Outdoors & Fitness
The Best Ice Cleats: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four pull-on ice cleats on spike count and length, spike material, harness, weight, sizing and warranty.
The short version
The Kahtoola MICROspikes are the pick: 12 heat-treated stainless steel spikes per foot at 0.41 inch, welded stainless chains, a TPE harness rated to stay elastic down to -22°F, a toe bail and heel tab, full weights for six sizes and a 4-year limited warranty. The Black Diamond Access Spike is the other buy, with 14 shorter 8mm stainless spikes that stay stable on rock, a full elastomer harness and a heel loop, backed by a 2-year warranty. The Hillsound Trail Crampon suits rugged hiking boots, with 11 longer carbon steel spikes on a plate system and a Velcro strap, but it is the heaviest here at 16.3 oz a pair. Skip the Yaktrax Pro for anything beyond flat town walking: it uses 1.4mm steel coils rather than spikes, and the page gives no weight or warranty. Best for: icy sidewalks, winter hikes and dog walks.
Our picks at a glance
- Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction - Buy. Stainless spikes, a cold-rated harness and a 4-year warranty, in six sizes.
- Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device - Buy. More, shorter stainless spikes for mixed terrain, with an easy-on elastomer harness.
- Hillsound Trail Crampon - It depends. Longer carbon steel spikes on a plate system, with a Velcro strap for boots.
- Yaktrax Pro Traction Device - Skip. A coil-based cleat for packed snow in town, sold for uses coils are poorly suited to.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Traction
- Spike length
- Spike material
- Harness
- Weight (pair)
- Sizes
Ice cleats stretch over your shoes or boots and add metal traction for icy sidewalks and winter trails. The big split is between spike systems, with short steel points on chains, and coil systems, with wire wrapped around rubber. Spike length, spike material, how the harness grips your footwear and how it holds up in deep cold decide how well they work. We compared four popular designs.
Stainless spikes, a cold-rated harness and a 4-year warranty, in six sizes.
Best for: Winter hikers and walkers who need reliable traction on hard ice and packed snow.
- 12 heat-treated, 400-series stainless steel spikes per foot, 0.41 inch (10.4mm) long, on welded stainless chains.
- TPE harness that Kahtoola says stays elastic down to -22°F, with reinforced eyelets, a toe bail and a raised heel tab.
- 4-year limited warranty on products bought from August 1, 2025, and published weights for XS to XXL.
- A medium weighs 11.9 oz (338 g) a pair, and the largest size 14.9 oz.
- Kahtoola notes that irregular footwear may need sizing up or down.
- Spikes this long can feel unstable on bare rock or pavement.
- Products bought before August 1, 2025 carry a 2-year warranty instead.
More, shorter stainless spikes for mixed terrain, with an easy-on elastomer harness.
Best for: Trail runners and hikers moving over a mix of ice, snow and rock.
- 14 stainless steel spikes at 8mm, which Black Diamond says keep you stable on rock and hard surfaces.
- Full elastomer (TPR) harness with reinforced dual-density eyelets and a front-point spike for toe-off.
- Heel webbing loop for easy on and off, sizes S to XL and a 2-year warranty.
- The page lists two weights, 220 g and 250 g, without saying which size each refers to.
- Shorter spikes bite less deeply into thick ice than longer ones.
- No cold rating is published for the harness.
- Warranty is half the length of Kahtoola's.
Longer carbon steel spikes on a plate system, with a Velcro strap for boots.
Best for: Hikers in stiff boots who want deeper bite on steep, icy trails.
- 11 heat-treated carbon steel spikes at 2/3 inch (1.7cm), the longest here.
- Carbon steel plate system that Hillsound says spreads weight and reduces fatigue.
- Velcro strap plus an elastomer harness for a secure fit, a puncture-proof carry bag and a 2-year limited warranty.
- The heaviest here at 16.3 oz (462 g) a pair.
- Hillsound pairs it with rigid-soled hiking shoes and boots, and insulated winter boots.
- Carbon steel spikes rather than the stainless steel used by Kahtoola and Black Diamond.
- The strap adds a step when putting them on.
A coil-based cleat for packed snow in town, sold for uses coils are poorly suited to.
Best for: Walking on flat, packed snow around town on a tight budget.
- 1.4mm stainless steel coils around a heavy-duty natural rubber frame.
- Removable over-foot strap for a more secure fit.
- Yaktrax says it is tested safe from breakage down to -41°F.
- Coils rather than spikes, so there are no points to bite into hard ice on slopes.
- Yaktrax lists trail running and hiking among its uses, where spike designs are the better tool.
- No weight is published on the product page.
- No warranty term is stated on the product page.
| Criteria | MICROspikes Footwear Traction Top pick | Access Spike Traction Device | Trail Crampon | Pro Traction Device |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Winter hikers and walkers who need reliable traction on hard ice and packed snow. | Trail runners and hikers moving over a mix of ice, snow and rock. | Hikers in stiff boots who want deeper bite on steep, icy trails. | Walking on flat, packed snow around town on a tight budget. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| Traction | 12 spikes per foot | 14 spikes | 11 spikes | Steel coils |
| Spike length | 0.41 in (10.4mm) | 8mm | 2/3 in (1.7cm) | No spikes (1.4mm coil) |
| Spike material | Heat-treated stainless steel | Stainless steel | Heat-treated carbon steel | Stainless steel coils |
| Harness | TPE, elastic to -22°F | TPR elastomer | Elastomer + Velcro strap | Natural rubber + strap |
| Weight (pair) | 11.9 oz (M) | 220 to 250 g | 16.3 oz (462 g) | Not published |
| Sizes | XS to XXL | S to XL | See size chart | See size chart |
| Extras | Toe bail, heel tab | Heel loop, front point | Carry bag, plate system | Removable strap |
| Warranty | 4 years (from Aug 2025) | 2 years | 2 years | Not stated on page |
Which one is right for you?
- Winter hikers and walkers who need reliable traction on hard ice and packed snow. Buy it Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction
- Trail runners and hikers moving over a mix of ice, snow and rock. Buy it Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device
- Hikers in stiff boots who want deeper bite on steep, icy trails. It depends Hillsound Trail Crampon
- Walking on flat, packed snow around town on a tight budget. Skip it Yaktrax Pro Traction Device
How we judged the field
Five things decide how well ice cleats work. The traction system comes first: spikes that dig into ice, or coils that rest on packed snow. Spike length and material decide how deep they bite and how they wear, with stainless steel resisting rust. The harness decides whether they stay on your footwear and whether the rubber stiffens in deep cold. Weight and packed size matter because you carry them when you are not wearing them. And the warranty shows how long the brand expects them to last.
The field splits into microspike designs for trails, plate and spike hybrids for rugged boots, and coil cleats for town. We picked the best-known model in each style and compared them only on what each brand publishes.
The Kahtoola MICROspikes are the pick, and the fourth generation of the design most people mean when they say microspikes. Each foot has 12 heat-treated, corrosion-resistant 400-series stainless steel spikes, 0.41 inch (10.4mm) long, on welded stainless chains. The harness is thermoplastic elastomer, which Kahtoola says stays elastic down to -22°F, with reinforced eyelets, an integrated toe bail that stops your toe pushing through on descents, and a raised heel tab for pulling them on with gloves. Kahtoola publishes weights for all six sizes, from 10.5 oz for XS to 14.9 oz for XXL, and a packed size of 5 x 3 x 2 inches. Products bought from August 1, 2025 carry a 4-year limited warranty. Long spikes like these feel less stable on bare rock. For hard ice and packed snow, they are the ones to buy.
The Black Diamond Access Spike is the other buy, tuned for mixed ground. It has 14 stainless steel spikes, more than the MICROspikes, but at 8mm they are shorter, which Black Diamond says keeps you stable on rock and hard surfaces while still gripping snow and ice. The harness is a full TPR elastomer with reinforced dual-density eyelets, there is a front-point spike for toe-off, and a heel webbing loop makes them easy to pull on and off. They come in sizes S to XL with a 2-year warranty. The page lists two weights, 220 g and 250 g, without saying which size each is, and there is no published cold rating for the harness. Shorter spikes also bite less deeply into thick ice. If you run or hike over a mix of ice, snow and exposed rock, the Access Spike is the better choice.
The Hillsound Trail Crampon sits between microspikes and crampons, which is why it is our depends. It has 11 heat-treated carbon steel spikes at 2/3 inch (1.7cm), the longest here, mounted on a carbon steel plate system that Hillsound says spreads your weight and reduces fatigue, with stainless steel chains. An elastomer harness grips your footwear, and a Velcro strap across the foot adds security. It comes with a puncture-proof carry bag and a 2-year limited warranty. The trade-offs are weight and footwear. At 16.3 oz a pair it is the heaviest here, Hillsound pairs it with rigid-soled hiking shoes and boots and insulated winter boots, and the spikes are carbon steel rather than stainless, so dry them after use. For stiff boots on steep, icy trails, the deeper bite is worth it.
The Yaktrax Pro is one of the most commonly bought ice cleats, and we would skip it for anything more than flat town walking. It uses 1.4mm stainless steel coils, with 70% recycled content, wrapped around a heavy-duty natural rubber frame, with a removable over-foot strap, and Yaktrax says it is tested safe from breakage down to -41°F. The issue is the design. Coils rest on the surface rather than digging in, which suits packed snow on sidewalks but gives no points to bite into hard ice on a slope. Yaktrax still lists hiking and trail running among its uses, where spike designs like the MICROspikes are the better tool. The product page gives no weight and states no warranty term. For short walks on flat, snowy sidewalks it does the job; for anything steeper or icier, buy spikes.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction vs Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device: which should you buy?
The Kahtoola MICROspikes and Black Diamond Access Spike are both stainless steel spike systems with elastomer harnesses, but they are tuned differently. The MICROspikes have 12 longer 10.4mm spikes per foot, a harness rated to -22°F, a toe bail and a 4-year warranty, which makes them best on hard ice and packed snow. The Access Spike has 14 shorter 8mm spikes, a front point and a heel loop, which makes it steadier on rock and mixed ground, with a 2-year warranty.
Choose the MICROspikes for winter hikes, icy trails and anywhere hard ice dominates. Choose the Access Spike for trail running or routes where you cross rock and bare ground between icy patches. Both are far better than coils on anything steep.
What to look for
- Spikes or coils: Spikes dig into hard ice; coils suit flat, packed snow.
- Spike length: About 8 to 10mm suits most trails; longer spikes bite deeper but wobble on rock.
- Spike material: Stainless steel resists rust; carbon steel needs drying after use.
- Harness cold rating: A harness that stays elastic in deep cold is easier to put on and stays secure.
- Sizing: Buy for the footwear you will wear them over, and check the brand’s size chart.
- Warranty: Two to four years is typical for quality spike systems.
Our final take
For most winter walkers and hikers, the Kahtoola MICROspikes are the ice cleats to buy. Longer stainless spikes, a harness rated to -22°F, a toe bail, published weights for six sizes and a 4-year warranty make them the most complete package. If you move over mixed rock and ice, the Black Diamond Access Spike is the steadier choice. The Hillsound Trail Crampon adds deeper bite for rigid boots at the cost of weight. Skip the Yaktrax Pro for trails: its coils are fine on flat, packed snow in town, but they are the wrong tool for hard ice and slopes.
Questions, answered
What is the difference between ice cleats and microspikes?
Ice cleats is the broad term for anything that stretches over your shoes to add grip. Microspikes usually means short steel spikes on chains held by a rubber harness, like Kahtoola's MICROspikes and Black Diamond's Access Spike. Coil cleats, like the Yaktrax Pro, wrap steel wire around a rubber frame instead. Crampons are bigger, with long spikes and rigid frames, for mountaineering.
Can I wear ice cleats indoors or on pavement?
Take them off indoors, because steel spikes scratch floors and slip on smooth surfaces like tile. On bare pavement or rock, long spikes can feel wobbly, which is why Black Diamond uses shorter 8mm spikes on the Access Spike. Carry a bag for them when you go inside. Walk flat-footed on ice rather than on your toes.
What size ice cleats should I buy?
Size by the shoe or boot you will wear them over, not your street shoe size alone. Kahtoola, Black Diamond and Hillsound each publish size ranges, and bulky winter boots may need the next size up. Kahtoola notes that irregular footwear may need sizing up or down. A good fit stretches snugly with no slack around the toe or heel.
Do ice cleats work on hard ice?
Spike designs work best on hard ice, because the points dig in. Coils rest on the surface and grip packed snow better than glare ice. On steep, icy trails, longer spikes give more bite, like Hillsound's 2/3-inch spikes. For true mountaineering, you need crampons.
How do I make ice cleats last longer?
Rinse off salt and grit after use and let them dry before storing, especially carbon steel, which can rust. Store them in a bag so the spikes do not damage other gear. Check the harness for cracks and the chains for wear before each season. Avoid walking long distances on bare pavement, which dulls spikes.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction vs Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device.
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