Hillsound Trail Crampon Traction Device Review

Bottom Line

The Hillsound Trail Crampon provides superior traction on steep and slippery terrain for the avid winter adventurer. We tested these cleats in the Colorado Rockies from low elevation walks to icy, class three scrambles. They’re significantly heavier than other traction devices on our winter traction guide but well worth it when the terrain gets spicy. 

The longer spikes help considerably in fresh snow, and the flexible plate design provides enough rigidity to increase stability on steep terrain. The pointed spikes create a ton of grip on ice and slick snow, but they’re overkill on dry trails.

Intended for hiking boots and winter boots, the Trail Crampons fit comfortably and securely with their elastomer harness and velcro strap. They have a couple areas of concern in terms of durability, but if treated with proper care, they should last a long time. 

Ultimately, the Hillsound Trail Crampon is perfect for the winter adventurer who doesn’t mind spending a few extra bucks for significantly more confidence on icy terrain.

How We Tested

Aggressive traction devices require aggressive testing, so we took these babies out on steep, snowy trails and icy class three scrambles in the Colorado Rockies. Of course we also covered plenty of miles on mellower terrain for good measure. After sufficient trail testing at various elevations, we took them to the lab to gather some quantifiable data.

Traction

The Hillsound Trail Crampon provides extremely aggressive traction for reasonably lightweight and flexible traction devices. The only thing that tops them are mountaineering crampons or ‘crampon-like’ devices, including the Kahtoola K10. 

The eleven carbon steel spikes – four on the heel and seven on the toe – provide a large surface area of traction. Each spike is a sharp, isosceles shape for optimal penetration – and a whopping ⅔” long. The front two spikes are especially useful for gaining purchase on steep slopes, but they tend to drag the ground on mellower terrain if you don’t pick up your feet.

The traction is almost too much in certain conditions. The spikes are incredibly grabby on ice and hard packed snow and even stick into wood. This can be annoying, so the Trail Crampons are best suited for true winter trails that are fully covered.

Although we wouldn’t recommend them for technical terrain, the Trail Crampons perform the best out of all the hiking spikes on winter scrambles. We were pleasantly surprised with how well they performed on mixed ice and rock, especially the spikes’ ability to grip even the smallest rock features.

Fit

The Hillsound Trail Crampon fits best on hiking shoes, hiking boots, and insulated winter boots. However, we were even able to make them work on trail runners as well. 

The grippy elastomer harness is easy to stretch and features a velcro strap for additional security. The harness does a great job at staying in place on larger footwear like boots. However, we found the heel can slip down, causing the spikes to sag on low-profile hiking shoes and trail runners.

The unique plate system on the Trail Crampon creates a rigid yet flexible feel that balances comfort and traction.

Ease of Use/Versatility

The Trail Crampons are most secure on hiking boots, but we found they’ll work with trail runners in a pinch. 

With its large spikes and plate design, the Trail Crampons are best suited for steeper and more challenging terrain. They provide solid traction on ice, packed, snow, and slippery rock. The spikes paddles away powder in fresh snow to reach the hard surfaces below. They’re great for hikes that are completely snow covered, but we found ourselves wanting to remove them for extended dry sections of trail. They also tend to collect snow easily in warmer, wet snow conditions.

Taking the cleats on and off is pretty straight forward, even though the direction markings are pretty small. The velcro strap takes an extra step, but the added security is nice and helps distinguish the front from the back.

Weight/Packability

Due to the plate design and more aggressive spikes, the Trail Crampons are far from the lightest cleats on our list. The pair weighs in at just over a pound. At a half pound per foot, it’s worth factoring in increased fatigue on longer treks. 

Fortunately, the pair comes with a stuff sack, so you don’t have to resort to hanging them on the outside of your pack. The stuff sack is very durable and “puncture proof” to eliminate worry over the spikes springing a leak in your water bottle.

Ultimately, the Hillsound Trail Crampon isn’t the ice cleat you want for extended treks over terrain you can manage with less aggressive cleats. It adds significant weight to your pack and feet, so we’d reserve this model for shorter hikes or sections of challenging terrain.

Durability

The Hillsound Trail Crampon varies in durability from one component to the next. Overall, though, it should stand up to years of use with proper care.

The spikes are made from carbon steel, which is more prone to rust and less wear resistant than stainless steel. We do like the plate design, however, which cuts down on the amount of chain used. The stainless steel chains are doubled up at the points that receive the most contact to increase durability. 

Unfortunately, the attachment points to the elastomer harness aren’t reinforced, which could pose an issue. Most ice cleats do reinforce this high use area, so it’s surprising to see that Hillsound doesn’t. 

Despite all of the above, the Hillsound Trail Crampons are still well-made, quality traction devices that should hold up barring any extreme abuse. Traction devices in general are prone to breaking, so it’s always a good idea to carry a multitool with you on longer treks.

Should You Buy the Hillsound Trail Crampons?

The Hillsound Trail Crampons are significantly more aggressive than your typical hiking cleats without entering the realm of mountaineering crampons. It’s best to carry them in your pack on the dry approach trail, saving them for steep, icy terrain. The ⅔” spikes penetrate snow and even grip well on rocky scrambles. The aggressiveness is nice when it matters but can be awkward on dry trails and wooden walkways. Plus, their fit can be a little sloppy and require regular adjustment. But for the winter adventurer, they are a worthy and valuable tool.

What Other Traction Devices Should You Consider?

For less aggressive options geared towards running or casual use, check out our full list of favorites.

Kahtoola MICROspikes Review: The MICROspikes are like the Trail Crampons dialed back one notch. They’re a little lighter, slightly less aggressive, more versatile, and a few bucks cheaper. 

Kahtoola K-10 Review: If the Trail Crampons aren’t aggressive enough for you, the Kahtoola K-10 approaches the traction of a true mountaineering crampon but still works with common hiking boots and shoes. 

Black Diamond Distance Spike Review: For semi-aggressive traction that lets you be more fleet footed, check out the Black Diamond Distance Spike. It’s super lightweight and specifically geared toward trail running.