Microspikes/crampons and/or snowshoe recommendations?

I would say get all 3. Seriously though, you cant go wrong with micro-spikes. I love my micro-spikes. I just used them in the catskills 2 weeks ago and they were AWESOME. I also just got a pair of Kahtoola KTS Steel crampons, but have not used them yet. They are nice though, lightweight and they fold/pack nice and small. As far as Snowshoes go, I just got myself a pair of Northern Lites snowshoes. I also got to use them on my trip in the catskills. Man, these are the best snowshoes I've ever seen..they are incredibaly lightweight and they function perfectly. They go on and come off so easy, I couldnt believe it. They also stay on with no problems while hiking.

get both. They have different uses for different conditions. I love my microspikes. They come in handy a lot more than I thought they would.

Yep, they can even come in handy on the same trip. snowshoes are great when it's deeper but when the trail is hard packed or icy then microspikes are lighter and easier to use.

ie last winter I did Mt Carrigain in NH. 14mi hike.. at the bottom snowshoes were the best.. middle it was packed solid with some stream crossings so i used my borrowed microspikes.. then became fluffy and steep.. snowshoes with the heel lifts to the summit.

I have MSR Evo Tour snowshoes and would like to get either Kathoola microspikes or even better, Hillsound Trail Pro crampons.

Yup, when you're in the trees you get icy patches with bare ground between where the microspikes are appropriate.

Snowshoes are for the deep stuff. You may find stretches with enough crust on the top and the spikes might keep you from sliding around, but if it snows more or thaws, you can find yourself post-holing which is physically and mentally taxing. You miggh be able to walk a long ways on top for a distance that would take long time to post-hole your way back.

We've lost a couple PNW hikers on trails deep with crusted/icy spring snow, where they slid right off the side and down cliffs. No place to play around! At some level you need an ice ax and the training to use it.

Of course you want to be avalanche smart and aware. Those nice clear slopes that are free of trees are often that way due to avalanches. I've done summer day hikes through avalanche chutes that just look like rocky or brushy hillsides in August, but are death traps in January.

This is looking down a chute with an equal rocky field going up behind. The trail traverses this and it's just a rocky section in August. I've been here in late spring with lost of old snow in the trail and many signs of slides. The violence can be amazing, with large trees chewed into toothpicks. It's not just the snow sliding, but a devil's brew of rock, ice and splintered logs. It could ruin your whole day!

Looking out across the same valley. The opposite slope gives you an idea of the terrain being crossed by the trail (Lake Annette trail off I-90 http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/annette-lake)

Anybody tried the Kahtoola hiking crampons? They seem to be the next step up (no pun) from the Microspikes.

http://kahtoola.com/product/kts-aluminum-hiking-crampon/
http://kahtoola.com/product/k10-hiking-crampon/

Dale, I've tried on the Hillsound Trail Pro crampons.. which are similar to the Kathoola crampons. they are definitely a step up from microspikes and have a nice strap/buckle system. less $ than both AL and K10s too.

Thanks everyone, keep the specific recommendations comin'

I'm sure I'll end up with both eventually, and understand why they'd be both useful in the same trip. I'm working on the Catskill 35, which requires 4 winter summits, and unless those are done as day hikes on rare warm days both spikes and snowshoes are basically required gear, even if they stay in the pack things can turn icy/snowy quick.

Not sure I'll get to check off any of those this season, I'm not quite geared up for winter conditions yet.

Dale, that's a great set of images, looks like a great place to go for a walk!

"Dale, that's a great set of images, looks like a great place to go for a walk!"

Typical Central Cascades terrain, about 50 miles from Seattle, just off I-90.

These are photos of the aftermath of an avalanche that happened on the Gold Creek trail a few miles from the Annette Lake trail. I've seen snow accumulations of 8' or more in this area. The snow came down from the right, across the creek bed and back up the other side of the valley. Note the trees leaning UP the hill on the left!

People often travel this area in the winter— this is just a few miles off the interstate.

I have Kahtoola Microspikes, KTS Aluminum, and the Steel K-10 crampons. The Microspikes are great for most trail use on frozen ground, firm snow, or sheet ice. If the trail ice gets steep, then the more serious trail crampons really shine. It needs to be pretty nasty ice before the Microspikes are out of their depth though. If you have snow over ice, then the Microspikes may not dig deep enough. For all around traction needs, start with the Microspikes. They are light, durable, don't negatively impact your gait, and are easy to deploy. Upgrade from there if absolutely necessary. I have not tried the Hillsound crampons, but they seem like a good middle ground and an excellent value.

Dale: I drove through there once, beautiful place. Mother nature hits with some force, can't say I could imagine trees bent UP like that.

Phillip: Your post matches my hope and assumption on the matter, thank you. The microspikes are a low cost/weight investment that I can swing right now and either rent or buy snowshoes depending on frequency of these kinda trips.

Do look at the Hillsound offerings. LLBean sells them online, and they make a Microspike clone for about $40 that looks pretty good.

The OP said "Which ones do you use? Anything I need to know as I shop?"

Dale's post addressed where and when, which I think is the most important issue. For me, I often toss all three into the car in the winter: microspikes, aluminum lightweight crampons with ice axe, and snow shoes and make a decision based on snow conditions and my intended route at the trailhead.

In the Sierra Nevada I use the microspikes for hikes on trails early or late season. Although this year, it might well be all season. Most of the time the ice is caused by the boot traffic and the daily freeze thaw pattern.

Snow shoes are of course for flotation over the snow when the terrain is not all that steep. I think the MSRs with full crampons are best especially when going up and down gullies. For longer descents, the rule of thumb is to take off the snow shoes if you think the slope is steep enough to ski.

I use the aluminum strap on crampons when I have planned a cross country hike over steep terrain and also carry the ice axe (and have taken several self arrest courses). When the icey snow stops, I usually have to remove the crampons since rocks will dull the spikes. If the going gets too technical which usually means the run out looks like a drop over a cliff, I look for a different route or turn around.

And then there was the one Memorial Day long solo day hike where I took no snow travel gear at all and the trailhead looked like summer. Eight miles later, I got into snow covered bowl between East and West Snow Mountain (go figure). It was easy walking in the morning on top of the crust. But when I tried to leave in the late afternoon, there was a white out, I was post holing with every second step, and broke one of my hiking poles. I decided to bivy the night and walk out the next day.

"Do look at the Hillsound offerings. LLBean sells them online, and they make a Microspike clone for about $40 that looks pretty good."

I have not heard good things about their microspike clone. They do not have as many spikes and it looks like they are shorter. those don't look very good for hiking.

I would go microspikes or more crampon-y rather than less.

I would deffinetly, 100%, without question go with Kahtoola Micr-spikes.

I wore my micro-spikes to Lake Annette (Dale's photo) two weekends ago and really needed them. Half way up the snow was compacted and to difficult without traction. The micro-spikes performed great.
Last weekend I took the same exit off I-90 and went up Granite Mountain. I needed the micro-spikes halfway up. Again thumbs up!

Just a heads up for anyone looking into purchasing Hillsounds. There are a lot of reports of premature wear and breakage on the Hillsound Trail Crampon and the Trail Crampon Pro.

This thread talks about the Trail Crampon:

http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23758

I also seem to remember discussions on VFTT forums about the underfoot linking bar on the Pro model breaking when used with flexible soled footwear. It seems like the connecting bar was not made flexible enough and became damaged when repeatedly bended. The good news is that Hillsound has great warranty/customer service and seems to respond promptly to reports of breakage.

I've used the microspikes for years without breakage, but did bust the plastic heel strap retainer on a pair of Kahtoola KTS steel crampons in the first year. However, the zip tie repair I used has held for approximately another 75 miles of use.

Just ordered the MSR Evo Ascent 22 Snowshoes. They are not the Lightening Ascent ones (which is as best I could tell the ones I'd rented), but seemed a good compromise and basically the same thing for my uses. Got them for 6 rentals' worth.

Microspikes are next, when my gear budget is replenished.

Thanks for all the input, these comments were helpful.