Yaktrax and Kahtoola both have a wide selection of styles, each meant for a different purpose. Yaktrax Now lets look at the heel, where both cleats have 4 spikes in a circle. In this guide, we cover the newest and best microspikes for hiking over ice and snow. Theres a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. Yaktrax vs MICROspikes: Which The Kahtoola NANOspikes are low-profile cleats that feature ten small metal points protruding less than ", providing enough traction to prevent sliding on packed snow and thinly iced surfaces. Yaktrax Shop All Previous (24) Diamond Grip Traction Device $54.99 (14) Pro Traction Device $34.99 (14) Walk Traction Device $24.99 (3) Chains Traction Device $39.99 (4) Spikes Traction Device $29.99 1 2 3 They are very effective on steep icy inclines or declines. I suspect the most significant factor in that cost difference is the Boa Closure System because there arent many other significant variances. The Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip is different than the rest of the microspikes on the list. Crampons attach by straps, a step-in system, or a hybrid. The Yaktrax Walk was one of the first snow grips on the market, and its design has changed very little over the years. The points are durable to last multiple winter seasons, and the stretchy rubber provides a snug and secure fit that won't accidentally come off. These work very well on shallow snow or thin ice over firm surfaces like pavement. How can we improve GearLab? Unfortunately, many people compare the cheapest Yaktrax with the heavy-duty Kahtoola MICROspikes. The Unigear Traction Cleats are an affordable alternative for deep snow and soft surface grip. At a glance, there appears to be little difference between Yaktrax and MICROspikes, but if we take a deeper dive, some significant differences will impact your choice. Manage Settings They have recently come out with a traverse and ascent version that is similar to the chainsen light, and a discontinued microspike with WebYaktrax Pro offers 10 times the gripping points as any spike-based traction device Natural rubber is used to hold the devices together, giving them durability and strength Removable performance straps cross over insteps to help keep them in place during use When it comes to keeping your hiney off the ground in packed snow and icy conditions, there are many choices. These are traction devices that you strap onto your hiking boots to improve your traction over snow and ice. They have a strap that can be worn over the top of the foot to keep the crampon in place even when trudging through super deep snow. Specs: Type of grip: Coil Spike material: Stainless steel Studs per foot: 12 coil sections Weight: 6.4 oz (181 g) for a size medium Construction: Natural rubber Ideal surface: Light/packed snow, ice The Yaktrax Pro is an upgraded version of the original Yaktrax Walk, the snow grips that first popularized the metal coil design now found in The question really comes down to what you plan to do in them, and where. WebThe Microspikes give better overall, almost crampon-like grip, but theyre heavier and more expensive plus less stable feeling on rocky sections. The Yaktrax spikes for trail running have six spikes up front that are 3mm in length. They also attach to your footwear differently. They simply dig down deeper into snow and ice which prevents you from sliding and gives you the traction you need to push off and keep your momentum on the uphill. The heel webbing loop makes putting on and taking off the microspikes easy. Features Case-hardened steel alloy "beads" are strung on steel aircraft cable to offer hundreds of biting edges for exceptional grip in all directions underfoot Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue Crampons The Yaktrax Walk are a simple and affordable option. Named after the Tibetan yak, you can wear them in temperatures as low as -40C/-41F. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Non-Technical The Yaktrax Diamond Grip didnt grip as well as the others but still provided improved traction. Theyre best for walking on cleared pavement where you may occasionally encounter slick surfaces. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. Yaktrax vs Microspikes: which is better? They do not appear as durable as my Kahtoola microspikes; however, they work just as well. He rarely leaves home in the wintertime without a good pair of grips. Both companies advertise this product as lightweight, easy to put on, and be used for everyday activities. Yaktrax Diamond Grip attaches to all kinds of trail runners, boots, and street shoes with an elastic rubber harness that stays flexible enough for easy on and off even in cold temperatures. They are very reasonably priced. She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 to focus on family and writing. The Yaktrax Walk was one of the first snow grips on the market, and its design has changed very little over the years. Mountaineers use crampons in more extreme deep snow conditions and climbing situations. The Yaktrax Walk and Yaktrax Pro also have great versatility. In addition, the spikes themselves take a beating, and some materials and designs wear out faster than others. There are heel tabs to help put the microspikes on and take them off. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, many people compare apples to bananas when looking at traction devices. The Kahtoola EXOspikes are designed with durable thermoplastic polyurethane Traction Matrix to provide stability, wear resistance, and shed snow. This company has a lot of experience in this field and offers a secure design across its range of products. Between the Yaktrax Summit and the Kahtoola Microspikes, we recommend the MICROspikes. The Yaktrax models also fit securely, and the Pro model even has a top strap to ensure the grip isn't going to fall off. The spikes above are too big, heavy, and clunky for trail running. The Yaktrax Walk is an incredible deal for folks that don't need the burliest spikes. You will also need to make sure the spikes have durable material. Without delay, I will reveal the best microspikes for hiking, running, and backpacking. The base Yaktrax, Walk or Pro, and Kahtoola MICROspikes are two different traction devices that offer many differences for people who need to walk on snow or ice. Harness: Elastometer Theres a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. Best Winter Traction Devices (Microspikes Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. The Yaktrax Walk and Yaktrax Pro don't have much body material and are easily stuffed into a small pocket. The spikes have heat-treated carbon steel, so they are long-lasting, strong, and durable. They provide enough traction to keep you moving on the slippery sections but you wont have to pause and take them off each time you encounter tarmac. Consumer Reports A close-up view of the crampon-style points on the Kahtoola MICROspikes. Yaktrax vs Microspikes Yaktrax vs Microspikes Microspikes are also seen as more durable than Yaktrax are. The Black Diamond Distance Spike is a crampon-style grip designed to fit securely over running shoes. Microspikes with chains use sharp metal chains to provide traction. Yaktrax and Microspikes are similar because they are both traction devices that attach to your hiking boots and allow you to navigate icy terrain with relative ease. Youll notice the Run and the NANOspikes have a different traction system that doesnt use spikes, making them better for running without snagging. They are light, packable, and ideal for thin ice and dustings of snow. If you tend to navigate many different surfaces and conditions, owning more than one pair of snow grips is recommended. P.S. This set has ten spikes that are 5.3mm in length. These will perform best on dirt trails and in shallow snow, but likely aren't the best bet for super heavy use. That said, the Unigear Traction Cleats provide excellent traction for a lower price than the MICROspikes. For less extreme situations, there are miniature versions of this available. That said, the large spikes make them uncomfortable and awkward to use on firm surfaces like concrete with just a dusting of snow. 10 Popular Brands Like Eddie Bauer (Ranked and Compared), 8 Fantastic Brands Like Orvis (Rated and Compared), 8 Popular Brands Like Filson (Similarities & Differences), They come with a long-lasting rubber frame, Each pair can be safely worn in temperatures that reach -41 degrees F, Theyre great for wearing on streets, sidewalks, and certain hiking trails, These will give you great traction and grip in any icy environment, They come with stainless steel spikes that are up to inch long, A budget-friendly option is what youre looking for, Lightweight materials are important to you. Best Microspikes and Snow Grips They are effective on steep and rugged trails as well as solid ice. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip Traction We made notes and recorded our findings every step of the way, getting to know each product intimately. The only thing they aren't great for is very deep snow, but even then, they perform decently. Its probably the most helpful chart on the whole page if you want the best traction device for your specific winter activities! Once the storm is over, and the streets dry out, or when you enter a building and don't want to damage the floor, it's important that your traction devices pack into a small and light package that you can easily stash in a pocket or a compartment in a vehicle. WooHoo! We wouldnt use them on pavements, but theyre so easy to take on and off that this may not be a big issue for many. Kahtoola MICROspikes ($75) Category: Hiking/running Weight per pair: 11.9 oz. For most hikers, microspikes and ice cleats are sufficient. All of the best microspikes for hiking listed in this blog have some form of rubber body that makes them easy to put on and take off your hiking boots. The toe cover has minimal stretch and does not fit over wider shoes. Since spikes take the full force of your body weight, you can reasonably expect to see the steel models wear down over time, especially the crampon-style grips. After all this testing was complete, we scored each product on how well it performed across a wide range of activities, and we searched for signs of wear and tear. And for the price, these are the best option out there for users expecting mostly light-duty winter walking. Like a tree. None of the grips are overly difficult to put on, but the Kahtoola MICROspikes, Kahtoola EXOspikes, and the Yaktrax Walk are noticeably the easiest. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. If you want good traction but a little more versatility, the Distance Spikes are a good choice. Yaktrax Traverse Heavy-Duty Traction Spikes for Walking on Snow and Ice (1 Pair) Visit the Yaktrax Store 86 ratings -29% $3580 Was: $50.70 FREE Returns Style: Large Large Medium X-large Xx-large About this item Pair of heavy-duty, yet lightweight, traction Cleats fit over shoes and boots for everyday safety on ice and snow If you want to move swiftly and feel super light on your feet, the Nanospikes are the best spikes for runners. The Black Diamond Distance Spikes are among the best microspikes for hiking because they are durable, lightweight, and provide great traction. This grip features 12 studs on platforms, giving them extra height for use in relatively deep snow while retaining their comfortable feel on firm surfaces and their performance on ice. The heel webbing loop helps you put on and take off the microspikes. Again, the Kahtoola and Yaktrax models outperform the rest of the competition when it comes to durability. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Today's best Yaktrax Run Ice Traction Device deals, Today's best Yaktrax Summit Traction Device deals, Today's best Kahtoola Microspikes Footwear Traction deals, Today's best Kahtoola Exospikes Footwear Traction deals, Today's best Kahtoola Nanospikes Footwear Traction deals, With snow and ice on the way to our trails and running routes, you might be looking for extra traction so the cold weather doesnt slow you down, Yaktrax and Microspikes are both brands of traction footwear that slip on over your footwear to help keep you upright and moving fast on icy surfaces and to dig in to power you forward on snowy uphills, If youre walking, hiking or running on thinner packed snow, slush, or variable terrain where you might be crossing sections of pavement, then Yaktrax are the way to go, 4 science-backed benefits of evening exercise. Conversely, if you are wearing lightweight running shoes and at the bottom of the size range, you should go down a size for a snug fit. Yaktrax Diamond Grip attaches to all kinds of trail runners, boots, and street shoes with an elastic rubber harness that stays flexible enough for easy on and off even in cold temperatures. Sign up for my newsletter to receive exclusive content, including travel tips, adventure guides, giveaway alerts, blog updates, and more! Carbon Steel is stronger and more durable than stainless steel. While we do not factor price into our testing process or scores, it is absolutely a factor in the decision-making process. Overkill for most hikes. However, Yaktrax break more easily and dont stay on the foot quite as well as Microspikes. These will work in temperatures as cold as -22F. Lets get into it. Micro-spikes recommendations Crampons are more durable traction devices that have much larger spikes. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Microspikes All the Kahtoola models feature excellent security of fit. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Most Affordable for Deep Snow and Winter Hiking, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Very secure, durable, excellent spike layout, Easy on and off, versatile, secure fit, durable, Low profile, secure, easy to put on and use, Secure fit, easy to use, good traction for most situations, Good traction for soft surfaces, packs small, lightweight, Heavier, annoying on dry surfaces, high profile, Poor for deep snow and softer surfaces, uncomfortable for running, These grips provide excellent traction and a secure fit for the worst winter conditions, With good traction for comfortable walking in dry conditions to deep snow, these are highly versatile, These affordable and easy to use grips are ideal for most winter surface conditions, An added velcro strap provides extra security on these durable, affordable, and well-tractioned grips, Best on soft surfaces, these running-specific grips offer good traction in shallow snow. The Kahtoola MICROspikes are reinforced with eyelets to help increase durability and have stainless steel chains to prevent snowballing. They fit snugly over your trail running shoes. Both companies advertise this product as lightweight, easy to put on, and be used for everyday activities. For grip in the back, these spikes have steel coils that allow your shoe to flex nicely. If you are a runner, most brands design spikes to fit trail running shoes. New York, Yaktrax are meant to be worn on snow that is packed down, and they become increasingly useless when youre not traveling on packed snow. They are easy to put on and stay securely placed, adding up to a great option for anyone who can't fathom not running, even in the winter months. Well share everything you need to plan the perfect National Park Vacation for you and your family! The Yaktrax Walk was one of the first snow grips on the market, and its design has changed very little over the years. Best Winter Traction Devices (Microspikes Yaktrax This design is familiar in many traction devices and is effective for a versatile fit. Snow grips are most useful during the worst winter weather when temperatures plummet and the snow piles up.