READERS COMMENTS

Petzl has a 6 point crampon similar to my pair bought from campmoor a few years ago. they have helped us on the AT in January. They are not good when the snow is starting to melt as they then hold snow, but when there are lots of ice patches, they let you cruze on. they are also good since there are no spikes which could stick out the front to hit your ankle or boots, unless you step on your other foot. They are not too heavy for the help they provide. It would be nice if they had clips to allow them to be put on quicker. They do adjust to your boot.
Posted: Dec 03, 2010 Kenny popp

Steve, I checked out the Hillsound Trail and it looks like a tame version of a real crampon. How much did they cost? Does the manufacturer sell them? I have no dealer within 400 miles of me. REI does not carry them, and that's about all I have within a five hour drive.
Posted: Dec 03, 2010 Eric Nelson

Posted: Dec 03, 2010 Jack Pittrof

I have a pair of Hillsound Trail crampons that have been great. Used them in Feb hiking in & out of Grand Canyon, and around the upper midwest during training hikes. They worked great, worked through thick ice & snow and felt very stable with 40lb pack. They're design is very similar to the Kahtoola's, I just liked the design of the Hillsound's better. They don't get a lot of press.

No question, they're not a replacement for mountaineering crampons, but for use outside of mountaineering the Hillsound's fit meet my needs.
Posted: Dec 01, 2010 Steve

I would compare the Kahtoohla Microspikes more the the Yaktrax XTR's. They are similar in style and size of spikes, and the XTR's have an anti-snow pack plate which I know is always a plus with regular crampons. The kind folks at YakTrax sent me a pair along with the rest of their traction products to write about and am excited to get out out of town (Denver) and into the mountains to test them out.
Posted: Nov 15, 2010 Matt Lacuesta

Little dissapointed that instep crampons were not included in this list
Posted: Nov 05, 2010 Matt Wofford

Little dissapointed that instep crampons were not included in this list
Posted: Nov 05, 2010 Matt Wofford

I have found it quite the contrary, the kahtoola's are easy to put on, and have provided m with great traction in almost every condition. Granted they will do nothing for you in thick powder, but I have used them on multiple ascents and they are one of the two things besides the ten essentials that I take on every hike.

They are so small and compact I don't even need a carrying case for them, I just have them in a quart freezer bag always on the top of my pack for easy accessibility.

I have had mine going into my th season now, and I hike primarily in the winter in the NW so after Feb, at least here in WA you don't come across a lot of thickpowder, just compact snow and ice. and in that these babies shine
Posted: Oct 11, 2010 Paul

I really have to say that these are not crampons. If ice slope is even a little above about 5 degrees forget it. You'll just slide right down. They are great for slippery sidewalks or slushy trails with some ice one them but not for travel on forzen snowpack or glaciers. Spend the money and get real cranmpons.
Posted: Oct 06, 2010 Eric nelson

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