Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra I Ice Cleat Traction System for Hiking & Trail Running

great quality and useful

I've never used this type of product before, but after using them hiking for three days in and around Rocky National Park they are a must have to enhance your hiking experience in packed snow, recently fallen snow and ledges with drop offs. For heavier snow fall without pack snowshoes will be a better option.

My first set of microspikes were Kahtoola's, back when they were the only ones available. I really liked them, but eventually they became too dull, as they all will do. By then, all of these cheap knock-off brands had appeared, and I gave one of them a try. At first it seemed like a bargain, but with a bit more use, they broke over and over, with weak links and front wire bars, and actually caused me to take a bad fall with injuries during one of their failures. I was going to go back to Kahtoolas again, but began seeing many reports of a decline in quality and reliability from them, with breakage of their newer, thinner, viscoelastic harness. I was a bit concerned by the greater weight and longer spikes of the Hillsound Ultras (I sometimes trail run in them, and didn't want to catch my spikes and trip), but liked the inclusion of the velcro retainer straps to improve stability of the device on the shoe, and prevent losing it under the snow while post-holing. After 3 mountain hikes in them so far, including steep scrambling, I'm very happy with my purchase. I note better traction, especially on descent, from the longer heal spikes, and haven't had any problems with tripping while running. My only other concern for the longer spikes which I haven't been able to assess yet, is that they may be more prone to 'snow-balling' (cookie-cutter effect in packable snow), leading to loss of traction and falls. I'll know more when we get some fresh snow and warmer days.

These things are light weight, fit securely, and are absolutely fantastic on ice and in slippery but shallow mud even going up and down hills and scrambling over fallen logs. If I did my hiking in only those conditions I would not have returned these. However, if there is ANY amount of snow or slush covering the ice or mud, huge balls form under your feet. This is a nuisance at first but quickly becomes dangerous. I wore these three times before throwing in the towel and returning them. The first time out I got about a quarter mile in just a half inch of snow covering a thick layer of ice before the snowballs became unbearable. I had to stop every other step to kick or drag my feet to get some of the snow off my soles. After several steps, this maneuver was insufficient and I had to stop and scrape the snow off by hand. This pattern of kick-kick-drag-kick-kick-stop'n'scrape-kick-kick-drag-kick-kick etc got old real fast. So I tried just ignoring the snow balls and figured they might fall off. Nope. I soon had platform shoes 6 inches tall and rounded so that I felt like I was walking on rockers. Figuring this wasn't worth a broken ankle, I took the darn things off and dry-booted it for the rest of my hike. Glad I had trekking poles but even so it was a disappointing hike.The second time out, after reading some tips for preventing this problem, I greased the crampons using musher's secret paw wax (I use this on my dogs' paws to prevent snow building up between their toes and to keep salt off of their foot pads). It made no difference to the snow ball problem. The third time out I tried Pam spray plus leaving the crampons in the cold for a few hours before wearing them (warm crampons suddenly hitting cold snow supposedly increases snowball formation). That didn't help either.With sadness I sent these back to Amazon. The return process was a breeze (thanks Amazon!) as all I had to do was clean the crampons and bring them to a UPS store. Didn't even need to box them back up or anything. I would have kept them and used them just on ice but where I live you don't often get just ice. I simply couldn't justify the expense of this product if they could be used only once or twice a year and only under certain very specific conditions.

I have used these micro spikes twice, about 7 miles total. They are easier to put on then I expected, the rubber stretches nicely, and they stayed on. They felt good on my boots and the added traction made up for the added weight. I used the XL on size 13 hiking boots. Have only used in below freezing temperatures on packed snow and ice. I did use them on an ice covered rock cliff and they worked well but I didn't have the nerve to rely on them next to the 300' drop. The last time I tried them was on a ice covered gravel driveway on a slope and was very impressed with the traction. A little expensive but if these last a reasonable amount of time I'll be very happy.UPDATE: Hiked another 8 miles on packed snow and they worked great until it got above 35 degrees and the snow became wetland packing. I did have a slight problem with snow balling under my feet. I removed them for the last mile and walked in my hiking boots only, not a problem. They don't show any wear so far and work much better in sub freezing temperatures. I still like these spikes and will use when conditions fit.

Not to overstate but this product has changed my days. We have a large dog area and in recent years water level has risen so that it is a skating rink in winter. I’m fragile and falling is to be avoided so I had given up on walking with the pups. Gave these a try on my muck boots and wow! Traction plus. They shed ice accumulation pretty easily so they are basically perfect. I had tried Pajar spiked winter boots which worked not at all despite highest anti slip rating so I wasn’t optimistic but nothing ventured. Highly recommended.

My wife and I just received these crampons for each of us and we are thrilled. The quality immediately has surpassed any foot traction models we have tried previously. They are very well built and easy to put on. They are secure on your foot big time. No worries about whether they are going to stay or are they still there. Also appreciate the protective bag that comes with each set for when not in use and the maintenance instructions for caring for them. AND you wont need a magnifying glass to read the instructions!! Definitely recommended!We have now used these over and over and are completely impressed and happy. Great fit, no slipping, sliding and always feel secure. We are back to climbing mountains in winter because of this product. Really impressed.

There are several companies making traction devices for footwear...remember these are traction devices not alpine crampons! I have tried a few and believe these are the best so far forMy needs..Here is why..firstly I needed something easy to put on and didn’t fall off continually! These work! The extra stap across the foot it a big help..Secondly these have nice stainless ice cleats that dig in and climbing fairly steep hill work really well..my other Yaktraks do not..those I use for basic walking and hiking as the are better on bare ground or pavement..The Hillsound are my go to when I need traction on icy steeper ground...love them! If you are in need of some basic relativity rolling terrain then get something like the Yaktraxs Pro...The Hillsound Ultra is for some light serious hiking in the winter..They even come in a bag!

I used these to hike up snowy, icy mountains and they work incredibly well. Would 10/10 recommend purchasing these for outdoor adventures. They are also a great alternative to snowshoes and you can go way faster!For size reference, my feet are size 6.5 and I ordered the XS. They work with trail runners and my hiking boots.

Exactement ce que j'attendais, vraiment bonne qualité. Je recommande