MonadnockVol
New member
As most readers probably know, Kahtoola released their MICROspikes (hereafter referred to as MS), last fall. I got my MS in early January. I have now used them over a dozen times under various conditions and thought I'd tell you how it has gone.
The product: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html
Category: Traction control devices
Similar products that I own to which I am comparing this product: Grivel step-in crampons. Black diamond crampons, Stabilicers, and instep-crampons.
Where the product was tested: mostly on Mt. Monadnock as well as Goose Pond and the Horatio Colony Preserve (both in Keene, NH).
Types of surfaces tested on: Bare rock, rain-covered rock, soft wet snow, soft dry snow, corn snow, hard-packed snow, soft ice, hard ice, mud, and dirt.
Biggest advantages: (A1) The MS are lightweight (mine are 12 ounces) and compact (they ball up when not in use and can fit in a pocket). (A2) They are easy to put on and off (similar to Yak-trax in this regard). (A3) They give traction which is superior to Stabilicers (with one exception - see D3 below) but far inferior to regular crampons. (A4) Because of their stretch binding they fit a variety of different boots/shoes/sneakers and they do not shift like Stabilicers do. (A5) The problems of screw loss and screw wear so familiar to Stabilicer users isn't a problem (but see D4 below).
Biggest disadvantages: (D1) In soft wet snow, they ball up snow worse than anything else I have ever used. (D2) They do not hold well on very cold, hard ice, nor on ice faces steeper than 40 degrees (although that is an estimated slope). (D3) Unlike Stabilicers, which have the screws around the edge, the cleats on MS are under the ball of the foot and the heel on the mid-line. The only traction on the edges of the foot are provided by the stainless-steel chains. This means in situations where one has a thin ledge of rock, the MS do not hold well. (D4) Although the rate of wear for the MS cleats seems to be much, much slower than the wear rate for Stabilicer screws, they still wear. One can always buy new screws but it seems that one would have to buy a new set of MS every few years under heavy use.
Biggest unanswered questions: Durability. I have only used mine a dozen times. I know about a dozen people who also have them. None of us has had any problems with them yet. But I do not know anyone who has used one pair a hundred or two hundred times. The binding is a stretchy material and I wonder if it will become brittle or weak with use/age. There are also a number of small fasteners/parts (e.g. the wire that goes across the toe of the boot) that seem flimsy. Nor have I used my MS in temperatures colder than -5 degrees F, so their performance under extreme cold is another unanswered question.
Overall impressions: I love my MS. If I made Stabilicers, I'd be very worried about the future. Except for D3, I can't think of any reason why I'd rather have Stabilicers in my pack instead of MS. The balling of snow was a problem, but only happened to me once with very soft, moist snow. They are NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CRAMPONS and I went rocketing down 30 feet near the summit of Monadnock because my MS didn't hold on hard, cold ice, but for most conditions where one would use Stabilicers, they were great.
Needless to say, I have no affiliation with Kahtoola or any other maker, distributer or retailer of outdoor equipment.
- Monadnock Volunteer (sjc)
P.S. Oops, almost forgot: Unlike Stabilicers, one can't "ski" in MS under most conditions (a measure of their superior grip). But they are so easy to put on and take off that I know some people who wear them on the ascent and then take them off to ski down.
The product: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html
Category: Traction control devices
Similar products that I own to which I am comparing this product: Grivel step-in crampons. Black diamond crampons, Stabilicers, and instep-crampons.
Where the product was tested: mostly on Mt. Monadnock as well as Goose Pond and the Horatio Colony Preserve (both in Keene, NH).
Types of surfaces tested on: Bare rock, rain-covered rock, soft wet snow, soft dry snow, corn snow, hard-packed snow, soft ice, hard ice, mud, and dirt.
Biggest advantages: (A1) The MS are lightweight (mine are 12 ounces) and compact (they ball up when not in use and can fit in a pocket). (A2) They are easy to put on and off (similar to Yak-trax in this regard). (A3) They give traction which is superior to Stabilicers (with one exception - see D3 below) but far inferior to regular crampons. (A4) Because of their stretch binding they fit a variety of different boots/shoes/sneakers and they do not shift like Stabilicers do. (A5) The problems of screw loss and screw wear so familiar to Stabilicer users isn't a problem (but see D4 below).
Biggest disadvantages: (D1) In soft wet snow, they ball up snow worse than anything else I have ever used. (D2) They do not hold well on very cold, hard ice, nor on ice faces steeper than 40 degrees (although that is an estimated slope). (D3) Unlike Stabilicers, which have the screws around the edge, the cleats on MS are under the ball of the foot and the heel on the mid-line. The only traction on the edges of the foot are provided by the stainless-steel chains. This means in situations where one has a thin ledge of rock, the MS do not hold well. (D4) Although the rate of wear for the MS cleats seems to be much, much slower than the wear rate for Stabilicer screws, they still wear. One can always buy new screws but it seems that one would have to buy a new set of MS every few years under heavy use.
Biggest unanswered questions: Durability. I have only used mine a dozen times. I know about a dozen people who also have them. None of us has had any problems with them yet. But I do not know anyone who has used one pair a hundred or two hundred times. The binding is a stretchy material and I wonder if it will become brittle or weak with use/age. There are also a number of small fasteners/parts (e.g. the wire that goes across the toe of the boot) that seem flimsy. Nor have I used my MS in temperatures colder than -5 degrees F, so their performance under extreme cold is another unanswered question.
Overall impressions: I love my MS. If I made Stabilicers, I'd be very worried about the future. Except for D3, I can't think of any reason why I'd rather have Stabilicers in my pack instead of MS. The balling of snow was a problem, but only happened to me once with very soft, moist snow. They are NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CRAMPONS and I went rocketing down 30 feet near the summit of Monadnock because my MS didn't hold on hard, cold ice, but for most conditions where one would use Stabilicers, they were great.
Needless to say, I have no affiliation with Kahtoola or any other maker, distributer or retailer of outdoor equipment.
- Monadnock Volunteer (sjc)
P.S. Oops, almost forgot: Unlike Stabilicers, one can't "ski" in MS under most conditions (a measure of their superior grip). But they are so easy to put on and take off that I know some people who wear them on the ascent and then take them off to ski down.
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