Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction Device Review

Bottom Line

The Kahtoola MICROspikes are our top pick for all-around winter traction, offering an excellent balance of grip, comfort, and packability. The spikes provide confident footing on icy terrain while remaining manageable on mixed surfaces like dirt and rock. At 169 grams per foot, they’re light enough for extended winter hiking – though not ideal for trail running. 

The durable thermoplastic harness stays flexible in subfreezing temperatures and fits securely with reinforced attachment points for the stainless steel chains and spikes. The spikes are comfortable and easy to use. Although, the heel occasionally sags and needs readjustment. Overall, the MICROspikes continued to impress us during extensive testing across mixed terrain at varying elevations in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Though pricier than others on our list of the best winter traction, their excellent versatility provides a ton of value.

How We Tested

The two main ways we determine the top products on each gear list is to closely analyze and compare every minute feature and flaw and to put every item through rigorous, real-world testing. We ran, hiked, and walked for marathons over varying terrain in Colorado’s front range. We tested them on snowy urban streets to mixed mountain terrain and frigid alpine environments.

Traction

Kahtoola makes a wide range of compact traction devices with varying levels of traction, and the MICROspikes are the most aggressive. They feature twelve, 9.5mm long stainless steel spikes shaped like isosceles triangles to create sharp and aggressive points that easily dig into ice and packed snow. 

The spikes are spread across two different zones on the heel and forefoot, providing ample traction for gentle to moderate terrain. Due to the lack of prominent front points, the MICROspikes may not provide enough purchase on super steep, icy slopes.

Though the MICROspikes are low profile enough to be suitable for varying surfaces like ice, packed snow, and mud, they lack efficiency on the extreme ends of the spectrum. They’re too small to be very effective on multiple inches of fresh snow and too big not to feel awkward on paved urban environments.

Fit

The Kahtoola MICROspikes fit comfortably and securely on a variety of hiking footwear but are best suited for hiking shoes and lightweight hiking boots. They still work on trail runners but can fit a little sloppy depending on where your foot falls on the size chart. Larger boots can result in an overly tight fit. 

For the most part, we found the spikes did a great job staying securely on our feet. The ergonomically shaped elastic harness stretches high up onto the foot, and the integrated toe bail keeps the toe from protruding through the front when descending down hill. 

Our only gripe was that the heel tended to slip downward after miles of hiking, causing the spikes to sag. We found ourselves periodically reaching down to pull on the heel tab to snug them up.

Ease of Use/Versatility

The MICROspikes are one of the most versatile options on our list. They excel on ice and packed snow and transitioned smoothly as we crossed mixed mountain terrain. We hiked with them on icy trails with sunny sections of mud, dirt, and slush and rarely felt the need to remove the spikes. If we had to say they lean in any one direction, it would be the aggressive side with more effectiveness on soft snow than hard sidewalk.

Although aggressive, the MICROspikes strike a happy traction balance. They won’t stick into the occasional wooden bridge on developed trails, and the smallish spikes are more forgiving for foot shufflers.

The spikes are easy to pull on and off as well. The front is clearly marked to eliminate any guessing. The elastic stays stretchy even in sub zero temps, and the heel tab gives you something to pull on for snugging the fit.

Weight/Packability

Compared with the rest of the traction devices on our list, the Kahtoola MICROspikes are remarkably lightweight and compact for their aggressiveness. They come with a handy little stuff sack that packs them down into a small package, taking up a minimal amount of valuable pack space.

A pair of mediums weighs about 11.9 ounces, which is the spot-on average of the devices we tested. At 169 grams per foot, they are definitely noticeable but not enough to create any major fatigue.

Durability

The Kahtoola MICROspikes are the best all-around ice cleats because of their consistent scoring across all testing metrics. Durability is no exception. 

The spikes and chains are made from hard wearing stainless steel that is sure to stand up to years of use. The bonus of their chain construction is that they are easy to repair with a pair of pliers if a link does pop loose. 

The elastic harness is made from thick, thermoplastic material with reinforced attachment points. Kahtoola claims the rubber retains its elasticity down to -22ºF and we verified this claim by leaving them outside overnight during an arctic blast in Colorado with temperatures down to -30ºF. In the morning, the elastic was slightly stiffer, but still stretched easily over our boots and showed no signs of cracking. 

If you dig into user reviews of the MICROspikes, you’ll find a couple reports of a snapped rubber harness in extreme cold. However, we assume those are exceptional cases. We haven’t experienced any issues after extensive use.

The Kahtoola MICROspikes are suitable for a wide range of users and applications. From mixed terrain on sloppy spring conditions to high alpine ice and snow, the MICROspikes provide just the right amount of traction to get the job done while fitting over a wide variety of footwear. In addition to all of the benefits already mentioned, Kahtoola manages to keep these spikes small and light without sacrificing any durability. All of the above culminates into an excellent value for all types of winter adventurers.

What Other Traction Devices Should You Consider?

Need some more specialized traction devices? We’ve got you! Our full guide to ice cleats includes options geared specifically towards trail running, urban walking, and even borderline mountaineering.

Hillsound Trail Crampon Review: The Hillsound Trail Crampons are very similar to the MICROspikes but with a touch more aggressiveness. They do, however, sacrifice some usability on gentle terrain with dry surfaces. 

Kahtoola EXOspikes Review: As the little brother of the MICROspikes, the EXOspikes are less aggressive but lighter and better suited towards running. We consider them better for shoulder seasons when ice and snow are sparse.

Black Diamond Distance Spike Review: If you like the aggressiveness of the MICROspikes but want something a little more fleet-footed, check out these bad boys. They are incredibly compact but offer enough traction to tackle the most challenging winter trail runs.