That feeling of having your feet slip out from under you when you hit an icy or snowy situation? That's where crampons come in to work with your shoes to provide traction for winter adventures. You will find crampon models that range from the everyday wear to the technically inclined, and that come in a variety of materials like aluminum or steel. With the right pair of crampons, you will be able to trek through snowstorms without accumulating clumps of snow beneath your boots, or even effectively climb an icy mountain or glacier. To stay secured on your shoe, crampons are designed with either Velcro straps or a rubber harness that encompasses your shoe.
What to Consider
Crampons are a necessity when you are traversing icy and snowy terrain. They'll help you trek with ease, as well as take part in more intense physical activities like crossing glaciers, mountaineering, or even climbing frozen waterfalls. Crampon frames come in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, and each material is designed for a different activity. Aluminum crampons are the lightest and made for non-technical climbing, while steel crampons are heavier and stronger for mountaineering. Choose the construction that best fits your technical level.
How We Chose
Our list of the best crampons and microspikes includes a mixture of budget and higher end options. We surveyed the market and read reviews from verified customers on sites like REI and Amazon where important features like weight, size, features, and construction were detailed. In order to narrow the list down to a selection of six products, we also consulted a ski instructor for his recommendations. Here are the crampons that we suggest no matter your activity, from light winter jogs to intense backcountry mountaineering.
With 12 heat-treated stainless steel spikes per foot, the Kahtoola MICROspikes are both discreet and sleek enough to blend right in with both the après-ski crowd and tough mountaineers.
An REI customer advised, “They made hiking up and down snowy and icy hills a piece of cake. I also had poles, [but] it was so comfortable hiking in these.”
Depending on if you’re traveling or lugging your gear up a mountain, you can use the brand’s complimentary tote sack for your crampons.
There are simple and affordable ways to have effective and extra traction in the snow. One of them is the Yaktrax Pro, which slips on easily and features a strap that goes over the top of your boot or shoe.
One Amazon customer said, “They function the way chains would on tires. I found that my grip was immensely improved and there was no slippage either going up snowy hills or down. I intentionally ran downhill and jumped to a stop to see if I would skid on the snow and it was like jumping into Velcro.”
Durability is no problem here — the cleats are made with 1.4-mm stainless steel coils.
There is no shortage of steel spikes on these crampons — 19 steel spikes to be exact — so you can easily conquer snow and ice. The lightweight elastic shell makes them easy to put on, too.
Amazon customers say that they are very secure on their hiking shoes even without the Velcro straps. Other reviewers said the size chart and the fit is accurate, and they fit snugly on your shoes. The product is designed to withstand breaking or tearing at temperatures up to minus 60 F.
If you have traction needs for more intense winter sports, then you will need reliable and sturdy crampons to deliver the grip and bite you want. The Black Diamond Contact is a great choice for ski mountaineering or trekking up slopes with loose footing.
The crampons are made with a rust-resistant stainless steel construction, and includes front and rear dual-density ABS plates, which aid you in keeping clumps of snow from accumulating under your shoes.
Stay clump-free of snow with the Yaktrax ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip Traction System. Users report that these crampons are easy to put on and provide much-needed traction to old, treadless boots.
It’s easy to see why, as the traction system is made of case-hardened steel alloy “beads.” We also like the shoe harness, which features a durable rubber that will prevent slipping and sliding during frigid and icy conditions. Also, the compact design fits easily in your overnight bag, your trunk, or in your snow emergency kit.
If you want a product that is lightweight and won’t weigh you down while you’re on the go, then the one-pound CAMP XLC boot crampons are a great option. Automatic bindings keep the guesswork out of configuring the crampons around your boot.
“The aluminum construction is extremely lightweight and durable," says Ted Mahon, a veteran ski instructor from Aspen Snowmass. “However, they aren’t a burden to bring in your pack and the aluminum points aren’t so sharp that they poke holes in your gear when stowed away. You’ll be happy you have them when the route gets steep and slippery and you need a little more traction.”