Microspikes

[flatfoot]

I've not got a pair of microspikes after first hearing of them here via DaveNoble.

This is how they look on my new scarpas:

It's a nice tight fit. I was worried that the chains might be a bit loose. Once of my reasons for getting scarpas with an all-round rand was so that I could use microspikes and not worry too much about damaging the boot.

So that I don't grate the rest of my gear, I ordered my pair with a "tote" bag. They pack pretty well.

Should be ideal for the Cho La on 1 January 2013

[andrewbish]

Am planning to get some of these myself. Where did you get yours?

[Rob A]

Yea, you want to run around on em a bit to get used to them before you need to use em in anger. Outside on wet hillsides and rocks, or anywhere really, rather than on the polish timber floor.

[Nuts]

These are OK, you really do want a tight fit otherwise they will be left in the mud holes. Tough though and simple and light weight. Kahtoola make some innovative snowshoes as well.

[alliecat]

A simple loop of Velcro over the middle section of your shoe will keep them on even in sticky mud/ice slush

Cheers,
Alliecat

[flatfoot]

Am planning to get some of these myself. Where did you get yours?

backcountry.com via priceusa.com.au . I had trouble finding stock initially (everywhere seemed to be sold out). I messaged kahtoola via Facebook and they pointed me towards backcountry.com. Great service!

[Nuts]

Mine stay on ok, that's not a bad idea though a/cat.
(you can buy them from basegear)

[andrewbish]

Thanks, Flatfoot & Nuts - ordered some today from Basegear (sharper price that Backcountry) via priceusa.com.au

[ninjapuppet]

On real icey ground, I found the microspikes gave me a lil fright at times.

see how much bite they have compared to real crampons: http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8946&start=30#p140593

[Rob A]

Horses for courses. If someone turned up with their helmet, axe, harness, ropes and microspikes you would be entitled to call em an idiot.

[ninjapuppet]

microspikes actually have more bite than yowies.

Many go up bogong in only yowies so when its iced up on Mt Bogong, I would recommend proper crampons. Even cheap aluminium crampons would do better than yowies.

My camp XLC 490 crampons are roughly the same weight as microspikes and would be something I'd highly consider. THey are however more bulky, which is the best things about the microspikes.

[roysta]

The Kahtoola KTS aluminiums work pretty well too.