YakTrax Walker Traction Device

Product Information

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. Firstly, I should make clear that MICROspikes is actually a trademark owned by Kahtoola. We often refer to all traction devices, ice cleats, etc. as Microspikes, due to the popularity of Kahtoola's MICROspikes, similar to how plasters are referred to as BAND-AIDs.

However, microspikes also have limits. Even the most aggressive microspikes will have trouble holding onto slopes steeper than about 25 degrees. Winner: Yaktrax Summit – coming in at 1/4 pound lighter is a pretty significant difference. The Spike MaterialYaktrax Run and the really grippy Kahtoola NANOspikes are perfect for running on snow and ice-covered trails. The Summit and the MICROspikes ® are not the best for running as the longer spikes are more likely to snag in the ice. That means you could find yourself propelled headfirst onto your running trail if you are moving along at a fast pace. You’ll notice the Run and the NANOspikes have a different traction system that doesn’t use spikes, making them better for running without snagging. Which traction devices are Best for Deep Snow? 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

After decades of hiking and mountaineering, I have developed a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of outdoor travel. I’m here to share that knowledge with you. Yaktrax® Walk ice grips are the most popular ice grips from Yaktrax®. Lightweight and comfortable to wear. At a glance, there appears to be little difference between Yaktrax and MICROspikes ®, but if we take a deeper dive, some significant differences will impact your choice. Activity Use and Terrain 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.The base-level Yaktrax, with a series of heavy-duty coils on your sole, is intended for walking out to get your mail. 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 best hiking microspikes are the Kahtoola MICROspikes. The best trail running microspikes are the Kahtoola EXOspikes, and the best traction devices for urban running are the Kahtoola NANOspikes. 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.The Kahtoola MICROspikes ® win for durability and ease of maintenance which we believe are critical for the casual user of snow traction devices. For most winter hiking conditions, the MICROspikes ® will serve you well since they are so versatile. 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. Winner: Kahtoola MICROspikes ® – It’s a tight one since we are comparing the value of strength to durability. But, the win goes to Kahtoola for adventuring out in snow and ice. For steeper terrain, we did mention that the Yaktrax would give superior grip and are the better choice. However, if you plan to do a lot of non-technical mountain terrain hiking, I’d suggest moving up another level to Kahtoola Hiking Crampons for just a few dollars more. They have a longer 3/4 inch spike and are designed to flex with your movement over rough trails. Comparing All Yaktrax and Kahtoola Traction Devices 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.

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 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? 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 Between the Yaktrax Summit and the Kahtoola Microspikes, we recommend the MICROspikes ®. In this case, it is a pretty tough call; you have two very high-quality products that are proven to work in moderately difficult winter environments.The base Yaktrax, Walk or Pro, and Kahtoola MICROspikes ® are two different traction devices that offer many differences for people who need to walk on snow or ice. The price, weight, durability, grip, and longevity differ considerably between the two products. A ladies casual shoe and a men’s working boot may share the same EU footwear size and yet have quite different footprint circumferences. Yaktrax® Walk ice grips are made out of an injection moulded thermal plastic elastomer designed for easy on and off. Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats are lightweight, affordable, and easy to put on and take off, making them a simple solution for winter walks. They are also comfortable enough to wear on hard surfaces like asphalt roads. Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats provide confidence on ice, snow and water with its non-slip traction material that grips with each step. Read Review The Yaktrax Summit has a fit system completely different from other traction devices. They use the patented Boa Closure System that is used in many high-performance gear. The idea behind it is that you turn the knob at the heel to pull the cables tight. As the cables tighten, they adjust the pull on both the front and side of the Summits. The fit is about as custom as you can get, especially in accomodating a variety of foot and boot widths.