YakTrax Walker Traction Device

Product Information

Crampons are burly, with two steel plates connected by a metal bar and large, aggressive spikes. Crampons provide excellent traction for snow and ice climbing on steep terrain (45 degrees and higher). Some Crampons work with hiking boots and running shoes, but many require mountaineering boots to attach to and are meant for technical terrain. There’s a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. However, Yaktrax break more easily and don’t stay on the foot quite as well as Microspikes. Microspikes are much more sturdy and durable, they stay on your feet better and the spikes definitely cut deeper into the ice to provide better traction, but they come with a heftier price tag and aren’t suitable for running in.

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 Unfortunately, many people compare the cheapest Yaktrax with the heavy-duty Kahtoola MICROspikes®. That’s comparing apples to bananas. Now let’s look at the heel, where both cleats have 4 spikes in a circle. A minor difference is the Summit’s spikes are closer to the edge of the heel, while the MICROspikes ® are closer to the center. To compile this review, we looked at the top options on the market, recording key specifications about each model. We then selected the top products for hands-on testing, which included trail running, wood splitting, shoveling, and walking on sheet ice. We made notes and recorded our findings every step of the way, getting to know each product intimately. We trekked through deep snow and walked across icy parking lots to score each product's traction. We put each product on and took them off countless times, both with bare hands and gloved hands, to score ease of use. We pulled and pushed the products around our shoes to see how securely they fit once donned. After all this testing was complete, we scored each product on how well it performed across a wide range of activities, and we searched for signs of wear and tear.

My Review Process

Now, to compare Microspikes (traction devices, ice cleats, etc.) with Crampons... both Microspikes and Crampons are used to provide extra traction on snow and ice. The differences between them lie primarily in design. 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 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.

Footwear sizing is based on the inside fit of the shoe or boot to our feet. As Yaktrax® fit on the outside of the footwear, it is the actual footprint or circumference that is relevant when you choose the correct size. Yaktrax® Walk ice grips are made out of an injection moulded thermal plastic elastomer designed for easy on and off. However, as we’ve shown, the comparison between Yaktrax Summit and Kahtoola MICROspikes ® is worth looking at for moderately challenging winter activities. Although we prefer the Kahtoola MICROspikes ®, both are excellent products to keep you safe during winter. The layout behind the heel provides even stability when your heel strikes the ground, which is very helpful for walking on ice or for winter hiking. In this comparison, the heel doesn’t seem to make much difference in overall traction. The Kahtoola MICROspikes ® win for durability and ease of maintenance which we believe are critical for the casual user of snow traction devices. For most winter hiking conditions, the MICROspikes ® will serve you well since they are so versatile.In contrast, Kahtoola MICROspikes ® place their stainless steel spikes in a fixed 2×4 circular layout connected by stainless steel chains under the ball of the foot. This pattern gives an even grip in all directions, making it a superior choice for icy surfaces.