Unearth The Voyage
Winter hiking can turn into a slippery nightmare when ice coats your favorite trails. The right traction device transforms treacherous paths into manageable adventures, letting you walk with confidence instead of fear. Whether you’re a casual day-hiker or pushing into alpine terrain, choosing gear that matches your goals makes all the difference.
1. Kahtoola MICROspikes — Best Overall for Hikers
Ask any seasoned winter hiker what’s in their pack, and MICROspikes will likely top the list. Kahtoola engineered these with 12 heat-treated stainless-steel spikes per foot—each about 0.41 inches long—that dig confidently into packed snow and boilerplate ice. The reinforced TPE harness stays flexible even when temperatures plunge to -22°F, so you won’t wrestle with brittle rubber mid-hike.
OutdoorGearLab’s 2025 testing keeps these among the top all-around performers, praising their durability and reliable bite. An integrated toe bail and raised heel tab make on-and-off quick, even with gloves. For general winter trails and backpacking trips, MICROspikes deliver exactly what you need without extra bulk or complexity.
2. Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra — Most Aggressive “Microspike”
When standard microspikes feel a little light for steep, icy pitches, the Trail Crampon Ultra steps up. Hillsound equipped this model with beefier plates and up to 18 stainless-steel teeth—roughly 15 mm long—that grab firm ice like a handshake you can trust. A rip-and-stick instep strap locks everything in place, preventing mid-climb slips.
SectionHiker’s guide breaks down how the Ultra sits between Hillsound’s standard Trail Crampon and the burlier Pro version, hitting a sweet spot for aggressive yet flexible performance. The large heel plate adds stability on descents, so you’re not white-knuckling every downhill step. If your routes involve sustained elevation gain on hardpack, this device won’t let you down.
3. Black Diamond Distance Spike — Best for Running & Fast Travel
Trail runners who refuse to slow down when snow flies will appreciate the Distance Spike’s featherweight build—just 115 grams per device. Black Diamond blended a softshell toe cover with an elastomer harness, creating a hybrid upper that adds coverage without the bulk of traditional microspikes. The stainless-steel spikes measure around 8 mm, tuned for quick transitions across snow, ice, and mixed terrain.
CleverHiker highlights the excellent hold and packability, though durability takes a slight backseat to weight savings. That tradeoff makes sense if you’re logging miles fast and need something that disappears in your pack. For anyone splitting time between running and hiking in variable winter conditions, this device keeps pace with your ambitions.
4. Kahtoola EXOspikes — Best for Mixed Trail-to-Road Use
Ever start a hike on a snowy neighborhood sidewalk before hitting the trailhead? EXOspikes solve that awkward in-between zone where full spikes feel aggressive and bare boots feel sketchy. Kahtoola designed these with a combined lug-and-spike height of about 7.4 mm, balancing traction on icy roads and snowy singletrack without tearing up pavement or your nerves.
CleverHiker calls them a favorite for adaptability and comfort across cross-terrain winter use. The low-profile design means less clatter on hard surfaces, and you won’t feel like you’re stomping around in mountaineering gear. Shoulder-season hikers and urban-trail hybrids will find these incredibly versatile, handling everything from morning dog walks to afternoon ridge scrambles with equal ease.
5. Kahtoola K10 Hiking Crampons — Best “Step-Up” Hiking Crampon
There comes a point on certain routes where microspikes simply don’t cut it—firm spring snow, steep side-hills, and exposed ridges demand more. The K10 bridges the gap between casual traction and full alpine crampons, offering a strap-on frame design that works with flexible hiking boots instead of requiring rigid mountaineering footwear. REI stocks these widely, noting their clear use-case as a more secure option above microspikes.
You get true crampon-style bite without the commitment of technical hardware, making the K10 ideal for non-technical terrain that still feels serious. If your winter ambitions include early-season fourteeners or icy scrambles, this device provides the confidence to keep moving upward safely and comfortably.
6. Petzl IRVIS Hybrid — Best Lightweight Alpine/Glacier Crampon
Alpine objectives demand gear that balances performance with packability, and the IRVIS Hybrid nails that equation. Petzl paired a steel front section for reliable ice bite with an aluminum heel to shed grams, creating a crampon that excels on ski-touring approaches and glacier crossings. The flexible linking bar lets you fold them compact for your pack, a lifesaver when you’re counting ounces.
This isn’t gear for casual trail walks—proper mountaineering boots, rope skills, and experienced partners are non-negotiable. But if your winter plans include glaciated terrain or ski mountaineering, the IRVIS Hybrid delivers technical performance without the weight penalty of full-steel crampons. Petzl’s detailed specs and wide retail availability make finding the right fit straightforward.
