Traction Devices

Recent Traction Device Reviews

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Lightweight traction for winter hiking. A great solution unless you see enough ice or snow conditions that require crampons. Best worn with a boot that has a reasonably rigid midsole and/or partial or full shank. When I threw these into my pack on Saturday, it occurred to me that I hadn't reviewed them. Though the snow held off and conditions weren't icy enough to need them, Kahtoola's Microspikes are like a security blanket—effectively one of the ten essentials for a cold weather hike that doesn't… Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Everything they're cracked-up to be! I bought pairs of these for my wife and I earlier this year, after the disappointing results from cheaper imitators, purchased at big box stores. We finally tried them out this past weekend. We were hiking to an ice climb, where the approach involves lots of bushwacking, rock scrambling, and walking across the ice from the frozen creek. We'd hiked there a month ago to check on the ice conditions and I'd put on my Black Diamond Cyborg Pro crampons because the… Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Top notch outer foot gear with outstanding customer service. I use mine during ice fishing season. They're part of my ESSENTIAL GEAR LIST. I wouldn't consider venturing onto the ice without them. They've saved me from slipping and falling dozens of times. I've been ice fishing for decades and have tried a number of other brands. All were disappointing, but hands down, these are the best. Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Pretty sure these saved my life numerous times. Used these on many snow covered cliffs and steep mountainsides. These spikes give you sure footing when crossing sketchy areas. Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Would I buy them again? Without a doubt! Would I recommend them? Absolutely! I've been using MicroSpikes for about 8 years. I'm a police officer in an area where sudden freezing rains occur and in the span of 30 seconds you go from wet pavement to black ice. They are a life saver. They stow away in my gear bag and take seconds to put on. You can drive in them, which makes rendering aid to stranded motorists quick and easy. Although a little pricey when compared to other traction aids initially,… Full review

Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra

The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras are a really well made product that performs well on icy trails. These type of trail crampons really enable you to enjoy hiking whenever your favorite trails are icy and are really great to have and share with a friend to give them a little greater confidence in following you out on an icy springtime hike. I have had a pair of these Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras and also a pair of the Hillsound FreeSteps6 and found them a great addition to my pack and have really… Full review

STABIL STABILicers Hike XP

The STABILicers Hike XP are perfect for the snow and ice on sidewalks or trails. Easy on and off makes them useful where the conditions may vary from snow/ice and then transition to hard surfaces where you want to just remove them. They slip over your winter shoes or boots easily. These slip-on traction devices worked very well this winter while we were walking in our neighborhood in Truckee, California. Although the roads were often plowed, the surface of the road, and our sloping driveway remained… Full review

Yaktrax Pro

They are awful and I was more scared with them on walking on ice and snow, than with them off. They are made durable, and they are worth the price. However walking in a non-ice or non-snow sidewalk and street can do damage to your walking, and it is highly not recommended. Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

No better traction device made, short of full crampons. This is my fourth winter season with the same Microspikes and they are now approaching 2,000 miles of trail running. I get some great stares from folks slipping and sliding along the trails as I run by at full tilt :) I've never had them come off. They easily pull on and off. The only maintenance I do is touch them up with a file about twice each winter. In addition to trail running they go in the pack for early season hiking when there is… Full review