Product Review: Kahtoola MICROspikes

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MonadnockVol

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As most readers probably know, Kahtoola released their MICROspikes (hereafter referred to as MS), last fall. I got my MS in early January. I have now used them over a dozen times under various conditions and thought I'd tell you how it has gone.

The product: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html

Category: Traction control devices

Similar products that I own to which I am comparing this product: Grivel step-in crampons. Black diamond crampons, Stabilicers, and instep-crampons.

Where the product was tested: mostly on Mt. Monadnock as well as Goose Pond and the Horatio Colony Preserve (both in Keene, NH).

Types of surfaces tested on: Bare rock, rain-covered rock, soft wet snow, soft dry snow, corn snow, hard-packed snow, soft ice, hard ice, mud, and dirt.

Biggest advantages: (A1) The MS are lightweight (mine are 12 ounces) and compact (they ball up when not in use and can fit in a pocket). (A2) They are easy to put on and off (similar to Yak-trax in this regard). (A3) They give traction which is superior to Stabilicers (with one exception - see D3 below) but far inferior to regular crampons. (A4) Because of their stretch binding they fit a variety of different boots/shoes/sneakers and they do not shift like Stabilicers do. (A5) The problems of screw loss and screw wear so familiar to Stabilicer users isn't a problem (but see D4 below).

Biggest disadvantages: (D1) In soft wet snow, they ball up snow worse than anything else I have ever used. (D2) They do not hold well on very cold, hard ice, nor on ice faces steeper than 40 degrees (although that is an estimated slope). (D3) Unlike Stabilicers, which have the screws around the edge, the cleats on MS are under the ball of the foot and the heel on the mid-line. The only traction on the edges of the foot are provided by the stainless-steel chains. This means in situations where one has a thin ledge of rock, the MS do not hold well. (D4) Although the rate of wear for the MS cleats seems to be much, much slower than the wear rate for Stabilicer screws, they still wear. One can always buy new screws but it seems that one would have to buy a new set of MS every few years under heavy use.

Biggest unanswered questions: Durability. I have only used mine a dozen times. I know about a dozen people who also have them. None of us has had any problems with them yet. But I do not know anyone who has used one pair a hundred or two hundred times. The binding is a stretchy material and I wonder if it will become brittle or weak with use/age. There are also a number of small fasteners/parts (e.g. the wire that goes across the toe of the boot) that seem flimsy. Nor have I used my MS in temperatures colder than -5 degrees F, so their performance under extreme cold is another unanswered question.

Overall impressions: I love my MS. If I made Stabilicers, I'd be very worried about the future. Except for D3, I can't think of any reason why I'd rather have Stabilicers in my pack instead of MS. The balling of snow was a problem, but only happened to me once with very soft, moist snow. They are NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CRAMPONS and I went rocketing down 30 feet near the summit of Monadnock because my MS didn't hold on hard, cold ice, but for most conditions where one would use Stabilicers, they were great.

Needless to say, I have no affiliation with Kahtoola or any other maker, distributer or retailer of outdoor equipment.

- Monadnock Volunteer (sjc)

P.S. Oops, almost forgot: Unlike Stabilicers, one can't "ski" in MS under most conditions (a measure of their superior grip). But they are so easy to put on and take off that I know some people who wear them on the ascent and then take them off to ski down.
 
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Thank you for this info. I am keeping note of peoples reaction to the microspikes for my future reference.
 
MonadnockVol said:
Just to be fair, I believe the issue with the screws falling out of Stabilicers was a manufacturing problem, that has been corrected in the newest shipments. I have never had any screw losses, FWIW.

I may have a few loose, but that's another thread! :D

In any case, thank you for a very informative post.
 
That hasn't been my experience

Tom Rankin said:
Just to be fair, I believe the issue with the screws falling out of Stabilicers was a manufacturing problem, that has been corrected in the newest shipments. I have never had any screw losses, FWIW.

I may have a few loose, but that's another thread! :D

In any case, thank you for a very informative post.

Dear Tom,

Wow. I'm impressed that you've never lost a screw. I wish I could say the same. I have two pairs of Stabilicers. I bought the first many years ago, and the second pair a year ago. I really like Stabilicers and until I got my microspikes, they were my "traction-device-of-first resort." But I have always lost screws (and before anyone asks: yes, I check and tighten before and after every hike). I've lost the original screws, the official replacement screws, and some motorcyle ice racing screws that also fit. Maybe it's the hiking I do. There are a few places on Monadnock where one is required to place the edge of one's boot on a small ledge or in a crack to hang on and this may rip the screws out. I notice that I usually lose the screws near the ball of the foot.

As far as your screws being loose... they seem pretty secure to me, IMHO.

-sjc
 
My Stabilicers now occupy a space on the shelf, where I imagine they will spend a very long and lonely existence. The Microspikes are better, lighter, more secure (don't slide around at all.)

Yes, you must put your foot down differently, but the traction at the edge of your boot (advantage to the Stabilicers) also causes the Velcro webbing to get worn away. After only two trips with them, I'm not sure I trust them to not get cut through.

Tim
 
I *LOVE* my MicroSpikes. They stay on my boots with a nice, tight grip, and on several different kinds of ice have excellent grip.

The only shortcoming I've found is snowpack. The spikes are short and don't penetrate enough to generate a strong enough grip. For crossing snowpack, stick to crampons.

However, for those in-between seasons I love 'em. For dealing with ice patches on an otherwise clear trail in fall or spring they are the best choice we've tried. In fact, they'd be perfect on our dog walks in our nearby conservation land right now.
 
I have used MS, stabilicers, yaktraks, and another one, forgot the name, with small carbide studs in replacable plastic rivets. IMHO the MS are far more durable and hold better under a wider range of conditions than any of the others.
 
I've used both and my vote also goes to the MS. As Tim noted, the Velcro attachments are a weak link over time. The only time I now use my Stabilicer is for shoveling out my driveway.

Dave
 
Microspikes = "The Death of the Stabilicer" :eek:

Maybe I'll use em for shoveling around the House. :D
 
skiguy said:
Microspikes = "The Death of the Stabilicer" :eek:

Maybe I'll use em for shoveling around the House. :D
Any opinion on which might be better for off trail travel? I would tend to think stabilicers would not get pulled off as easily by wayward branches, sticks, roots, etc.
 
On the first day of use (a bushwhack), I temporarily lost one of mine on the ascent. Fortunately my wife found it on the way down. They were worn correctly. It may have been terrain and conditions for which they were not really designed, so I don't blame the equipment. In any case, it can happen.
 
Really like my Microspikes for terrain they were meant for and use them on mixed rock and ice that is not too steep to keep from wearing my crampon points. Easy to take on and off and much better than a traction device I was using. Did have one problem because of storing them in my crampon bag with my Grivels. The red rubber binding was scarred in one place by a sharp edge and would have torn when it was stretched out. Fortunately I noticed it and didn't wear them until I had a chance to grind the scar out with a Dremel to arrest it from tearing through the rubber. Nice to see a company that realizes there are still improvements to be made in traction and a market for them! :)
 
MonadnockVol said:
I've lost the original screws, the official replacement screws, and some motorcyle ice racing screws that also fit. Maybe it's the hiking I do.
It's not just you. Every time I use them, I lose almost all the screws even in relatively moderate conditions. After hiking with a few people who have micro spikes and love them, I plan to ditch the stabilicers at the end of this season.
 
Love mine and think very highly of them. So much so I bought a pair for my wife and she loves them also. Short of needing my Grivels they are the perfect solution for any Ice/snow combination.

Keith
 
Used my new MicroSpikes (thanks for the Christmas present, kids!) for the first time last Sunday, coming down the hard-as-rock Crawford Path from Clinton. I was moving right along, almost running at times, and the only thing that happened was that one slid sideways just a tiny bit in the front. And that was wearing them over plastics.

I'm very pleased with them, and my Stabilicers are going back to Bean's. Wore them three times, even got replacement screws, and I never got off the trail with a full set of screws intact. I loved the Stabilicers idea, but the MSes are much better for what I do.
 
SAR-EMT40 said:
Love mine and think very highly of them. So much so I bought a pair for my wife and she loves them also. Short of needing my Grivels they are the perfect solution for any Ice/snow combination.

Keith
I can't get my wife to get a pair. I think its her way of saying I don't want to go hiking in the cold.

Lou
 
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