micro spike recommendations?

Not sure how old your Microspikes are, but Kahtoola reworked them a bit ago (not sure when) and made them a tad lighter. I’ve used them on snowy, icy hikes (Mailbox Peak in WA, among others) and they work great, just ensure you get the correct size as they can fall off if they’re too loose.

Hillsound makes a direct alternative to the Microspikes.  I  have no direct experience with Hillsound and have read some comparisons where they prefer the Hillsounds and some where they prefer the Microspikes.

If you want something significantly better (but heavier) you have to step it up to a “hiking crampon” like the Hillsound Trail Pro, Kahtoola K10, or Kahtoola KTS.  Camp also makes a real mountaineering crampon in aluminum that is under a pound if I remember correctly.

+1 on the  Katoola micro spikes. My Katoola’s weigh 13 oz. and are worth the extra weight because they are dependable and less likely to fall apart than lighter/cheaper brands I’ve tried. Aluminum step-in Camp crampons (REI) will weigh 21 oz. and would be a better option for prolonged snow climbing or LW general mountaineering – overkill for hard-packed/icy trails in winter.

Me and 2 companions have used a week ago the Hillsound trail crampon, at Algonquin and Whiteface peaks. Some trails were ice torrents. Those crampons made the job easy.

thanks guys… keep the suggestions coming…
billy

Billy, I have a pair of Microspikes, but they are a few years old. Never had a problem. When I know for sure I will be dealing with ice, but not a mountaineering situation, I take Katoola aluminum crampons… not that much heavier than the Microspikes, but much, much better.

I’m in the market for some microspikes too.  Here’s the ones I’m considering:

Kahtoola MICROspikes
http://goo.gl/OGRoIm

Hillsound Trail Crampon
http://goo.gl/T6zL0u

Hillsound Free Steps 6
http://goo.gl/GHPY2c

ICETrekkers Diamond Grip
http://goo.gl/815JZ7

Would love to hear opinions/recommendations.

Worth a browse:  https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/anyone-use-snowline-chainsen-light-crampons/

Thanks! This might be exactly what I’m looking for. Don’t expect to need them often and at 5oz lighter than Microspikes, these look perfect!

Weights shown on this site:
http://www.sagetosummit.com/light-chainsen.html

Manufacturer’s site:
http://www.camp-usa.com/brands/snowline/chainsen-light

weight isn’t the only criteria, I would argue it falls down the list

my Kahtoola Microspikes (circa 2012) have over 2000 miles of hard, mountain trail running on them and are still going strong.  the grip could not be better, I run mile after mile on trails that are often solid ice- the looks I get from folks slipping and sliding on the trail are priceless as I come screaming by :)  I’ve never had them come off, never and they are very comfortable- even on runs in the 20-ish mile range

you might find some lighter, but for performance, durability, fit and comfort I’d be very surprised that anything is as good as Microspikes

i’m with Mike on this. I’ve been using my kahtoola micro spikes for almost 3 years now and have full faith in them. even if i were able to save a few ounces with another pair i wouldn’t. the kahtoola micro spikes inspire confidence on icy trails, glare ice, etc., they fit well, and seem pretty indestructible.

I also agree with Mike, I have been using Micro Spikes for years and in very icy situations, there would have been no way I could have walked without them and they have never failed me.

I’ve used these. [Glacier Chains] Listed 11.2 oz. $23

It was an experimental purchase because the rubber portion is noticeably thinner than the Kahtoolas. I was originally nervous about grip/durability. But so far they haven’t broken from occasional usage in 2 years and haven’t slipped off my shoes. All 3 of my friends broke their yak traks in snow the first day by comparison.

Traction performance: They bite fairly well into hard ice. Chains stick out enough to add some good traction in deep snow. They don’t have any problem with accumulating snow.

If you have kahtoolas though I’d personally keep them. They seem like they’re industry standard for a reason. Probably have better reliability due to the thicker rubber.

[Glacier Chains] Listed 11.2 oz. $23

Well, the price is right, but the weight is about the same as the Katoolas. If the rubber is thinner and the weight is about the same, then it cold be that the metal parts are heavier.

I’d stay with my Katoolas unless I can find something reliable that is less weight.

billy

Tried the Hillsound Free Steps a while ago just for walking the dogs on icy surfaces.  The chains broke in less than a week.  Might work on snow though.

I’ve had the microspikes and hillsound trail and trail pro. I prefer the hillsound trail to the microspikes by a wide margin. I only slightly prefer the gripping pattern, the power strap puts them a notch above for me.

Kahtoola microspikes. Hands down.

Unless you really need crampons, they are the way to go.

I’m just another one of the flock who loves their kahtoola microspikes.
Though I haven’t tried any of the direct competitors.