Traction Spikes

great writeup!  i found a few more options to check out when my kahtoola microspikes (which have been stellar in a variety of situations) bite the dust.

I lived on Oahu for a few years and was really surprised when the veteran hikers pulled on microspikes for the descent.  The trails are often steep, wet, and slippery.  The spikes were for traction descending the sloppy mud!  There was often a frayed waterski rope tied to a shrub to help you.  I rarely slip and fall on the Western mainland, but it was a regular experience on the island.  Microspikes to the rescue!

I use Kahtoola microspikes in New Hampshire mountains although one of our SAR teams that I work with strongly suggests the Hillsound equivalent instead.

Until we start getting significant snow, which lately hasn’t started until late December, the Kahtoola exospikes did well on mixed terrain or hard packed snow, thin ice, and rock. Has reduced falls going downhill on rock covered with black ice or slick lichen.

After decades of carrying way too heavy packs recreationally and professionally, my feet have some problems including hammertoes.  The bindings of the Kahtoolas tend to press down on my Topo boots in ways that are painful to the hammertoes. So I switched recently to BD distance spikes- an advantage not mentioned is that the soft shell top eliminates pressure points by distributing the pressure across the top of the foot. A huge relief for my feet.

In subzero full-on conditions I switch to La Sportiva G2 or G5 boots, both not deformable like the Topos I use in warmer winter weather.  The G5 accepts the more rugged Kahtoola or Hillsounds (and full crampons when needed) without pressure on my feet. I sometimes use the BD distance spikes on those boots too, when just a little added grip is called for.

One problem with the BD distance spikes- there are some weak points so I’ve had a few break in various places. (The fit has to be near perfect to reduce the chance of that happening.) So I carry an extra pair- they are so light that I can do that easily.

I couldn’t get the largest Kahtoolas to fit my 12W boots. Hillsounds work great. The rubber is just slightly more stretchy — enough that they succeed where the Kahtoolas did not.

Vargo VTRACs are perfect to keep in the pack when you don’t expect to need them (much). They are super-duper lightweight, and add enough traction to a shoe to be useful. They’re a heckuvalot better than nothing when you encounter unexpected snow, ice, or mud.

This list is a great resource. Thank you, Ryan.

Great info.

I saw a picture somewhere of a guy who hiked up a ridiculously steep Alaska mountain in Xtuff rubber boots. He shot a bear than used micro spikes on the boots for the hike down with a heavy load of bear meat. To put the steepness of the Kenai mountains in perspective, I watched kids basically sled down a grassy mountain on their rears. Not as fast as on snow but moving fast enough they had to be careful not to lose control. I think I’ll try spikes this summer for off trail hikes there.

Another thing people from warm areas don’t realize is that a popular trail may get beaten down to the point where you don’t need snow shoes or skis even if there is 3 feet of snow. But… those trails can get icey. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of spikes lately. It’s been a low snow year but lots of slippery ice.