Traction devices

[Feral Bill]

I just spent the afternoon with my son on what turned out to be a rather icy trail. No damage done, but I'm wondering what traction devices people favor for intermitent but very slick ice. Thanks.

[johnnybgood]

I assume by intermittent you had dry trail mixed with patches of ice . I use microspikes on ice , as it penetrates the top surface layer and holds where yak tracs don't. Never used crampons so I can't speak for those.

[rickb]

http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/

Best thing since the invention of the shoelace. They seem to own the market among competing products on trails in the Whites.

[Duramax22]

+1 for kahtoola microspikes

[Feral Bill]

Thanks to you all, Exactly what I have in mind. And a Svea fan would know what he's talking about, too.

[RangerZ]

I like yaktrax but having said that they're not durable. I've only had mine for two winters now and the rubber and coils are breaking. They're going to replace them or I'd be buying something else. No problem on the return and replacement tho. I'll probably double up the rubber with suspension line and maybe wire the coils together as a precaution.

I'm interested in how this thread turns out.

[Wise Old Owl]

Don't waste your money


take a gander at this

My running shoes with screws added for traction
Two years ago, my son made me “screw shoes (http://funclimbsaroundtheworld.com/?p=662)” for Christmas (when he asked what I wanted, I said that I wanted “screw shoes”). I hike in these even in snow, by using gaiters over the show and a vapor barrier inside the shoe. This can be a fancy vapor barrier liner (http://www.andrewskurka.com/advice/technique/vaporbarrierliners.php) sock (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=253437430 2734333&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442586369), as made by several suppliers, or as simple as a plastic bag. I use grocery bags over my socks, which keeps my feet dry and warm down to zero degrees.
You can also turn hiking boots into screw shoes, and simply remove the screws in spring. I like running on snowy trails, so I use running shoes.
I’ve had the above pair of screw shoes for two years now, and they’ve held up well. Use a relatively new running shoe, with a thick sole, and make sure the screws are short (about 3/8 inch), so as to not feel them
Other outdoor hikers prefer the Yaktrax, (http://www.yaktrax.com/pro) or the Kahtoola MICROspikes work with a heavier hiking boot (http://www.gailstorey.com/winter-hiking-how-and-why), but I like traveling light and fast.
Matt Carpenter (http://www.skyrunner.com/bio.htm), 17-time winner of Pikes Peak ascents and marathons, describes how to make a screw shoe on his website (http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm).

http://funclimbsaroundtheworld.com/?p=1239

[Feral Bill]

Don't waste your money


take a gander at this

My running shoes with screws added for traction
Two years ago, my son made me “screw shoes (http://funclimbsaroundtheworld.com/?p=662)” for Christmas (when he asked what I wanted, I said that I wanted “screw shoes”). I hike in these even in snow, by using gaiters over the show and a vapor barrier inside the shoe. This can be a fancy vapor barrier liner (http://www.andrewskurka.com/advice/technique/vaporbarrierliners.php) sock (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=253437430 2734333&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442586369), as made by several suppliers, or as simple as a plastic bag. I use grocery bags over my socks, which keeps my feet dry and warm down to zero degrees.
You can also turn hiking boots into screw shoes, and simply remove the screws in spring. I like running on snowy trails, so I use running shoes.
I’ve had the above pair of screw shoes for two years now, and they’ve held up well. Use a relatively new running shoe, with a thick sole, and make sure the screws are short (about 3/8 inch), so as to not feel them
Other outdoor hikers prefer the Yaktrax, (http://www.yaktrax.com/pro) or the Kahtoola MICROspikes work with a heavier hiking boot (http://www.gailstorey.com/winter-hiking-how-and-why), but I like traveling light and fast.
Matt Carpenter (http://www.skyrunner.com/bio.htm), 17-time winner of Pikes Peak ascents and marathons, describes how to make a screw shoe on his website (http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm).

http://funclimbsaroundtheworld.com/?p=1239
I do like the idea, but I don't see how I save money buying an extra pair of shoes instead of Microspikes. Am I missing something? Should I put screws in an otherwise unused old pair?

[hikerboy57]

kahtoolas are the way to go. yaktrax are okay for sidewalks but wont hold up on the trail.

[MuddyWaters]

Inov8 makes a trail shoe with carbide tips for ice, the Oroc:

http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-Oroc-280-Black-Blue-Lime.html?L=26&A=Off%20Trail&G=Male

[rickb]

I do like the idea, but I don't see how I save money buying an extra pair of shoes instead of Microspikes. Am I missing something? Should I put screws in an otherwise unused old pair?

FWIW, The pair of Microspikes I own fit equally securely on my trail runners, 2 different leather hiking boots and also my insulated New Balance winter hiking boots-- which is to say they are amazingly versatile for the way I use them.

They are super easy to put on, and (unlike the instep crampons which they replaced) so comfortable I don't even know I have them on.

That said, I have been on iced over trails where they didn't give me the same kind of confidence that regular crampons would have, and I have turned around as a result. Which for me might be considered yet another benefit.

They are simply great, IMHO.

[Wise Old Owl]

I do like the idea, but I don't see how I save money buying an extra pair of shoes instead of Microspikes. Am I missing something? Should I put screws in an otherwise unused old pair?

The screws are short enough to use any pair... or old - it's a small box for $3 bucks. Once installed - you yank them and put them in a bag and put them back in with a small multitool.

[kayak karl]

been using these (http://www.icespike.com/) since they came out. they grip better and last a lot longer the regular screws, even the stainless (i tried all)

[Marta]

Katoohlas work great, can be worn all day, and last for years. The IceSpikes are great, but they make a pair of shoes unwearable for any other purpose.

[Meriadoc]

Microspikes. Crampons for the really gnarly stuff.

Microspikes can be sharpened with a grinding wheel. But be careful to not overheat the metal.

[Migrating Bird]

Son-in-law ruined a pair of brand new Microspikes by getting them a little to close to a fire, the metal melted through the rubber very quickly. I own two sizes of MS one for Pac boots and one for trailrunners/hiking boots. I use screws in the felt soles on my waders and have used them in the tires for my mtn bike, cheap & light and work great.

[msupple]

You could play basketball on ice with Micospikes.....no....really! The only downside is the weight.

[Gervais]

The Kahtoola are great for hard ice and full snow coverage on the trail when ambient temps are freezing or below. But if ambient temps are above freezing and the ice is slushy the Kahtoola spikes & chains will stick badly with each step. If the trail is part mud/part ice the microspikes also feel mushy underfoot, especially on the rock trails I hike.

So I wear the Kahtoola's for hard ice and these Icetrekkers for soft ice conditions or when part of the trail will be melted off.

http://www.amazon.com/ICEtrekkers-Shoe-Diamond-Grip-Large/dp/B002C4BTX4/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1390191790&sr=8-10&keywords=kahtoola

[scooterdogma]

been using these (http://www.icespike.com/) since they came out. they grip better and last a lot longer the regular screws, even the stainless (i tried all)

I took your advice on the spikes the last time you posted the info. You are right, they are great. We were out in 2 inch thick yellow clay mud last weekend and going up and down hills proved how well they worked. Everyone else was slip sliding away, but not me, thanks Karl

[peakbagger]

Kahtoolas used to be the standard in the whites but Hillsound trail crampons http://hillsound.com/hillsound-product/trail-crampon/are rapidly gaining. They have slightly longer spikes and are better in "water ice". The Velcro strap can easily be retrofitted to Kathtoola's and makes a big difference. The only down side is that in spring conditions, the Hillsound's tend to ball up with snow a few minutes earlier than Katoohlas.

No matter what brand you buy, its important to get the right size and that usually requires trying them the boots you are planning to use. The bottom of the rubber strap needs to be at leat 1" high than the base of the boot and should rest on the upper part of the boot where it tapers in. If the rubber is on the outer edge of the boot its going to fail a lot quicker.

The other item to consider is that these can and do wear out and fail. You need to inspect the rubber after every trip and most folk carry some tie wraps for field repairs. Eventually the spikes wear out.

[kayak karl]

I took your advice on the spikes the last time you posted the info. You are right, they are great. We were out in 2 inch thick yellow clay mud last weekend and going up and down hills proved how well they worked. Everyone else was slip sliding away, but not me, thanks Karl
i made a wrench for them 8 grams (looking for a plastic one)
25646
(21 grams with 8 screws.)

[QiWiz]

FWIW, The pair of Microspikes I own fit equally securely on my trail runners, 2 different leather hiking boots and also my insulated New Balance winter hiking boots-- which is to say they are amazingly versatile for the way I use them.

They are super easy to put on, and (unlike the instep crampons which they replaced) so comfortable I don't even know I have them on.

That said, I have been on iced over trails where they didn't give me the same kind of confidence that regular crampons would have, and I have turned around as a result. Which for me might be considered yet another benefit.

They are simply great, IMHO.

+1
I can use the same microspikes on winter boots and trail runners, and have
There are probably conditions where you would want crampons, but the microspikes have the advantage of being really quick to put on and take off and can be left on for short non-snow, non-ice patches of trail without too much damage.

[BuckeyeBill]

After checking several options, I went with these (http://www.rei.com/product/806475/kako-icetrekkers-diamond-grip-traction-system) .

[Likeapuma]

I'm a huge fan of my Hillsound Trail Crampons. They're a little more aggressive & have the boot strap. I've never used Microspikes. I imagine they're pretty similar.

My friend had a pair of yaktraxs fail on him on a quick day hike of Mt. Monadnock. I think they broke in a number of places. It was also the first time he'd used them.

The ones you got look interesting, you'll have to report how they grip & hold up!

[Slo-go'en]

+1
I can use the same microspikes on winter boots and trail runners, and have
There are probably conditions where you would want crampons, but the microspikes have the advantage of being really quick to put on and take off and can be left on for short non-snow, non-ice patches of trail without too much damage.

Microspikes are great on packed snow or icy trails which aren't too steep. Here in the White Mountains, many of the trails turn into ice climbs in places where the trail is real steep. To get up these you need to be able to side step and Microspikes aren't good at that. I haven't gotten out much this winter, but I suspect there are some really good ice climbs along the trails this year due to all the rain and thawing followed by a week of sub zero temps. I'm sure the ice climbers are having a ball this winter up here!

[CarlZ993]

Microspikes! +44 (or however many people recommended them). I've used them going down icy trails in the Grand Canyon. Work like a champ. There were a couple of places that I really didn't want to fall & slide. Microspikes kept me secure on the trail like I was walking down a dry sidewalk.

I used to use in-step crampons. They ended up being a pain to adjust. It took a long time to go from needing them to actually having them on my feet & walking. I can pull Microspikes out of my pack side pocket, slip them on my shoes, and start walking in around a minute.

[scooterdogma]

i made a wrench for them 8 grams (looking for a plastic one)
25646
(21 grams with 8 screws.)

Me Likey, Likey ....

[Starvin Marvin]

+3 for the Hillsounds. Longer teeth and they stay on your feet.

[CarlZ993]

After checking several options, I went with these (http://www.rei.com/product/806475/kako-icetrekkers-diamond-grip-traction-system) .
I saw these after I got my Microspikes. My only concern w/ these was the possibility of tearing up the sole my shoe. The edge pattern is 360 deg. It would dig into the ice & shoe at the same time. It might be better suited for boats with a sturdier sole design.

[ChinMusic]

You could play basketball on ice with Micospikes.....no....really! The only downside is the weight.
I've said the same thing. Microspikes are amazing and all I would ever need on the AT. They are easy to put on, take off, and kind to your footwear.

[Snowleopard]

Hillsound makes more than one crampon. The Hillsound Trail Pro Crampon gets consistently great reviews:
http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4134503&cp=3677351.29181326.3688336
review: http://sectionhiker.com/hillsound-trail-crampon-pro/
These are closer to real crampons and work on hard, cold, steeper ice where microspikes aren't so great. A couple years ago we had a lot of ice and cold; microspikes didn't work so well on this stuff even on any slope. I got some Camp crampons that are almost identical to Hillsound Trail Pro Crampon and they worked great. http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11755949&cp=3677351.29181326.3688336 Hillsound Pros would also have worked identically. If I'm remembering correctly the Camp Magix crampons adjusted to a wider range of sizes.

The Hillsound Trail Crampon (non-pro) got lousy reviews; these are comparable to microspikes except that microspikes are more reliable. Hillsound has new models but I haven't seen reviews yet.

Microspikes are still great, just not on steep hard ice where you need more of a real crampon. For New England, they usually work OK except in a few places above treeline. I use the microspikes more than my Camp Magix crampons for local woods walks.

In Washington are you sure you don't need real crampons? For glacier travel or steep snow fields I'd want real crampons. Microspikes and Hillsound Pros would work fine for woods walks.

[Powder River]

I tried microspikes for the first time and loved them. But be aware that Kahtoola very recently updated the design, and a lot of retailers are still selling the old version. The new version has 4 spikes in the back, the the rear spikes cover closer to the edge of the heel now. (better for going downhill) I used a rented pair of microspikes on a sheer ice trail and it was mind blowing. I have not purchased a pair yet, and am also considering the Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=20014236&cp=3677351.29181326.3688336 They are a new model for Hillsound and have more spikes (18) and a lightweight design. They also come with a carry bag and the Kahtoolas do not. The two are very close in weight.

[redseal]

Depends on how intermittent. If fairly frequent than I will use Kahtoolas. If not frequent I will use YakTrax. I actually prefer the running style over the walking style of YakTrax.

[Feral Bill]

In Washington are you sure you don't need real crampons? For glacier travel or steep snow fields I'd want real crampons. Microspikes and Hillsound Pros would work fine for woods walks. Just looking for light duty traction now. If I get back into steeper per terrain I'll look at real crampons. I may even have some hiding somewhere.

[RangerZ]

I like yaktrax but having said that they're not durable. I've only had mine for two winters now and the rubber and coils are breaking. They're going to replace them or I'd be buying something else. No problem on the return and replacement tho. I'll probably double up the rubber with suspension line and maybe wire the coils together as a precaution.

I'm interested in how this thread turns out.


I'm mailing them back, for the cost of postage I'll give them another try. But it seems like MicroSpikes are the consensus.

[Cookerhiker]

For all the hiking I've done in 40 years, I've never winter-hiked in conditions necessitating crampons or similar ice grippers. So I thought I'd bring this excellent discussion back up to see if anyone has any experiences or recommendations to share from the last 3 years since this thread was active.

Now that I live in Vermont, I either need to be prepared or not hike in winter!

[rafe]

Microspikes if it's not too steep, crampons (eg. Hillsounds) once it gets steeper. I carry both on winter peakbagging trips in the White Mountains. Beyond a certain steepness, even the crampons aren't enough... that's usually when I turn back.

[Another Kevin]

Microspikes if it's not too steep, crampons (eg. Hillsounds) once it gets steeper. I carry both on winter peakbagging trips in the White Mountains. Beyond a certain steepness, even the crampons aren't enough... that's usually when I turn back.

Yeah, the recommendations haven't changed much in the last three years.

Yaktrax still break.
Stabilicers give OK traction but you need to carry spare studs (and the tool to insert them) because they lose studs from time to time.
Microspikes are widely recommended.
Hillsound trail crampons are also quite good.
For really severe ice, you need real crampons, and a boot that supports the kind you choose. (I use Black Diamond Contact strap-ons.) Most hikers, with really severe ice, just don't go, as Rafe says above.
If you need real crampons, you need an ice axe (a mountaineering axe, not an ice climbing one) and an instructor (until you're proficient in self-arrest).

Ascent snowshoes are a major help on steep trails. I love my Black Diamond Lightning for the purpose. The system with the removable tails is nice, because a lot of the time, here in the East, the snow is wet and sloppy and half-consolidated, and the trails are narrow, and you need manoeuvrability more than flotation. I have the 25-inch model with the tails, which the catalog says is marginal for a guy my size, but which works out quite well in practice. If you leave postholes for me to trip over, I'll curse your name!

[Starchild]

I just got some new boots from Merrell with the Arctic Grip sole. While nowhere as good as spikes, it does a good job with the occasional slippery spots given it's just rubber. I have not really experienced the stick to ice that I've seen in the videos buty it does gives grip while other shoes don't (tried one on each foot as a test, big difference).

Other that that I have microspikes and full crampons, my g/f uses the hillsound microcrampons which work better on holding on ice, less good for walking on rocks in those conditions where both are required.

[kevperro]

Another microspike user here. I was in the same boat and it came down to the Hillsound and the ole-standard. I went with the Kahoolas and no regrets. I hike the same steep path all year round and this year it was packed snow and ice for eight miles and the microspikes are magic. I currently have no regrets with them and I'm not sure how I'd improve them. They work flawlessly.

I carry the snowshoes for the top where I like to trounce around off the path but the microspikes are the bomb.

[Traveler]

I use Microspikes routinely on most winter hikes in New England (finding snow and ice nearby this year is proving to be a challenge), their spikes are about the perfect size for most situations I run into. The Hillsounds have a much more aggressive spike that is slightly longer than the Microspikes, which I use when ice gets thick or more aggressive traction is necessary. Glad to have both in my kit.

[CalebJ]

I tried microspikes for the first time and loved them. But be aware that Kahtoola very recently updated the design, and a lot of retailers are still selling the old version. The new version has 4 spikes in the back, the the rear spikes cover closer to the edge of the heel now. (better for going downhill) I used a rented pair of microspikes on a sheer ice trail and it was mind blowing. I have not purchased a pair yet, and am also considering the Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=20014236&cp=3677351.29181326.3688336 They are a new model for Hillsound and have more spikes (18) and a lightweight design. They also come with a carry bag and the Kahtoolas do not. The two are very close in weight.

I realize this post is two years old, but wanted to clarify something - current Kahtoola Microspikes do come with a carry bag. I got a set at Christmas that came in a nice bag to protect whatever they're carried against.

[Another Kevin]

The Hillsounds have a much more aggressive spike that is slightly longer than the Microspikes, which I use when ice gets thick or more aggressive traction is necessary. Glad to have both in my kit.

Hmm.

I'd think the Hillsounds would be kind of crowded out in the middle. I can hardly think of conditions where I'd not trust my Microspikes but not want my full crampons.

[Starchild]

Hmm.

I'd think the Hillsounds would be kind of crowded out in the middle. I can hardly think of conditions where I'd not trust my Microspikes but not want my full crampons.


Sure you do, It's called hiking in the Hudson Valley in the winter. Hillsound is often recommended over microspikes in many hiking groups. On a icy day on Blackhead I had microspikes, my g/f had hillsound, big difference (advantage Hillsound), though perhaps if I sharpened the microspikes it would be different.

Full crampons are often overkill, microspikes better for having to traverse on rock to get to the ice, Hillsound hold better on ice, so that is a choice, and no need for both, but both are a reasonable choice. My next pair will be Hillsound.

[Traveler]

Hmm.

I'd think the Hillsounds would be kind of crowded out in the middle. I can hardly think of conditions where I'd not trust my Microspikes but not want my full crampons.

I have found some conditions where Hillsounds perform better over microspikes, but to be fair since I am in the microspikes all the time they are dulled over time where the Hillsounds are used intermittently. These would be on hikes where one would not necessarily bring crampons along.

[llittle_llama]

http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/

Best thing since the invention of the shoelace. They seem to own the market among competing products on trails in the Whites.
Sold me :D Ordering mine next week once I get paid again ;)