[pct-l] kahtoola microspikes vs. kahtoola KTS alum

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

For the typical Spring, morning crusty snow (and occasional 
ice-on-the-trail) conditions you're going to find during the months of May, 
June, and July in the mountains of California, notably from San Jacinto 
north to Tahoe, the Kahtoola Microspikes will do just fine.

We received a box of both, the microspikes and KTS units, the other day to 
product-test on our last Snow Basics Course, but the weather was simply so 
aweful and the snow so soft that they were not needed--no ice or crusty snow 
to be found! So, we'll have to take them out on the next Mountain Basics 
Course next month. Our primary concern, now, is whether the spikes will 
"ball-up" with wet, sticky snow (when the conditions are right) preventing 
spike contact with any surface at all (like walking on a half a softball). 
However, in these conditions, you don't need the things anyway, yet soft 
conditions can exist right next to a shady, icy area across which you're 
about to walk, so it is a concern we haven't yet tested. Kahtoola does make 
a "Snow Release Skin" for the KTS to help alleviate this problem, but not 
for the microspikes.

In the meantime, upon playing with them, we are relieved to see that the 
"rubber bands" that hold the microspikes onto our boots more than held for 
running around on the lawn (we were concerned that the spikes would roll off 
the shoe during forceful, lateral, "catch-you-balance-quickly" sidesteps). 
In our case, Kahtoola sized the spikes to our boots, but we have heard that 
you might need the next size down when fitting to trailrunners so that they 
will fit tightly and predictably or add a Velcro strap over the instep.

The KTS model looks killer, but overkill still against the average snow 
conditions thru hikers will see on their way through the Sierra. It was nice 
to see that the forward points are pointed more down than those of 
traditional crampons which point more forward having the tendency to cause 
soft tissue injuries in the unskilled user.


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <enyapjr at comcast.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 6:06 PM
Subject: [pct-l] kahtoola microspikes vs. kahtoola KTS alum


>> ...supposed to get me the kahtoola microspikes for the trail, and instead
>> mistakenly got me the kahtoola KTS alum spikes.
>> ...would I be better off with the microspikes...
>
> The KTS might be 4 or 5 ounces heavier, but you will love them!  They are 
> NOT
> technical 'mountaineering' or 'ice' crampons...
> They work very well with trail runners or running shoes, too - the 
> heel/toe
> extender bar flexes just enough to be more comfortable while walking than
> mountaineering crampons meant to be worn with stiff boots...
> See <http://www.kahtoola.com/crampons.php> for more about the KTS...
> Your trail companions will be envious!  "Don't look a gift horse in the 
> mouth."
> :o)
>
> Happy trails!!!
> Jim (PITA)
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