| | |  | More Brands | Home » » Kahtoola MICROspikes Pocket Traction System | | | | | | Colors: | | | | | Description: | | Kahtoola’s MICROspikes are a pocket-sized traction system that allow anyone, of any age, to get out and safely enjoy winter. These slip-on spikes dig into all types of terrain — ice, packed snow, wet rocks, concrete, and scree. Extremely durable, they attach securely to your footwear and require no special buckles or straps. | | | Features: | |
• Sizing for running shoes/hiking boots: [X-Small-Youth 1-4] [Small-Youth 4.5-7, Women 5.5-8.5] [Medium-Women 8.5+,Men 7-10.5] [Large-Men 10.5-14] [X-Large-Men 14-16]
• Sizing for insulated boots: [Medium-Women 7.5-10, Men 6-8.5] [Large - Women 10-12.5,Men 8.5-11] [X-Large-Men 11-13.5]
• 3/8" spikes are constructed of hardened stainless steel for maximum durability
• Tough elastomer shoe harness secures easily without straps and provides a snug and secure fit
| | | Product Details: | | | Package Length:
| 9.3 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.2 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.5 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.1 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 154 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 154 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 108 found the following review helpful:
A remarkably superior productJan 03, 2009
By Michael Dennison
"Sound Ideas"
I have been eying these for some time now, but have held off buying them because of their price. This fall I said what the heck and bought them. I am sure glad I did. I have been a Yaktrax fan for many years, but I will say that the Microspikes are a profoundly superior product. Their grip on the ice is solid. I have never felt so safe. All aspects of the Microspike are superior to the Yaktrax. The stainless steel chain and spikes will not ware out and hold the ice much better than the steel springs of the Yaks. The design of the upper rubber harness is superior as well. There is no need for the strap going over the top of the boot. Because of the strength of rubber it took a little time to figure out a "one hand, one move" movement to get the rubber over the boot. But once that was figured out - no problemo(a).
There are two caveats. 1). Because of the spikes, there is no way these can ever be worn in doors. With other products you can "sorta" skirt around this rule, but not with Microspikes. 2). These are not a substitute for mountain climbing crampons. The makers say they can be used for running and jogging. I don't know anything about that, but for everyday use out in the snow and ice they cannot be beat.
Buy these, you will be very glad you did.
73 of 74 found the following review helpful:
NO FEARJan 12, 2009
By Michael Hamlin
NO FEAR.
That pretty well sums up my feelings about the Microspikes. I live in a mostly civilized suburb 25 miles north of Minneapolis, MN. We have had a good share of mixed winter weather this year - snow, snow/rain mix, rain - that has left the roads and sidewalks treacherous because of the ice.
I have used YakTrax for years and, in this weather, powerwalking during the winter always leaves my legs stiff because I have to continually be on the watch for ice patches on which the YakTrax are useless. Exercise was not fun. And I kept ruining the YakTrax on the dry stretches of pavement that I could not avoid.
The morning of January 11, 2009 was a perfect day to test the Microspikes that arrived the day before. A 1 1/2" covering of light fluffy snow the previous night had hidden everything, thus making any walking potentially dangerous. It only took 1/2 mile of walking to realize that the Microspikes (with an assist from gravity) securely locked me to the surface of the planet. I felt that I was walking on completely dry pavement during the summer (except, of course, for the dastardly wind chill).
The Microspikes are well worth the money.
57 of 58 found the following review helpful:
 Like itJan 24, 2010
By M. Rex
Like the spikes. Work as described. Got fooled by the sizing chart and ordered a size too large, based on using with my snow boots. Order for your exact shoe size or smaller.
24 of 24 found the following review helpful:
Excellent traction and light weightDec 11, 2010
By My Two Cents
I am an active hiker, and hike leader for outdoors organizations and I have owned the three major products for winter traction: Yaktrax, Stabilicers, and Microspikes. It seems that many people turn up on hikes with Yaktrax more than any other product because it seems to be more prominently displayed at stores that sell outdoors equipment. I recommend the Yaktrax if you have an occasional need for low-cost traction, such as walking down an icy driveway to get your mail. Yaktrax are poorly designed; basically it's a giant rubber band with a coiled spring around it. They slide around on your boot and I have seen people have theirs peel off in snow and not even realize it. I had one of the rubber bands snap after not that much use, rendering the product useless. People who bought Yaktrax Pro with the strap seem to have better luck. The rubber is more robust and the strap keeps the Yaktrax from sliding around or sliding off. I also own Stabilicers (the version with the strap over the boot) and have mixed feelings about them. Stabil-Icers have steel screws on the bottom, which provide amazing traction, far better than the Yaktrax, but I have wear issues with them as well. My Stabilicers lose screws on a regular basis, which is a safety hazard because you think you have traction, but you really don't. When I contacted Stabilicer about the issue, their response was, "Maybe it's time for a new pair." Mine did not have that much use on them, so that answer was unacceptable. I tried various glues to keep the screws in place, but none worked. The other disadvantage of Stabilicers (in the model that I have) is that they are heavy to carry in a pack when you don't really need them. Instead, I now use my Microspikes, which have excellent traction, and have worn well so far, but I do have concerns about the durability of the rubber where it holds the metal spikes. Microspikes are light, so they are easily carried in a backpack when you don't need them, but might encounter conditions on the trail where you do need them. With any of these traction devices, don't be put off by the cost. It's about the same price as a health insurance deductible for a trip to the emergency room!
69 of 80 found the following review helpful:
 Great idea but shadows in coverage are dangerousMay 30, 2009
By The Accretion Desk
I run on snowshoes, yaktrax and now Kahtoolas. While the Kahtoola microspikes are well made, easy to use and durable, they have a possibly fatal flaw. There is a significant and I feel dangerous hole in spike coverage in the center of the back of the heel.
The first time I ran with them, all was well because there was a some fresh snow. But when I was running on icy surfaces (which these were designed for given the huge spikes), I was motoring along in blissful ignorance until I headed downhill heel-first. My leg shot out from under me since no metal came in contact with the ice. It scared me to death!
If you look at the pic here, you will easily see the dangerous hole in coverage.
To avoid slipping, I had to run downhill landing either flatfooted or on my toes to make sure I stick to the ground. Frightening.
I plan on modifying my kahtoolas with an extra wire pulling the chains closer together base of the heel like what was done at the toe.
I cannot believe that this hole in coverage was not addressed earlier. Unless of course, the primary users/designers don't really run on icy mountains but rather on flat crusty trails. Yet, given the huge spikes and aggressive appearance, it's too bad that the heel is so unprotected given that almost every step downhill lands on or near the heel. Oh, but uphill, these things scream.
But looking at the picture of the spikes while I write this, I wonder if I put them on backwards it would help since the extra wire connector at the toe was likely a fix from lack of coverage on that end of the shoe.
See all 154 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| | |
* Estimated shipping rate for US 48 states. Final rate calculated at checkout. |
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}