Slip on Ice cleats

[oldno7]

What is the preference for icy trails?
I was looking at Yaktrax.

[CarpeyBiggs]

yaktrax are good for getting from your front door to your car in the driveway.

microspikes are where it's at.

[oldno7]

thanks Dan

[dbaxter]

Are you wearing spikes to Phantom Ranch?

[Win]

Are you wearing spikes to Phantom Ranch?


Rumor is:

http://www.amiclubwear.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/243x365/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/s/h/shoes-heels-plsr-kiss-201fblackclear.jpg

[oldno7]

man, I can't keep any secrets..:lol8:

Dana, not sure yet, need to see a trail report.

[oldno7]

Rumor is:

http://www.amiclubwear.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/243x365/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/s/h/shoes-heels-plsr-kiss-201fblackclear.jpg

And I went with this "ice" shoe because you said they work.:fitz:

[Win]

I'm going with these this year, you'll be jealous:

http://www.prada.com/assets/advertising_campaign_ss12/images/woman_ss12_print_campaign/16.jpg

[Iceaxe]

Just curious, why would you want/buy ice cleats over a real hiking crampon like the Grivel G12.

My thought is if the route requires traction I want the real deal.

http://climb-utah.com/WM/Files/mtoly02.JPG

[Riseforms]

The Yaktrax XTR are pretty nice...kinda similar to Microspikes.

[oldno7]

Just curious, why would you want/buy ice cleats over a real hiking crampon like the Grivel G12.

My thought is if the route requires traction I want the real deal.

http://climb-utah.com/WM/Files/mtoly02.JPG

Were heading into the ditch next month, heard that the trail down gets icy.

[Sandstone Addiction]

I've been wearing ICEtrekkers for a few years and love them. Very durable. I was out on Utah Lake the other day and had solid traction on the ice. Here's a link on AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/ICEtrekkers-Shoe-Chains-Pair-Large/dp/B002C49THW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1327010755&sr=8-2

Looks like they make another with spikes:

http://www.amazon.com/ICEtrekkers-Shoe-Diamond-Grip-Large/dp/B002C4BTX4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327010755&sr=8-1

[reflection]

My vote, (to date) for general trail hiking: Kahtoola Micro Spikes. Lite, functional, easy to get on/off. (If you buy, make certain the bottom portion fits tight). Depending on your footwear, lite boot or shoe, or larger heavier shoe, you will likely go with a M, or L. I use a M for a mid weight boot or shoe. Try them on before you buy them. Late Dec. myself and a partner used the Kahtoola Micro Spikes on a walk/hike down the S. Bright Angel (first hour) and then two days later, up the S. Kiabab (for the last hour) All AZ (& Boston?) wakers/hikers/trail runners we ran into, had the same product. (the company is in Flagstaff AZ) A couple of out of state hikers we saw had light adjustable strap in crampons, while most others had nothing underfoot. (much slipping and sliding)

I have seen/used a few other light weight products, (yaktrack plus some others) which I don't recommend. I have NOT not tried the icetrekker (which is noted above).

[oldno7]

Thank You all for the input.

Does Bo carry the Kahtoola line?

Would like to try them on, somewhere between Southern Utah and the South side of the ditch.

[dbaxter]

Bo does carry the Kahtoola microspikes. He has several of each size. $59. We checked last night :cool2:

[CarpeyBiggs]

Just curious, why would you want/buy ice cleats over a real hiking crampon like the Grivel G12.

My thought is if the route requires traction I want the real deal.

crampons are way overkill for this stuff. you need something so you don't slip on the ice and snow. you aren't frontpointing up a 55 degree snowfield, you are hiking on snow. most likely, he won't be wearing boots. (maybe? i wouldn't though...)

in the sierras two years ago, I wore microspikes for probably 38 to 40 miles of snowcrossings in running shoes. they work beautifully, and they slip on and off in an instant once you get back to dry land. much lighter, cheaper, simpler, and waaaay safer too.

i'd die laughing if i saw someone wearing full crampons down the bright angel trail. funny thing, it probably happens.... :roflol:

[dbaxter]

Tried the microspikes yesterday on the Observation Point trail. They were wonderful. Stayed in place the whole time, and I don't remember slipping even one time. Though there was ice, snow and slush almost the entire way. Thanks for the recommend!

[oldno7]

Tried the microspikes yesterday on the Observation Point trail. They were wonderful. Stayed in place the whole time, and I don't remember slipping even one time. Though there was ice, snow and slush almost the entire way. Thanks for the recommend!

Yea, I've been testing mine too, been walking around the house and traction is--uh wait,,look behi;:;oh shiii''''''''''I'll be back...............

[Deadeye008]

I bought some Snow Trax at Costco a while back and use them ice fishing all the time. Costco sells them $15 for 2 pairs!

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

[Bo_Beck]

Yea, I've been testing mine too, been walking around the house and traction is--uh wait,,look behi;:;oh shiii''''''''''I'll be back...............

kurt, i stock microspikes and also have what shane refers to as "the real deal" type crampons. the kahtoola kts both in alloy and stainless. i use the alloy kts and have been for 6 years. they are great, but you'll wear them round if on dry for long. the stainless will stay sharp longer, but have teeth that are a tad longer. i think for gc crossing the microspikes will be a better choice though.
bo

[Mitch R.]

I have done the R2R2R three times at this time of year. IMHO, microtracks are way overkill for Bright Angel and South Kaibab.

I always took cheap strap on cleats (maybe $5) and never used them. You will have maybe 500 ft of snow of boot track on the way down. If you go to the North Rim, maybe a boot track in the snow above the tunnel (6700 ft?) on Roaring Springs trail.

[Bo_Beck]

I have done the R2R2R three times at this time of year. IMHO, microtracks are way overkill for Bright Angel and South Kaibab.

I always took cheap strap on cleats (maybe $5) and never used them. You will have maybe 500 ft of snow of boot track on the way down. If you go to the North Rim, maybe a boot track in the snow above the tunnel (6700 ft?) on Roaring Springs trail.

I did a S----->N R2R in January quite some time back. I didn't have traction cleats either, but then there was 8" of fresh snow at Yaki Point when we departed at noon on the S. Kaibab TH and after only 3 miles the snow was gone and just rain. About one mile after Phantom Ranch the snow pack began accumulating (it was snowing hard) and we postholed for the last 5 miles up N.Kaibab. At the top (TH) the fresh 4' of snow on top of old snow made travel very difficult even with our skis on. We spent from midnight (when we arrived on the North Rim) until 3PM the next day making the 10 miles out to the entrance station (white-out conditions). My suggestion for you Kurt.......carry MicroSpikes. Lifes like a box of chocolates. A little x-tra bulk and weight won't kill ya. If you get up there and there isn't any ice or snow....just leave them behind.

[oldno7]

Truly appreciate all the info guys:2thumbs: