Yaktrax Chains Traction Device Review

Bottom Line

The Yaktrax Chains are perfect for the casual user looking for a little more traction at an affordable price. Although they aren’t the most durable or aggressive traction devices out there, they provide plenty of value for their price point. After running and hiking for many miles across various terrain in the Rocky Mountains, we determined the Yaktrax Chains shine as supplemental traction on packed snow.

The chains grip best on flat or moderate slopes. They can feel awkward on hard surfaces and help minimally on soft snow. More adventurous winter hikers and trail runners should check out our full list of favorites for more suitable options. The Yaktrax Chains Traction Device is a perfect fit for beginners who need a little more traction for town and mellow trails. 

How We Tested

In addition to the data gained from close analysis and controlled, quantitative testing, we took these cleats out on a wide variety of terrain and trail conditions. We walked, ran, and hiked around town and all the way up to the icy and snowy trails of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Traction

The Yaktrax Chains provide moderate traction on snow and ice via the ladder-pattern chain construction. The square-shaped chain links cover a large area of the foot and help by biting into ice.
Because this device gains its traction from chains instead of spikes, there is nothing to drive deeply into a surface and aggressively push off. Instead, the abrupt edges from the chains provide hundreds of micro points of contact. The more of your foot that is contacting the ground, the better traction you’ll have. While this style keeps you from slipping around on level surfaces, it’s less effective on steeper slopes.

Some moderately aggressive devices are designed with a bottom plate that significantly covers your shoe tread. Instead, the Yaktrax Chains feature an open design, so your shoe tread can still help out in deeper snow.

Fit

The Yaktrax Chains utilize a stretchy rubber harness to keep the chains securely and comfortably on your feet for prolonged use.

They fit best on a pair of trail runners, sneakers, or hiking shoes. We tried them out with hiking boots. While they work that way, they fit a bit too tight for all day comfort. Consider sizing up for hiking or winter boots.

The rubber harness does a pretty good job at staying secure and keeps the toe from pushing through the front. However, it’s basically a single strap without much comfortable cradling action. It also has an unfortunate gap around the arch of the shoe, creating a potential snag risk.

Ease of Use/Versatility

The Yaktrax Chains are overall straightforward to use. The front of the simple rubber harness is marked but a little difficult to see. Because it is a very generic shape, the harness takes a little adjusting to fit properly. After you do it once, though, it’s a no brainer.

The tread is fairly versatile and effective on winter surfaces up to packed snow. The chains feel a little awkward on hard surfaces like sidewalks, despite their low profile design. They provide good traction on ice but really shine on hard packed snow. The chains aren’t ideal for soft snow, but they still help to a small extent. For runners, the Yaktrax Chains are better suited for urban running rather than trail running.

Overall, the Yaktrax Chains are best for gentle to moderate walks around town and on ice and packed snow.

Weight/Packability

The Yaktrax Chains are one of the lighter options we tested and reviewed. They weigh 9.6 ounces for a pair of mediums – about 136 grams per foot. They are light enough for all day use and create minimal foot fatigue. 

The Chains pack down quite small. Unfortunately, they do not come with a stuff sack or carrying case. Their chain design also makes them particularly susceptible to getting tangled in your pack. We recommend packing them on the outside of your pack if this is a concern.

Durability

One of the trade offs of the Yaktrax Chain’s low price is its decreased durability. The stainless steel chains – though durable on their own – suffer from weakest link syndrome. If one link breaks, it jeopardizes the traction and effectiveness of the entire device.

The elastic harness is also made from a cheaper rubber than other ice cleats. It feels noticeably stiffer, especially when exposed to extremely cold temperatures. We noticed many micro cracks in the rubber after leaving it out for a night of -30ºF temperatures.

On the upside, the chain links are made from a durable, case-hardened stainless steel and are TIG welded shut. If one does break, it probably wouldn’t be too hard to fix temporarily with a pair of pliers. The attachment points to the rubber harness are seriously reinforced.

If you stay on soft surfaces as much as possible, the Yaktrax Chains should last a long time. We don’t recommend subjecting them to the abuse of dry and rocky trails or extreme cold.

Should You Buy the Yaktrax Chains?

For anyone seeking supplemental traction for their current sneakers or hiking shoes, the Yaktrax Chains are a fit for gentle to moderate winter terrain. They aren’t the most aggressive but get the job done for an affordable cost. They’re minimally effective on soft snow but excel on packed snow with patches of ice. Unfortunately, the Chains aren’t the most durable traction device we tested. Luckily, the Chains are offered at an incredibly affordable price.

What Other Traction Devices Should You Consider?

To spend a few more bucks on some seriously aggressive and versatile traction devices, check out the full winter traction device guide.

YakTrax Diamond Grip Review: The Diamond Grips are similar in their traction and construction, but they shed snow exceptionally well.

Kahtoola NANOspikes Review: Another great pair for road running and mellow walks, the Kahtoola NANOspikes are lightweight, durable, and made by a reliable brand.

Black Diamond Distance Spike Review: The Distance Spikes are the ideal traction device for aggressive trail running, featuring spikes that can firmly grip ice and snow while remaining lightweight and versatile.