Crampons vs microspikes reddit The crampons count on the center bar linking the front to back remaining stiff, whereas the sole of a running shoe is expected to bend and flex as you run (unlike a mountaineer boot whose sole will also stay stiff). Mar 14, 2022 · Microspikes are much more affordable than crampons, with microspikes running around $50-$75 per pair, while crampons can run from $180-$400 per pair. Going up a steep slope in universal crampons even with a stiff hiking boot is a lesson in pain, unless only used for short distances. Bean Boa Traction vs Hillsound Trail Crampons vs microspikes hillsound-trail-crampons They are comparable to the old trick of screwing hex-head screws into your soles. Crampons are much more secure. For just walking and hiking in snow and ice microspikes are what you need. I See full list on backpackingmastery. Not as good as full on crampons, but better than many microspikes. g. Crampons are much larger spikes and meant for much more serious terrain. For me personally, I don't see a big difference between a regular hike and one with microspikes. Jan 9, 2023 · Although crampons and microspikes look similar, they actually have a different design. Crampons have large, one-inch spikes for embedding deeper into snow and ice. Easier to put on than Kahtoola Microspikes. Yaktraks won't cut it on solid ice the way microspikes do. Microspikes also have chains holding them together to enhance traction in the snow. Edit: there are some products on the market that call themselves crampons but look more like microspikes (Hillsound does this with most of their products for some confusing reason) as well as some crampons that are less extreme and more suited for the whites. is will have an alert about pathways near Gullfoss (or elsewhere) being slippery. They were so much better than the others. Check your microspikes yearly as they will dull with use and become less effective. I haven't tried out the Hillsound trail crampons but I've seen it and they pretty much look similar to Kahtoola's, albeit, a tad more aggressive. Yaktrax or snowtrax are better for ice. They provide a little bit of extra traction that can help over level ground and gradual inclines/declines. Design Dec 28, 2021 · Crampon bindings are often more substantial than the rubber straps used to attach microspikes to footwear, making them more difficult to put on or take off mid-hike. Having used micro spikes, yak tracks and KTS crampons, I seriously considered getting a tattoo of my crampons after I used them. For a little frost on leaves and dirt and rocks, the basic Yaxtrax Diamond is good. They are generally uncomfortable on icy asphalt or smooth, frozen trail. On ungroomed trails or in the backcountry, real crampons are best but practice first - the first time I used real crampons on sun cups, I spent as much time trying not to twist my ankles as I did in forward motion. Micro spikes are moderately helpful. They aren’t technical per se, but on our steep fall line trails it gets sketchy enough that microspikes don’t bite enough and a sliding fall could end you. They will never fit properly. Because the front points will act like a lever when you dig them in the ice and your crampon will wobble even if you pull the straps of your strap on crampons super tight. Microspikes are better than studs and other traction devices. Microspikes are good on well pounded or groomed trails or on open clear ice. The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra has slightly smaller spikes and a different style plate. Trekking poles go a long way here. They are overkill for most hiking and +1 for a Hillsound Trail Crampons. Also, the Hillsound Trail Crampon use a different style plate system. Get either kahtoola microspikes +1 for Kahtoola Microspikes. However, they are much more robust than the Chainsens (and the regular Kahtoola microspikes). Hello yall! I start next week, and still plan to go through the sierra. Like on a hike, microspikes start to hurt when there's too much bare soil I'm trying to decide between crampons vs micro spikes. The first kind are very similar to Katoola Microspikes or Hillsound Trail Crampons and are the best kind for icy trail use where a full crampon is not called for and comparatively easy on and off is of value. . I often wear crampons when doing moderate angle hiking in woods if it’s icy. e. Used them a lot a few years back and got us through shoulder season and also some icy patches/sections beyond treeline. 12 votes, 27 comments. They work best when the snow has a supportive icy crust but they don't do much if you are sinking into the snow. When there is too much snow on the trails as there tends to be in winter months, traction devices like Oct 11, 2022 · When looking at microspikes vs crampons, they are similar in that they are also traction devices that are used by strapping them over your shoe to help you hike in packed snow and ice. Kathoola MICROspikes or Kathoola K10 or Kathoola KTS Hillsound Trail Crampon (Bigger Spike W/ Plate) or Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra (Fast Pace Spikes). View community ranking In the Top 1% of largest communities on Reddit. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Don't fall into the trap of calling all elastomer band spikes micro spikes. Crampons and microspikes are two types of traction devices that are commonly used during winter activities such as hiking, mountaineering, and ice climbing. You can get by with yak track on compacted snow that's not too icey. L. I'm not as partial to the design of the Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro. I. Microspikes . Sep 19, 2023 · Key Differences Between Crampons and Microspikes. If there's fresh snow or non-compacted trails you will need snowshoes. Third, considering points one and two, using those crampons with your boots is fundamentally unsafe. Sep 15, 2024 · When To Use Crampons vs. Neither is a replacement for crampons when you really need crampons. Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras are the product you should be looking at if you want to compare hillsound vs kahtoola microspikes. But if you use the front points of your crampons a lot (like in crevasse rescue, more vertical climbing) you should go with a boot that supports a hybrid crampon. Sure, microspikes 'usually' work If usually is good enough for you. Source: I own 3 pairs of snowshoes, 3 sets of crampons, and 2 pairs of microscopes Edit to add: with an early March start, the odds of having to traverse long stretches of deep snow in the sierra are pretty high. For crampons, I would take the recommendation of whoever sold you your mountaineering boots. e. They seem like similar products except the hillsounds are slightly heavier but have a Velcro strap to keep them better secured. There are also boots that do not support either, but rather micro-spikes or micro-crampons. Posted by u/_MountainFit - No votes and 1 comment Ice spikes are not the same as crampons. While winter is the time you would expect to need crampons and microspikes, I’ve found that shoulder seasons are an important time to consider these traction devices for your hikes if snow is present. Microspikes for firm snow conditions with low angle and low risk runouts Crampons for firm snow and ice, with moderate to high angle and/or higher risk runouts If the snow isn't firm you probably don't need traction, just kick step or plunge step. Not actually true, Microspikes is a trademark specific name of Kahtoola. If your shoe flexes and your crampon stays rigid, the crampon center bar can snap and the crampon will pop off and/or break entirely. your Cimkiz "crampons" are microspikes. I've personally done most of them with the rental microspikes, but maybe 2-3% of the time would have preferred crampons. Welcome to the Zion National Park subreddit! This community is dedicated to sharing everything related to Zion National Park! Whether you're a seasoned visitor or planning your first trip, this subreddit is the perfect place to ask questions, share tips, and connect with fellow park enthusiasts. Before purchasing, make sure crampons are compatible with the type of footwear you plan to use—when in doubt, consult a sales associate at your local gear retailer. 10 votes, 11 comments. I am debating on getting boots and full crampons, but there are a few reasons I would prefer not to switch my entire footwear system. Sometimes SafeTravel. The Trail Crampons’ spikes are 50% longer and the velcro strap makes them much more reliable. Hard to say what the snow conditions will be then. I would determine trail conditions and plan accordingly. Crampons are mostly a climbing and mountaineering tool meant to help on steep to vertical ascents of rock and ice faces. At least one case a few years back was from someone with microspikes sliding like your friend, but they did go into a ravine and died. Microspikes are good for most hiking applications when snow and ice is involved. The crampon will break OR will come off your boot. In the Catskills you really want the same. Microspikes work on flatter terrain and low-angle slopes, so you would want to use them on these types of icy surfaces or flat-packed snow. , ice climbing. In those conditions, I fucking love my strap on crampons in hikers. Night and day. Yak tracks and anything similar are garbage for serious hiking. Snowshoes Crampons = Ice Climbing & Mountaineering Microspikes & Snowshoes = Hiking Note that during the winter some hiking trails do become technical ice climbs or cross into the sport of mountaineering. But if you need crampons, you need an ice axe, crampon-compatible boots, maybe a helmet, conditions are sketchier, ideally a partner with you, etc. Good technique will carry you a long way. I also hike in the White Mountains of NH and I’ve found the Microspikes to wear out faster and be more prone to slipping off. Most crampons provide aggressive traction, and you should only use them when you need vertical traction, such as when navigating steeper slopes. Winter season is coming and although I live in one of the flattest countries on earth, the forest trails tend to have pretty steep ascents and descents. Shasta, Adams, Hood. well it's your life. They have shorter spikes than real crampons (which makes them more versatile and easier to use, plus they work with regular trail shoes or boots). The Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area throughout the entire… You will need one of the two for summiting the peaks. As an avid peak climber here in Colorado, they stay in my car or strapped to my hiking pack year-round. As far as I know, there are automatic and semi-automatic crampons available, at least here in Europe. To clarify for people… get microspikes and not crampons. This makes them work well with rigid crampons, which give you better purchase in steep snow and ice. 45K subscribers in the Adirondacks community. In the Daks you will want Crampons, Spike & Snowshoes avail for winter climbing. Jan 4, 2025 · Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras and Kahtoola Microspikes are the most popular winter traction aids for hiking on packed snow, ice, and mixed ice and rock. It works fine if you have footwear that can handle going up steep slopes in crampons. Microspikes for hiking are typically made of a thick, strong, flexible rubber that stretches and pulls over whatever boot or shoe you’re wearing. You can get cheapo microspikes in Iceland, even at the grocery store. Microspikes are better for snow or snow mixed with ice, but uncomfortable on flat ice bc of the spike height. Microspikes aren't a bad idea if the trails are icy. Microspikes for low angle hard consolidated snow, (mt laguna) crampons for high angle with ice axe for self belay, (san Jacinto and beyond), +snow shoes for fresh deep powder snowfall or long sections of thawed sunny day mashed potato snow/sun cups (sierras) that occur after 10am with thawing temps May avoid by hiking at night when snow is We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Microspikes for low angle hard consolidated snow, (mt laguna) crampons for high angle with ice axe for self belay, (san Jacinto and beyond), +snow shoes for fresh deep powder snowfall or long sections of thawed sunny day mashed potato snow/sun cups (sierras) that occur after 10am with thawing temps May avoid by hiking at night when snow is We use microspikes or crampons. The Kahtoolas are basically heavier-duty microspikes. Unless you're hiking really early you're not likely to encounter enough snow and ice to make full blown crampons worth it. That being said, I have decided for obvious reasons microspikes probably won't be enough. Best if wearing stiff mountaineering boots and proper crampons designed to mount directly to the boot interface. Black Diamond Distance Spike Traction Device: Lighter than Kahtoola Microspikes but shorter spikes and less spikes. They’re like tire chains for your feet, with tiny metal spikes and chains that are attached to an elastic harness that you slip over your boots or shoes. One of the chains keeps uncoupling from a spike and I have to keep fixing it. L. Ice axe when you need to arrest a slip/fall. It seems the general consensus is that micro spikes are the way to go, though I have two hesitations. Seem to work as well as Kahtoola Microspikes except I have a problem with snow balling on my feet some days. Microspikes should be more than enough, but if it's steep and you're unsure of your footing, the extra grip from crampons is comforting. Welcome to r/Coquitlam, the subreddit dedicated to the beautiful city of Coquitlam in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. I used microspikes this year, worked great. If it’s very icy I’d wear crampons, as they give you ~100% confidence in your footing. The micros are great for icy snow and mixed icy/muddy/rocky trail. For those who have Kahtoola K10s or similar, is there a noticeable improvement when wearing those vs microspikes? Do you think it makes more sense to go for stiff mountaineering boots and crampons instead? I currently only have flexible winter boots. Kahtoola K 10)? Thanks in advance Compared to the weight of real crampons (and the required hard-shell mountaineering boots to use them), microspikes are very lightweight. Maintenance Caring for crampons vs microspikes is pretty simple, with both requiring 4-6 hours of drying time in a warm place after use and occasionally oiling them with machine oil to keep the Dec 23, 2024 · When to use microspikes and crampons. I wouldn't buy them to bring unless you have some other need for them. Also with crampons, it is way too easy to misstep and put a hole in your gaiters/pants, and unlike microspikes, you cannot wear them on rocks. If you want to ski, then the crampons are extremely useful (as the chutes can get icy and and are seriously steep), but otherwise your microspikes are totally fine, and much more portable. The crampons flex, and the spikes are shorter. Only this year realized I could actually trail run in them, and they were perfect for it. I would like to try to hike up a few mountains along the trail. In New England shoulder season we sometimes get insane ice flows on our trails that can be continuous for miles. Progress from yak tracks to microspikes to crampons as the steepness and iceyness increase. As one of the 21 municipalities that make up Metro Vancouver, Coquitlam is a vibrant suburban city that offers a high quality of life to its residents. The Ultra is more designed for jogging. Posted by u/speedyclouds - 3 votes and 8 comments While called "trail crampons", the Hillsound devices lack a spring bar, front points, heel bar, strapping, and other attributes of true crampons so they are actually a robust version of microspikes. I have had my kahtoola microspikes almost 10 years and they're still going strong. Consider it like this, if it's a stretch rubber you pull over your shoe to have chains with spikes on the underside, those are microspikes for all discussion purposes. While both of these devices help to improve traction on icy or snowy terrain, there are some key differences that set them apart. I have the ultras and I like them, but I've never used kahtoolas. I already have Petzl Vasak Crampons available to me. For actual icy conditions, nothing beats the Kahtoola Microspike. Second, those are semiautomatic crampons and are designed to mount to a heel welt your boot lacks. Whereas microspikes have smaller, quarter- or ½ inch spikes for getting better grip in the snow. Microspikes has 'metal protrusions' (that get rounded over w/ use) crampons have sharp spikes that cut into ice. A lot of snowshoes have spikes on the bottom and provide traction. com Mar 14, 2022 · Microspikes are much more affordable than crampons, with microspikes running around $50-$75 per pair, while crampons can run from $180-$400 per pair. Maintenance Caring for crampons vs microspikes is pretty simple, with both requiring 4-6 hours of drying time in a warm place after use and occasionally oiling them with machine oil to keep the View community ranking In the Top 1% of largest communities on Reddit. I have seen a lot of discussion about whether conditions are such that you would need crampons or microspikes in the high peak… We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Mountaineering boots are not just heavy; they are rigid. If it’s just snowy microspikes are sufficient. I am wondering if microspikes will be enough in the relatively deep forest snow or should I get hiking crampons (e. Microspikes is just a specific brand name, it's like Kleenex vs tissue paper.
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