Hillsound Trail Crampon Traction Device

I bought these for my husband as a Christmas gift after doing research on whether the Kahtoola Microspikes or the Hillsound Trail Crampons were better. My research showed Hillsound had the edge with more spikes and longer spikes. We've had crazy weather this winter and my husband used them the other night to sand our very steep driveway in water-on-ice conditions. He's a man of few words, but his statement "These are amazing!" says it all.

We used these for winter hiking and some easy climbing on a mountain in New England winter conditions (snow and ice and ice covered snow). They worked great! Easy on, easy off, very durable, and they do exactly what you want them to. They make hiking in packed snow and on icy surfaces a breeze. No more slipping, falling, getting pulled around by your dog on ice, etc. You also use a lot less energy getting around with them on because your feet aren't slipping like they are in the sand which is what happens if you don't use them. I felt completely sure-footed and confident when wearing them, from the gravel parking lot to the mountaintop and back. We crossed icy water runoffs with ease and were able to scurry up icy exposed rocks as well without any issue. The spike length is perfect for this type of activity (several inches of snow and moderate ice). If you're just looking to shovel your driveway, you're better off with nano/microspikes for that as they won't ruin the surface you're walking on, and they won't be overkill. Size wise, I followed the Hillsound sizing guide for hiking boots and they fit perfectly. We love them and will definitely continue to use them when needed.

These are sturdy and work well on icy trails. They're not quite as easy to take on and off as my Kahtoola microspikes are, because of the velcro strap, which I'm not sure is necessary. They're also a little larger than the Kahtoolas. I wear a size 9.5 (40) Keen women's boot for lightweight hiking most of the time, but on frigid winter treks I wear a size 11 (42) insulated Keen boot. The size M Hillsounds are a little too big on the lightweight boots but the Kahtoolas fit fine. I can also stretch the Kahtoolas over the heavier boots but the Hillsounds are a better fit for them.I've used Kahtoolas for many years with great satisfaction. Last year, I got a new pair in the updated design to replace my broken 8-year-old ones, which were the old style. The rubber snapped on the new ones after about 5 uses. Kahtoola sent me a new pair, but I'm wary and got some Hillsounds for a backup pair. I can't attest to the durability of the Hillsounds as I haven't used them long enough to judge.

Good for trail hiking. Reasonably easy to take off and remove. They've lasted one winter and seem to still be in good shape.My typical use is to walk sidewalks to a trailhead. At the trailhead, I have to put these on while holding on to my two active dogs. These are easier to get on than Yaktrax.My hiking involves a fair amount of side-hilling, steep but short climbs and descents, and moving between packed snow and ice, frozen mud, and mud. These handled all of those well. In contrast, side-hills destroyed each of my pairs of Yaktrax and the Yaktrax would come off on descents.Update after 2 years:They’ve stretched enough that they come in wet snow. I wear a size 11 boot and have a large. No longer recommended.

I like these "trail crampons." They are in between the full duty crampons and the small "Yaktrax" type traction spikes. For my all season backpacking purposes these are occasionally nice to carry but not a part of my regular carry kit by a long shot. I am NOT mountaineering or climbing ice falls so I don't need heavy duty crampons. However they have given me necessary extra bite and traction to climb of slick slopes or iced over ground. If I anticipate such occasions will be common on an excursion I sometimes will stick these trail crampons in my pack load, but only if they might be used enough to justify their extra weight over the trip. They really do help keep me on my feet and balanced with my pack load under treacherous hiking terrain. The rubber slip on attachment system is nice to conveniently secure the crampons and I have not had slippage issues. In the long run rubber can dry out and crack, so I suppose eventually I will have to come up with some kind of DIY replacement, but so far so good. I avoid hiking over rocks to minimize wear and tear on the spikes. I have only had to sharpen them once which seems reasonable for the amount of use and conditions I have applied them to. I do not wear them for the whole hike, only on and off as necessary. It would be great if they came with a heavy duty storage bag, but they do not. I happened to have an extra small bag rugged enough to pack them in so the spikes don't tear up gear inside my bag. They are carbon steel alloy, so I have been careful about keeping them clean and dry after each use; I have not had any rust issues. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you!

Kahtoole micro cleats, however you spell katouhle, are just like these, as far as I know, except that Hillsound has a velcro strap across the top. My wife and her hiking friends, who can't say no to snow and ice, all swear by them. Except that my wife has found many a cleat left behind by someone in front of her. The velcro strap, which I suppose you could add yourself to microcleats without them, solves that problem. Even when the cleats stick in the snow or ice, they won't come off your boots.Yes there are much cheaper options available, no they don't work the same in actual trail usage. Get these or kattoolees ;-). We like these. Some people say this is the Canadian version. I have no idea about that, just read it somewhere when I was doing my internet research.Disclaimer: I haven't actually placed a pair of these next to the cat-u-les to tell you what the specific differences are, if any, other than the obvious strap. I have looked at the cheaper ones in the stores, with chains, cheaper smaller cleats, et al, smiled, and said, "no thanks" even though I'm cheap.