Microspikes are essential for winter hiking. Here we take a look at the Hillsound Trail Crampon in our review. It is important to note that Hillsound calls these crampons, but in our experience, they should be called microspikes. Here is an article explaining the difference between crampons, microspikes, and snowshoes. We tested these microspikes in harsh conditions repeatedly. If you’ve been looking around for Microspikes, you’ll come across a lot of cheaper options than Hillsound, but after years of winter hiking, it has become clear that spending a little extra gives you a much more durable product.
Quick Navigation:
About Hillsound | About The Microspikes | Our Review | Summary
You can purchase the Hillsound Trail Crampons (microspikes) on their website or here:
Amazon | Backcountry | REI
About Hillsound
Hillsound was founded in British Columbia with the mission to create products that increase performance and accessibility in the outdoors. They innovated in the footwear traction space, tested thuroughly, and created a product that is well used and well respected worldwide.
You can read more about the company and social responsibility practices here.
Our Testing Scenario
Our experience with Hillsound spikes has taken us across many Colorado 14ers in the winter, across many of the other CO peaks, and countless other places.
The spikes have taken us across terrain that has ranged from heavy snowfields, ice sheets, icy rocks, and much more.
We have even ran into scenarios where we passed on our spikes to other hikers in need.
About The Microspikes
Best Uses
This spikes are best used for flat to moderate incline trails where ice and snow is present. They fit well on hiking boots, hiking shoes, and other insulated boots. The have other traction products that are better suited for shoes and trail runners, however, we have used them successfully on our trail runners while running in winter.
Technical Specs
Materials
- Heat-treated carbon steel spikes
- Heat-treated carbon steel plate system
- Stainless steel chains
- Elastomer harness
Weight
- 16.3 oz | 462 g (pair)
Spikes
- Length 2/3″ | 1.7 cm
- Number of spikes: 11
Recommended use:
- Hiking (ice, snow, mud)
- Backpacking (ice, snow, mud)
Care Instructions: Wash with lukewarm water and air-dry (do NOT dry with heat). Ensure the product is clean and dry before storage. Inspect before each use.
Warranty
All of Hillsound’s traction products have a 2 year warranty which is honored on the website.
Returns
Hillsound has a 30 day return policy that can be read about here.
Our Review
Durability
Super strong chains
This is a very durable product. The chains have held up great, the rubber has held up great, and the rubber eyelets of held up great. All of these points are where cheap microspikes have broken for us in the past, but Hillsound’s have stayed strong.
Traction
If you are walking on ice, you need traction. If you are into winter hiking, these are on the essential equipment list. No hiker with experience will head out on the trails without adequate traction, and these absolutely provide that. Hillsound Trail Crampons have an aggressive 1.7 cm spike, making them have tons of traction on just about any surface.
Great traction on ice lakes, icy walkways, ice trails, and packed snow at different slopes below 40 degrees.
Fit
Hillsound offers various sizes that will fit all boot sizes:
HIllsound Size Chart
Recommendation
If you are going to be hiking in snowy or icy conditions, or are in any need of a winter traction device, Hillsound comes highly recommended by our team. We have all been the victim of purchasing a lesser quality product that broke too quickly, and specifically in the case of footwear traction. Do yourself a favor, and skip the purchasing of the cheap Amazon products, and go straight to something that will be able to take a beating. Simple as that.
Additional Photos
Super strong chains
Velcro strap to keep spikes secure
Plate system for more natural walking
Toe bar for added strength
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about