The spikes dig into the snow and ice, and give you traction, just like cleats give athletes better traction on the athletic field. WebMicrospikes are more expensive than Yaktrax, and many people feel that they are of higher quality as well. Crampon-style grips excel in deep snow and soft surfaces, while cleat-style spikes do best on firm surfaces with little soft snow. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Microspikes are lightweight and flexible ice and snow traction devices that you pull over your winter hiking boots, hiking shoes, hiking boots, trail running shoes, or ordinary winter boots. Microspikes are made of stainless steel spikes and Yaktrax have steel alloy coils. The microspikes come with a bag to store them in to keep them safe when you are not using them. After a day out in the cold, Im not that conscientious and would probably leave my cleats in a damp bag where they could rust. Features Case-hardened steel alloy "beads" are strung on steel aircraft cable to offer hundreds of biting edges for exceptional grip in all directions underfoot Windbreaker vs rain jacket: which is best for hiking and running? The thought of being in the middle of a long hike and losing your spikes seems risky. And the Kahtoola MICROspikes are a subset of crampons, with smaller spikes for challenging hiking or work conditions. The Kahtoola MICROspikes are reinforced with eyelets to help increase durability and have stainless steel chains to prevent snowballing. Durability Microspikes are also seen as more durable than Yaktrax are. The Yaktrax Walk and Yaktrax Pro don't have much body material and are easily stuffed into a small pocket. These are usually affiliate links which means we could earn a small commission if you make a purchase. She loves to explore mountains on foot, bike, skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat. They have recently come out with a traverse and ascent version that is similar to the chainsen light, and a discontinued microspike with Yaktrax now offers several products, one of which offers equivalent traction. Microspikes and micro-cleats are lower profile, providing more traction than rubber soles, and are ideal for walking around an ice-covered town or jogging in the snow. Crampons are large metal spikes that latch onto your boots and help you climb walls of ice. Yaktrax Diamond Grip All-Surface Traction Cleats Microspikes are intended to be used for hiking and climbing in icy conditions. The traction devices attach to most footwear options you normally wear in the Winter. 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. Crampons We are crazy about getting outdoors at every possible moment and have decades of experience exploring nature. Overkill for most hikes. No sponsored content. These trail running spikes are organized from lightest to heaviest. It features zinc-plated steel coils wrapped around rubber under the foot, and the coils dig into snow, ice, and even dirt and rock. 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. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. They are also made of heat-treated stainless steel to provide the ultimate durability and wear resistance. The Hillsound Trail Crampons are some of the best microspikes for hiking! Yaktrax Run and the really grippy Kahtoola NANOspikes are perfect for running on snow and ice-covered trails. Both companies advertise this product as lightweight, easy to put on, and be used for everyday activities. Once on, they stay in place securely and don't slide around or feel like they will come off. Microspikes are best suited for Winter hikes where you will encounter snow or ice on the trails. The coils also aren't very comfortable when running because they protrude from the bottom of the shoe, creating an uneven landing surface. Thats why its so shiny. If you are looking for larger spikes to give you the ultimate traction, you should expect to have heavier microspikes. Conversely, if you are wearing lightweight running shoes and at the bottom of the size range, you should go down a size for a snug fit. Read moreabout us and our disclosure. Traction: 12 stainless steel spikes (0.38 in.) The base of your foot sits on two rings of diamond-shaped beads that have hundreds of biting edges. The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. All of the options in our review feature some kind of rubbery, elastic body that is stretched over the sole of the user's shoe or boot. So youll see many traction devices listed for sale as ice cleats. Like other crampon-style snow cleats, these grips aren't comfortable to wear on hard surfaces, like sidewalks with a dusting of snow or a thin veneer of ice. Technical vs. MICROspikes vs YakTrax Both devices offer good traction in snow and ice, but there are distinct differences between the two. But each brand has spikes for trail running. Yaktrax vs. Microspikes (Whats the Best Best Winter Traction Devices (Microspikes The heel tabs make it easy to put on or take off the microspikes. The Yaktrax Ascent is virtually identical to the Kahtoola Microspikes but offers additional spikes in the toe area for extra grip on steep terrain. But, the win goes to Kahtoola for adventuring out in snow and ice. Stainless steel is considered to be stronger than steel alloy. WebHome | Yaktrax Shop by Category Best Sellers Weather any terrain, shop our best selling traction devices and more. They work on most footwear. Yaktrax vs. Microspikes Aggressive spiky traction (12 sharp spikes). 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. Chain grips like the Yaktrax Walk provide plenty of traction for everyday activities on pavement and some off-pavement use. The Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip minimizes the amount of snow buildup with their self-clearing design, which enhances traction as you hike. Heres a quick chart to help you see which model from each brand is best used under different winter conditions. From splitting wood to shoveling the driveway and getting out of the car in icy parking lots, Jeff knows what it's like to live around slippery surfaces. They are built upon the same concept to provide traction while hiking or walking on ice and snow. Neither option will help you when it comes to deep, powdery snow where youll want snowshoes, but they are both good solutions for packed stuff. Yaktrax vs. Microspikes There is no point in waiting because the number one choice and best brand are obvious. Stainless steel is considered to be stronger than steel alloy. In this comparison, the heel doesnt seem to make much difference in overall traction. Features Case-hardened steel alloy "beads" are strung on steel aircraft cable to offer hundreds of biting edges for exceptional grip in all directions underfoot For durability and strength, they are made of case-hardened steel alloy and strung on steel aircraft-grade cable. In every model tested, the elastic body stretches out to fit over the toe and heel of a shoe, and elastic tension is what keeps the grip in place. They weigh 7.8 ounces. Instead of spikes, Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip has steel aircraft cables with case-hardened steel alloy beads that provide excellent grip on icy trails. Microspikes Which is Better For You Yaktrax or Microspikes? The Yaktrax Summit has a fit system completely different from other traction devices. Shop All Previous (24) Diamond Grip Traction Device $54.99 (14) Pro Traction Device $34.99 (14) Walk Traction Device $24.99 (3) Chains Traction Device $39.99 (4) Spikes Traction Device $29.99 1 2 3 You will also need to make sure the spikes have durable material. The Kahtoola NANOspikes and Black Diamond Distance Spikes are also notable here, though the NANOspikes feature a slightly stiffer rubber sole, which provides a secure fit and traction when walking, but doesn't pack down as small as the other rubber cleat grips. Now lets look at the heel, where both cleats have 4 spikes in a circle. The most common alternatives are Yaktrax and Microspikes. Yaktrax vs Microspikes: which is better? In this guide, we cover the newest and best microspikes for hiking over ice and snow. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. The spikes have heat-treated carbon steel, so they are long-lasting, strong, and durable. WebMicrospikes are more expensive than Yaktrax, and many people feel that they are of higher quality as well. They work in icy conditions and packed snow as well as rocky terrain, and the rubber retains its stretch in temperatures as low as 22F/30C. This will wear out the spikes. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These are the best option for use on dirt roads or during high-consequence activities like chopping wood. For most hikers, microspikes and ice cleats are sufficient. The Kahtoola MICROspikes win for durability and ease of maintenance which we believe are critical for the casual user of snow traction devices. Just get them. To compile this review, we looked at the top options on the market, recording key specifications about each model. The idea behind it is that you turn the knob at the heel to pull the cables tight. In contrast, Kahtoola MICROspikes place their stainless steel spikes in a fixed 24 circular layout connected by stainless steel chains under the ball of the foot. However, they can also be used for crossing glaciers, snowfields, and icefields, ascending hard-packed and deep snow slopes, or scaling ice-covered rock. Lets start with the ball of the foot. WebHome | Yaktrax Shop by Category Best Sellers Weather any terrain, shop our best selling traction devices and more. The Hillsound Trail Crampons take the cake in this metric. But aside from these niche uses, the Walk are great for most everyday winter uses on slippery urban surfaces. The Summit and the MICROspikes are not the best for running as the longer spikes are more likely to snag in the ice. Like a tree. Durability Microspikes are also seen as more durable than Yaktrax are. From crossing a frozen lake to hiking mountain trails, either would be an excellent choice to keep you safe. Winter Traction Devices | njHiking.com 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. They come in a variety of models for different activities such as Walk and Run and now backcountry-focused options like Summit. 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. They are worth their weight in gold. The fit systems of the Yaktrax Summit and Kahtoola MICROspikes are very different. The Yaktrax Diamond Grip didnt grip as well as the others but still provided improved traction. Versatile Design for City and Trail: Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip Best Non-Technical Crampon for Alpine Use: Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro Best Overall Winter Traction Device 1. The difference comes in how you personally use your traction devices and what you want in fit and durability. The microspikes are also lightweight and come with a storage bag to easily pack them when they are not in use. Yaktrax and Microspikes are both brands of traction footwear that slip on over your best hiking boots or best hiking shoes to help keep you upright and moving fast on icy surfaces and to dig in to power you forward on snowy uphills. Our current goal is to visit all 63 US National Parks and just completed #34. The Yaktrax Diamond Grip didnt grip as well as the others but still provided improved traction. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. However, I will cover some background information and review the other options that may suit your needs. The Kahtoola MICROspikes have the best traction in our review, placing crampon points in strategic areas all over the shoe sole. For walking on hard thick ice surfaces, as youd find on a frozen lake, the Yaktrax Diamond Grip is a pretty amazing and unique version of crampons. 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. Yaktrax vs MICROspikes: Which 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. Watch this video by Kahtoola for a quick demonstration. As the trail conditions change, you will need to change the traction you are using, which is why having easy-to-use microspikes is crucial. It is a very strong metal, just not as strong as carbon steel. Kahtoola MICROspikes ($75) Category: Hiking/running Weight per pair: 11.9 oz.