STABILicers vs MICROspikes

I have the Microspikes and would recommend them highly.

I've used both, I strongly prefer the microspikes.

as the above said

I hope to find out myself this winter. I've had Stabilicers for years and really liked them when I used them. I rarely noticed I had them on until they scraped across a rock. I also really liked that the screws could be replaced as they got worn out. I got Kahtoola crampons and microspikes this spring and ended up using the crampons, but I'll give the microspikes a shot this winter…maybe even in a couple of weeks.

Easy to put on and off…and they work well.

Hillsound Trail Crampons.

One more vote for Microspikes. They are really easy to put on and take off, and I haven't had any durability issues after extensive use on mixed rock and ice.

-David

I never heard of them. I see they have 11 spikes vs. 8 on the Microspikes. I see they also put on a velcro strap to hold the crampon to the shoe better, although I can't imagine them or the Microspikes falling off. I printed out a copy and put it in my 'must check out' gear file. THANKS

I'm thinking of carrying Microspikes for a while on a trip next year. What size should I get?

While I have about a size 10 foot, I wear size 11.5 trail runners. According to Kahtoola, that means I should go for a size large set of Microspikes, but I read elsewhere (forget where …) that it might be better to size down to mediums, particularly on trail runners vs. boots, so that the Microspikes stay securely on the shoes.

Any thoughts, experiences along this line? TIA!

I wear a size 10.5 shoe and I use the medium microspikes. They go on very easily and have never slipped off.

Brian, I also wondered what size Microspikes to get as I wear a size 11 boot and the Large are sized for 10.5 to 14. I went with the size large and was concerned that they might slip around and not be as secure as a Medium, but this was absolutely not the case. There is quite a lot of stretch there, and I would bet that you would be just fine with either size, as surprising as that sounds. My Large's work just great on my size 11 boots. BTW, I love 'em.

Brian:

Hal has it right when he says either size would probably work for you. I use my size large primarily with 10.5 trail runners and I haven't had any issues, but from what I've heard a medium will stretch to fit that size as well.

-David

I should check those out … Was just at their store last week … Hmmmm

tried them on in the store … liked em

but even better they have a pro version that looks like one of the lightest 10 point steel crampons on the market at around 700g for 80$

gotta get myself one of those suckas

I like the MicroSpikes and for all the winter/early spring mountaineering I do they could probably suffice. But yes, their mini crampons are "Far Too Cool". They call to me too, Eric, so don't feel too materialistic. :)

We use Stabilicers here in Southeast Alaska on boardwalks and mini crampons on hard pack snow and ice. In my opinion, and I think this is shared by those who walk with us here, the Stabilicers are much better on the boardwalks because they offer a more complete connection as opposed to the "points" on the mini crampons. We use them on wet and snowy boardwalks.

they aint that mini eric ;)

i tried them on my casual shoes and they seemed like the real deal … 10 steel points, 680 g (most other 10 point steels are 800g+) … i need to bring in all my boots and see if theyll fit each one … lol

i heard that the new hillsound trail crampons for next year will be have the chain links as micro spikes as well for more traction

and that they are designing a more technical crampon …

they must be selling them decently to continue with the product development

Eric, those crampons are pretty complete AND light.

I really like my microspikes. However, the TSA did NOT like them at all.