There’s a lot of gear out there. And making an informed decision can be hard. In a world of buzzwords, untested gear reviews, and gear of the year awards that reward flashy new ideas over trail tested design, it’s easy to get lost in the hype. This series aims to show you the best of the best. Gear that has proven itself to us, year after year, mile after mile. This gear earns its place in your pack. It represents a pinnacle of both form and function.
This is Essential Gear.

I’ve been wanting to do a Kahtoola Microspikes gear review for quite some time now. They are just one of those no brainer pieces of gear that work flawlessly every time. Though they aren’t my most used piece of gear, when I do need them I can count on them to work.

Check out the video below for an in-depth gear review on the micro spikes. After the video, I’ll sum up the key points for those of you not interested in watching.

Kahtoola Microspikes  Tech Specs:

Weight: 13.7 oz (388 g) for a size medium (older models.) | 12 0z (340 g) for a size medium (2018 model.)

Materials: Thermoplastic elastomer uppers, stainless steel spikes and chains.

Spikes: 12 – 3/8″ long stainless steal spikes

Price: $60 – $70

Available here (Buying through this link helps to support this blog and keep it ad-free. Thanks!): https://amzn.to/2H0a9Yt

 

When To Use Microspikes:

  • Ice – Frozen creeks, waterfalls, frozen water pooling or overflowing on a trail.
  • Snow – Early morning (frozen) snow, high elevation snow, compacted snow.
  • Miscellaneous – Muddy hills, crossing slippery/wet logs

Where You Might Use Microspikes:

  • AT – Though not typically necessary on the Appalachian Trail, they may be on extra cold/rainy/snowy years. Places where you might need them include the Smoky Mountains of NC/TN, the White Mountains of NH, and potentially all of Maine.
  • PCT – On heavy snow years and especially cold years micro spikes may come in handy on the Pacific Crest Trail. They may be needed throughout the Sierras, when crossing some of the Cascade Mountains in OR/WA, and throughout Washington when snow is present. Again, most years do not call for microspikes on the PCT, but you may need them when hiking early or late in the season.
  • CDT – The CDT is where you’ll most likely need microspikes, even on a regular snow year. Northern New Mexico’s mountains, Colorado’s San Juans, and Montana’s Glacier National Park are all notorious for having icy patches of snow.
  • Other Areas – Microspikes are a must have when winter or shoulder-season hiking in places of high elevation or frequent snow. Here in Colorado they are a no-brainer, and they will undoubtedly come in handy throughout the Northern US and Canada. Basically, anywhere where ice and snow are expected is a prime candidate for using traction devices.

 

Why (I) Use Microspikes

  • They are safety gear. They’ll keep you from sliding down a mountainside, potentially to your death.
  • Because they are so compact and lightweight, I don’t hesitate to bring them along with me on a winter hike. This is essential for safety gear. If you don’t have it with you, it can’t save your life.
  • Extremely dependable and durable. Mine are 3 years old and still going strong after many trips into the icy backcountry.
  • Microspikes are very comfortable. Even on a lightweight trail runner, there are no pinch points or uncomfortable areas on a micro spike. I have hiked in them for an entire day without issue.
  • They are also very easy to put on and take off. Plus, you don’t have to take them on and off when encountering rocky or non-ice patches. I just keep my spikes on and tromp over the rocks to the next icy or snowy section of trail. This is a huge downside (and time sink) with snowshoes.
  • Kahtoola is a great company. They offer a 2 year warranty on micro spikes and donate 1% of their sales to preserving indigenous mountain communities.
  • The materials used in these are top notch.

Three Quick Microspike tips:

  1. If you’re in between sizes, go up. So long as they are not loose on your shoes, having a slightly larger pair of microspikes will allow you to use them on both lightweight trail runners and heavier weight snow boots.
  2. When choosing between the red and black color variations of the microspike, opt for red. It’s just a little easier to see on the ground and snow and will prevent you from losing them. High visibility for the win!
  3. When sizing and fitting your microspikes, make sure your chains and spikes sit flush with the sole of your shoe. There should be no wiggle room or rattling in the chains. This assures that they won’t slip on you on steep terrain. If you find that the chains bounce around a bit, try pulling the thermoplastic elastomer up higher on your shoe to tighten the chains. If this doesn’t work, you may need to go down a size.

Any questions? Leave them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!

Wanna pick up a pair? Purchase through this amazon link to give us some support! (It really helps us out, thanks!): https://amzn.to/2H0a9Yt

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