YakTrax Walker Traction Device

Product Information

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.

In contrast, Kahtoola MICROspikes ® place their stainless steel spikes in a fixed 2×4 circular layout connected by stainless steel chains under the ball of the foot. This pattern gives an even grip in all directions, making it a superior choice for icy surfaces. 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? In contrast, the spikes in the Kahtoola MICROspikes ® are made of stainless steel, which we all know resists rust and corrosion. That’s why it’s so shiny. That doesn’t mean stainless steel spikes are not durable. It is a very strong metal, just not as strong as carbon steel. However, as we’ve shown, the comparison between Yaktrax Summit and Kahtoola MICROspikes ® is worth looking at for moderately challenging winter activities. Although we prefer the Kahtoola MICROspikes ®, both are excellent products to keep you safe during winter. 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.In the guide below, we’ll take you through the 9 best hiking microspikes available today. Armed with one of these options, you’ll be able to grip snowy and icy trails while appreciating the understated beauty of winter hiking. My Review Process The footprint circumference in our Yaktrax® Size Chart is often more accurate than shoe size alone. Measure in a loop around the outside edge of shoe or boot, as shown, where the Yaktrax® naturally grip the outside edge of the footwear. The difference comes in how you personally use your traction devices and what you want in fit and durability. So, let’s take a look at those features. Weight of the Traction Spikes MICROspikes ® vs Crampons is a bit complicated. Traction devices are generally called crampons when they have spikes instead of chains or coils in the sole. Crampons originally came about for scaling icy sections of mountains and climbing waterfalls and had long 1-2 inch spikes. As you can see, technical crampons are long and a bit scary spikes. Overkill for most hikes. There’s a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. However, Yaktrax break more easily and don’t stay on the foot quite as well as Microspikes. Microspikes are much more sturdy and durable, they stay on your feet better and the spikes definitely cut deeper into the ice to provide better traction, but they come with a heftier price tag and aren’t suitable for running in.

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 OK, so let’s wrap up with some of the common questions people have about winter traction devices for traversing snow and ice. How Do You Select the Correct Size of Traction Device Reduced weight is a major advantage to using microspikes over traditional crampons. Per pair, the selections in this guide run from 5 oz for the YakTrax Walk to 16.6 oz for the Unigear Traction Cleats.

Why size is important

It can be a little confusing when we talk about traction devices. Some people use the MICROspikes ® name interchangeably with any traction device that has moderately length spikes or cleats. However, MICROspikes ® is a trademarked name by Kahtoola for that specific model. So you’ll see many traction devices listed for sale as ice cleats. Are MICROspikes ® and Crampons the Same Thing? Ice grips with spikes can use the irregular surface of concrete pavements and tarmac to give you a better grip in such conditions but you would still need to take extra care and the spikes would wear out. Think about what type of terrain you're going to put your microspikes through. An aggressive design is best for challenging trail conditions and winter hikes. A lighter setup for running shoes is best for city streets and crossing small sections of icy surfaces. Durability

Yaktrax® Walk ice grips are made out of an injection moulded thermal plastic elastomer designed for easy on and off.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. Let’s start with the ball of the foot. Both have 8 spikes, 3/8 inch spikes located on the ball. However, the Yaktrax Summit has spikes laid out in a triangle shape that provides aggressive traction when hiking a hill. They will dig in and keep your hiking boots steady with your forward motion.

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. Yaktrax® ice grips have the ability to stretch by around 6cm. The Yaktrax® Size Chart shows the minimum and maximum circumference as measured in the photo. If buying the Yaktrax® Pro and wearing hi-domed footwear such as steel-toe-capped safety boots, please buy the larger of the two suitable sizes if the footwear circumference is where the Yaktrax® sizes overlap, 64cm, 72cm or 76cm. Why size is important The base-level Yaktrax, with a series of heavy-duty coils on your sole, is intended for walking out to get your mail.

Reduce the risk of slipping on ice!

With good traction for comfortable walking in dry conditions to deep snow, these are highly versatile As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, many people compare apples to bananas when looking at traction devices. Yaktrax and Kahtoola both have a wide selection of styles, each meant for a different purpose. 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. 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 The layout of the spikes is different between the two winter traction devices, with the spikes providing somewhat different advantages.