Microspikes

[Randle]

I picked up a set of katoola micro spikes for shed hunting a few years ago. But havent made it out to shed hunt the past fee years.
I have been thinking about tossing them in the pack for whitetail and late smokepole elk in December season .
I this it will give better traction when packing out. From snow to wet speed stick to ice patchs i think it makes sense.
Any one actually use them on a packout? Was it worth packing them?

 

[Ross]

I’ve used them for many years and in bad sketchy snow they are worth their weight for sure

 

[ChrisAU]

I used them packing out an elk one year in sloppy mud/snow, it was steep uphill and while it wasn't exactly dangerous, I felt they helped me exert a ton less energy because I slipped so much less because of them. Big fan.

 

[sivart]

just don't use them on hard ground. I tried that this year on some very steep slopes during archery elk. Traction is great, but i cut blisters really quickly

 

[JohnnyB]

They are great in the right circumstance. I carry mine any time the weather is appropriate for ice/snow or mud.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I would say they are worth it in the right temps and conditions. I use them a lot back east where we get a lot of ice conditions. Used them on an icry patch in Wyoming this year and was glad I had them.

 

[Grassymike]

I discovered microspikes the last time I was drawn for Sheep in the Canmore bow zone. I would not even dream of not using them again. The combination of 'spikes 'and trekking poles turned me into a 4x4 on the mountain. They are awesome in steep snow and icy rocks. One section I climbed daily was a steep grassy slope covered in snow ;before my spike days I once slid down nearly 200 yards on this steep slope with my bow cartwheeling beside me. With microspikes on we traversed this same slope easily.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I use/wear microspikes a lot. So much so, that I usually wear out a pair every year between the months of Sept.-May. I currently have 4 sets that I’ve wired together with bailing wire in various places, whatever it takes to get a few more hikes out of ‘em before tossing them in the trash.
I’ve even done multi week hunts and never took them off my boots.

 

[Randle]

Cool thanks for all the info.
Sounds like for the rest of this season I should throw them in the pack .

 

[kylem]

I love mine and use them a lot especially sidehilling in steep country with snow on the ground. At certain temperatures I have issues with snow building up under my boot so I just take them off until it cools off enough again.

 

[Geewhiz]

Worth their weight in gold

 

[mflo]

Just to echo everyone else, they are certainly worth the weight penalty if you think there might be ice/snow. I've used mine mostly on hikes/climbs in the high country when I wanted to wear lightweight boots or trail runners instead of full on mountaineering boots with crampons, and they performed excellently.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I'll also add that they're not only good for snow/icy conditions, I use them almost as much for wet grassy mountainsides (as found on Kodiak), creek crossings, and anything else that's wet and slippery like logs, etc.

 

[hamkyl16]

I second what troutbum says they’re very helpful in the slick steep stuff here in Alaska. Ice or not

 

[ChrisAU]

Forgot that one thing - at one point during a long pack out I entered a field of deadfall hell, and happened to have the microspikes on. I felt like a cat moving on those trees with those on. Much more secure footing stepping on them and walking down them.

 

[AK Troutbum]

They’ve seen better days, but they still work.

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[HighUintas]

Yes. Another company, Hillsound, makes some that are very similar and high quality for a little cheaper than Kahtoola. I think they're Canadian. Anyway, I hs e Hillsounds and love them. Haven't used them for a pack out though. I think it would work well

 

[Tradchef]

Worth every penny. I use them in late season and for backpacking.

 

[Brownrice]

Can’t go wrong with a set, from the wet season to late with ice and snow.

 

[sr80]

They’ve seen better days, but they still work.

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the design before they released this style were much stronger i felt. These new ones rip super easy.