Help me decide on some "Winter Traction"

“I've never gone in the winter, but I'd like to extend my hiking to 4-season. I just picked up a pair of snowshoes and now I want something a little less geared towards the fluffy stuff and more suited to the icy stuff for recreational trail hiking.

I live in the greater NYC area and I plan on using one of the device-types below on trails ( no ice wall scaling, purely trails), help me pick what would be the most cost-effective, durable, easy to use, best traction on the trail:

STABILicers:
http://www.32north.com/prod_cover.htm

Instep Crampons:
http://greatoutdoorsdepot.com/cmi-instep-crampons.html

Microspikes:
http://www.spadout.com/p/kahtoola-microspikes/#

6-pt Heel and Instep Crampons:
http://tinyurl.com/8n84lw

Thanks!”

“Go w/ the kahtoolas.”

“I like the Stabilicers, but you do have to replace those cleats (machine-head screws) pretty often if you're on rock for any length of time.

It's good to have traction right on your heel and your forefoot ---- instep crampons never felt right. Your feet just aren't meant to absorb or apply force there.

I think I'm going to try 10-point crampons next. Perhaps someone can chime in to compare aluminum vs. steel.”

“look into Yak Trax....
last edited: 12/22/08 5:48:49 PM”

“A 60 some lady I work with said to get the spikes, Yak Trax don't work on ice, they don't dig in, but would be ok where a mix of snow on top of the ice is present.”

“more suited to the icy stuff for recreational trail hiking

crampons seem like overkill for recreational use.

another vote for the Kahtoolas!!
and ya may want to take a look at this thread too http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/27839,-1.php”

“Yup --- depends on the terrain.”

“I have 10 pt steel that will fit just about any boot. I have a friend with aluminum. Waaay lighter, which does matter on the vert, but they are wearing down a faster than mine. I think the terrain really matters with the logevity of crampons.”

“I have long, curly, yellow toe nails and go barefoot.”

“I've only used STABILicers, and they work great. They're easy and fast to put on and take off and they really grip.”

“Ribbed for her pleasure”

“Ive got the kathoola microspikes. I've used em in some crusty/icy snow up on Mt. Rogers last February. They worked like a charm! The boyfriend couldn't keep up with me for all the slidding he was doing in his Yak Traks...which broke btw.
last edited: 12/23/08 2:28:48 PM”

“Yeah, haven't heard good things about the YakTrax....

And that's about what I've heard about the aluminum v steel crampon debate: aluminum is lighter but it wears down quicker.

The Stabilicers are good as long as it's not Too steep. They worked well on the Grandview trail with ice for about the first half mile or more, but those screws were almost gone when I got back up to the South Rim. Maybe I can find some harder machine-head screws?

flirting with the context thing ----

”

“Yak Trax are good for sidewalks, going to the mailbox and the like. Anything more rugged than that and the lifespan is very very short.”

“Ive just got a pair of the microspikes but havent had a chance to use em yet.
they seek like good quality and have serious spikes that are not intended for city use.
Atrec.com has or had a 20% off coupon with free ground shiping on them.
attila”