OffroadAdmin
Bottom Line
The Yaktrax Diamond Grips offer a unique set of benefits at an affordable price point. The patented Diamond Beads shed snow surprisingly well, making them ideal for sticky spring conditions and varied terrain.
These cleats snugly hug the foot with no sagging chains or spikes, giving you solid and secure footing on dry surfaces. Although they shine on packed snow, the Diamond Grips almost feel like a normal hiking shoe on patches of dirt and gravel.
Our testing included long hikes with the Diamond Grips on trails that constantly changed from dirt to rock to ice and snow. They remained comfortable over every surface and never presented the need to remove them.
The affordable price point does come with a few downsides, however. The cleats can be a little tricky to pull on and off, don’t come with a handy stuff sack, and lack durability in multiple areas. For serious winter conditions, you might consider other options from our full traction device guide. But for gentle use around the outskirts of town, the Diamond Grips are a great budget buy.
How We Tested
We’re fortunate to have an incredibly versatile local testing ground in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains where we can tackle trails from rocky desert terrain to snowy mountains. In addition to scrutinizing each product via controlled, quantifiable lab testing, we have run, hiked, and walked for weeks over vastly different environments to bring you real, trail-tested data.
Quick Specs
Yaktrax Diamond Grip
Best at Shedding Snow
CleverHiker Rating:
4.2/5.0
Price:
$55
Weight:
9.7 oz.
Type:
Steel beads
Best Use:
Walking & light hiking
Pros
- Affordable
- Sheds snow well
Cons
- Not as durable as some
- Less aggressive traction
- Fit not as dialed in
- No stuff sack included
Traction
The Yaktrax Diamond Grip ice cleats provide a moderate amount of traction that is sufficient for gentle walks and mild hikes. The traction stretches over a wide area from the very tip of the toe to the end of the heel.The cleats are made up of case-hardened steel beads strung on steel aircraft cable. The beads are designed to swivel freely in order to shed snow, which they do efficiently. The swiveling beads are particularly useful for spring days with wet snow but can detract from the overall traction. Yaktrak’s claim of the Diamond Grips having “hundreds of biting edges” is a little misleading.
Ultimately, we’ve found the Diamond Grips to be most effective while jogging or walking on gentle terrain with packed snow and hard surfaces. They unfortunately don’t grip ice as well as we would like. For a budget buy, the Diamond Grips are excellent for snowy neighborhood walks and short day hikes.
Fit
The Diamond Grips provide a lightweight and comfortable fit that is excellent for all-day use. The elastic rubber sling keeps the cleats tight against the foot, and the low-profile design helps to avoid snags on sticks and rocks. Unlike bulkier spikes that have hanging chains, the Diamond Grips stay conveniently out of the way.
These cleats also fit on a variety of shoe styles. We found them to work best on trail runners and lightweight hiking boots. However, on some shoes they create an unwanted gap at the arch, which is a potential snag hazard.
The cleats stay in place for the most part, but after miles of hiking, we found ourselves having to reach down to readjust periodically.
Ease of Use/Versatility
The Diamond Grips are effective across mixed mountain terrain, but they can be a little tricky to get on and off. The two traction zones look very similar, and the markings are quite small. This combination makes it a little difficult to tell the front from the back. Pulling the cleats on your foot feels a little awkward and initially requires a bit of adjusting.Though the patented Diamond Beads are most effective on shallow and packed snow, they also travel well over ice and dry ground without the need to take them off. The devices are so low profile that they barely feel any different than a regular hiking shoe when walking on gravel and dirt.
We would love to see a more streamlined fit and better markings to enhance the Diamond Grips’ overall user friendliness. But for the price, they still offer excellent versatility.
Weight/Packability
At just 9.7 ounces for the pair, the Yaktrax Diamond Grips are one of the lighter traction devices on our list. This makes them well suited for all day comfort on road and trail runs. Each device adds just 137 grams to each foot, minimizing foot fatigue.
Although the devices collapse down pretty small, they aren’t sold with a stuff sack. That means they can get tangled with other items inside your pack. For quickest access and minimal tangling, we recommend clipping the Diamond Grips to the outside of your pack.
Durability
Unfortunately, the Yaktrax Diamond Grips are not the most durable cleats on the market and should be treated with care.
The Diamond Beads are made from case-hardened steel alloy, which is a very abrasion resistant material that should last a very long time. However, the weak link is in the steel aircraft cable that the beads swivel on. Anywhere you have moving parts, you are going to have abrasion. Although we haven’t experienced any catastrophic failures yet, many users have broken the cable, scattering the beads all over the ground. A broken cable will surely be a buzzkill on your winter outings, and it’s also difficult to repair.
The attachment points to the rubber sling are incredibly robust, so that area is not an issue. The chains, however, are a little smaller than on other ice cleats. At least they are easy to repair. The rubber sling can withstand most temperatures without a problem. However, after leaving them out in -30ºF temperatures overnight, the rubber showed micro cracks when stretched, which gives us some concern.
Should You Buy the Yaktrax Diamond Grips?
The Yaktrax Diamond Grips are an excellent budget buy for the casual hiker or anyone looking for a little more confidence on their neighborhood walks and jogs. The patented Diamond Beads are best for providing more stable footing on packed snow and ice while not being overly obtrusive when the trail or sidewalk dries up. Unfortunately, their durability may leave a bit to be desired. Every component, apart from the attachment points, is a bit more vulnerable to heavy use than other traction devices. However, if snow-shedding and affordability are your top priorities, this could be a cost-effective traction device.
What Other Traction Devices Should You Consider?
Looking for a more premium option? Check out our full guide to the best ice cleats, where we have recommendations for every hiking style.
Yaktrax Chains Review: The Yaktrax chains offer even more cost savings for casual walking around town. Their traction is minimal, but so is the price point.
Kahtoola NANOspikes Review: The NANOspikes sell for a similar price and are the most low-profile devices on our list – perfect for road running in winter conditions.
Kahtoola EXOspikes Review: Although a little pricier, the EXOspikes provide impressive versatility across mixed mountain terrain and are more effective on ice and packed snow.
Black Diamond Distance Spike: These are the most aggressive trail running cleats on our list. They can tackle challenging mountain terrain, and the featherweight construction is ultra comfortable.
