Yaktrax® ice grips have the ability to stretch by around 6cm. The Yaktrax® Size Chart shows the minimum and maximum circumference as measured in the photo. The Yaktrax Summit has a fit system completely different from other traction devices. They use the patented Boa Closure System that is used in many high-performance gear. The idea behind it is that you turn the knob at the heel to pull the cables tight. As the cables tighten, they adjust the pull on both the front and side of the Summits. The fit is about as custom as you can get, especially in accomodating a variety of foot and boot widths. In contrast, the strong elastomer harness of the Kahtoola MICROspikes ® is incredibly durable and will last for many seasons of winter hiking and adventure. The Cost of Each

Winner: Kahtoola MICROspikes ® – It’s a tight one since we are comparing the value of strength to durability. But, the win goes to Kahtoola for adventuring out in snow and ice. Let’s start with the ball of the foot. Both have 8 spikes, 3/8 inch spikes located on the ball. However, the Yaktrax Summit has spikes laid out in a triangle shape that provides aggressive traction when hiking a hill. They will dig in and keep your hiking boots steady with your forward motion.That means you could find yourself propelled headfirst onto your running trail if you are moving along at a fast pace. You’ll notice the Run and the NANOspikes have a different traction system that doesn’t use spikes, making them better for running without snagging. Which traction devices are Best for Deep Snow? Reduced weight is a major advantage to using microspikes over traditional crampons. Per pair, the selections in this guide run from 5 oz for the YakTrax Walk to 16.6 oz for the Unigear Traction Cleats.

The base Yaktrax, Walk or Pro, and Kahtoola MICROspikes ® are two different traction devices that offer many differences for people who need to walk on snow or ice. The price, weight, durability, grip, and longevity differ considerably between the two products.You’ll also notice that the MICROspikes ® have a generous pull tab at the heel to make it easy to stretch the spike frame over your foot. The proprietary eyelet design where tough TPU inserts strengthen critical stress points allows the elastomer harness to be lighter and more durable. At a glance, there appears to be little difference between Yaktrax and MICROspikes ®, but if we take a deeper dive, some significant differences will impact your choice. Activity Use and Terrain If you live near snowy climates or expect to do any winter hiking, a pair of spikes needs to be on your radar. Microspikes encompass the wide category between regular boots and crampons, perfect for icy winter hikes and mountain ascents.

The fit systems of the Yaktrax Summit and Kahtoola MICROspikes ® are very different. When you are looking at the fit of a traction device, you need 3 things: MICROspikes ® vs Crampons is a bit complicated. Traction devices are generally called crampons when they have spikes instead of chains or coils in the sole. Crampons originally came about for scaling icy sections of mountains and climbing waterfalls and had long 1-2 inch spikes. As you can see, technical crampons are long and a bit scary spikes. Overkill for most hikes. Too large and there is a risk of the Yaktrax® falling off and being lost or acting as a trip hazard. If the Yaktrax® are too small, they could become over-stretched and develop weak points which snap. If the size of Yaktrax® is too large for the footwear, the coils could extend beyond of the shoe or boot. While we do not factor price into our testing process or scores, it is absolutely a factor in the decision-making process. We consider a high-value product to be one that expertly balances an excellent performance with a fair price. Gear that lasts and also doesn't break the bank is a win all around.The layout of the spikes is different between the two winter traction devices, with the spikes providing somewhat different advantages. Easy to put on and take off when entering buildings or vehicles, Yaktax® Walk are ideal for commuters, shoppers and other pedestrians who have no choice other than to walk on icy pavements. Over time, those traction devices have been adapted with smaller spikes for a variety of winter terrain. And the Kahtoola MICROspikes ® are a subset of crampons, with smaller spikes for challenging hiking or work conditions. Which is the best crampon for Traction When Trail Running

Generally speaking, microspikes are best for generating additional traction on ice and snow. They slip on easily and offer a way to grip trails and road surfaces with gentle pitches. Think about what type of terrain you're going to put your microspikes through. An aggressive design is best for challenging trail conditions and winter hikes. A lighter setup for running shoes is best for city streets and crossing small sections of icy surfaces. Durability Yaktrax Run and the really grippy Kahtoola NANOspikes are perfect for running on snow and ice-covered trails. The Summit and the MICROspikes ® are not the best for running as the longer spikes are more likely to snag in the ice. Winner: Yaktrax Summit – coming in at 1/4 pound lighter is a pretty significant difference. The Spike Material The difference comes in how you personally use your traction devices and what you want in fit and durability. So, let’s take a look at those features. Weight of the Traction SpikesWhen hiking in deeper snow, you are often better off with snowshoes that let you walk on top of the snow. Traction devices with spikes are for hiking over hard snow where they can dig in and hold. On soft snow, you would just sink right in. Which Ice Cleat is Best for Walking on Ice? Yaktrax® Walk ice grips are the most popular ice grips from Yaktrax®. Lightweight and comfortable to wear. P.S. Yaktrax is a brand of 12 different styles of winter traction devices. In comparison, MICROspikes ® are just one of the 5 types of traction devices made by Kahtoola. A little further down, I’ll compare all the Yaktrax and Kahtoola models for each winter condition. Right now, let’s focus on moderate winter conditions, the perfect use of microspikes! Yaktrax Summit compared to Kahtoola MICROspikes ® After a day out in the cold, I’m not that conscientious and would probably leave my cleats in a damp bag where they could rust. Seriously, I just want a beverage and a fire at that point. Layout of the Traction Spikes The 1.2mm steel coils are protected against rusting and hand-wound to give you 360 degrees of traction on ice and snow.