Traction Devices
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Cottage Gear Guide: Ultralight Hiking & Backpacking Gear from Small, Startup, and Cottage Brands
Discover the most unique, innovative, and ultralight backpacking gear from small, startup, and cottage brands in our Cottage Gear Guide.
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Staff Picks 2025
Our staff selects their favorite hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry gear that they’ve used over the past year – the next edition of our infamous Staff Picks!
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Episode 140 | Winter Storm Decisions
Use a six-question framework to decide whether to stay put or bail when winter storms, terrain, and fatigue raise backcountry risk.
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Traction Spikes
An in-depth guide to traction spikes for hiking, backpacking and running in all seasons. Compare models, materials, and performance attributes with insights from field testing to find performant options for different use cases.
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Episode 118 | Traction Spikes
In episode 118 of the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to learn about traction systems for snow travel.
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Episode 117 | Snowshoe Sizing
In episode 117 of the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to learn how to size snowshoes, minimize sinkage, and save energy for your next winter adventure in deep snow.
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Publisher’s Gear Guide Update (Nov ’23)
The Publisher’s Gear Guide has been updated. This gear guide contains recommendations in various categories by Backpacking Light Publisher and Founder Ryan Jordan. This is the gear he actually chooses to use on his own trips.
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2022 Backpacking Light Members Choice Awards
First annual Members Choice Awards – what gear do our members use and love as we near the end of 2022?
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Kahtoola Microspikes
The lightest microspikes are either fragile (lack durability), or don’t offer aggressive traction (not enough spikes, or the spikes aren’t long enough). You certainly don’t want your microspikes to fail…
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Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra
Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras are mid-weight, mid-traction crampons designed for improving traction on unstable footing due to rain, mud, snow, and ice. Trail Crampon Ultras feature largest-in-class traction teeth, an…
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Vargo Pocket Cleats Solo
This is not an all-purpose traction device. It’s a minimalist instep crampon designed for incidental use on hard snow, and should be used on steep terrain only by hikers with…
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Black Diamond Blitz Traction Spikes
When the lightest and most compact traction device is required for the incidental snow patch here and there, consider the Black Diamond Blitz. These aren’t appropriate for icy winter conditions,…
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Black Diamond Distance Spike Traction Device
The lightest full-length traction spikes on the market. Softshell toe cover keeps snow and ice out of your laces.
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Black Diamond Blitz Spikes Review
The Black Diamond Blitz Traction Spikes (MSRP $39.95, 1.5 to 1.8 oz / 42 to 50 g) are ultralight, stainless-steel, forefoot-only traction devices for shoes and boots intended for incidental use on hard-packed snow terrain.
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Vargo V3 Titanium Pocket Cleats Review
Vargo V3 Titanium Pocket Cleats are half the weight of leading lightweight traction devices, but do they perform for running and backpacking?
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