Why You Should Consider Microspikes
Developed in the 1990s, Kahtoola Microspikes and Edelrid Spiderpicks have since become an incredibly useful piece of gear for many hikers and runners. They are a pocket-sized traction system you can slip onto almost any shoe. Designed for wet snow and ice covered trails, and rocks to slick sidewalks, slippery river crossings and icy driveways, the spikes dig into all types of terrain giving added confidence that comes with extra traction.
Microspikes provide a suitable middle ground between attacking the icy ground without relying only on your the treads of your boots, which can be unsafe, or putting on your crampons, which can be unnecessary. While Microspikes are a great item for outdoor enthusiasts looking to access more diverse terrain, they can also be worn during everyday urban use. Don't fear about how you might look! Once you wear these while walking along slippery footpaths or roads, you'll be wondering why you haven't been sooner.
The Edelrid Spiderpick or Kahtoola Microspikes are two great options.
Sizing
Spikes have a sizing guide using your shoe size as reference much in the same way socks and gaiters do. It is important to know which shoes you will be wearing when using the spikes as the size will differ depending on if you are wearing a boot or a runner.
Use
Spikes are not a lightweight replacement for crampons. Crampons are used for ice and snow on high incline areas and more technical mountaineering conditions. In these circumstances spikes will not suffice. Know the terrain you will be traversing ahead of time to make sure that you do not need to carry crampons.
Pros
Easy to use – Part of the efficiency of spikes comes from the simplicity of their design. They’re nothing but steel and rubber. To put them on you simply slide your toe into the front and pull the back over the heel of your shoe. The elastic of the rubber provides enough tension to hold the spikes firmly in place, provided the sizing is right.
Where spikes excel is a when low-angle ice or hard-packed snow is patchy and inconsistent. In such conditions you will probably need to take them on or off a dozen times in any given day. The straightforwardness of operating them means that this is neither tedious nor time consuming.
Safety – By using the traction that is created when the spikes dig into the terrain you avoid slipping and potential injury.
Efficiency – Having the security of the traction that spikes provide, you avoid the mental and physical exhaustion of trying not to slip.
Compact – Spikes are small and light enough to fit into a jacket pocket or be strapped to your pack without throwing off balance.
Cons
Weight – Wearing spikes does add weight to your feet; however, if used on the correct terrain they will conserve energy rather than deplete it. It’s advised to wait to wear spikes until you reach conditions that require them. Fortunately, spikes are small and compact, making them easy to pack away when not in use.
Snow/ice build-up – snow and ice can build up in the spikes, if left to build up they can create a platform of ice, rendering the spikes useless. It is an easy fix, I simply give the bottom of my feet (with the spikes left on) a good whack with my trekking poles. If this doesn’t work, I take them off and shake the ice and snow out.
Summary
Spikes are low-maintenance pieces of gear that create an added level of safety and performance. They give hikers the ability to access diverse terrain without compromising on weight, and that without spikes would be either ill-advised or altogether inaccessible. Spikes can be used in a multitude of scenarios, whether that be for hiking or running on snowy or icy trails, or more urban environments. Spikes can be essential item for outdoor recreation and domestic use alike.
Questions?
