Kahtoola MICROspike Traction System - 2008 BCS

I went on a 2 hr 20 min hike on an ice and snow covered trail today and didn't slip at all. Yesterday I went on a shorter hike on similar terrain without any traction gear and slipped on 4 or 5 occasions. Bottom line, the MICROspikes allowed me to go from watching every step I took to just enjoying the hiking experience.

I can't speak to the long term durability of the product, but they fit great so far. They didn't move on my feet at all and the stainless steel spikes held their shape perfectly despite walking at times on concrete and rock.

These were the best $60 I spent last winter. Not much to add to what everyone else has already written, but wanted to share my serious love for my spikes. I've used them on ~10 hikes, and they still look new. I've used them a lot on bare rock since I'm too lazy to put on/take off in between icy and rocky sections, and they look no worse for the wear. Hopefully the rubber lasts a while, because it doesn't look like the spikes are in any jeopardy.
I have 10.5 feet, I got the medium. A little snug around my Keen PCT boots, but I like them snug vs. floppy, which the larges were.

My wife and I went on a hike yesterday with my son and daughter in-law and the trails were solid ice. My wife and I both wore crampons and my son just picked up a couple pair of these for them.

I was amazed at how easy they were to put on and how well they gripped. I didn't see either one of them slip or slide the entire day. They were perfect for hiking on slippery trails.

My lower back is not the biggest fan of slipping on iced over trails and my boots always seem to find a way to slip and slide. While the Yak Trax first caught my attention, the countless coils I had found along the the trails deterred me from the start. When I saw the MicroSpikes I knew it was the answer.
Let me begin with the fact that these are not substitutes for crampons and should not be used in place of them. I have not used these for purposes other than hiking and have not used Yak Trax before either. The Kahtoola MicroSpikes are essentially "tire chains for your feet" with spikes that give extra bite into ice. I have primarily used them on the east side of the Cascades where it never really gets warm enough for the snow/ice to melt leaving a few inches of hard pack/ice on every inch of the trail. Where in the past I would slip or was worried about slipping, I was able to walk on any slope with confidence and ease. I soon found myself passing the hiking partners who had in the past left me slowly inching down the trail.

I have worn them on my La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots and Garmont Dragontail with great success and fit. They are pretty intuitive to put on as well. I have noticed that the toes can slowly slide out of place and I have found myself adjusting them every 5-10 minutes or so. I believe this is in part to the way I walk, and in every case traction was not lost. They do produce some noise with every step, but it is not noticeable and it does not bother me as my snowshoes make a louder noise.
The durability of the MicroSpikes is what puts them above Yak Trax. When the trail conditions became more rock than ice, I did not hesitate to keep them on. Whether it be fresh powder, ice, or mixed terrain, dirt, or or rock scramble, the MicroSpikes have stayed on my feet and barely show any abuse. There is no rust as they are stainless steel.
The biggest reward the MicroSpikes have given me is the lack of low back pain I used to experience when I slipped on icy terrain. I now am able to move quicker and with more confidence on winter trails where snowshoes and crampons are out of place. Well worth the $60.

Received these for Christmas. That evening we had an ice storm which turned the roads into an ice rink. Excited to try these I put them on and went for a hike. These performed better than I imagined! I felt very confident walking on sheer ice! I had one minor issue/question so I called Kahtoola customer service. I spoke to Eric who was very professional and polite. It's rare to find a real person in customer service you can talk to on the phone much less someone who was polite. He mentioned if I ever had ANY problem with these that they will be increasing their warranty to two years instead of one. I don't foresee any problems with this quality product. If I do run into a problem I feel confident they will take care of me. GO BUY THESE!!!! Oh ya, they fit/look great. I wear a size 10 Vasque hiking boot; I bought a Large.

These are incredible on the ice. I'm on a search and rescue team (eagle valley search dogs) and regardless of terrain, conditions or weather, we're out there -- with our dogs. The great thing about the kahtoola microspikes is that they really dig into the hard snow and ice -- uphill, downhill, straight, it doesn't matter. When you're working with a dog, you can't very well say slow down, I' m slipping. And the kahtoolas are incredibly easy to get on, which means you don't have to take off your mittens in the freezing cold. And on top of that, they're very packable -- so you can stow them in you bag without weighing yourself down or taking up too much space.

I. Love. These.

I am a pedestrian in a rural car-centric town where the snowplows throw snow on the sidewalks and no one shovels. I've saved countless dollars in emergency room fees from the traction these babies give me on snow/ice pack. It was a spectacular slip that convinced me to get them (flat on my back in an intersection - pretty!) and I'm glad I did.

I'll bet they're awesome on the trail too.

Details: My size 8 Vasque hiking boot fits nicely into the woman's Small. I was afraid they'd be hard to get on/off when I first saw them in person - but they're not. They stay on and they don't shift (so if you misalign them forget trying to reposition them - take 'em off and start over!) and they come off when you want them too.

They are a little weird on 'dry' surfaces (no snow or ice pack)... someone asked about getting over rocks on the trail - I don't know about that, but on cement side walks it feels like walking on marbles - the spikes need something to bite. The slippery stuff should be at least as deep as the spike for optimal performance (so they're pointless {ha!} if there's just a skiff of snow).

If you want to walk on

Got these for winter hikes in NH. They do an alright job. Halfway decent grip but will never match a true crampon.

Yes, these spikes are as good as everyone else says. They are super handy for spring and early summer hiking in the cascades.

Here is one thing i didnt see anyone else mention though: If u wear the spikes in deeper snow (snow u should prob have snow shoes on for) the rubber part can ball up snow and hold it in close to ur boot. This makes for a wet cold foot even with leather gortex boots on.

If u stick to the hard pack and icy stuff on the trails and use the spikes how they are meant to be used then they work GREAT.

I use these when I'm going on easier hikes where the ice or snow isn't so bad. (Otherwise, I'm using my crampons) Great when shoveling my drive as well. It fits well over my boots. It keeps a snug fit.

I've had the red ones for a few years now and they still work perfectly for almost any winter terrain in the white mtns. I sharpened my spikes with a file mid season and suspect I will get another year or two of use out of my original set. I wear a size 12 or 12.5 and wear a large for my boots. My trail running shoes are a size 12 however and my girlfriends medium set fits a lot better. Consider not just the sizing of the shoe but the overall mass or type of shoe, ie. boot vs. trail running shoe. Hopefully my size reference helps someone choose the right microspike size!

FANTASTIC! 'Grippy' enough to go up the side of a tree! :) We have very icy conditions in December on the mountain; with these spikes, I can go anywhere, any time with no fear of slipping. 5 star performance!

I live in Yosemite National Park and Microspikes are Great. I have been eying them for some time now, but have held off buying them because of their price. This fall, I said what the heck and bought a pair. I am sure glad I did. I have been a Yaktrax fan for many years, but I will say that the Microspikes are a profoundly superior product. Their grip on the ice is solid. I have never felt so safe. All aspects of the Microspikes are superior to the Yaktrax. The stainless steel chain and spikes will not ware out and hold the ice much better than the steel springs of the Yaks. The design of the upper rubber harness is superior as well. There is no need for the strap going over the top of the boot. Because of the strength of rubber it took a little time to figure out a “one hand, one move” movement to get the rubber over the boot. But once that was figured out – no problemo(a).
There are two caveats. 1). Because of the spikes, there is no way these can ever be worn indoors. With other products you can “sorta” skirt around this rule, but not with Microspikes. 2). They are not a substitute for mountain climbing crampons.
The makers say they can be used for running and jogging. I don’t know anything about that, but for everyday use out in the snow and ice or under extreme conditions they cannot be beat.

These are much better than Yak Trax. I use them mostly when walking around town in the winter and on general trail runs in the winter. I recently bought a pair for my dad to wear around town as well since I worry about him on the ice/snow. He loves them! It was a great birthday present.

I really like these chains. I use them to walk my dog in the snowy and icy Wisconsin winter. I was disappointed, however, that they broke in less than one season and I was forced to do a home repair job to get them to last one season. If you plan to use them mainly to walk over pavement that may or may not be icy or snow covered, they won't last very long. I did get mine replaced and I'm hoping my second pair will last longer.

I have gone through a countless number of YakTrax Pros and finally decided to pony up what it takes to get some serious ice spikes. The Kahtoola MicroSpikes deliver in a big way. When I'm on icy Rocky Mountain trails with my MicroSpikes, I can run with confidence and without any worry. At first, it's kind of unnerving hammering it over pure ice, but with MicroSpikes you know you have the footing to get in that great workout regardless of how slick the trail might be. Huge props to Kahtoola for this incredible product that delivers superb traction thanks to sharp teeth that really dig in with each step.

Also, last Sunday I ran in Boulder, CO with a pal who wore YakTrax Pros. It took me half the time to slip on my MicroSpikes that it took him to put on his YakTrax. You just slip on the MicroSpikes and you're ready to go. No velcro strap and hassle.

Kahtoola MicroSpikes are one of the best products I've ever bought. Huge thumbs up.

Used these after cleaning up after a Nor'easter storm to walk the dog. These spikes are fantastic in lightly snow covered paved surfaces and icy surfaces. Didn't slipped at all during a 40 minute walk. Absolutely easy to put on (~1 min), the elastic rubber siding streches and conforms to your boot as shown in previous poster's photos. The only problem is making sure the spikes are on your shoe nice and tight since the spikes can spin on the chain and face towards the bottom of your shoe. -not a good idea! will be bringing them on the trail this weekend.

Can't comment on durability- would think that these would last too long on paved surfaces.

I wanted to use these for fall and spring climbing in the whites, but....

I wear Raichle/Mammut Mt. Trail XT GTX hiking boots size 10. The large set of Microspikes slip around the boot and the medium set are too small (either the heel or front foot spikes are not where they are supposed to be).

The medium will probably work, I will just have to adjust them depending on whether I'm headed up hill or down.

Depending on your foot/boot size these may not be the best choice.

I like these...alot. I used to only run trails in winter when the snow consistency was packed but soft enough to get traction. These have opened up a new world for me whether I'm running relatively flat trails like the Bonneville shoreline or up the steep canyons of the Wasatch. They really start to shine when snowshoers and BC skiers have been on the trails and the snow has frozen and melted a couple of times. Ice under pine trees or on north facing slopes is never an issue. No more worrying about slipping on a downhill and cracking the back of my head and dying a cold death on a lonely trail. I've walked under frozen waterfalls on solid ice and never slipped once. I've scrambled up exposed rock and dirt surfaces and they still look new. I've run with YakTrax users and there's no comparison. Stabilicers seem to be more popular with the walking crowd. I'm a little disappointed they cost so much (I'd buy a pair for everyone in my family if they didn't) but if mine were stolen today, I'd buy a new pair tomorrow. Sizing is accurate for running shoes. Consider sizing up for boots. That is all.

I'm a size 10 which happens to be between sizes. I went with the large to cover my Mammut Mt. Trail XT GTX boots. They proved to be extremely annoying, on inclines of packed snow and ice they would slip around the toe requiring me to adjust them every couple of minutes. I'm almost positive this is a sizing issue and will give a set of mediums a try come fall. I'll keep the larges for my bigger/insulated winter boots (didn't have a chance to try them out). They did their job well on ice patches and packed snow on an early spring trip up to the Kinsman Peaks. Good design and manufacturing, definitely worth the $60.

These handle any moderate winter condition with ease:

up, down, sideways
rock
wet soil
ice
snow

The only problems I had were snow over ice in which the spikes couldnt quite reach to bite in. They seem to handle most of the lighter duty things that crampons normally would, but keep in mind MICROspikes dont have toe or heal cleats that project so inclines require a slight "flatfootness" to get a good grip.

On/off in seconds + dont slide around once on your foot.

If you are looking for moderate winter hiking traction, get these, its like hiking without the elements.

These MicroSpikes work great, much better than 2 other brands that I own. These are easy and quick to put on. Lots of traction. No straps to hook or tighten. Appear to be very strong and I expect them to last for years.

Sizing is the only problem. For a regular hiking/hunting boot, it is wide and the large fits size 10 boots correctly and tight enough that they don't slip around. My fire fighting boots (Servus size 11 Wide) are more narrow and the large doesn't fit tight enough. They move around and need adjusted on scene. I may add a leather strap across the top to run from one side to the other and snap back, to pull more tension on them. Should keep them tight and not slip around this way. The chains and spikes fit great, just the rubber is a little too loose.

I tried a pair of Medium on my fire boots, The rubber fit much better and wouldn't slip like the large does. But: the chain and spikes length (toe to heel) seem too short and the back spikes sat right at the front of my heel, not giving enough traction going downhill.

Since I have the large, I'll try putting a tightening strap on them (kinda like another brand that I have that goes across the top). FOR A NARROW BOOT, It would probably be best to get the Medium, and plan on adjusting the chains and spikes out, to get the proper position.

Or they could sell a Narrow Large ? Perfect for firefighting boots?

I bought some KTS crampons for myself and these for my wife. the KTS are great for trails that you know will be full ice, these are great for rock ice and snow because they can be put on in second and stay on very solidly.

Easy to get off and on and provide insane traction. I use these for some winter hiking but mostly to keep me vertical on my steep driveway when I clear it off. It is exactly what I needed.

I used the microspikes on a recent trip to Glacier National Park to cross snowfields. They provided a significant amount of extra traction, and were very easy to take on and off and attach to my pack with a carabiner when I didn't need them. I was very pleased with the microspikes. If you're on the edge of the sizing window, I would go with the smaller size because they can stretch quite a bit. I wear a size 11 or 11.5 and the large fit well for me.

Easy to put on, provides great traction. For sizing I'd choose the smallest you can get away with.

I ordered a small because I wear a women's 8.5, which is listed on the small and medium sizing. I had to return them because they were too tight and gave me a blister between two toes.

I got a medium pair, and I like them to run in occasionally. They dig into the ice and snow really well. But, they definitely weigh down your feet. My Achilles tendons seem to tire out when wearing them.

They are a good product, considering what they are made for. Running on ice and snow will never be as nice as running on a clear summer road.

I got my first uses of my microspikes while out in Yosemite just two weeks ago. I was shocked I got use out of them in June in Yosemite, but that's a whole different story this year.

I brought them with me on a hike up Clouds Rest and we hit snow early in the morning which was still hard and icy. I started traversing some of it on a slope in just trail-runners and quickly realized I had no traction. I threw on my microspikes (which went on very easily) and I had instant and perfect traction. I made quick work of the hardened snow and felt very comfortable doing so.

I used to use Yaktrax, but these things put Yaktrax to shame in terms of traction and only expensive crampons would provide as much and more.

Best invention ever! I hiked Tuckerman Ravine (Mount Washington, NH) in the beginning of May and these babies were perfect for the terrain I encountered (ice, snow, rocks, mud, etc). I would recommend these to anyone who likes to hike. They gave me confidence and sure footedness like nothing else I have had on my feet. They're very durable and portable too.

I have several pairs of ice cleats, i.e., Yaktrax, Atlas, Stabil-Icers, Katoola crampon-like cleats and my new Katoola MICROspikes. I hike twice a week, year round in Southeast Alaska in all kinds of icy terrain and these cleats are THE BEST. They are lightweight, easy and quick on and off and they are great on ice! I wear them over Asolo hiking boots. They are my new best friend.
dmc

These things are great. Solid underfoot and non-slip. I use them over my hiking boots and ski boots. I wasn't sure about sizing, so I bought medium and large to test fit. I went with the large even though my shoe size is smaller and returned the medium. Backcountry has by far the BEST return process that I've found on the Web. Good job folks.

I used these this past weekend for shoveling the driveway and pushing a car that was stuck. They provided great grip on the hard packed snow and ice. They were usable on the dry pavement, though I would not choose to walk any distance that way. The best feature is that I can put them on and take them off with one hand without sitting down.

These snow cleats are the next best things to crampons. I walk to class frequently in pretty crabby weather conditions which include really bad ice and snow, and these things really make all of the difference. I slipped and did a number to my groin a month or so ago which really inspired me to get the Kahtoolas and they work really well. They fit great and they look pretty cool too. I wouldnt suggest walking around with them on in your house unless you want to ruin your floors, also walking around with them on without the presence of snow or ice makes walking pretty difficult as well. In terms of snow cleats, these are superior. They're pretty comfortable as long as you're in snow/ice.

The other kinds with the springs suck! Dont get them, they will break.

The Kahtoola Micro spikes are like spiked snow chains for your feet. They're badass.

1 month of usage.
Stowing these are easy and compact.
Size large are working with all my size 11 boots.
Rubber has good stretch and has held even in single digit temperatures.
Grip on the rocks, crusted snow and ice was fine.
Have not had them long enough to say how long they will last, but they are showing minimal wear so far.

I have had my first set of MICROspikes for 3-1/2 winters now and they are still going strong. I recently purchased 2 more sets, one for my back-up pair and another for a friend who was very pleased with the stability they provide during our daily treks on the trails. Before I found the Kahtoolas...I was going through those Yak Traks every year do to breakages, in other words ...don't buy them, they are junk compared to the Microspikes!

These are pretty sweet! I've only had the chance to take them out for an afternoon so far, but they grip great, making it possible to run on ice if you wanted to. They seem pretty durable, time will tell. I like the rubber elastic bands, they are easy to take on and off but would never slide off unwillingly.

due north and yaktraks collect snow and loose there traction. MICROspikes well worth the money

I have only put a few miles on them so:

Easy to put on, they stay on, don't mar your boots.
Traction is very good, you could use them all day anywhere outside at say a snowfest event etc and not slip at all.

Construction is very good.

These are not Ice Crampons, they are not going to get you up a 45 degree sheer ice incline, that's what the real things are for. These are for back country hiking and in the city events. No reason you can't run in them.

They worked very well. They were easy to put on and they stayed where they were sapose to be on the bottom. I did a lot of research after last yr I couldn't make it to the waterfall from ice covered trails with pitched slopes. A lot of the other brands people complained they shifted underneath your feet. Which is never a good thing on ice or climbing rocks. Spend the extra money it is well worth it. A+++ I definatly would recommend them to anyone interested in spikes.

I don't get up to the trails first thing in the morning after a overnight snowstorm, so some trails have no need for snowshoes because they are already tracked out. I took these out for the first excursion on one of the local peaks and was very impressed. Great traction and stable. They didn't move around on my boots.
good control over exposed roots.

Used these climbing Pikes Peak on the Barr Trail. LOTS of ice lately and this morning there were a lot of army members running the manitou incline and losing their tailbones as they took the trail down. I hiked/ran up the trail to Barr Camp in two hours were I met three other hikers all rocking the same boot accessories. $60 may seem steep at first but they're more durable than YakTrax and WAY more stable than I thought they would be in the store. Great product, would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to save their ass.

I hike every morning in the foothills and canyons North of Salt Lake City, even in the snow. Before I had MicroSpikes snow was dicey on steep ascents and descents. The trail I use frequently ices over as well and I was considering crampons, but that seemed like overkill for winter hiking. Well, these things are like little mini crampons for hiking and running shoes. The grip is amazing. Very sure footed on snow, packed snow, and ice. I was convinced the spikes would wear down and break on the rocky terrain I'm frequently on but they've lasted two seasons now and are still in mint condition.

A great product and a genuine lifesaver in sketchy winter terrain.

Used these to hike to camp Muir (Mount Rainier). They are easy to put on and off. They moved around a little bit but I have small feet. Noticed a big difference when I was descending and took them off, slipped a lot more. Mostly intended for ice and not loose snow I guess but still pretty cool

I'm heading to Greenland on a Kayaking mission in a couple of months and are looking for the best things to keep a grip while walking on the occasional iceberg.

We'll also be doing some hiking over some fairly icy and rocky terrain.

Firstly, how do you think these would hold up on rocks? What are the chances of those little triangular wedges snapping or bending on hard rock?

And on very hard-packed ice, where the cleats can't dig in, would they still be able to grip?

Thanks!

I have used Yak Traks, and the Stabilicers and like these the best. Easy on and off, great grip, light weight and compact in pack when not needed.
Have used my Kahtoola's for hiking in backcountry over hiking boots and for walking, over shoes, on the streets and trails of Whitefish MT, which are icy and snowy all winter. Truly these are the best option of the three I have tried.

The product is great but I had hoped to use these on snow boots. They will fit, but once you get the box it will state that a size large is for shoes. Boots can go a size up. Not shown is that they make an XL. Wish I had gotten XL but the large will work. You just have to really work to get them over the larger winter boots.

I took my micro spikes to Palisade Glacier in the eastern Sierra and they worked great!Light,easy to pack,easy to put on,and a solid grip on the glacier.

Decided to start the New Year off right with a quick 5k run today. Running on snow and ice covered roads in sub zero temps felt great. Ran in my Kahtoola microspikes for the first time. They were awesome. Not even a hint of instability on the run. The added weight to my shoes was not noticed either. Really happy with them.

I was looking for something to wear so I could walk or take light hikes regardless of the winter footing. After reading reviews for YakTraks, Stabilicers, and these, I decided to dish out the money and go with the MICROspikes because they seemed to be the best on the market.

After wearing them on a 2-hour hike on moderately packed snow and infrequent ice, I was surprisingly feeling all my old injuries (both knees, an ankle, and stress fractures in both feet) that had previously faded away over time. I did a 3-day hike in the White Mountains this summer wearing the same pair of boots and a 20-pound pack, and had no recurring injuries, so I have to assume it was the MICROspikes. They have 8 spikes that are the major points of contact with the ground. My best guess is that the impact is concentrated in those 8 spots, rather than across the entire sole of the shoe, leading to unusual pressure points. They didn't feel particularly comfortable during my hike, but they weren't terribly uncomfortable either.

Regardless of how they felt, they definitely did the job well. They were easy to get on and did not budge afterwards. I walked on an icy parking lot that was similar to a skating rink and I had perfect traction. You will not slip in these babies!

My only other complaint is that they are LOUD. While you can still carry on a conversation with a hiking partner, any animals will hear your crunching from a few hundred feet away. Just don't expect peace and quiet while you're wearing them unless you stand still.

Overall, they do the job, but they're not for me. I seem to be the only reviewer that had a bad experience will MICROspikes, but I am not wearing those things again. I'll be trying one of the cheaper options out there to see if I have better luck.

UPDATE: Used YakTrax Walkers on an overnight hike in the White Mountains on packed snow and had no problems - no pain and no slippage. The YakTrax definitely have a lower range of conditions they'll work in than the MICROspikes, but I'll take that over being in pain.