Traction

Recent Traction Reviews

Kahtoola MICROspikes

My wife and I spent a week in the Smokies at the Wilderness Hike Week event January 23-28. The area received several inches of rain then snow followed on the evening of the 23rd, then it was bitterly cold on the 24th. We led a hike up the Ramsay Cascades Trail on the 24th, which was very icy, especially near the cascades themselves. Others without spikes were having a lot of problem and one person slipped into the creek. Brenda and I had no problem at all. We had eight folks on that hike. We also… Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

I thru-hiked the PCT last year and bought the Kahtoola Microspikes in Lone Pine at a known gear shop. These were amazing. Be sure to buy the correct size. I learned at the gear shop that the cleats should not be loose. This means that they may be a tight fit, but things wear in over time. Also, they should last around four seasons. When putting them on start from the top of your shoe and pull/follow the bands on both sides with your hands to the back of the shoe. Do not allow the red band to be… Full review

Kahtoola MICROspikes

When snowshoes are too much, but you need a little extra confidence on firm snow and ice, these provide the perfect bite. There I was at the Echo Lake Sno-park near Lake Tahoe. I hadn't been snowshoeing in a couple of seasons, and had vowed this would be a winter I would get out! And it was a beautiful day in perfect conditions. I pulled out my trusty MSR snowshoes, and as I put them on, I realized that the binding straps had some cracks in them, and all four of them snapped before I even got them… Full review

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

Black Diamond Snaggletooth

Good precision and grip, but slightly heavy. I bought them for mixed climbing routes with a lot of rock climbing involved and they proved very adequate for the task indeed. I used them with a pair of La Sportiva Baturas and they performed very well with great feeling and precision. However there was this incident on the downclimb when one of the crampons suddenly came off without particular reason. I had them fitted really hard, so I don't know what happened but since then I am a bit cautious. Full review

Black Diamond Contact Strap

Easy to fit on and great traction. These were very easy to fit to my boots (10.5D), and fast to get set up. I really appreciate crampons that are a breeze to put on and take off. It's not often I have an easy place to put them on when I get to ice, snow, etc. And the first time using them, I could feel a lot of secure traction on snow and scree fields. Full review