User Review: Kahtoola Microspikes

Summary

Great for traveling trails that have iced over from being packed down by snow and turned to ice. The fit is snug, and construction excellent. Each size fits a surprising range of shoe and boot sizes without making your feet feel crushed by a binding system.

I bought these because I saw many on a mountain trail with them dangling from their packs. The trail had ice and snow (early season winter conditions) and I felt I would have had more confidence with some on as we scrambled up and down the snowy and icy rock strewn hike / climb.

I own Yaktrax Pros, and feel that these are superior for trail use. I think for running, the other brand would suffice. The actual spikes I think create odd pressure points under foot if you were running.

I really think these are well engineered. The plastic / rubber gasket that runs the perimeter of your foorwear fits well, and adjusts for a suprisingly wide range of footwear. My wife wears a women's 9 boot, and I wear a 9,5 men's boot, and we both use a medium Microspike.

Microspikes are like cleated snowchains for your feet. From the rubber ring, there are chains at various points for the front, sides and rear of the ring. The chains connect to spikes, and thus create flexible non-bunching mega traction under foot. Works for boots and runners. System type xc boots too, but not sure about my 75mm duck bill ski boots. Not likely.

Finally, they come in a choice of two colors; red or black. There's no left or right, so no need to pay attention to which foot uses which Microspike. Just look for the tab for the rear, or the funny metal spacer for the front, and you're good to go.