michaelb
New member
I did my hike of camels hump today, forest city to the LT to Burrows. There was a moderate amount of snow and ice above 3000 ft. I barebooted to the shelter on the LT and put them on there to go over the steps (which are moderately steep). They climbed very well, excellent traction on the toes and forefoot going up. Burrows coming down had more snow and was well packed down. I could see lots of signs that people over the weekend had been slipping all over. I flew down the trail with no slipping at all. The footing and traction with the microspikes on snow was better and easier than over the summer with just boots.
I never really hit steep ice, but there were sections both up and down of slanting wet solid ice. I was being cautious and so didn't really try to push the limit, but for the most part I was able to walk easily up and down and the sloped, wet, extremely slipppery ice. I could feel the spikes digging in the ice and I could see track points after I walked across it. I found that they edged on a rock and in cracks very well; I think the chains helped grab the rock when I would stick my boot in an icy crack. Before I bought them I had concerns about only two spikes on the heel and whether or not they would slip on the descent, but I didn't notice that at all.
I would say that their weakness is walking on straight rock, particularly flat rock. The spikes under the midfoot are a bit uncomfortable to me on the flats, and they can wobble just a bit on rock as you balance on the points. So the rubber bottom of the boot is better for rock. I also noticed that once I was below the major snow line and the trail was mud and leaves and rocks and roots and the occasional snow patch, I was sometimes catching a spike as I went over rocks and roots. I never stumbled, but it felt better to take them off at that point(stabiliciers might be better in those conditions).
I don't see any major wear and they seem pretty well made. I see they have a 3 yr warranty. I think fit could be an issue for some, if you are between sizes, and I would be inclined to buy the smaller size for the tighter fit. The mediums fit perfectly on my men's 10, and I didn't notice any movement of the microspikes on my boots at all. I found my partner's hiking boots, women's size 9, and although they are supposed to fit on those too, they are definitely sloppier and there is play in the chains (my partner said, hey those fit great!). Pulling the rear strapping all the way up toward the ankle takes up most or all of the slack (even on her running shoe in the picture linked above I can pull the chains mostly tight by raising the back).
So overall I have to say I was very happy and impressed. I am not sure I would want to climb ice that is steeper than what these can handle (since I am usually alone, without an ice axe, and lacking in mountaineering training), so for primary use now they worked great, and for back up use to carry when I am snowshoeing, they are light enough to probably make it in the pack.
It was a beautiful bluebird day on Vermont's prettiest mountain. I was alone on the summit and saw only a handful of other people on the trails. As someone who dreams of winter in the middle of summer, it was great day to be out.
I never really hit steep ice, but there were sections both up and down of slanting wet solid ice. I was being cautious and so didn't really try to push the limit, but for the most part I was able to walk easily up and down and the sloped, wet, extremely slipppery ice. I could feel the spikes digging in the ice and I could see track points after I walked across it. I found that they edged on a rock and in cracks very well; I think the chains helped grab the rock when I would stick my boot in an icy crack. Before I bought them I had concerns about only two spikes on the heel and whether or not they would slip on the descent, but I didn't notice that at all.
I would say that their weakness is walking on straight rock, particularly flat rock. The spikes under the midfoot are a bit uncomfortable to me on the flats, and they can wobble just a bit on rock as you balance on the points. So the rubber bottom of the boot is better for rock. I also noticed that once I was below the major snow line and the trail was mud and leaves and rocks and roots and the occasional snow patch, I was sometimes catching a spike as I went over rocks and roots. I never stumbled, but it felt better to take them off at that point(stabiliciers might be better in those conditions).
I don't see any major wear and they seem pretty well made. I see they have a 3 yr warranty. I think fit could be an issue for some, if you are between sizes, and I would be inclined to buy the smaller size for the tighter fit. The mediums fit perfectly on my men's 10, and I didn't notice any movement of the microspikes on my boots at all. I found my partner's hiking boots, women's size 9, and although they are supposed to fit on those too, they are definitely sloppier and there is play in the chains (my partner said, hey those fit great!). Pulling the rear strapping all the way up toward the ankle takes up most or all of the slack (even on her running shoe in the picture linked above I can pull the chains mostly tight by raising the back).
So overall I have to say I was very happy and impressed. I am not sure I would want to climb ice that is steeper than what these can handle (since I am usually alone, without an ice axe, and lacking in mountaineering training), so for primary use now they worked great, and for back up use to carry when I am snowshoeing, they are light enough to probably make it in the pack.
It was a beautiful bluebird day on Vermont's prettiest mountain. I was alone on the summit and saw only a handful of other people on the trails. As someone who dreams of winter in the middle of summer, it was great day to be out.
