Detachable ice spikes for walking on ice

[greensurfingbear]

Tried a set of kahtoola micro spikes and was very impressed but at £45 they arent cheap. willing to pay for them but would like opinions of other brands. I see there are cheaper sets on the market anyone got these and are they happy with them. Bear in mind I live and work in the countryside so not a lot of gritting etc going on.


Orric

 

[Badger74]

I bought a pair of cheap ones like the kahtoola first. Was supposed to fit a size 9 but it was stretched to the extreme. This caused the links to squash and seperate and the heel spike come loose. Fixed it and gave to the wife and because there looser they dont strain and are just as good as my Kahtoola that I bought to replace them with.

The advice then; they are fine as long as you get a pair that are definatly big enough and not at the extreme end of the stated size. And boots are bigger than the shoes you see them advertised on.

 

[Ogri the trog]

I have a pair of Yaktrax Pro's for walking the lanes when we get snowed in. They aren't exactly "Ice spikes" - but then we don't get much actual "Ice" on our road.

They are very good on compressed and frozen snow for the mile and a half into town and don't appear to be bothered by the occasional stretch of gritted road or pathway.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Shewie]

I've got the Yaktrax XTR's, very good but around the same price as the Kathoolas

 

[Teepee]

I have the kahtoolas. Very good bits of kit. Compared to the Yaktrax XTR's, I think the Yaktrax just have the edge but its a very minor difference.

I paid £30 for mine from Ebay.

 

[Aragorn]

Do these need to fit on winter mountains boots or will they fit on "normal" walking boots

 

[mountainm]

I got some cheap ones from sports direct, seen the same ones in tesco. Cost £8. THey have a wire spring on a stretchy black frame. Fit my size 9's no problem and work very well.

 

[Teepee]

Do these need to fit on winter mountains boots or will they fit on "normal" walking boots

My kahtoolas fit over my size 12 Baffins, they wont go a lot bigger though.

 

[greensurfingbear]

Do these need to fit on winter mountains boots or will they fit on "normal" walking boots

Just onto shoes, trainers and light boots. Got full crampons for hill walking with just need something for waking around the lanes and into the village


Orric

 

[kiltedpict]

I have a pair of Yaktrax Pro's for walking the lanes when we get snowed in. They aren't exactly "Ice spikes" - but then we don't get much actual "Ice" on our road.

They are very good on compressed and frozen snow for the mile and a half into town and don't appear to be bothered by the occasional stretch of gritted road or pathway.

ATB

Ogri the trog

+ 1

Used mine yesterday and very impressed.

 

[PDA1]

Here in New England we have about three months of complete frost each winter. I have found MicroSpikes to be really good for icy trail walking. Obviously, they are not crampons, bt fir trails up to about 25% grade they work very well once the snow has been trampled down. I have used them for threee years without any deterioration. Friends using the coil type Yaktracks find they wear out pretty quickly in comparison. So they are, IMO, very good for all winter trail conditions except deep fresh snow, when snow shoes are more appropriate. The REI reviews of these are almost uuniversal praise:
http://www.rei.com/product/774966/kahtoola-microspikes-traction-system
I suppose you could say that I am a fan

 

[maddave]

I have Olang Centauro boots with built in ice spikes that you can deploy when needed

 

[bearbait]

I wrote a review of the Kahtoola Microspikes on BCUK some time ago. You may find it of use.

 

[greensurfingbear]

I wrote a review of the Kahtoola Microspikes on BCUK some time ago. You may find it of use.

I wore a friends Kahtoola and was impressed. There do seem to be cheaper versions of them selling on eBay which look similar just wondering if anyone had them


Orric