Frozen sidewalks and icy trails can be a recipe for disaster and you may find yourself slip-sliding as you go about your hiking adventures. To stay on your feet, you must up your grip and this is where micro spikes come in. Microspikes are less intense and light units that you can slide over any pair of footwear.
To help you keep your feet as you go about hiking this winter, we have pulled together some of the best microspikes for hiking and backpacking in 2022 and reviewed them in this guide. So, keep reading to find out which micro spike will be best for your adventure.
Twelve Best Micro Spikes for Hiking and Backpacking in 2022
Micro Spikes exist to help you in your winter hiking activities so that you don’t fall due to the ice or snow. They are usually made of steel and they deliver traction that you won’t get with the regular hiking boots. We will therefore be reviewing twelve of the best microspikes for your hiking adventures.
So, let’s get started.
1. Hillsound Trail Crampons
These micro spikes fit nice and securely as they will provide the traction you need for your hiking activities on icy terrains. They feature durable corrosion-resistant stainless-steel spikes that spread across the heel and the forefoot.
The spikes of these trail crampons will dig in deep to give you an amazing grip whether you are ascending or descending the trail. The side chains are double-linked to make them stronger and give you excellent side-to-side stability.
They come with a tough elastomer harness that fits over any pair of footwear and their Velcro straps ensure that they are firm even while you are doing rigorous hiking activities. These spikes are super comfy and you can use them for extended periods.
Highlighted Features:
- Double-linked side chains for stability.
- Velcro straps for firmness.
- Elastomer harness that fits over any shoe.
- Excellent grip.
2. Uelfbaby Crampons
These microspikes are made from a stretchy elastomer harness that fits well over most footwear out there. They are quite easy to slip onto your shoes and they will stay in position to give you stability.
There are thirteen spikes on the base that helps you dig nicely into icy terrains. They also feature durable chain links that hold you steady from any side-to-side movements so that you don’t go off balance.
These Uelfbaby crampons are great for short bursts which means that if you are looking for everyday hiking microspikes, you should not hesitate to buy these crampons. They will provide you with the traction you need.
Highlighted Features:
- Stretchy elastomer harness to fit any shoes.
- Easy to slip on.
- Thirteen spikes to help you dig into icy terrains.
- Great traction for short bursts.
3. Yaktrax Pro Micro Spikes
These Yaktrax microspikes work with a unique design instead of the popular spikes. They make use of coiled stainless steel around their rubber frames to deliver 360-degree traction in different weather conditions.
The lack of spikes in this unit does not compromise their grip. They do an incredible job of keeping you on your feet no matter how slippery the ice is. They are easy to slip on and they feature an adjustable strap to ensure you have a tight fit.
They feature a stainless steel and rubber combination that makes them quite durable and they can last for up to five winters or more. The rubber has been tested to be freeze resistant so no matter how cold it gets; it will always survive.
Highlighted Features:
- Coiled stainless steel and rubber frames for 360-degree traction.
- Easy to slip on and grippy.
- Adjustable strap for a tight fit.
- Steel and rubber combination for durability.
4. EnergeticSky Ice Spikes
These EnergerticSky Ice spikes also come with a unique design as they feature a silicone frame with chain links that leads to a silicone pad on the toes and heels. Each pad features multiple stainless-steel spikes to give you excellent traction in ice and snow.
The spikes and pads have been designed in such a way that your weight is distributed evenly to give you excellent balance. The silicone frame comes in stretchy which means that these spikes will be quite easy to put on. With this stretchy fit, snapping or tearing is almost impossible.
The stainless-steel spikes and chain links are very durable and corrosion-resistant. They are a solid pair of microspikes that will help you through any terrain no matter how icy or uneven it is.
Highlighted Features:
- Made of silicone frame and chain links.
- Silicone pads and steel spikes for excellent traction.
- Stretchy fit for ease in wearing them.
- Durable and corrosion-resistant.
5. Ravifun Micro Spikes
These units come with an original micro spike design with an elastic rubber band at the top that leads to stainless steel links and high-quality stainless-steel crampons. They are an excellent pair of microspikes that you will love to have.
These crampons come with eighteen teeth spread between the toe and heel to give you an amazing grip in icy conditions. Their teeth are quite long which means they are suitable for hiking on steeper trails.
The rubber frame of these spikes will slide over any footwear. Once they are in a place, their Velcro strap ensures that you have a snug fit as you can tighten them. These straps ensure that the spikes do not move around.
Highlighted Features:
- Eighteen teeth spread for amazing grip.
- Velcro straps to hold the spikes in place.
- Long teeth for hiking on steep terrain.
- Slides well over any footwear.
6. OuterStar Micro Spikes
These micro spikes make use of rubber frames, steel chains, and stainless steel to ensure that you stay on your feet. The chains come with side-to-side stability while the spikes are there for you to dig into steeper trails.
These spikes are easy to slide on and take off. Once you wear them, they are comfortable and they can hold their position excellently. They offer you great traction on ice and you don’t have to spend unnecessary time readjusting.
Highlighted Features:
- Chains for side-to-side stability.
- Spikes to dig into steeper trails.
- Easy to slide on and off.
7. Unigear Traction Cleats
These Unigear cleats come with eighteen long spikes that feature twelve on the front foot and six on the heel to help you deliver excellent traction on different icy hikes. They are a great pair of spikes to use on the trail.
These spikes come in great for a grip on snow and ice. They also feature a Thermoplastic Elastomer band that connects to durable stainless-steel cleats. These cleats come in to resist corrosion and the band is necessary for ease in slipping on and off.
Highlighted Features:
- Eighteen long spikes for excellent traction.
- Great grip on snow and ice.
- Elastomer band for ease in slipping on and off.
- Corrosion-resistant cleats.
8. Kahtoola Micro Spikes
These Kahtoola units feature twelve spikes that dig into icy trails and are great for hiking and trail running. They are made of stainless-steel spikes, a TPU frame, and welded chain. The chain links are designed to prevent ice or snow build-up.
The spikes come in tough, durable, and capable of resisting corrosion. The chain links connect well to the reinforced eyelets on the frame to achieve maximum durability. The TPU frame is stretchy making them easy to slip on and off.
The TPU frame stays tight on your feet and they don’t need any extra adjustments. So, they will come in handy to provide you with great stability. The added toe-bail feature of these spikes ensures that your shoes do not slide out of the front.
Highlighted Features:
- Chain links to prevent snow build-up.
- TPU frame for ease in slipping on and off.
- Tough, durable, and corrosion-resistant spikes.
- Toe-bail feature.
9. Stabil Icers Walk Traction Cleats
These cleats offer the best microspikes that you can use for your winter hiking adventures. The spikes come in to cover the sole and forefront of the shoes to deliver solid traction as you go hiking over icy terrains.
The microspikes are designed to function in different directions which means that the level of traction you have with these spikes is top-notch. They come with 24 microspikes to help you guarantee excellent traction and grip abilities.
Highlighted Features:
- Microspikes are designed in different directions.
- Spikes cover the sole and forefront for excellent traction.
- Great gripping abilities.
10. Black Diamond Access Spikes
These Black Diamond Access Spikes are all about giving you ultimate traction as you go hiking on icy terrains. They come with fourteen stainless-steel spikes that are about 8mm in length. These spikes help to deliver great traction across unstable terrains.
Everything about these spikes speaks of their durability. They will stand the tough tests of time and uneven terrains with you. They also come with an elastomer harness that helps the spikes adapt to any footwear of your choice.
They also come with eyelets that have been designed with dual-density elastomers. There is also a front spike that has been carefully designed for optimal toe engagement. Not to forget their heel webbing loop that makes it easy to slip these spikes on and off.
Highlighted Features:
- Fourteen spikes for great traction on unstable terrains.
- Elastomer harness for adapting to any footwear.
- Eyelets and dual-density elastomers.
- Front spike for toe engagements.
- Heel webbing loop that makes the spikes easy to slip on.
11. Kahtoola Nano Spikes
These microspikes are ideal for hikers who want an ultralight fit for hiking on snow or ice. They come in perfect for trail running, backpacking, or hiking on terrains that are packed with ice or snow.
These spikes come with a design that features a 10 spike per foot with embedded tungsten carbide tips that ensures that they grip well on icy surfaces. They feature a lightweight aluminum anchor that ensures that the spikes are held in place.
The anchor comes in surrounded by a TPU cleat for maximum traction and shock absorption. The dual-compound TPU offers wear resistance and flexibility that ensure that snow does not build up. The TPU inserts reinforce the key stress points.
Highlighted Features:
- Embedded tungsten carbide tips for great grip.
- Lightweight aluminum anchor to hold the spikes in place.
- TPU cleat for traction and shock absorption.
- Dual compound TPU for wear-resistant and flexibility.
12. Yaktrax Diamond Grip
The traction in these microspikes is supplied by their multiple beads. These Yaktrax spikes are fitted with many diamond grip beads to ensure that you have multi-directional traction on multiple surfaces.
Aircraft-grade steel is used in making these spikes and they are joined to footwear by a rubberized binding. This rubberized binding remains secure and elastic even in sub-zero temperatures. They make these spikes easy to put on and take off.
The beads of these Yaktrax units swivel independently to ensure that snow or ice does not build up as you go about hiking. This makes these spikes ideal for transitioning between surfaces.
Highlighted Features:
- Beads swivel independently to prevent snow buildup.
- Rubberized binding for a secure and elastic fit.
- Ideal for transitioning between surfaces.
Conclusion
Microspikes are a great fit and will provide you with the necessary traction on snowy or icy surfaces.
So, if you are planning to hike in the winter, look through our reviews and you will find a spike that will ease your hiking adventures.
