Crampons

JerseyPete

JerseyPete

Well-Known Member
This may be under the category of things not used often. Does anyone use crampons for icy hiking in the woods, and what do you recommend? I am looking for something that will fit onto a hiking boot. I see different styles and types. This is for times like the past weekend when everything was glazed over and rock hard. The type that I can remove it when the path is rocky and clear, and put them on when needed.
Thanks.
 
JerseyPete said:
This may be under the category of things not used often. Does anyone use crampons for icy hiking in the woods, and what do you recommend? I am looking for something that will fit onto a hiking boot. I see different styles and types. This is for times like the past weekend when everything was glazed over and rock hard. The type that I can remove it when the path is rocky and clear, and put them on when needed.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Check Tractor supply or Walmart for something like this.

Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice (1 Pair) Amazon product ASIN B001CZJIPA
For the 8 weeks I was driving for UPS a few years back one day we had one of those ice storms and all sidewalks and lawns were crusted in ice. I took the delivery truck to tractor supply and bought these and it was like there was no ice.

For hiking you may want something more durable or more like spikes. I had to walk and drive all day with them they took a beating walking 25-30K steps a day.
 
We have kahtoola exospikes and they're good for snow and some ice:

kahtoola.com

EXOspikes™ Footwear Traction

EXOspikes allow you to run, hike, and thrive with cross-terrain winter traction on snow mountain trails to icy roads and everything in between.
kahtoola.com kahtoola.com


There's also the spikier version called microspikes:

kahtoola.com

MICROspikes® Footwear Traction

Kahtoola MICROspikes® footwear traction delivers aggressive, time-tested grip for hiking on icy mountainous terrain.
kahtoola.com kahtoola.com

EDIT: they're sold at REI so you can try them on with your hiking shoes
 
I use crampons. Unless you have a boot made for step-in crampons, get strap-on ones. 10 point crampons are fine for hiking. I do not take them on and off during the hike, but instead wear them even on non-icy sections. It is a bit of work getting them on and off, so I leave them on.PXL_20220208_023610592.MP.jpg
 
iman29 said:
Check Tractor supply or Walmart for something like this.

Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice (1 Pair) Amazon product ASIN B001CZJIPA
For the 8 weeks I was driving for UPS a few years back one day we had one of those ice storms and all sidewalks and lawns were crusted in ice. I took the delivery truck to tractor supply and bought these and it was like there was no ice.

For hiking you may want something more durable or more like spikes. I had to walk and drive all day with them they took a beating walking 25-30K steps a day.
Click to expand...
+1 on the Yaktrax, I don’t use them often, but they do work great.
 
We have been rocking these OG Stabilicers for at least 15 years
STAB_251881_Maxx2_L_190304_MVWebLG_800x800.jpg
Vibram soles with screw in studs.
If the soles/straps ever wear out, I'd replace them with microspikes,
but so far replacing the studs is all that is required.

Not sure if replacing contact points is possible with newer slip-on types,
but if so, that's a plus.

In general, spikes/crampons work great on ice and crusty snow, but are a liability on rock face.
 
As an ice climber, I will hike and then climb in Grivel crampons with the step-in bail and boots with the lips fore and aft. They serve the purpose. However, for hiking that doesn't result in more technical climbing or scrambling, I would definitely recommend the other options that are mentioned above. They will fit better, flex better, be less tiring, and give all the grip that you will need.
 
The YakTrax ones are good enough for everything except solid ice on steeper inclines. Make sure you get ones with retention straps as the the ones without can pop off without you realizing it.
 
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