Microspikes for (summertime) traction in steep, loose terrain

[dirtgrl]

Hello there! Thank you to those of you who previously suggested I use an old pair of micro spikes for better traction in the summertime on steep, loose terrain (like the upper section of Mt. Princeton). My question for you is which kind of micro spikes would be best? For example, are Kahtoola MICROspikes (large spikes), EXOspikes (medium spikes) or NANOspikes (small spikes) better? I want to make sure I don't take too large or too small of spikes on a hike if they might be counterproductive. Are an old pair of YakTrax Diamond Grip Traction a good choice? Thank you!!

[two lunches]

microspikes.

the exospikes, nanospikes and yaktrax are ideal for hardpack/ice and probably wouldn't be very useful in loose BS/kitty litter.

[mtree]

I think you're wasting your money. I can't think of any part of Princeton where I'd wear spikes in summer. Spikes might work on steep dirt, but on anything else they won't get you much more traction than you'll get from solid hiking boots. If you had trouble on Princeton I suggest getting more hiking experience instead. Step on solid rocks embedded in the dirt instead of smooth dirt or ball bearings. I only recall a few short pitches of steep and it was very manageable. Maybe part of the mountain collapsed since I've been up there. It has been a few years.

[daway8]

Old Kahtoola microspikes are ideal for steep loose dirt in summer, like the 2,000ft of it you get on South Maroon. I did Princton with snow so can't speak to that specific route.

Once I beat up a pair of microspikes by extended use in winter, I keep that pair for summer loose dirt traction. You'll want a sharp pair for winter icy sections but they can be dull as dirt when going up/down steep dirt in summer.

[Aphelion]

Microspikes are a crutch that holds you back from learning to be sure-footed.

[Skimo95]

With good footing, I’ve found them unnecessary a dozen shy of the highest 200 mountains in Colorado. To each their own, not everybody is able to withstand loose conditions in my opinion. In other words, no they’re overkill in summer conditions.

[Monte Meals]

I'm 77 and need all the help that I can get !

Yes, I highly recommend microspikes for scree or loose footing.

[daway8]

Microspikes are a crutch that holds you back from learning to be sure-footed.

call it what you want but I was able to blast down South Maroon with them, leaving everyone else in the dust, and not slipping at all.

Being sure-footed has little to do with hiking up/down loose dirt - if you're climbing an exposed rocky ridge then you need to be very sure-footed - and in that scenario, microspikes can actually make it harder to keep your footing.

But being on terrain where the ground itself is actually moving is a totally different story. Your can be the most sure-footed person in the world but you'll have to work much harder to make progress, or to control progress on the way down - if someone wants to be on a silly macho kick of proving they can do without - well each to their own, but I'll gladly utilize tools that make steep loose dirt less of a pain to deal with.

Just like any other tool in the world of mountain climbing - mountaineering boots with sharp edges, ice axes, crampons, ropes; or even the technology behind moisture-wicking clothes, breathable wind breakers, etc - all of these bits of technology allow you to be more effective/efficient in the mountains. Some are more essential than others but they all make time in the mountains more pleasant, just like microspikes on loose dirt in summer.

[cottonmountaineering]

microspikes are occasionally good for kitty litter, i can think of some san juan 13ers where they were useful

[wineguy]

I'd highly recommend microspikes on the upper part of the gully on Cathedral if climbing in summer.

[RhodoRose]

Microspikes. A "crutch", maybe, but when you have a bad knee like I have, well, I'm happy to not feel stabbing pain every step. Princeton, though, meh, I wouldn't bother. Descending from the Castle/Conundrum saddle, on the other hand... Yep.

[greenonion]

Microspikes are a crutch that holds you back from learning to be sure-footed.

And others above have expressed perspectives quite well