Best Microspikes?

[greenjello85]

Oh that makes more sense. I envisioned deck screws pointy side down but it's the heads that provide the traction

[windmtnpete]

It's not allowing me to post pics. Sorry.

More screws = better traction on snow & ice, but less traction on rocks. If you know there's lots of ice on the trail, place more screws in the soles.

Best to sipe the soles to increase grip on hard surfaces. I've customized mine for a wide range of winter trail conditions here.

Screws can be removed, but I prefer to keep a dedicated pair of traction boots for snow & ice in winter. These waterproof soft sole boots were $30 at Walmart and they've lasted 8+ years. Unfortunately, Walmart no longer carries these boots and the ones they have now don't last nearly as long.

It's a mystery to me why the manufacturers of boots have not explored this concept, unless there is no profit ($$$) since people can do this very easily and cheaply. A reminder that we are part of a system that rewards those who entrap people for their own gain, rather than making this a better world for everyone.

[maryannpdx]

I am very happy with my Kahtoola microspikes.

Me too. Got mine at REI years ago. They work great.

[Webfoot]

Has anyone tried the Hillsound Trail Crampons?

[sprengers4jc]

My wife and I each got a pair of these and used them in High Valley this past weekend with great results. The person who wrote the negative review probably caught one of the links on one of the spikes and broke it that way. They feel very well-made and worked great in 5-7 inches of snow with an icy layer under. The spikes are slightly longer than the Kahtoolas, which my friend has, but not as long as a crampon. Frozen waterfalls would be the ultimate test but we are happy customers.

[greglief]

Here's another vote for kahtoola's MICROspikes. They have literally saved my butt many times, and are worth many times the price.
They also sell url=http://kahtoola.com/product/k10-hiking-crampon/]K*10 Hiking Crampons[/url], which could be handy for situations beyond the capabilities of their MICROspikes.

Although I have not tried the Hillsound Trail Crampons, they look similar to the MICROspikes so perhaps they would be good too.

Yaktrax: fantastic for icy sidewalks, insufficient for actual hiking.

[Don Nelsen]

Kahtoola, definitely. They stay on, spikes are very slow to dull and can be easily sharpened if needed and the silicone based harness is long-lasting and weather resistant.

I've used other, cheaper brands and there is no comparison.

dn

[retired jerry]

I had some Yaktrax. The rubber strips got nicked by a rock. Total failure.

Yaktrax are fine on pure snow or ice covered pavement, but mixed rock and snow is a problem.

Kahtoola better.

I've wrapped wire around my shoe - sort of works, very light weight and cheap.

[Peder]

It's a mystery to me why the manufacturers of boots have not explored this concept, unless there is no profit ($$$) since people can do this very easily and cheaply. A reminder that we are part of a system that rewards those who entrap people for their own gain, rather than making this a better world for everyone.

Tricouni nails was the most popular brand used for mountaineering boots during the first half of last century. The strength of the "Tricounis" was that they were much better suited for rock climbing than other boot nails. When crampons came along in the 1930s, these replaced the built in traction devices. The advantage with both crampons and microspikes is that they can be removed from the boot, so that you do not have to take off your boots to enter Multnomah Lodge!

[Limey]

Meindl, Jambu and National Geographic all sell boots that have retractable spikes. You pull out a handle in the back of the heel and turn it 360'. They sound interesting and are reasonably priced.