Kahtoola MICROspikes: Are These The Best Traction Device For Hiking?

Kahtoola MICROspikes: Are These The Best Traction Device For Hiking?

Kahtoola Microspikes are footwear traction devices mainly made for hiking, ice fishing and trail running. They make hiking on icy surfaces a lot easier. To compare, if you are looking to walk the dog or shovel the driveway, there are a variety of other traction cleats that are less aggressive that are better for pavement, such as NANOspikes, ICETrekkers, Yaktraxs, and Stabilicers. If your mountaineering though, you'll most likely need crampons. If you do any kind of hiking where some areas can be slippery, including traversing frozen lakes and the like, Microspikes are intended to help you out.

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Quick specs:

• Size: 5" x 3" x 2"in their included tote sack
• Weight: 11 to 13.5 ounces per pair
• Spikes: 12 per foot, 8 at the front and 4 at the back
• Spike length: 3/8"
• Material: heat treated stainless steel
• Color: Black and red
• Usage: Hiking, ice fishing, and trail running

Microspikes Features

Aside from grip performance, we look at a variety of other factors, such as the ease of use, weight, price, and overall quality. Kahtoola Microspikes have seen some iterations and improvements over the years, and this review is about their latest version. Some retailers still ship the older versions due to old stock, which we will show you how you can recognize the different versions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11HZ3YX8W9c

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Grip

The grip is one of the most important factors in traction systems, especially if you like to climb challenging areas. Slips in the wilderness can be significant. Microspikes grip consists of twelve 3/8th inch stainless steel spikes, which will bite into ice, snow, and other slippery slopes. In some cases,  Microspikes provide traction on bare rock. The Microspike's traction is so good, that if you aren't used to lifting your feet properly while walking on sidewalks, you will learn to do so very quickly.

Ease of use

Microspikes are one of the easiest to use spikes on the market. Due to the elastic band and the stainless steel chain links, putting the spikes on and off can easily be done in just a few seconds. Kahtoola also includes a small tote bag in the latest edition. Because of the elastic band and stainless steel chain links, the Microspikes can be folded, and put in the small tote bag easily. See the video on how to put on microspikes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO92R9arDak

Band quality and Sizing

The bands are flexible and are able to fit almost any shoe or hiking boot. If you get a size that is too small, you may have a harder time stretching the band around the boot and make the band less durable. In older versions of Microspikes, the band was thicker in order to retain eyelet durability. The current model, however, has an integrated TPU reinforcement disc in each eyelet, which allows Kahtoola to reduce the size and weight of the elastomer band while improving its durability. Check out the Microspikes sizing chart below.

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Overall Review

Overall, Microspikes are one of the most popular traction devices on the market and are great for general hiking. Their durability is backed by a two-year warranty. Many hikers consider them to be a "don't leave home without it" item. The light weight and small size make them easy to add to your pack and slip on when needed. If you are hiking, ice fishing, or trail running during winter, Microspikes will provide the much-needed traction.

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What MICROspikes Actually Do

MICROspikes are the sweet-spot traction device between bare boots and full crampons. They sit in the middle of the winter traction spectrum:

• Yaktrax / Ice trekkers (low end): wire coils over rubber. Good for walking dogs on icy sidewalks. Slip off on real trail.
• MICROspikes (middle): 12 steel 3/8" spikes on chain links. The standard for hiking on packed snow and ice.
• Hillsound Trail Crampons (slightly more aggressive): longer spikes, stiffer frame. Better for steep icy trails.
• Full crampons (high end): 10–12 two-inch spikes, front points for kicking into ice. For technical mountaineering and steep ice.

For 90% of winter day-hiking in the lower 48 US states, MICROspikes are the right answer. They handle packed snow, refrozen slush, icy switchbacks, and moderate-angle trails. They don't handle steep bulletproof ice or front-pointing up a couloir.

Sizing and Fit

• Small: US M 5–8 / W 6–9.
• Medium: US M 8.5–10.5 / W 9.5–11.5. Fits most hikers.
• Large: US M 11–13 / W 12+.
• XL: US M 13.5+. For bigger feet or boots with thick outsoles.

A properly sized pair pulls on over any hiking boot with a firm tug. Too loose and they slip off; too tight and you'll rip the rubber within a season. Try them on over your actual winter boots before buying — the elastomer stretches about 10% after first use.

When MICROspikes Aren't Enough

• Unbroken powder over 6 inches deep. Snowshoes needed.
• Slopes steeper than 30°. You need to kick steps — that requires full crampons.
• Blue ice. The kind on frozen waterfalls and alpine couloirs. Crampon front-points only.
• Mixed rock-and-ice scrambling. Crampons don't work on rock, MICROspikes don't work on ice. Pick one based on what predominates.
• Exposed technical terrain. Where a fall has serious consequences. Rope, harness, proper ice tools.

MICROspikes Competitors Worth Considering

• Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro: 2/3 inch spikes, more aggressive than MICROspikes. Best for steeper icy trails.
• Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra: lighter (runner-oriented). 14 spikes on a flexible chain.
• Snowline Chainsen Pro: European equivalent, very similar. Often cheaper than Kahtoola.
• Black Diamond Access Spike: newest entrant. 14 stainless spikes, reinforced chain. Premium price.
• STABILicers Run: budget option. Plastic body with replaceable studs. Runners like them for mixed ice and road conditions.

Care and Longevity

• Rinse after use. Salt from winter roads corrodes the steel. 30 seconds under the hose extends life by years.
• Dry indoors. Leaving them wet in a car freezes them into a block of rubber.
• Inspect the spikes annually. Worn-down or missing spikes reduce grip dramatically. Kahtoola doesn't sell individual spikes; replace the whole unit.
• Replace the chain if it shows rust. A snapped chain on a steep icy descent can cause a fall.
• Budget lifespan: 3–5 seasons of 20+ hikes per year. Casual users get a decade.

Packing and Using MICROspikes

• Carry them on any winter hike. Conditions change within a trail. Even if the trailhead is dry, the shaded upper switchbacks may be ice.
• Put them on before you need them. Stopping to fit MICROspikes on a steep icy slope is when people slip and fall.
• Pack them in a small stuff sack. Bare spikes chew through pack fabric.
• Take them off on dry rock. Rubbing steel spikes on granite dulls them and slides awkwardly.
• Watch for balling up. In wet heavy snow, chunks can stick in the spikes. Tap them off with a trekking pole.

MICROspikes FAQ

Are MICROspikes worth it?

Yes, for any regular winter hiker. They transform an icy trail from "sketchy" to "confident." $70 for the gear that prevents the most common winter hiking injuries.

Can you run in MICROspikes?

Yes — many trail runners do. The shorter-spike MICROspikes or the Kahtoola NANOspikes are better for running; the full MICROspikes can feel heavy at pace.

Do I need MICROspikes for hiking in the snow?

For fresh soft snow, no. For packed snow or any ice, yes. Icy trails are the invisible danger — they look normal under fresh dusting but throw you on the first step.

Can MICROspikes replace crampons?

Not for technical climbing. For general winter hiking and moderate trails, yes — but if you're heading for anything steeper than 30° or any real ice, crampons are safer.

Will MICROspikes damage hardwood floors or wet rock?

Yes to hardwood — take them off before going inside. On wet rock they scratch but don't seriously damage; you'll dull the spike tips faster though.