Anyone use Snowline Chainsen Light "crampons"?

One observation is that plastic is translucent so must be fairly thin, possibly the first site of failure.

Interesting. I see that they make a “Pro” model and a “Light” model. The Pro version was reviewed on Trailspace: http://www.trailspace.com/gear/snowline/chainsen-pro/

I agree that the rubber is the weak point, but that might not be as critical used occasionally and with trail runners vs heavier boots. I do like the smaller chain links on the Light model. I’ll bet that they wrap around a trail runner better than the heavier links. 5 ounces is a respectable savings IMHO. Trust no one on the actual weight!

I cobbled up a photo of both:

The fact that they are marketed by Camp USA is a good sign to me. Of course the lighter ones are $10 more.

http://www.camp-usa.com/brands/snowline/chainsen-light/

Note that Kahtoola and Chainsen are both made in Korea. I would suspect they are the same.

Look at the 2-section heel spikes on the latest (and lighter) Kahtoola Microspikes. Look familiar?

I’ve been hoping for something like this for a long time.  Hopefully the weights are accurate.

Looks like they also make a 2.2 oz /pair of super minimalist spikes for “city use”.   How the heck are they so light?   I wonder if those would suffice for those trips that may only have a few icy sections.

http://southwestultralight.blogspot.com/2016/01/outdoor-retailer-winter-market-2016_42.html

I’ve been using Kahtoola nanospikes for trail running.  They are totally secure on trail runners, and quite effective.

I think I’m going to bite the bullet and get them. I figure if they fail I’ll return them to camp and get the Pro version. Mainly they will be for occasional use so I think they’ll be ok. I’ll report back when I received them.

I read somewhere that it is thought that one of the designers of the Microspikes left a few years ago and created these. Not sure if this is true but seems plausible as the design is nearly identical and they’re both Korean made.

We just brought them into our shop and they arrived two days.  The Sierra is great terrain for testing products and I will report back.  Not only are they lighter than Kahtoola microspikes they are much less expensive!

Do these (Chanson lights) come in different sizes? I didn’t see that on eBay.

Karen,

Are you selling the Pro or Light version? The Pro version is less expensive at about $48 retail and around 1 oz less than Microspikes. The Pro version can be found through many different online retailers. I found Microspikes for $55 with no tax and free shipping from Backcountrygear.com. The light version sell for $60 and only online through camp USA. They’re about 5 oz less than Microspikes. Dale included a link earlier in this thread. With tax and shipping the Light model cost me $70.

Eric,

Yes, they have 3 different sizes. Click on the camp USA link earlier in the this thread.

Tracking says my Chainsen Lights should be waiting for me when I get home from work. Hopefully… I’ll give initial impressions soon.

So that’s it? You guys got your Chainsons and just blew us off on the report? Or… maybe they failed and you went off the icy cliff?

Billy

Hey Billy

@rosyfinch

Sorry for the crickets on this thread. 1 week after receiving my Chainsens in the mail I sprained my ankle in a bicycle accident then 2 weeks later had my gallbladder removed. It’s a really bad sprain and I’m still rehabbing it so my Winter hiking season ended before I  even got started. I’m hoping to be able to hike again by mid May.

My impressions just from taking them out of the box are positive. They seem as robust as Microspikes and well made. I’m not sure where they shaved weight but people have mentioned the rubber upper may be a lighter compound. It seems feasible.

Don… ouch on the ankle… hope you are healing well.. and thanks for the impressions…

billy

Don’t get the Chainsen or the Microspikes. I’ve been pretty much on the same path and figured out a way to get cheaper, lighter and much longer spikes. 10oz for a steel pair from Hong Kong. $12.99 – tested them and they are MUCH more grippy in actual snow and ice and come close to crampons.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Anti-Slip-8-Teeth-Ice-Snow-Shoes-Spike-Grip-Boots-Chain-Crampons-Grippers-/111542838953?hash=item19f878a6a9:g:0YYAAOSwiCRUhebP

For next steps, I’m thinking of combining the Hong Kong spikes with UL chains taken off Veriga spikes to hopefully make a sub 6oz real-world spikes for Mount Washington.

They are reviewed here in German. Use Google to translate into English. The review points to several features that appear to contribute to the lower weight of the Light model. I was suspecting the Light model to have some aluminum but it is still described as “steel.”

http://www.beuteltiere.org/2013/02/auf-krallen-ins-neue-jahr.html

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/lightest-12-point-sul-crampons/

RE: Hong Kong. $12.99 – 10oz

They are 2 oz heavier than the Chainsen light… a lot cheaper is good, but heavier… and they don’t look as well made or as strong as the Chainsen or Katoolas (just because it claims steel does not mean they are well designed or strong… there are lots of grades of steel out there)

When I am on ice with a significant drop off or bad run-out, I am not concerned about saving 40 or 50.00… or even a couple of ounces… rather, I am concerned about saving my arse…

just sayin…

billy

Don,

Apologies for the 4-month delayed reply.  I need to configure my settings so I get alerted when someone comments.  Sorry!

I sell the PRO.  I had a friend who lives in AK test them out for me and write a review.  Here’s the post.

Has anyone tried the Chainsen City spikes?  I can’t find them in-store to try on.  For me, I don’t really need heel spikes, and the design of the rubber straps on the City version seems like it will put less warping stress on my Trail Gloves (even Nanospikes flex my shoes too much to be comfortable).

I’m still considering just using screws on an old pair next winter.  What I really want is just 2 lines of spikes along the toes and the ball of the foot.  With all the modern 5-finger inspired minimalist running shoe designs coming out, it seems microspike design is still trailing behind.

Chainsen City are on sale for $14.99 http://www.sierratradingpost.com/snowline-chainsen-city-minimalist-traction-spikes~p~142fr/

Thank you Don H for the link: https://www.sierratradingpost.com/snowline-chainsen-city-minimalist-traction-spikes~p~142fr

Ordered a pair. Only mother nature knows if they will be needed this winter, but these look like they will be much easier to get on and off than the many other creepers in the creeper basket, all of which I hate. And cost much less. Hope so, and hope they are durable. Creepers take an incredible beating going from ice, to snow, and on maintained roads, bare asphalt.

Got Chainsen full length spikes this winter to substitute for heavier Microspikes in the pack. (There is a fairly recent thread about these on this forum.)
Hope to be able to try them in May.