KAHTOOLA MICROSPIKES - MUCH BETTER THAN NOTHING AND EASIER THAN CRAMPONS
Keeping your feet solidly planted on slippery ground is a good feeling. Kahtoola Microspikes help give that solid feeling in most all low-angle winter hiking in mixed snow and ice. Comfortable to wear, though hard on the balls of your feet, if like myself, you wear lightweight trail running shoes throughout the year. I used these for 250 miles of Northern Cascade hiking, and even some good old fashioned New England trail running. Still not showing any signs of damage, these babies look like they will go the distance. With a retail price of only $65 these are not cheap, but much more affordable and packable then full winter hiking crampons.
While not as traction rich as a full crampon, these spikes excel when you simply need something over your boots or shoes to provide moderate traction on most surfaces. If you are heading for the Tuckerman Ravine trail up Mt. Washington in the dead of winter, these are not the right choice. But, if you are simply heading out for the trails, and need something for when your snowshoes just don't make sense, then these are the perfect solution.
Summary: As long as you don't try to get them to do real deep winter high-angle mountaineering, they will prove to be a valuable tool for most all your winter pursuits. REMEMBER - size down if you are close to two size ranges, if the spikes are too loose on your footwear they will tend to "walk" themselves around your shoe or boot and not stay on straight.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE KAHTOOLA MICROSPIKES
While not as traction rich as a full crampon, these spikes excel when you simply need something over your boots or shoes to provide moderate traction on most surfaces. If you are heading for the Tuckerman Ravine trail up Mt. Washington in the dead of winter, these are not the right choice. But, if you are simply heading out for the trails, and need something for when your snowshoes just don't make sense, then these are the perfect solution.
Summary: As long as you don't try to get them to do real deep winter high-angle mountaineering, they will prove to be a valuable tool for most all your winter pursuits. REMEMBER - size down if you are close to two size ranges, if the spikes are too loose on your footwear they will tend to "walk" themselves around your shoe or boot and not stay on straight.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE KAHTOOLA MICROSPIKES