Traction for this icy, snowless winter
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Biketrevor
Jan 26, 2012, 2:20:47 PM1/26/12
to Trail Monster Running
Curious what you folks are using for traction this winter, and
specifically looking for reviews of the Kahtoola Microspikes for trail
running. I'm cheap and have been using sheet metal screws for a long
time, but I like the idea of being able to take them on/ off as
conditions warrant, and $60 is 1/2 the cost of my next pair of
inov-8s. Holler at me if you guys come North to Rockland/Rockport/
Camden/ Lincolville. We've got more trails than trail runners and
we're glad to share our secret stashes.
-Trevor
specifically looking for reviews of the Kahtoola Microspikes for trail
running. I'm cheap and have been using sheet metal screws for a long
time, but I like the idea of being able to take them on/ off as
conditions warrant, and $60 is 1/2 the cost of my next pair of
inov-8s. Holler at me if you guys come North to Rockland/Rockport/
Camden/ Lincolville. We've got more trails than trail runners and
we're glad to share our secret stashes.
-Trevor
gIANt
Jan 26, 2012, 5:52:37 PM1/26/12
to Trail Monster Running
As far as I know most of us around here are just using screws, I
haven't seen anyone wearing MicroSpikes in these parts, but I've heard
a few good things about them.
I may be up in the area Super Bowl weekend, I'll give you a hollar if
I've got time to meet up for a run.
gIANt
haven't seen anyone wearing MicroSpikes in these parts, but I've heard
a few good things about them.
I may be up in the area Super Bowl weekend, I'll give you a hollar if
I've got time to meet up for a run.
gIANt
Valerie Abradi
Jan 26, 2012, 7:11:49 PM1/26/12
to gIANt, Trail Monster Running
I think that's what Xar was wearing last night. She could go with confidence over what I slipped on with the Ice Spikes in (they are pretty worn, though). I want a pair now!
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unstrung
Jan 26, 2012, 11:23:05 PM1/26/12
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I lack the credentials to offer the kind advice anyone should attempt
to follow -- but for whatever it may be worth, I use and love
Microspikes. They live in my car from October through May because I
end up using them so often. They're easy to get on and off, they
don't eff with your stride, I don't find them heavy or bulky. Pretty
awesome product if you like feeling invincible.
to follow -- but for whatever it may be worth, I use and love
Microspikes. They live in my car from October through May because I
end up using them so often. They're easy to get on and off, they
don't eff with your stride, I don't find them heavy or bulky. Pretty
awesome product if you like feeling invincible.
unstrung
Jan 26, 2012, 11:27:48 PM1/26/12
to Trail Monster Running
PS. Lots of traction talk here:
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38123&highlight=microspikes+traction
It's a hiking/backpacking forum so most of it isn't targeted toward
trail running, but there is still a lot of good firsthand info (on
various types of traction, not just Microspikes) from people who
really put it to the test.
-X
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38123&highlight=microspikes+traction
It's a hiking/backpacking forum so most of it isn't targeted toward
trail running, but there is still a lot of good firsthand info (on
various types of traction, not just Microspikes) from people who
really put it to the test.
-X
Ryan Triffitt
Jan 27, 2012, 8:16:12 AM1/27/12
to unstrung, Trail Monster Running
Xar, I'm curious about how long the Microspikes last. They seem designed "for the West." How do they hold up on our Eastern ice?
Personally, I like IceSpikes. I felt like they give me a little extra comfort over regular screws.
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Jamie Anderson
Jan 27, 2012, 8:32:10 AM1/27/12
to ryantr...@gmail.com, unstrung, Trail Monster Running
Love the Ice Spikes but not the price. They do grip considerably better than sheet metal screws, but not enough to justify 25 bucks or so for a set. I'd rather spend two or three bucks at the hardware store and tread a little more carefully. Just my two cents.
-Jamie
unstrung
Jan 27, 2012, 10:46:56 AM1/27/12
to Trail Monster Running
Mine are on their third season, though I didn't use them too much the
first year I had them. I will let you know when and how I manage to
destroy them! I know they are kill-able - many folks I know use them
for winter hikes in the Whites/western Maine; every now and then
someone reports the death of a Microspike (or a snowshoe, or another
piece of gear, for that matter...). Never done the "out west" thing
with them so not sure about that, but I do feel pretty confident
running with them on glare ice. Can't complain about that.
first year I had them. I will let you know when and how I manage to
destroy them! I know they are kill-able - many folks I know use them
for winter hikes in the Whites/western Maine; every now and then
someone reports the death of a Microspike (or a snowshoe, or another
piece of gear, for that matter...). Never done the "out west" thing
with them so not sure about that, but I do feel pretty confident
running with them on glare ice. Can't complain about that.
unstrung
Jan 27, 2012, 10:49:40 AM1/27/12
to Trail Monster Running
How long do Ice Spikes last? Would it ever make sense to use a mix
of Ice Spikes and sheet metal screws, from a $$$ perspective? I
wonder how badly it'd affect the performance...
of Ice Spikes and sheet metal screws, from a $$$ perspective? I
wonder how badly it'd affect the performance...
Jamie Anderson
Jan 27, 2012, 11:27:18 AM1/27/12
to unstrung, Trail Monster Running
You could, but the Ice Spikes stand taller, so not sure how much contact you'd get with the sheet metal screws. If you did mix and match, I'd consider using Ice Spikes up front and sheet metal screws in the back (or vice versa), so there's some uniformity.
Valerie Abradi
Jan 27, 2012, 12:02:30 PM1/27/12
to Jamie Anderson, unstrung, Trail Monster Running
I'm thinking (based on the fact that my knee is still messed up from a fall) that I wouldn't mind spending the money for the microspikes
James Demer
Jan 27, 2012, 12:18:42 PM1/27/12
to ryantr...@gmail.com, unstrung, Trail Monster Running
Ryan, do the IceSpikes put holes in your treadmill tread? Seems like it could be a problem. 
RM
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Cell# 207/329-2894
RM
On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 8:16 AM, Ryan Triffitt <ryantr...@gmail.com> wrote:
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Cell# 207/329-2894
Ryan Triffitt
Jan 27, 2012, 12:30:02 PM1/27/12
to Trail Monster Running
One major difference is the removability of the Microspikes. What do you do at a road crossing? Take 'em off? Click, click, click? With screws/Icespikes, you don't have a choice. And, long stretches on road with IceSpikes sounds annoying and feels weird because of the "platform." From our house, it's about .4 to trails, and that stretch is always annoying and I know that I'm wearing down the spikes.
Before I learned about screwshoes from the TMR forefathers, I used YakTraks. And, I hated the way they altered your foot placement/stride. I wonder how much the "chains" underfoot with the Mircospikes would do the same. They appear "less obtrusive" than the YakTraks.
Meat - The IceSpikes have aerated our floors nicely. We never have to clean up any of Sam's spills!
unstrung
Jan 27, 2012, 12:58:33 PM1/27/12
to Trail Monster Running
Road crossings in Microspikes - I just tread lightly and go. I do
sometimes carry them the 0.25 to the local trailhead, and throw them
on when I get there. I really don't notice and difference in my
stride, and I am pretty finicky about that kind of thing, but I can't
speak for faster/more experienced runners.
sometimes carry them the 0.25 to the local trailhead, and throw them
on when I get there. I really don't notice and difference in my
stride, and I am pretty finicky about that kind of thing, but I can't
speak for faster/more experienced runners.
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