YakTrax Walker Traction Device

Product Information

The Kahtoola MICROspikes ® win for durability and ease of maintenance which we believe are critical for the casual user of snow traction devices. For most winter hiking conditions, the MICROspikes ® will serve you well since they are so versatile. However, if you are ice fishing or hiking into your hunting spot where you’ll be sitting most of the day, a little extra weight is not a big deal.

However, microspikes also have limits. Even the most aggressive microspikes will have trouble holding onto slopes steeper than about 25 degrees. The Yaktrax Summit has a fit system completely different from other traction devices. They use the patented Boa Closure System that is used in many high-performance gear. The idea behind it is that you turn the knob at the heel to pull the cables tight. As the cables tighten, they adjust the pull on both the front and side of the Summits. The fit is about as custom as you can get, especially in accomodating a variety of foot and boot widths. Hiking in the winter is a beautiful and sublime experience. It can also be dangerous if you’re not prepared. Without the proper grip, you could slip, trip, and slide your way to injury. Microspikes are the perfect traction device to keep you upright and uninjured.

Reduce the risk of slipping on ice!

Too large and there is a risk of the Yaktrax® falling off and being lost or acting as a trip hazard. If the Yaktrax® are too small, they could become over-stretched and develop weak points which snap. If the size of Yaktrax® is too large for the footwear, the coils could extend beyond of the shoe or boot. When hiking in deeper snow, you are often better off with snowshoes that let you walk on top of the snow. Traction devices with spikes are for hiking over hard snow where they can dig in and hold. On soft snow, you would just sink right in. Which Ice Cleat is Best for Walking on Ice? While we do not factor price into our testing process or scores, it is absolutely a factor in the decision-making process. We consider a high-value product to be one that expertly balances an excellent performance with a fair price. Gear that lasts and also doesn't break the bank is a win all around.

The best hiking microspikes are the Kahtoola MICROspikes. The best trail running microspikes are the Kahtoola EXOspikes, and the best traction devices for urban running are the Kahtoola NANOspikes. Winner: Kahtoola MICROspikes ® – While I love the custom fit of the Summit, especially if you have wider or narrower feet than the average, there are quite a few complaints that the cables break under heavy use. The thought of being in the middle of a long hike and losing your spikes seems risky. After a day out in the cold, I’m not that conscientious and would probably leave my cleats in a damp bag where they could rust. Seriously, I just want a beverage and a fire at that point. Layout of the Traction Spikes Generally speaking, microspikes are best for generating additional traction on ice and snow. They slip on easily and offer a way to grip trails and road surfaces with gentle pitches. Now let’s look at the heel, where both cleats have 4 spikes in a circle. A minor difference is the Summit’s spikes are closer to the edge of the heel, while the MICROspikes ® are closer to the center.The Kahtoola MICROspikes ® uses a rubber frame called the elastomer harness that you slip over your boot’s toe and then pull up over your heel. This design is familiar in many traction devices and is effective for a versatile fit. The toe bail, the rubber over the top of your boots, is wide enough to provide a snug fit.

The layout of the spikes is different between the two winter traction devices, with the spikes providing somewhat different advantages. Yaktrax® Walk ice grips are the most popular ice grips from Yaktrax®. Lightweight and comfortable to wear. The 1.2mm steel coils are protected against rusting and hand-wound to give you 360 degrees of traction on ice and snow. If you do a lot of non-technical mountain hiking where you are going up and down inclines, we choose the Yaktrax Summit – Because we feel the Summit is a little bit better for digging in when hiking up a hill and stabilizing foot on uneven terrain.Winner: Kahtoola MICROspikes ® – It’s a tight one since we are comparing the value of strength to durability. But, the win goes to Kahtoola for adventuring out in snow and ice. Now, to compare Microspikes (traction devices, ice cleats, etc.) with Crampons... both Microspikes and Crampons are used to provide extra traction on snow and ice. The differences between them lie primarily in design. After decades of hiking and mountaineering, I have developed a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of outdoor travel. I’m here to share that knowledge with you. Over time, those traction devices have been adapted with smaller spikes for a variety of winter terrain. And the Kahtoola MICROspikes ® are a subset of crampons, with smaller spikes for challenging hiking or work conditions. Which is the best crampon for Traction When Trail Running