10 Best Crampons (Review) In 2020

First up, we’ve got the Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats. As you might have guessed from the picture, these aren’t the best crampons for ice climbing or serious mountaineering. Instead, they’re designed for added traction when walking on level ice or snow. The traction comes from the small metal coils (rather than the normal spikes), which are made from 1.2MM high-strength steel. The idea behind this traction system is to give as natural a feel as possible. Instead of feeling like you’re walking with large spikes on your boots, you can barely notice these cleats are there.

Another huge advantage of the Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats is that they’re easy to slip on. There’s no complicated bindings or clips, just a simple strap over the top of the boot. And, there’s less chance of you damaging the floor when you step in from a walk in the snow. If you’re looking for a high-quality traction cleat for walking or jogging on packed snow, this one is the best.

Kahtoola MICROspikes are the best crampons for hiking in most conditions. They have a fantastic reputation for adding grip and stability in snow, ice, mud, and even on concrete and rocks. The reason they are so effective is the innovative system of spikes that either penetrate or hug a surface, stopping you from falling over. The spikes are made from hardened stainless steel, so they won’t snap if you step on a hard surface. And, the chain that holds it all together is welded to give it maximum strength.

They are designed for ice walking more than anything else. They are favored by hikers because they perform so well on multiple surfaces and they’re super easy to slip on and off. In fact, all you have to do is step into the MICROspikes and it auto-adjusts to your foot – that is if you buy the right size. If you buy the wrong size, they can break pretty easily. Having said that, we’d highly recommend these to anyone serious about safety when walking on the ice.

These crampons from Uelfbaby are a budget version of the Kahtoola MICROspikes. Until a couple of years ago, Kahtoola basically had a monopoly on the market of light-use crampons like this. Fortunately, that’s changed now, which means customers can find a cheaper version of the same thing. Now, it’s worth mentioning that the quality of Uelfbaby 19 Spikes Crampons isn’t the same as the Kahtoola product. But, if you are just using them for walking and light hiking on ice, these will perform just fine.

They have a similar system of stainless-steel spikes on a welded chain, which provides just as much grip as the Kahtoola MICROspikes. The difference is in the quality of the chain and rubber frame. They have used thick TPE rubber, but it doesn’t feel as solid. However, you can’t argue with the 200+ positive reviews on Amazon. And, you get a 1-year 100% money-back guarantee, which means that these crampons are really worth a try. Ideal for your winter boots.

The Yaktrax Run Traction Cleats are designed for runners that want to train in the winter. They are similar to the Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats that we featured as our Best Choice product but have a few key differences. First of all the design is low-profile and the cleats are lighter, to make them easier to run in. And, if you look at the bottom of the cleat, you’ll notice that the 1.4MM steel coil is only on half of the cleat. The front section of the cleat has a rubber area with 3MM carbide steel spikes that provide more control at high speeds. The other major difference is the two straps at the front of the cleat that is designed to keep the toe in place. The bottom line is that these are the best crampons for running.

The Springk Traction Cleats are one of the cheapest products on this list. They work in a similar way to the Kahtoola MICROspikes and the Uelfbaby spikes, but they cost a little bit less. With products like this, it’s always the case that – you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a serious pair of hiking cleats, you should be paying $50 or above. However, if you’re looking for something to give you extra traction whilst winter walking the dog or walking to the mailbox on your drive, these will hold up just fine. They have 12 stainless-steel teeth connected by a double chain. Like the Uelfbaby spikes, the frame of the cleats is made from TPE rubber, which is relatively durable. If you’re looking for a cheap crampon system, this is one of the best.

Next up, we have the Hillsound Trail Crampons Traction Device. At first glance, it would be easy to mix these crampons up with a lot of the cheaper products we’ve featured, and honestly their not that different. The difference (and the reason they’re more expensive) is simply the quality. Each crampon has 21 ¼-inch stainless steel spikes. They are longer than a lot of the competing crampons, which makes them better at sticking into the ground. And, they are also higher-quality. It’s hard to tell the difference in quality by just looking at them, but you will notice when they haven’t broken in a year of use. And, in the rare case that they do break, they’re covered by a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. Feel free to wear them with your snow boots while walking on snow. 

These Unisex Ice Cleat crampons are made by a company called Weanas. They were a strong contender for our Best Value prize but narrowly missed out to the Springk Traction Cleats. Honestly, there isn’t much to separate the two products, except for the $1 difference in price. These crampons are designed for light use – walking the dog, basic hiking, and other activities. However, some of the Amazon reviews suggest that customers have been using them for much more strenuous activities. They have stainless-steel spikes held together by a durable steel chain. And, the rubber frame is made from a thermoplastic elastomer. All in all, they’re pretty durable, but they can’t compete with the crampons that cost closer to $50. If you’re not going to put them through their paces, they will hold up just fine. If you are looking for some durable footwear for outdoor activity, be sure to check out our guide to the best Gore-tex boots.

The OUTAD Traction Cleats are the best crampons for mountaineering on this list. You can tell from the product picture that they are a different type of crampons to the other products we’ve featured. The spikes are built into the frame rather than attached to a steel chain. The whole crampon is made out of enhanced aluminum alloy, which makes it just as strong as a stainless-steel crampon, but much lighter. This is essential when you’re climbing up a nearly vertical ice wall because you don’t want any extra weight dragging you down. 

The spikes are designed to be the perfect size to maximize both grip and stability. You might have also noticed that they have two spikes on the front of the crampons, which are designed to dig into the ice on a climb. On dedicated ice-climbing crampons, these spikes would be straight, so it tells you that these are designed for general mountaineering. They’re surprisingly easy to get on and off, once you have got the hang of the strapping system. Plus, they even come with a comfortable net bag, so you don’t have to keep them on when the terrain becomes easier to walk on. If you’re looking for serious crampons, these are the ones for you. For more amazing pieces of mountaineering gear, check out our guide to the best mountaineering boots.

If you’re looking for something easy to slip on and off for walking in the snow and ice, this is one of our favorite products. Admittedly, most of the products on this list are easy to get on and off, but none as easy as this – you just step in and tighten up. Plus, when steel chains are involved, there’s always the possibility of them getting tangled up. The large spikes on the Hillsound Cypress 6 Crampons also provide more grip, especially on ice. Of course, the disadvantage of large spikes like this is that you have to take them off before you walk on solid ground. Plus, they’re useless for running in. Our guide to the best winter running gear features some high-quality products for active men, so check them out.

Last up is the Yatta Life Trail Spikes. This is another product very similar to the Kahtoola MICROspikes, a product that paved the way for others like it. The stainless steel spikes and chain are the closest in quality to the MICROspikes and should stand up to years of hiking. The elastomer band is one of the best we’ve seen and can be stretched out without losing its shape. If you’re looking for a serious pair of cleats, it’s between these and the MICROspikes. Plus, these come with a cool little carrying case, so you don’t have to put them in your roll top backpack and risk scratching your other stuff.