Best micro spikes?

Need to pick up a few pairs for a winter family trip to the Grand Canyon.
Will probably be wearing approach shoes, if that matters- hope to scramble up Brahma.
Not really expecting to summit, tbh...
but will need the spikes on the main trails too.

Kahtoola

That's like asking the best Band-Aid

I'll second kahtoola. think there are a few brands making a similar product, the important thing is getting ones with spikes, not the yaktrax style with metal coils which don't give you the same bite on more compact snow/ice.

Agree -- I tried most of them that were on the market a few years ago.  Kahtoola gets my nod.

Kahtoola Micro Spikes are the main ones we sell at the shop.
We’ve tried Yaktraks and don’t have much luck with them on the rocky trails. They’re fine for urban areas and gravel roads but the rock chew them up quickly.
Hillsound has several great versions which have different lengths of spike but they are harder to find.

Mal

Kahtoola Micro spikes all the way. Fantastic traction for the intended use and they have a great warranty!
My friend used his religiously for two years and when one broke they sent him a new pair!

Yaktrax metalcoil 'spikes' don't work great and don't let.

The Kahtoola spikes are expensive. There are tons of good, cheap options on Amazon that work great. I currently have a pair of those (don't remember which one and I don't think it really matters)

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=microspikes&sprefix=microspi&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8

Mark E Dixon wrote: 
hope to scramble up Brahma.
Not really expecting to summit, tbh...

I think you are kidding, but that is a big summit to tackle with a family. Although, I am sure you are qualified. Just make sure you are familiar with navigating redwall breaks and Grand Canyon off trail travel. Honestly, if you were able to get through the redwall that would be a pretty good feat as a day hike and the views would be great. To make the summit there will be some light class five and semi tricky down climbing if you don't bring a short rope to rap with and most likely some snow and ice along the way as you approach summit.  For a frame of reference, Brahma in a day from SK is 32 miles and 10K of AEG. It took me just under 20 hours the first time I did it, but I was solo and it was earlier in my canyon career,  plus I did get off route a little coming back..That being said, I could give you some better beta if you choose to tackle it!

Kahtoola hands down the best. Finally broke a pair after ten years of allot of use!

Just stay far away from the Kahtoola knock-offs on EBay. Super cheap, and only come in one size, so I tok a chance. Bzzzt!  The things would have a tough time stretching over a child's boot.

i like these:

https://hillsound.com/products/trail-crampon

We have a few pairs of Kahtoola in the shop.

Camp carries a brand that looks pretty much the same, but cheaper. I have a pair, but have not used them (or Kahtoola's) yet. Seem to remember them getting pretty good reviews.

Lee Chandler wrote:

I think you are kidding, but that is a big summit to tackle with a family. Although, I am sure you are qualified. Just make sure you are familiar with navigating redwall breaks and Grand Canyon off trail travel. Honestly, if you were able to get through the redwall that would be a pretty good feat as a day hikeand the views would be great. To make the summit there will be some light class five and semi tricky down climbing if you don't bring a short rope to rap with and most likely some snow and ice along the way as you approach summit.  For a frame of reference, Brahma in a day from SK is 32 miles and 10K of AEG. It took me just under 20 hours the first time I did it, but I was solo and it was earlier in my canyon career,  plus I did get off route a little coming back..That being said, I could give you some better beta if you choose to tackle it!

Not kidding about trying Brahma, but also not kidding about not expecting to summit. But should be a cool place to explore regardless.

Mark E Dixon wrote:

Not kidding about trying Brahma, but also not kidding about not expecting to summit. But should be a cool place to explore regardless.

We aren't doing a rim to rim, will be staying at Bright Angel CG a couple of nights.

If you are sincere about advice, I'll definitely be in touch.

Thanks for all the advice re:Kahtoola.

Ya def. message if you want as your trip nears. I think there could be some other equally enjoyable summits you could knock out as well like maybe Cheops for example and that would keep you below the snow most likely. Battleship will be near you as well and I think that is a fine summit, maybe not as epic as Brahma of course though, but fun and a lot less committing...

Kahtoola

Kahtoola

Kahtoola! Fast on and off - when I worked at EMS we would constantly get broken Yak Trax returned but never the Kahtoola. Yeah, they're not the cheapest, but I'd trust them for the money over any Amazon knock off.

I like my Snowline Chainsen's. They are fast on and off and I've taken them over pretty nasty ground quite a bit with no durability issues.

Mark NH wrote: Kahtoola hands down the best. Finally broke a pair after ten years of allot of use!

Me too. I've had mine for over a decade and they just broke. Happily ordered another pair.

Hillsound spikes are pretty much the same except they cost $5 less and are carbon steel instead of stainless.

Also the Hillsound Pro is a nice cheap alternative to a real crampon for low angle ice where microspikes don't have enough bite, but you won't need to front point. Bigger spikes and anti-balling plates for $79 msrp. Haven't had them long enough to speak durability, but they handle sheets of hard ice much better than microspikes.