Crampons Vs. Microspikes: Which to Wear and When for Hiking [2023]

When snow falls and ice begins to form on the trail, many people retreat back into their homes and give up hiking until summer rolls around.

But why should we give up that epic hobby just because some white stuff fell from the sky?

That’s where footwear traction comes in, to help us stay upright (that’s right, not on our butts!) while we’re hiking.

And you may be wondering, crampons vs. microspikes, which one should I wear and when?

In this post, I’ll walk you through the major differences between the two, when to wear them, and my top recommendations for each.

What are Crampons and Microspikes Used For?

Crampons and microspikes are both types of added traction that strap over your hiking boot to help with walking on snow and ice.

While your hiking boots may do a great job at providing traction in light snow or mud, they won’t perform as well when there’s a lot of ice.

Whether you’re climbing a mountain or just hiking a trail that tends to be pretty slippery, both devices can be really handy.

They also can both be pieces of safety equipment because they’re going to help ensure that you have traction when you’re hiking.

This will prevent you from slipping and hurting yourself.

You don’t want to use either device when there is deep snow, as this is a job best done with snowshoes, which I’ll touch on later.

Below you’ll find a further in-depth explanation of each and when you should be wearing microspikes vs crampons.

What are Crampons?

Crampons are a type of traction device that fastens tightly to your boots using some sort of strap or step-in adjustment.

Each crampon is made of a strong frame, typically steel or aluminum, with large spikes on the bottom that dig into the ice.

There are usually multiple spikes facing downwards and then another set that faces outwards, past your toes, which are used to kick into ice.

Spikes on crampons vary in length, but they’re typically around 1/2 to 1 inch long.

Sometimes, crampons need to be fitted to ensure that they will stay on your feet when you’re using them.

Some crampons will fit over normal hiking boots while others can only be used with specific mountaineering boots.

Crampons are most often used for mountaineering or ice climbing.

They aren’t built to be simply hiked in, but rather used for climbing.

Sometimes you will hear people call microspikes crampons, but just know that there is big a difference between the two!

Popular brands include Black Diamond, Kahtoola, and Grivel.

Types of Crampons

There are a few different features that differ on crampons including their material, bindings, spikes, and their compatibility with boots.

Material: Typically, crampons are made of either steel, which is very durable and good for technical climbing, or aluminum, which is more lightweight and good for alpine climbs.

Binding: Most crampons have either step-in or strap-on binding. Step-ins are recommended for mountaineering boots and require a very rigid sole. Strap-ons can be used with most boots and secure over the top of your foot.

Spikes: 10 to 12 points on the bottom of a crampon is typical. Some points face down while a few face forward, pointing out from your toes.

Compatibility: Some crampons are only able to be attached to mountaineering boots, while others can attach to almost any hiking boots.

When to Use Crampons

Mountaineering crampons aren’t needed every time you hike a trail with snow or ice.

In fact, they’ll typically be overkill for many of these trails, as you just don’t need that much aggressive traction.

They should be used when ice climbing or climbing up particularly icy inclines such as frozen waterfalls or mountains.

Most people use them when hiking in technical climbing conditions and on slopes that are bound to be pretty slippery and icy.

How to Put on Crampons

How you put your crampons on will depend on the variety that you purchased as well as the brand.

Typically, each will have directions that you can follow, or you can search for the specific product online to find directions.

The most common type is a strap-on crampon, which can be put on by stepping into the crampon, toe first.

Then using the strap to wrap it around the front, the side, and back to the other side.

Watch the video below for a general idea of strapping them onto your boots.

What are Microspikes?

When looking at microspikes vs crampons, they are similar in that they are also traction devices that are used by strapping them over your shoe to help you hike in packed snow and ice.

Microspikes for hiking are typically made of a thick, strong, flexible rubber that stretches and pulls over whatever boot or shoe you’re wearing.

Attached to the rubber are chains and smaller spikes, usually less than 1/2 inch long, that pierce the ice and snow, creating a grip to avoid slipping.

They’re typically a lot less heavy-duty than crampons and are great for just simple hiking trails with packed snow.

Most microspikes can be folded up and packed into a small bag that can easily be stored in your hiking backpack.

They’re generally really easy to use and don’t require any specific training to get them on or fitted.

Most are sized using a small, medium, and large scale, so they’re much easier to fit to your feet.

Hillsound, Kahtoola, and Yaktrax are popular brands that sell microspikes for hiking.

Types of Microspikes

Most microspikes are pretty similar, besides just a few differences.

Some have chains with 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch spikes, while others just have chain that wraps around the bottom of the boot.

Others have just a small stud-like piece of metal that pokes out of the device and provides just a small amount of added traction.

When to Use Microspikes

Microspikes are best used on flatter terrain with thin ice or packed snow to help with gripping the ground to prevent slipping.

You can use them on steeper terrain, but only if it’s recommended and if you’re safe and have the proper skills.

For example, I used microspikes when summiting Mount St. Helens, but that was only after consulting the climbing institute for the region.

Microspikes can also be good for simple things such as going for a walk or shoveling your driveway!

How to Put on Microspikes

Microspikes are much easier to put on than crampons and require no skill or training to do so!

Simply make sure that you have them facing the correct way. Most are labeled with a “front” and “back.”

Then, stretch the heavy-duty rubber and pull them over your boot.

Make sure that the chains aren’t twisted in any way and make sure that it’s pulled completely onto your shoe to prevent it from slipping off.

What’s the Difference Between Crampons and Microspikes?

Crampons and microspikes are vastly different from one another, although both are used for similar things.

Below I’ll highlight some of the biggest differences between the two, so you can better decide on which one you need.

Terrain

The biggest difference between crampons vs microspikes is the terrain that you will use them on.

Crampons are best used on steep, very icy terrain. Typically for mountaineering or ice climbing.

Microspikes can be used on flat, snow-covered ground for aiding in traction.

Durability

Crampons for hiking are usually much more durable than microspikes as they’re typically made of steel or aluminum.

Microspikes are made of a rubber strap, which can be more prone to breakage, especially in cheaper pairs.

Technicality

Crampons are usually used for much more technical terrain and require at least some training before going out with them.

You should understand how to put them on, take them off, and best use them to prevent slipping while hiking.

Microspikes are much less complex and don’t require any sort of training to put them on or learn to use them.

Fit

Crampons typically need to be fit to your feet to ensure that they stay on when you’re hiking on the ice and snow.

Microspikes are usually sold on a small, medium, or large scale, so it’s much easier to just choose which will fit you and be on your way.

Price

Crampons are usually much more expensive, ranging from $100 to $300, or more.

Microspikes can be expensive, but you can also find plenty of budget-friendly options, starting around $20.

When Should I Use Crampons vs Microspikes?

When you’re trying to decide which you should use for your next hike, there are a few main things to consider to make the right choice.

❄ Terrain: Most importantly, consider what type of terrain you will be encountering. Hikes on packed snow likely will be fine for microspikes. Even light ice can be tackled in microspikes. Once you start climbing steep slopes with ice, you’ll want the crampons.

🏞 Slope: Crampons shouldn’t be used on flat trails as they just won’t do you any good and aren’t comfortable to walk in. Their primary use should be on steep, icy climbs. Flatter, snow-covered trails are perfect for microspikes!

🥾 Boots: Some crampons for hiking are only compatible with mountaineering boots. Most microspikes are compatible with any type of boot. Be sure to look into this before strapping up your devices.

Top Crampon Recommendations

If you know that you’ll be doing a lot of ice climbing and need actual crampons, consider these recommendations, which I think are some of the best.

Kahtoola K-10

The Kahtoola K-10 crampons are some of the best on the market when you’re looking for a solid traction device to help on icy terrain.

Unlike other models, these have a flex bar at the bottom that allow your feet to flex naturally in most hiking boots.

I also love that these have a quick-fit binding system, because they are easy to put on and take off, compared to some others that take a long time.

✔️ See prices for the Kahtoola K-10 here!

Grivel G-12

The Grivel G-12 crampons are a heavy-duty pair that will provide fantastic traction when you’re out ice climbing, mountaineering, or otherwise.

Since they’re one size fits all, they don’t need to be fitted, and are easily strapped onto your boots without any tools.

The horizontal frame on them helps prevent snow from balling up underneath your feet, and being made of steel, it’s very strong and heavy-duty.

✔️ See prices for the Grivel G-12 Crampons here!

Top Microspike Recommendations

Below you’ll find two of my top recommendations for microspikes that will be great to get you out on the trail this winter.

Kahtoola Microspikes

Kahtoola makes some of the best microspikes and has a few great features that make using them super simple.

The extended heel tab helps make taking them off and putting them on very easy, plus the stress points where the chains connect are reinforced to prevent breakage.

They have 12 spikes on the bottom, making them great for traction and keeping a grip on the ground.

✔️ See prices for the Kahtoola Microspikes here!

Yaktrax Diamond Grip

These microspikes are a bit different than others because they don’t have longer spikes but instead just shorter ones, shaped like diamonds.

These are a great option for those trails where there’s just a little bit of snow and you don’t need a ton of added traction.

They fit really easily over almost any shoe, making them super easy to use and great for almost any hiker!

✔️ Check prices for the Yaktrax Pro Spikes here!

Snowshoes: Another Traction Device

While this post isn’t dedicated to talking about snowshoes, I wanted to give a quick rundown on another type of traction device that hikers use.

Snowshoes are a great device to use when you’re going to be hiking in the winter but there is a lot of deep snow, rather than ice.

If you’re going to be hiking through deep snow, it’s best to carry along a pair of snowshoes.

Snowshoes help you float on the snow, rather than sinking in until you’re waist-deep.

They can be really helpful, but also are very bulky to carry around and aren’t ideal for distance hiking.

FAQs

Conclusion: Crampons vs Microspikes

Hiking in the winter months certainly doesn’t have to be miserable, even if the trails are covered in snow and ice.

By using a traction device, you can ensure that you’re comfortable and safe while out on the trail when it’s cold outside.

So if you’re wondering whether you should use crampons vs microspikes, it all depends on the terrain that you’ll be encountering.

But either way, they will give you the traction and confidence that you need to get out on the trail this winter and enjoy the cold weather.