Kahtoola Killers? Microspike Alternatives: Hillsound Trail Crampons and Budget Ice Cleats and
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Kahtoola Microspikes have ruled the ice spike world for some time now, but their reputation seems to have fallen on hard times lately (at least according to Amazon reviewers). At $70/pair, this is a serious issue. Here I go over two alternatives to the Kahtoola Microspikes: Cimkiz Ice Cleats (a very similar product that comes in at about $50 less), and Hillsound Trail Crampons (which are the same price as the Microspikes, but quite a bit better for ice hiking).
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---- LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO ----
Kahtoola Microspikes - amzn.to/3pqcB2I
Cimkiz Ice Cleats - amzn.to/35qwmN1
Hillsound Trail Crampon - amzn.to/3C7ipSl
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Great video! very informative. What a coincidence as well, we have jut posted a video yesterday putting the Hillsound Trail Crampons to the test on one of England's most dangerous winter routes. That's how we found your channel, and it's a sub from us for great content.
Love it and I love check your channel out!
Much appreciated!
omg! how did you know that i need to buy a new one. i lost one while rolling in the snow on last Saturday! 😂 thanks for the awesome review!!
Perfect! Haha. :)
I use these once on the glacier when visiting Iceland, pretty nice. Thank for sharing.
Which ones?
@@BackcountryPilgrim The Clampons
Morning very nice review good info.
We have a pair of Kahtoola a pair of hillsound given to us and a pair of Miracol Amazon only used on our last trip in Zion. All of worked great but the Hillsound bented spikes and rock stuck between the spikes still
very happy with all of them. Best gear to have in winter. Stay safe my friend.
I am really liking the Hillsound but for just keeping from slipping either are fine. :)
Which do you prefer for slippery mud? I hike a lot of creeks/rivers and encounter steep banks with slippery mud that I can't walk up
I'm not sure how well these would work in mud because they rely on biting into something like ice. But for mud the bigger the lugs the better usually (think 4WD truck tires!).
Sent here by Outside Your Zone. Cool content. Subscribed.
Awesome! Welcome across the pond. :)
Representing the UK, came here from oyz. Subscribed
Great to have you! Cheers!
That was a very helpful and informative video. I am a new subscriber and am thankful I found you through the 12 days of Xmas! :) xx crow ar thru-hiker 2022
Welcome! Thanks for watching (and subbing!). :)
Will the hillside crampons work with trail running shoes?
They should work fine but the sizing will be a bit smaller than boots. Check their website for that!
I got 2 pairs of those. I have 2 pairs of Kathoolas Microspikes, their K2's and K10's. The Kathoolas lasted, both of the Cimciz broke first time out- the "thermoplastic" does not last below zero, it freezes and snaps.b For the money, as an Alaskan who wears crampons for 7 months a year, I have replaced Hillsound, knock offs, Stabil-icers, etc and still have old pairs of Kathoolas I wear exclusively now, daily, for hours. I walk a minimum of 5 miles on my laziest day of the week. Kathoolas rock.
Glad they're working for you!
Excellent review. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
I have a pair of the Cimkiz and they work well in ice, snow and mud. This is the second winter hiking season that I am using them. Why spend $70 when the Cimkiz do the job for just $25.
Good to hear, and I agree!
I saw the Hillsound Trail Crampons are prone to rusting since they’re carbon steel. Has yours rusted more or less compared to a stainless steel MICROspike equivalent?
I've scratched mine up pretty bad on ice and rock and I still feel confident in them. Will they rust if not properly cared for? yes (and so will stainless under certain conditions). I think some people overestimate the effects of a thin layer of rust - it's not going to eat through the gear anytime soon (think girders, engines, and chains). Further, rust is not the only factor to consider. Carbon steel knife blades, for example, are more durable than stainless steel and can be better sharpened. So, it's more of a trade off. I wouldn't want to eat off my spikes - but I am fine with having them on my feet! Thanks for watching!
@@BackcountryPilgrim Has yours developed rust?
They're buried in a winter gear bin I don't really know. Ask me again in December haha. Just kidding, if I run across them I'll let you know.
Kahtoola used to offer a cross between the usual kahtoola and crampons. I dont know if they still do. People i know who used them liked them.
These are like Crampons spikes for Cleats haha.
Thanks
Always some good humor, bed of nails vs one nail excellent example.
You know who I got it from! ;)
@@BackcountryPilgrim Oh yea!
I was just looking around and I see an absurd range of prices on this style of cleats with some under $10.
There are a ton of knock offs out there. Just be careful going cheap when buying gear that your life could depend on! Like they say about cheap rock climbing gear: "It will last your lifetime." ;)
@@BackcountryPilgrim Oh, I'm just a casual hiker.
This was a very “gripping” review…sorry, couldn’t resist. Those hillsound cleats look pretty interesting. Admittedly I do use the microspikes, but I don’t pay full price for them.🤫
Heyyyyy!!! Lol, nicely done.
i just checked Amazon Canada the Hillsound the are $89.00 !! crazy
Still worth it. :)
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Thanks and God bless you as well!
I cringe everytime I add my spikes to my already heavy winter pack. I may drop $20 to lighten the load a little.
If you mean going from Kahtoola to Cimkiz, I don't think they are lighter. I was reading off the stats and I am pretty sure the Kahtoola are lighter as a pair (13oz. vz. 16oz.). My bad, sorry!
@@BackcountryPilgrim oh well, I'll keep cringing.
Well at least once they're on your feet they're not base weight anymore lol!
I watch great videos well~~~
I hope your life will always be happy!!!🙏👍53
You too!
Came here from OYZ, nice video!
Hey, thanks!
I agree that the $50 difference is hard to swallow, but the Kahtoola spikes are made in a country, Taiwan, where people have the democratic freedom to vote and are continually under pressure of take over by China. The $20 brand(s) are made mostly in China. Hard for me not to buy Kahtoola.
That's something I've become more aware of lately. You might want to check out Hillsound. Their's are superior to the Kahtoola style and are made in Canada.
amzn.to/3C7ipSl