Gear Review: Microcrampons

I have had two pairs of these Yak Trax Pro and used these to shovel snow on my steep driveway only to find out after 2-uses they fell apart. I wrote to Yak Trax, and they were kind enough to point-out that these are only designed to be used on snow, ice, or dirt not sidewalkds or any hard surface i.e. rocks. Don't kid yourself that you'll be able to wear them on trails unless they are completely snow or ice covered.

No review for the Hillsound trail crampon!?!? In my opinion they are way better than the Kahtoola microspikes... Sad that REI don't have them.. But you can get at Amazon.com or EMS...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Little dissapointed that instep crampons were not included in this list

Little dissapointed that instep crampons were not included in this list

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

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.