I’m going to tell you something crazy right now: I have never used crampons or spikes for winter/spring trail hiking. Yes, I have taken some falls. No, I never learned my lesson. Until this year, that is! As I am now trending towards the “old and frail” stage of my hiking career I figured it might be time for some traction. The Kahtoola EXOspikes arrived just in time to save me from any career-ending injuries, and with warmer temps on the way it’s time to share my findings regarding their performance.
EXOspikes Details
- 12 spike design
- TPU Traction Matrix
- Reinforced Eyelets
- Integrated Toe Bail
- Raised Heel Tab
- Elastomer Harness
- Weight (6.9oz for size small used in testing)
EXOspikes on the Trail
Kahtoola has packed a lot of good tech into a tiny package. When it comes to my hiking kit, I appreciate that. The EXOspikes were a bit tricky to slide into position on my boots (only during my initial few uses). That just meant they gripped like hell over any terrain. They never once slipped off my footwear.
There wasn’t much of an adjustment to be made while hiking. After one or two outings I was no longer aware they were on my boots (a good thing). I tested these mainly in packed snow and ice conditions along the Wasatch foothills and steeper trails in Millcreek Canyon. They excelled in nearly every condition (fresh powder snow with no broken trail is the exception here). Trails that are always icy and hazardous were no problem at all. The EXOspikes employ a three-part traction system for maximum grip: tungsten carbide tips bite into ice and snow, the aluminum steps provide grip on uneven surfaces and TPU lugs dig into loose terrain. This system worked to perfection even when conditions changed from packed snow to more icy conditions in the shady areas of the trail.
For me the EXOspikes standout is their grip on steep slopes. Even when there was a mix of rock and ice I felt secure. When I used to hike without traction spikes there were trails I would avoid in winter, but I am happy to report that nowhere was off limits with these on my boots.
Performance in Mixed Conditions
As days get warmer that means mixed conditions will be present on mountain trails. I did test the Kahtoola EXOspikes on a weekend when temps reached the 60s and the trails became a mix of mud/ice/snow. The transition from packed snow to mud was seamless and honestly I was happy to have the extra grip in the muck. I thought that the mud might glop on to these and weigh me down but luckily the EXOspikes seem to shed mud as easily as they shed snow. The only downside to using these in mixed conditions is the sometimes annoying sound the carbide tips make when they scrape on rocks. Kind of a nails-on-the-chalkboard thing right there.
Final Verdict on Kahtoola EXOspikes
The EXOspikes are a must-have for winter adventures. They provided outstanding traction on steep and uneven terrain and allowed me to hike without the worry of falling. Details like the raised heel tabs make for easy use with either hiking shoes or traditional hiking boots. They are simple to care for and fold up into a small storage bag (included). The EXOspikes can take a beating and keep you upright no matter what the conditions; my only lament is that I did not try them sooner.