Roundup · Traction
Best microspikes
Updated October 5, 2026 · 8 min
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Who this is for. Hikers on spring and fall trails that ice up. Not steep alpine ice.
Start here: Kahtoola MICROspikes.
Check current price on the listing.
Comparison
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| Pick | Price band | Weight | Best for | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mid | About 13 oz a pair | Icy packed trail in shoes you already own | Not for steep ice or hard water ice |
 | Mid | About 15 oz a pair | Longer icy approaches | Still not a mountaineering crampon |
 | Budget | About 8 oz a pair | Icy sidewalks and very mild trail | Coils shred on rock and slip on steep ice |
 | Mid | About 6 oz a pair | Snow, scree, and boots that ship mud into the cuff | Overkill in summer dust |
Bands are typical street ranges, not live prices.
The picks
Default microspikes
Kahtoola MICROspikes
Use them on packed snow and moderate ice. Take them off on dry rock so you do not skate or damage the chain. They are not crampons. If the route is steep enough to warrant an ice axe, turn around or bring the real tools and the skill. Size them to the shoe.
Who should buy it. Shoulder-season hikers on icy trails.
Pros
- Stable on packed ice
- Fit over hiking shoes
- Widely understood
Cons
- Wrong tool on steep alpine ice
- Wear out if worn on pavement
Check current price on the listing.
Aggressive trail spikes
Hillsound Trail Crampon
These are still trail tools. They bite more than a basic coil and less than a real crampon with a front point you can kick. Know the terrain. If you are front-pointing, you are in the wrong category of both gear and trip.
Who should buy it. Hikers with long icy trail sections.
Pros
- More bite
- Straps over boots
- Useful on firm snow
Cons
- Heavier
- Can feel like too much on flat ice
Check current price on the listing.
Coil traction
Yaktrax Run
Yaktrax belong in a winter car kit for icy parking lots. On rocky trail the coils break and the grip is worse than microspikes. Do not let the low price talk you into a trip that needed Kahtoolas.
Who should buy it. Neighborhood ice and emergency car kits.
Pros
- Light
- Cheap
- Fine on sidewalks
Cons
- Poor on rocky trail
- Coils break
Check current price on the listing.
Tall hiking gaiters
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
Use a tall gaiter when debris or snow is above the ankle. A short dirty-girl style gaiter is enough for dust on runners and weighs less. Waterproof gaiters do not dry a soaked boot. They delay the flood.
Who should buy it. Snow hikes and scrambles.
Pros
- Keeps debris out
- Durable
- Usable with boots
Cons
- Warm
- Pointless on a dry summer runner
Check current price on the listing.
If you only buy one
Buy Kahtoolas unless you already know the approach is long and firm enough to want Hillsounds. Leave Yaktrax for the parking lot.
FAQ
Can I use them with trail runners?
Yes, if the size matches. Try them at home.
Do I need gaiters too?
When snow is above the ankle. Not for a dusty summer trail.
Are these crampons?
No. If the route needs an ice axe, you are past this page.
Related
How this was framed. Picks are chosen for how you will use them, not by a private lab score. Weights and ratings are the manufacturer’s published figures and can change with the model year. Prices are not listed. Open the current listing before you buy.