“Why have I never used these before?!” I quietly exclaimed to myself as I skipped down the side of an ice-covered ridge in Yosemite National Park. Rather than boulder-hopping and mountain-goating from stone to stone as I had on my way up the mountain, I was suddenly free to move, parading over frozen streams and mini-waterfalls with the grace of a Bolshoi dancer. The reason? Microspikes.
I’m not entirely sure why it took me so long to buy a pair, or why my little forest-obsessed heart was so afraid and untrusting of winter gear in general. Perhaps Southern California had begun to make a permanent impression, declaring all things cold to be untrustworthy cohorts of the Norse gods, or perhaps I just hadn’t found the right winter monkey posse to push me past my comfort zone. In any case, I am now a convert to the religion of microspikes!
In case you’re new to the scene, like me, here’s the scoop: microspikes are a step down from crampons, tiny sets of metal spikes attached to rubber that quickly and easily snaps up and around your regular hiking boots. They’re mostly used for hiking and mountaineering when ice may be present on the trail and the slope is not greater than 25-30 degrees. The best part? They aren’t like other winter gear that costs $100 or more! One set of these on Amazon will only set you back about $30, and they work like a dream. I bought the Uelfbaby set with 19 spikes, and I couldn’t be happier. Getting out in the fresh powder atop a frost-bitten cliff in Yosemite has made my Scandinavian bones begin to crave the chilly thrill of winter sports. Snowshoeing, frozen ascents, and cross-country skiing are all in my near future, thanks to the wake up call these little foot bayonets provided. I think this may be the beginning of a tremendously fun and gear-centric snow season! Does anyone have an ice-axe I can borrow?? 😉
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Emily Pennington (also known as the Brazen Backpacker) is an adventurer, solo traveller, mountaineer, quote collector, and all-around lover of things that get people out of their comfort zones. She lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Put on her first international flight at 3 months old, she’s been adventuring in one way or another ever since! From wandering the forests of Sweden alone at the age of nine, taking photos of faeries, to solo trekking in the Himalayas of India, to joining the circus as a professional aerialist, Emily is a big fan of the “just get out there and do it” mentality.
She considers it her mission in life to inspire others to go outside, travel, and get curious about everything. As John Muir aptly put it, “going out is really going in.”
- Emily Penningtonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/emily-pennington/
- Emily Penningtonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/emily-pennington/
- Emily Penningtonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/emily-pennington/
- Emily Penningtonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/emily-pennington/
- Emily Penningtonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/emily-pennington/
- Emily Penningtonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/emily-pennington/
Last year I went to Laddakh in India. It was amazing. Great Place and Microspikes helped me a lot.
That’s Good and Lovely
This is Quite lovely
This shoes are perfect specially that I’m moving to Boston I think I will need it thanks for sharing
My brother and his girlfriend would love to have these microspikes. They love hiking and trekking and this would keep them safe from slipping and hurting themselves. I will let them know about it. The price is not bad at all!
Yes! They are great as long as you are climbing up snow or ice that is not too steep!
I totally get that these shoes are more for winter, but there are so many rugged, steep and rocky places to explore in our area, that these shoes would definitely help help 🙂
You’re right! They work well for wet or muddy terrain as well, but the spikes can get bent and messed up if you take them on rocks!
Now that’s some real strong gear to have on your feet/foot. With this a lot of hard climbing becomes so easy. Good stuff.
Yep! Certain slippery things are suddenly within reach!
I’ve never seen these Microspikes before. They seem like a no-nonsense practical way of gripping onto certain surfaces that you may find yourself in while camping. Great for gripping on slippery terrain I’ll bet.
For sure. I haven’t used them in the mud yet, but I’ve heard they work wonders on certain trails.
I would like these microspikes and they would be perfect for when it is snowy because I always slip in the snow 🙂
Do it! They are pretty cheap, and if you walk on ice/snow a lot, they can be a big help.
We used these in Iceland to walk across a glacier into the ice caves. I thought they were the coolest! But one woman who was with my group had what I call “microspikes light”. They were made the same way to slip over your shoes, but the spikes weren’t as intense. This kind would be so useful for walking on a snowy, slippery sidewalk. I fell in Reykjavik after 2ft of snow overnight, so I was really wishing I had a pair!
I haven’t used them on glaciers, but I bet they would be really useful as long as the slope isn’t too steep!
Unfortunately I don’t go anywhere I could use these. Micro spikes sound a great idea of anyone into outdoors exploring though or people in colder climates too.
Totally. They were the first thing I bought when I first started exploring in the snow. Now, I have crampons and all the other fancy things!
They look like a mean pair of shoes, haha. I can see that they do the job though!! Great post!!
The spikes actually affix onto your boots with rubber! Nifty!
Micro spikes are a fantastic invention! I love that they give you the freedom to move more naturally when hiking instead of boulder hopping. I’m sure the confidence they can give you would make adventures much more fun!
They do! It allowed me to stay on the icy trail, instead of zig-zagging all over! 🙂
These are very cool hiking accessories. I have been looking for good ones. And knowing how trails can be sometimes, especially in snow, I know I would love to have something like this. I wouldn’t wear it everywhere but on good hikes they would be nice.
Yep! Not for every day, but definitely in snow and ice – even on sidewalks!
Me and my wife are travelling for a snow trip and are planning to buy microspikes. The timing of this post couldn’t have been better. I will go through the options at the store now. Thanks for sharing your experience with these.
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
I have actually never heard of these either, they look a little dangerous with those spikes at the bottom. However, though views are usually well worth the hike.
Yeah, watch out for the bottoms of your pants and don’t glissade in them! 🙂
I have never heard of microspikes, they really look great to safely hike in adverse weather conditions.
Totally. Or even in your neighborhood walking the dog if it’s snowy, etc!
Amazing for hiking!
I agree! 😉
Didn’t know such good quality trekking accessories could be this pocket friendly.. definitely going to share this with my friend who loves to trek regularly.
Definitely! They pack up into a small pouch!
I’m so glad I read this article! I have been looking for something to use during the Utah winters to explore the canyons. Thank you!
These are great for that! I brought them to Zion National Park in the winter!
These accessories are just so womanly powerful 🙂
For sure! Who needs a dude when you can explore alone? 🙂
“Tiny sets of metal spikes attached to rubber that quickly and easily snaps up and around your regular hiking boots?”
That Makes Total Sense.
With The Way You Speak Of It, I Think Am Going To Get One For Myself.
Though There’s No Winter In Africa, In The Meantime, I Would Be Doing Some Reharsals, Until I Come Over To Europe.
Haha they would be very helpful in Europe in the winter!
Hello!!! What a surprise when I visit your site!! I’m an Italian girl specialized in trekking in the Alps. This November I came in the US and I visited many parks and did some little trekking (we where not organized for that) but I loved so much your mountains!
Ours are completely different, different spaces but amazing anyway.
We can stay in touch if maybe you need some tips about European trekking or some guest post. Let me know!
Thanks so much for stopping by and making a comment Alessia. Camping for Women always loves to hear from women keen to impart their tips, knowledge and experience. I think European Trekking would be something many would be interested in. So please do get in touch via our Knowledge Sharing or Contact pages or email us at [email protected] and together we can look at what might be best to publish for our lovely subscribers and readers. Look forward to hearing from you.
As an update to readers on the above comments with Alessia contributing a post, she followed up with us and provided some great options for trekking in the north of Italy. To see her article, photos and a video she included of this – have a look at her material here: https://www.campingforwomen.com/beautiful-treks-in-the-north-of-italy/ – Thank you so much Alessia!
So awesome! My friend just got back from the Alps and have AMAZING photos!
I have never heard of microspikes, I have used crampons before as well as regular hiking boots but thinking about it there is a gap for something in between. They are perfect for walking on ice or snow and at $30 they are an excellent price. My dad often goes hiking in the winter and these will make a perfect gift for him.
Yes! Crampons are great for BIG hikes and snow climbs, but if you’re just hiking around on an icy trail, these are awesome and pack down into a small pouch.
I’ve never undertaken serious trekking, so never knew that microspikes existed. Thanks for the information, I’ll consider them, whenever I get a chance of trekking.
You should if you ever go hiking in snow or ice!
I am not a big fan of hiking but those microspikes looks so amazing! Perfect for those conditions.
I’m glad you liked the article! 🙂
amazing boots for hiking! and it seems a great deal as well, helpful blog.
Thank you! I have a bunch more tips and tricks on my main website as well!
Though I have trekked a bit, but never when there was snow. I had heard of crampons and metal spikes, but was under the impression, that they are a bit heavy on the bucket. Reading your post made me realize how wrong I was. Under 30 $ is an awesome price range.
Crampons are more expensive – $100! But they are mostly for snow climbs and more steep, technical stuff. These are great if you are just hiking around in snow.
Those boots look amazing for hiking! I certainly need a pair before my next hike. I like that you added some other options below and made it easy to buy them, so useful!!
Thank you! And definitely do a Google search to find ones that fit your budget! 🙂
These microspikes look like they can handle anything! Usually these are really expensive but I cant believe you found them so cheap! I have a few friends in Europe that would be very keen on a few pairs of these. Living in Dubai the land of desert I myself will probably not be getting a pair however.
Crampons are much bigger and more expensive, but microspikes are very useful for less steep trails!
Whoa! These look bad-ass! And I can’t believe they are only $30 and UNDER. That seems like a really good deal for something that enables you to safely do something you love. I’m picturing you skipping down the mountain and it seems like it would have been such a joyous event!
Haha yep! I was amazed at how well they worked on icy stairs and snow trails!
My friend bought some of these this winter and loves them! Now she can go trail running on mountains in the winter. I have thought about getting some myself as they are better for winter hikes here than snowshoes.
Well, you would definitely want snowshoes if you are wading through deep powder. They provide flotation so that your weight is distributed and you don’t sink into the snow. These are great for ice or hard, compact snow that you need to not slip on! 🙂