Microspikes vs Hillsound Trail Crampons
1960HikerDude
Posts: 215 Member
I have a pair of Khatoola Microspikes that are getting quite worn. With the winter hiking season rapidly approaching, I am planning on replacing them. I was going to get a another pair of Microspikes. But, I've been hearing good things about the Hillsound Trail Crampons. The teeth seem to be a little more aggressive and they have 4 teeth on the heel instead of two. If anyone out there has experience with the Hillsounds, I'd love to hear from you.
0
Replies
-
^^ Me too! I also use Microspikes and would like some feedback.0
-
I ordered my Hilsounds. I'll let you know how hey work out.0
-
bump0
-
HikerDude, you have snow/ice yet up there? Where do you usually trek around?0
-
I do most of my hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We usually start seeing snow and ice up in the whites around mid-October at the higher elevations.0
-
That's really neat. A friend of mine who is a sales rep for La Sportiva lives in the White Mts and is always out. I really need to get up there and see them...0
-
I finally to put my new Hillsound Trail Crampons to the test on Cannon Mountain in Fanconia, New Hampshire, yesterday, December 1. Starting at the Cannon Mountain Arial Tramway parking lot, we ascended approximately 2,100 feet in 2.0 miles on the Kinsman Ridge Trail to the summit. The trail was steep and very rocky with lots of frozen trail run-off. Three inches of powdery snow fell the night before. To call the conditions rough, slick and treacherous would be an understatement..
The Hillsounds performed very well. They gripped better than my Microspikes. I felt confident in my footing. I slipped and fell only once while crossing an off-camber granite slab. I suspect the snow in that spot was just deep enough to keep the cleats from biting into frozen trail run-off coating that slap.
There was only one other issue. The crampon on my left foot got twisted sideways once on the descent, requiring me to stop and straighten it out. I bought once size larger than my recommended size to accommodate my thick insulated winter hiking boots. Yesterday I wore my regular leather hiking boots. Therefore Hillsounds were a little loose. And I've had the same thing happen with my Microspikes on rough terrain. Ironically, I wished I had worn my insulated winter hiking boots instead, as the temperature was much colder than expected.
In talking to my hiking friends, I leaned there is a tendency of the Hillsounds to accumulate surface rust on the plates. But that doesn't seem to hinder their performance.
I think the Hillsounds have a better overall design with the cleats being grouped together on plates vs Microspikes individual cleats attached to chains. That said, I think either system will provide adequate traction for most situations.0 -
Hey HikerDude, thanks for the review.
I've lived in the Pacific Northwest for two years now and have fallen in love with hiking in the mountains. I am new to winter hiking - I just got a pair of Microspikes and have used them only twice so far. I'm still working up my courage to hike on snowy/icy mountain trails, and am still learning what types of trail conditions are hikeable (for me). I would appreciate any tips!
BTW: I have noticed that my Microspikes show a bit of rust if I don't remember to get them out of my pack and dry them off right away.0 -
I always keep my spikes clipped to the outside of my pack. It keeps them easily accessible when I need them. I don't need to take off and open my pack to get at them. I just ask a hiking companion to unclip them and hand them to me. I like to keep stops as brief as possible on winter hikes, so I don't get chilled.
Clipping the spikes to my pack has another advantage. It keeps the snow, mud and other yucky stuff OUTSIDE my pack:-)0 -
That makes perfect sense! Thanks! You can tell I'm still sorting things out :-)0
