Best Microspikes for Safe Winter Hiking

The Kahtoola MICROspikes use a stretchy elastomer harness to attach the spikes to the bottom of your shoe. They’re easy to use, and you can quickly throw them on any shoes without issue. And it’s even easier to take them off. With some practice and flexibility, you’ll probably end up being able to pull them off without sitting down.

They feature 12 ⅜” stainless steel spikes attached to steel plates under your foot. These spikes are integrated in a way that helps keep snow from ‘balling’ (collecting) between the spikes and the shoe bottom, which is a frequent cause of slips with other models we’ve tried over the years.

If you’re looking for something less aggressive for use in mixed terrain, you should also check out the Kahtoola NANOspikes and EXOspikes.

The Trail Crampon Ultra is the most secure-feeling traction device we’ve included on our list. The top strap helps immensely with securing these in place. When walking in microspikes for a long time, you just get used to stopping every once in a while to slide them back into the right place. With these, this is one issue you won’t have to worry about.

These use 15 ½” stainless steel spikes under the forefoot and 3 ⅔” spikes on the heel. This provides many points of contact, which is especially great for steep descents.

If you’re not going to be traveling across snow and ice most of the time, these might not be the best option. The longer spikes will make you feel like you might fall over walking on rock. And with that strap, they won’t be easy to take on and off. If aggressive traction’s what you need, however, they’re well worth considering.

The Unigear Traction Cleats are a very affordable option and come with some added benefits. They feature 18 ½-inch long spikes and are made of stainless steel, so they’re resistant to corrosion and will last you for quite some time.

They also use double-link chains, which will certainly add to their longevity, whilst also adding traction in snow. The double-link chains are also comfortable on your feet because they disperse pressure over a wider area, thus eliminating uncomfortable pressure points.

These ice traction cleats also have a strap that secures them in place on top of your foot, so they’re more likely to stay in place for the duration of your hike.

Let’s start with the good news: the Blitz Spikes are ultralight. They’re almost half as light as the second lightest traction device on this list, the Icetrax V3.

The bad news? They only have half as much traction.

These forefoot-only traction devices are intended for the just-in-case scenarios when you find yourself traversing packed snow and an icy trail, or icy city streets. They’re so light, you might as well bring them, though. And they pack down incredibly small, too.

The individual spikes on these are 5/16” (8 mm) long. This isn’t terribly long, but they’re long enough to help you get across that steep snowfield you weren’t sure was going to still be there in June. And, they go on easily, just slide your toe into the nylon webbing toe strap and pull the elastomer heel strap over the back of your shoe.

This might be obvious, but it’s worth noting that these work best when used with lightweight footwear, not heavy winter boots. They don’t seem to want to stay in one place if you try to use them with a stiffer, heavier boot.

These cleat-style traction devices consist of 9 tungsten carbide cleats embedded in a rubber surface that stretches under and around your shoes.

The cleats aren’t long, only ⅛ of an inch, but that makes them better suited for mixed terrains. You can go from packed snow to ice to sidewalk with less of an issue than with longer spikes. This makes them great for urban adventures like running or going for a neighborhood walk.

They fit securely on your feet, too. The entire product is made of rubber, minus the small carbide cleats. The rubber grips your shoe and makes them not slide around nearly as much as some microspikes and the front rubber is shaped to stretch around the toe. These won’t help you much in deep snow, but for some laps around the block or hikes on easy trails, they’re great!

The Yaktrax Pro traction devices are lightweight, inexpensive, and grippy in slippery winter conditions. They don’t have long spikes like most of the products reviewed here. Instead, they use abrasion-resistant, stainless steel coils to provide just enough traction. These coils work surprisingly well in snow and ice, and they work much better on pavement or rocks.

The Pro Traction tips the scales at nearly half the weight of the winner of our review, the Kahtoola Microspikes, and are so unobtrusive you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. The strap across the top provides a very secure fit and also helps keep the weight down because it allowed Yaktrax to use a lot less rubber in their construction.

The EnergeticSky cleats grip excellently on thick ice and crunchy snow. And, they’re super affordable too. These have 24 large points that dig in and grip any substantial icy surface just as well as far pricier competitors. The spikes are also durable enough to make it through many winters, and the elastomer material and strap ensure they stay in place on your boots.

These aren’t great to wear on surfaces like sidewalks with thin snow or ice, but what crampon-style spikes are? But for the cost, they provide great traction on soft, icy surfaces. So, they’re a great option for those who want the most possible grip without spending a lot of money.

Like other Yaktrax options, the ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip are just as good on sidewalks as they are on snowy mountain trails.

They provide solid traction thanks to small diamond-shaped beads strung on steel cables. These metal beads swivel to grip slick surfaces with multiple edges. These work well with all kinds of footwear but are especially well suited for trail runners. The rubber harness stays flexible to take them on and off in cold temperatures.

They’ll give you great traction on hard-packed snow and icy trail conditions. They work well over various terrains: rock, gravel, dirt, and pavement. However, they don’t do very well in deeper snow or on steep, icy terrain.

The Yaktrax Walk are some of the most popular winter traction devices ever. When you use them, you’ll see why. First off, they’re very affordable. And, they’re super easy to use and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Sure, they don’t provide the best traction over especially slippery terrain. But if you’re just using them to walk, they’ll provide adequate traction for packed snow and ice.

They also work well for running since they’re lightweight and work well over mixed terrain. Running might put too much stress on the Yaktrax Walks and reduce their longevity, but they’re so inexpensive you can just get another pair if you shred yours hoofing it over icy trails.