The microspikes are only 6.7 ounces and pack easily into their storage bag when they are not in use. Durability Microspikes are also seen as more durable than Yaktrax are. These snow grips feature 18 large crampon-style points that dig into soft material with ease, making them a great choice for users who spend a lot of time in deep snow, on dirt trails, or who work outside. Microspikes are some of the best traction devices for hiking in the winter when the trail has packed snow and ice. Copyright 2023 Walking The Parks | Brad and Ladona Stork, Boa Closure System, stainless steel cable with tightner, Elastomer Harness with integrated toe bail and raised heel tab. Just get them. The Hillsound Trail Crampons are also heavy-duty snow grips with 11 points that protrude an incredible two-thirds of an inch from the bottom of your foot. Check out our complete guide to What to Wear When Hiking in Cold Weather to learn the art of layering your clothes for winter backpacking. Yaktrax and Microspikes are similar because they are both traction devices that attach to your hiking boots and allow you to navigate icy terrain with relative ease. After all this testing was complete, we scored each product on how well it performed across a wide range of activities, and we searched for signs of wear and tear. And for the price, these are the best option out there for users expecting mostly light-duty winter walking. The points are durable to last multiple winter seasons, and the stretchy rubber provides a snug and secure fit that won't accidentally come off. Best Winter Traction Devices (Microspikes Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Avoid the walk and pro versions from yatkrax. HikingSoul is a team of adventurers who hope to share with you their experiences and love of the outdoors! If you want to move swiftly and feel super light on your feet, the Nanospikes are the best spikes for runners. They have recently come out with a traverse and ascent version that is similar to the chainsen light, and a discontinued microspike with Yaktrax will also help you with these activities, but they are intended for traveling on flat roads and trails.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hikingsoul_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hikingsoul_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Are Microspikes a better investment than Yaktrax? We wouldnt use them on pavements, but theyre so easy to take on and off that this may not be a big issue for many. Whether you need a pair for extra traction while shoveling your driveway, hiking through deep snow, or tackling icy terrain, there is something in this review for you. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. That said, the Unigear Traction Cleats provide excellent traction for a lower price than the MICROspikes. The Yaktrax Summit has a fit system completely different from other traction devices. Best Winter Traction Devices of The Exospikes fall in between Microspikes and Nanospikes. However, carbon steel is more susceptible to rusting over time, making it critical that you dry your Summit spikes after each use if you want to get a long life out of them. Right now, lets focus on moderate winter conditions, the perfect use of microspikes! The coils also aren't very comfortable when running because they protrude from the bottom of the shoe, creating an uneven landing surface. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Legal Notice | Terms Of Use, Brooks Cascadia 16 Review: All-Terrain Trail Running Shoes, Brooks Catamount 2 Review: Best Trail Running Shoes For 2023. Amazon Most Versatile: Kahtoola EXOspikes Traction System The Exospikes fall in between Microspikes and Nanospikes. Despite similarities between the products, there are differences as well.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'hikingsoul_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hikingsoul_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Microspikes are more expensive than Yaktrax, and many people feel that they are of higher quality as well. P.S. The Kahtoola NANOspikes are low-profile cleats that feature ten small metal points protruding less than ", providing enough traction to prevent sliding on packed snow and thinly iced surfaces. The Kahtoola EXOspikes are some of the best microspikes for hiking because they are lightweight, durable, and provide great traction. I do not know any hikers that use a Kahtoola alternative. WebThe ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip traction system easily attaches to a variety of footwear for enhanced, aggressive traction on winter outings, hikes and snow shoveling adventures. WebYaktrax Pro offers 10 times the gripping points as any spike-based traction device Natural rubber is used to hold the devices together, giving them durability and strength Removable performance straps cross over insteps to help keep them in place during use The spikes bite into snow and ice with ease. A good pair of snow grips can give you more security and peace of mind in those icy winter months, and we hope our in-depth review will help make your purchasing decision easier. Harness: Elastometer Our Recommendation Yaktrax vs MICROspikes A bench, rock, or log is a good place to put on your microspikes. As the cables tighten, they adjust the pull on both the front and side of the Summits. Thats why its so shiny. WebThe Microspikes give better overall, almost crampon-like grip, but theyre heavier and more expensive plus less stable feeling on rocky sections. Let us know! The proprietary eyelet design where tough TPU inserts strengthen critical stress points allows the elastomer harness to be lighter and more durable. Yaktrax vs Microspikes: which is better? Similarities Between Yaktrax and Microspikes, Differences Between Yaktrax and Microspikes. I agree that the diamond grips do work well though. The Yaktrax Summit runs about $20 more than the Kahtoola MICROspikes . Get ready for spring with the best deals from Patagonia's Web Specials, 9 outdoor brands that will repair your used gear, Dear marathoners, please don't poop in people's yards, Montane Protium Lite Pull On review: fleece meets base layer for lightweight warmth, Inside an Italian hiking boot factory: we explore Akus impressive HQ. Theres a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. If you are looking for larger spikes to give you the ultimate traction, you should expect to have heavier microspikes. These spikes will work in temperatures as cold as -41F. Winter Traction Devices | njHiking.com The Yaktrax Walk and Yaktrax Pro also have great versatility. They will dig in and keep your hiking boots steady with your forward motion. On top of an excellent design with great traction, these microspikes are lightweight at 7.4 ounces and pack easily into their storage bag. They are built upon the same concept to provide traction while hiking or walking on ice and snow. A little further down, Ill compare all the Yaktrax and Kahtoola models for each winter condition. Best Winter Traction Devices of They are also made of heat-treated stainless steel to provide the ultimate durability and wear resistance. In comparison, MICROspikes are just one of the 5 types of traction devices made by Kahtoola. For this review, our test team was led by IFMGA mountain guide and Jackson Hole resident Jeff Dobronyi. The Kahtoola MICROspikes win for durability and ease of maintenance which we believe are critical for the casual user of snow traction devices. They are relatively easy to put on, requiring the user to stretch the rubber body around their boot or shoe. Non-Technical Among outdoor enthusiasts, the most talked-about brands are Yaktrax and Kahtoola MICROspikes. These long points provide excellent traction in deep, soft snow, and they aren't too far off from true mountaineering crampons. The front of the microspikes divides into two sections, which helps with mobility while hiking. For walking, hiking and trekking in deeper packed snow and ice, and terrain where you might have to cross rocky sections, Microspikes are definitely more tenacious. We pulled and pushed the products around our shoes to see how securely they fit once donned. The Black Diamond Distance Spikes stand out from the rest with their soft-shell toe cover and heel retention elastomer, which provide excellent fit, stability, and snow protection. The Yaktrax Walk is an incredible deal for folks that don't need the burliest spikes. These are different than the microspikes listed above because they have aluminum step NANOspikes instead of the traditional spikes. The spikes are also heat-treated for additional durability and wear resistance. The bottom of the microspikes will have the most use, so making sure they are durable is crucial. The fit systems of the Yaktrax Summit and Kahtoola MICROspikes are very different. Winner: Kahtoola MICROspikes While I love the custom fit of the Summit, especially if you have wider or narrower feet than the average, there are quite a few complaints that the cables break under heavy use. Specs: Type of grip: Coil Spike material: Stainless steel Studs per foot: 12 coil sections Weight: 6.4 oz (181 g) for a size medium Construction: Natural rubber Ideal surface: Light/packed snow, ice The Yaktrax Pro is an upgraded version of the original Yaktrax Walk, the snow grips that first popularized the metal coil design now found in Over time, those traction devices have been adapted with smaller spikes for a variety of winter terrain. If you do a lot of non-technical mountain hiking where you are going up and down inclines, we choose the, If you play or work primarily on flatter surfaces, like hiking forest trails, crossing lakes, or even construction sites, the, Adjustable to different size hiking boots and shoes. As a certified mountain guide, he makes a living keeping people safe and securely attached when slippery surfaces pose a threat. The Hillsound Trail Crampons are some of the best microspikes for hiking! You will also need to make sure the spikes have durable material. All trademarks property of their respective owners They have a strap that can be worn over the top of the foot to keep the crampon in place even when trudging through super deep snow. Yaktrax are better than nothing at all when it comes to winter hiking, but they are less than ideal. These work very well on shallow snow or thin ice over firm surfaces like pavement. However, as we look deeper into the differences we see that they are some big differences. In this case, it is a pretty tough call; you have two very high-quality products that are proven to work in moderately difficult winter environments. Yaktrax vs. Microspikes (Whats the Best The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. Microspikes are made of stainless steel spikes and Yaktrax have steel alloy coils. So youd think that was a clear winner. For me, weight is the least important because the focus should be on the traction microspikes provide. This is the best choice if you want versatile spikes (not too big, not too small). The spikes dig into the snow and ice, and give you traction, just like cleats give athletes better traction on the athletic field. Yaktrax Run and the really grippy Kahtoola NANOspikes are perfect for running on snow and ice-covered trails. The fit is about as custom as you can get, especially in accomodating a variety of foot and boot widths. Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. Yaktrax Diamond Grip All-Surface Cleats come in five sizes to fit most shoe and boot sizes. The Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip minimizes the amount of snow buildup with their self-clearing design, which enhances traction as you hike. Watch your step, hikers it's migration season. Other options in this category (that we have not tested but are popular on our site): Hillsound Trail Crampons Similar to MICROspikes but with a top strap. The microspikes come with a bag to store them in to keep them safe when you are not using them. Here we compare both in great detail to help you make the best choice for how you play in winter. These trail running spikes are organized from lightest to heaviest. So whats the difference? The Yaktrax Walk was one of the first snow grips on the market, and its design has changed very little over the years. This is a nice touch if you are taking your spikes on a long hike and don't want to deal with a loose grip. To compile this review, we looked at the top options on the market, recording key specifications about each model. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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