Spikes, Crampons, vs Snowshoes: What to use for Winter Trails

HIKING in the WINTER on ice and snow.….sound a little daunting?

Microspikes, Nano spikes, Crampons, YakTrax, Ice Traction, Snowshoes, Grippers, Chains…….sound a little CONFUSING?

Don’t worry! Let’s keep it simple.

Hiking in ice and snow need not be daunting or intimidating. With a bit of knowledge and a few basic gear items, the trails in the winter are no more nor less challenging than in the warmer months!

Traction for your Boots: What are they?

Tractions are designed for hiking and trekking in packed snow and icy conditions. And there are a few different types.

1. Microspikes or Nanospikes:
Often small (¼”-½”) stainless steel spikes that are perfect for day hikes on flat terrain or low-angle slopes on ice and packed snow. These are not intended to be worn on roads.
They provide that little bit of extra bite that you need to when your boot treads stop giving you good traction.

Buy Locally: Not local but MEC or Valhalla Pure in Vernon has the best-reviewed Kahtoola brand Microspikes.

Kahtoola Microspikes
Credit: PatitucciPhoto.com

2. Crampons:
These are big stainless steel spikes, best used for mountaineering. Not for simple day hikes. Crampons are best worn on higher angle ice, ice-covered rock, or mixed ice and bare rock when you need a deeper bite and more solid footing to climb a slope.

Buy Locally: Not local but MEC or Valhalla Pure in Vernon would be your best bet.

Crampons
Photo from: https://www.snowballexpeditions.com/crampons-vs-microspikes/

3. TRAIL Crampons:
Different from mountaineering crampons. These are designed to be used with hiking shoes & boots (rigid soles) and insulated boots (winter boots) and are suitable for several different types of snowy, icy, and muddy settings. Perfect for our winter trails.
They have chains and little stainless steel microspikes on the sole and a Velcro strap across the foot.

Buy Locally: Kintec Footwear and Orthotics in Salmon Arm. Hillsound Brand $94.00
Wearabouts Clothing in Salmon Arm has Stabilicer Crampons for $90.00

Trail Crampon from Hillsound
Photo: https://www.hillsound.ca/products/trail-crampon

Kintec Footwear and Orthotics in Salmon Arm.
Hillsound Brand $94.00

4. IceTrekkers Diamond Grip Traction Device:
These are a good option and are great for casual winter hiking on snow, ice, or mud. They have multi-faceted steel beads which provide biting edges for traction. For insulated and oversized boots, you will need to size up.

Buy Locally: Wearabouts Clothing in Salmon Arm and Monashee Outdoors in Armstrong.
+/-  $60.00

IceTrekkers Diamond Grip Traction Device
Photo: https://www.monasheeoutdoors.ca/ice-trekkers-diamond-grip.html

5. YakTrax Pro:
Designed for trails, these little coil chain systems with velcro straps are decent for winter trails. They do not have any micro-spikes at all.
They do tend to pop off and readjusting is necessary once in a while. I hiked all winter for the past two years in my Yaktrax Pro but have recently upgraded.
The Yaktrax comes in at a very reasonable price point too.  Just make sure you buy the PRO model for hiking trails.

Buy Locally: Wearabouts Clothing, Kintec Footwear and Orthotics, and Shuswap Clothing & Shoe Company in Salmon Arm and Monashee Outdoors in Armstrong. 
+/-  $40.00

6. Ice-Cleats:
These are usually made of a one-piece slip-on rubber harness and slip over
your boots. They have small steel cleats for traction. These are great for icy roads, casual hiking, and things like shoveling the driveway. I love mine for walking the icy winter hills of Blind Bay!
Buy Locally: Sorrento Munros IDA. +/- $30.00

Ice Cleats available from Sorrento IDA

7. Snowshoes:
Snowshoes have two functions: they provide flotation, so you don’t sink as deeply into powdery or deep snow. They also prevent you from sinking into snow up to your thighs or waist. Snowshoes also have integrated crampons on their undersides that help provide traction on ice or packed snow and can be used instead of crampons in low-angle situations.

Buy Locally: Skookum Cycle & Ski in Salmon Arm, Johns Ski Shack on the way to Larch Hills, and at Monashee Outdoors in Armstrong.

Skookum Cycle & Ski in Salmon Arm