Microspikes?

[squidvicious]

I am not normally a winter/icy conditions hiker, but I've been feeling really cooped up, so with a few hours free in an afternoon I decided to take a quick shot up the Wahkeena trail to get a feel for it. I had some Yaktrax and poles, and was hoping that some relatively clear, level trails would be stomped out through the snow by that time.

They were not. There were plenty of drifts all the way across the trail in places, sometimes with hardly a clear set of footprints through them to follow. But then right after that would be a stretch of clear pavement. The yaktrax did ok, I didn't fall or anything, though I didn't feel like I *couldn't* fall. But half the time the spiky part was on top of my foot instead of under it (this model has a spiky square in front and coils in the back), and I had to keep stopping to check and adjust them. I started wondering if I "needed" real microspikes.

Obviously the truly practical solution would be to just not go to places where ice is going to be a problem. Not really hard, since I'm limited to places I can get to in a Ford Focus without tire chains. But beyond that, I'm wondering if microspikes are practical for this kind of situation, where you're constantly switching from snow/ice to clear pavement or rock every few yards. They look like they would be difficult to walk in on hard surfaces, maybe even a slipping hazard themselves.

Would microspikes be a good option for such conditions, or should I just stick to the couch until spring?

[Double Tree]

I used a no-name chain system for several years, but then borrowed a friends' Microspikes last winter. Far superior to the chains. Used them for an icy hike up Angels Rest this last weekend. No question that the spikes are better. Watched a couple people slip and fall while we just trekked on up the hills with zero issue. Well worth the money.

The lady who slipped down the switchbacks at Wahkeena last Thursday? was wearing Yaktrax.

We did have alternating patches of snow/ice and mud/rock. I was careful and just walked across the rocks in places, and no damage to the Microspikes. My friend took hers off to be more careful. Rinsed them out in Coopey Creek.

Kelly

[retired jerry]

I've used Yaktrax in mixed snow and rock, worked okay.

After a number of trips, the rubber on the bottom got nicked by a rock and then broke.

I got some Kahtoola microspikes and they're better. I've heard other people recommend them.

[texasbb]

I don't think I've ever heard a bad word about Microspikes from a user. The only time I've ever slipped in mine was on a smooth, dry sidewalk.

[Guy]

We started out with these:
https://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Chains-G ... B004HXNVSY

Good Price and much better than Yacktrax (IMHO) A good choice if you only plan to use a few times a year on moderately icy trails. We now keep these as backups for friends who may be hiking with us who do not have traction.

However not as good as these:
https://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-MICROsp ... a+crampons

Not cheap but the Best (IMHO), since we do quite a lot of winter icy hiking we upgraded to these and have not regretted it they work great on everything from 100% snow to 100% ice. A good choice if you plan to use a lot or hike on the worst kinds of icy trail

[TJ_T]

Another one for the Kahtoola Microspikes.

Worth more than they cost, IMO.

[squidvicious]

So, as far as to do with the question I actually asked, that's one "I walked some on bare stone with them and it wasn't too bad" and one "the only place I ever slipped was on bare pavement."

[TJ_T]

Touché.

I've worn my microspikes in many situations. When I stand in a swift stream to do photography... I might wear them. Crossing slippery logs... solid ice.. snow.. and even on pavement.

I've always felt sure footed and have only had to adjust them after doing extreme things with my feet (climbing up steep banks.. etc.).

So whether or not you need them is dependent on the severity of the ice and the length of the pavement.. and I believe is a personal decision with your comfort level on it all. But I, personally, wouldn't worry about wearing my microspikes on short stretches of pavement. They're easy to take on and off anyways.

[obera]

a bit of good traction will make a world of difference in your winter hiking!

I use the Hillsound Trail Crampons - they have a bit more traction than the Kahtoola microspike but aren't as involved as an actual crampon. I love them. I've actually used them on all kinds of trails - from everyday hiking on gorge trails to summits of Adams, South Sister and MSH. Good stuff.

[texasbb]

So, as far as to do with the question I actually asked, that's one "I walked some on bare stone with them and it wasn't too bad" and one "the only place I ever slipped was on bare pavement."

Note that I actually said "smooth, dry sidewalk." Some concrete, like in my garage, cures to a hard, almost shiny smooth top; that's the only kind of "rock" I've ever slipped on. Out in the wild, there may be some glacier-polished rock you wouldn't want to walk too far on, but I've never stepped on anything where the Microspikes made things worse. But as others have pointed out, they're very easy to slip on and off, so hard rock slippage is really a non-issue.