocks, it dulls relatively quickly.
I hike in 10 point crampons by Camp (old style- no longer made).
Katoola makes similar models with better harnesses.
The microspikes might be challenged if the snow depth got above 2". The snow might not compress enough to allow the spikes to contact the ice beneath.
As noted above in the review, there is virtually no traction if you're using your instep. You need to resist the urge to "hook a heel" over logs, roots, and rocks. You could go sprawling (same goes for flexible crampons).

[mudhead]

are the strictly for ice/snow covered trails?

I think so. I don't like them on granite. I agree with both of buckwheat's posts. It is obvious to me he uses them.

I used them today on XC skiable trail with 3-4" of mealy dry snowover frozen crust.. I thought it was poor until I took them off short of the truck to compare. I was all over the place! Loose snow is not great, but better with them.

I have used them on mixed surfaces with good luck. Rinse the mud or dirt off in a brook before coming home. I just am leery of bare granite.

I don't take them off for 50', but then I don't put them on for 50' either. (Unless it was a long slide type scene)

Good write up on them in "Traction control" thread that Mags started. Some crazed trailrunner discusses them.

[River Runner]

I just am leery of bare granite.

I would agree - I would be leery of them on long stretches of solid rock as they would change balance and footwear grip. I was talking about the type of dirt trail with a lot of rock mixed in that is common in Appalachia. They work okay on dirt mixed with rock, but aren't needed unless there is ice or possibly snow. If the trail goes back and forth between ice/snow and dirt/rock, it's fine to leave them on on the dirt/rock sections.

Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.

[mudhead]

My mindset showing. I get lots of bare granite here.

[JAK]

Thanks guy. They sound great for what I'm looking for for ice and snow even when some rock and roots are mixed in. The soles of my light leather boots are rather slippery, but I think in addition to these I still need to change the soles of my leather boots or take something else with better traction, so that when I have the spikes off, I still have something like a soft/hard rubber trail runner tread.

[Greentick18d]

$38 here http://www.skiingbum.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=52922

[mudhead]

Odd site. Tried to find shipping charges, had to go the buy now route. Shunted me to Backcountry.com by way of Commission.something and then showed sold out.

Fine price! Got my pulse up.

[mrc237]

I found these nery useful:http://www.rei.com/product/760280 not comparing just another option

[buckwheat]

I found these nery useful:http://www.rei.com/product/760280 not comparing just another option

I can't say how well YakTrax would be where I hike because I haven't ever used them - owing mostly to the bad reviews they get. I can say that they don't look sturdy enough to actually hike with in my neck of the woods.

For working around the yard, clearing the driveway ... walking to the store down the street without slipping ... yeah, I could see maybe using YakTrax. Scrambling over rock and root hiking New England bike trails ... I don't think YakTrax have what it takes.

[mudhead]

Agreed. But they are an option. I'd like to test drive those little 1 0z mini instep thingys. Sly may be the one that posted about them, but I am fuzzy.

[Tinker]

Agreed. But they are an option. I'd like to test drive those little 1 0z mini instep thingys. Sly may be the one that posted about them, but I am fuzzy.

After last week's hike in New York, with the trail covered in ice, I'd be leery about not having traction on your toes. I can't count the number of times I needed to use a toe hold to get up the trail. I used full sized flexible crampons on my trail runners.
I'm sure instep crampons are much better than nothing.
So are Yaktrax, but not much better.
I guess the question may be "what might you carry on an early nobo thru hike?".
From what I've seen in use, I'd have to say the Katoola Micro spikes (but I already decided that I'd rather leave later and lighter than earlier, colder, heavier, and slower (due to the extra gear necessary).

I hiked with guys wearing:
1) Yaktrax - he slid all over the place - only good on flats.
2) Stabilicers - he complained about the weight, but got fairly good traction - slid a few times, but not like the guy on Yaktrax- they were like ice skates on glare ice.

[mudhead]

Agree with all of that.

I will try anything.

[buckwheat]

I'd like to test drive those little 1 0z mini instep thingys.

Assume you mean an instep crampon like this one:

http://www.campmor.com/images/footwear/33054.gif

I haven't actually found a pair of these when I've been looking, so I haven't tried these yet either, but I suspect they'd be OK, but not satisfying. These cost $35.00 at Campmor, which seems like a high price to me.

I think the Kahtoola's should be upgraded to provide a little more traction on the heel - maybe 4 spikes. The only time I really had to think about how I stepped was when stepping over downed tree ... heel first. With only two spikes on the heel, it was slippery performing this maneuver.

My hunch is I'd feel similarly with only an instep crampon.

But overall, I'm sold on the Kahtoola's and can't recommend them highly enough. Really great design for the most part and reasonably priced.

[mrc237]

I can't say how well YakTrax would be where I hike because I haven't ever used them - owing mostly to the bad reviews they get. I can say that they don't look sturdy enough to actually hike with in my neck of the woods.

For working around the yard, clearing the driveway ... walking to the store down the street without slipping ... yeah, I could see maybe using YakTrax. Scrambling over rock and root hiking New England bike trails ... I don't think YakTrax have what it takes.

Actually used them last Feb to hike down and up the Bright Angel Trail (with Sly) they worked fine and I would use them again even over root and rock don't think they would cause alot of trip or slip hazards.

[micromega]

The only complaint I have about the microspikes, and I'm not sure if this is a complaint or a compliment, is that if I wear them long enough I start to forget that I'm walking on snow and ice. That is usually when I make a mis-step that causes a slip. Otherwise they're excellent.

As a testament to their grip, my car once lost traction and got stuck in an icy parking lot, and I was able to push the car a hundred feet across the ice without a slip, wearing those things.

[mudhead]

Could you elaborate on the mis-step? I'd like to avoid any of those.

[micromega]

Usually my mis-steps consist of placing the mid portion of the foot on a rock or log where the spikes can't grip, or traversing a slope where I place the outer edge of the foot down first resulting in a slide as the spikes have no grip on the outer edge. Best traction comes from squarely placing weight on ball of foot or on the heel, but after a while I just tend to forget that.

[mudhead]

Agree. Good addition.