Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Microspikes and Crampons Suggestions

So my sons and I are doing an alpine hunt in Alaska in mid September.

I’ve read where the grass can be very slick and face planting can happen often and microspikes or crampons help. Ice is a not a concern.

Im not sure what type Crampon/spikes I need or what brand is the best way to go.

Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks,


Andy

Katahoola

Congrats, it's very cool that you're going with your sons! I was wondering the same before my AK hunt a few years back, I had read the same. But the outfitter said I wouldn't need to worry about slick grass and he was obviously right so I'd check with your outfitter first.

I've heard Kathoolas are good, but these are the ones I've used and I like 'em:

https://www.amazon.com/Hillsound-Tr...&hvtargid=pla-511400398312&psc=1

Well, Im the outfitter. We are chasing black bears in South Central alaska. What part did you hunt smoke?

The microspike types are light/easy enough to have in your pack that you might as well. I also prefer the hillsound trail crampons- I use them a lot in the winter, and my original pair is still going strong.

I've got the kahtoola kts as well, and they are better in ice, but they take just enough more time to put on that I'm always in trouble before I have them on. The microspikes are quick and easy and actually get used.

I prefer Chainsen.

Never mind, we were in the Chugach, just rock. I hope "the outfitter " comes through!

So, a DYI hunt?

We have kahtoolas.
Hillsound and kahtoola look nearly identical. What's the difference?

Yes sir.

Kathoola sounds way cooler.

You may want to take a look at Kahtoola K-10's. Hillsound has a Pro version that's similar but has different angles on the front and rear spikes vs the Kahtoola's.

Thats where we will be hunting. Definitely looks rocky from my internet research. Smoke were you east or South of Anchorage?

What are you hunting Andy?

East, over near Chitina.

If you're gonna need crampons...get real ones.

Lol.
They're skookum!

Bears.

Not sure I've ever put spikes on for a fall bear hunt, but could see it happening. If you get up in the steep stuff, and there has been a freeze, you will be sliding on dead pushki, which is about like teflon goose poop.

Bender, my experience with the Microspikes was following a buddy that had them in the brooks when we got about 6" of fresh snow. We sidehilled about a mile and a half out of a canyon we were checking, and his spikes kept slipping off the side of his boots. I was still jealous of his traction, as I was sliding all over the place, and took a couple good falls. So when I got back and did a little research, the strap across the top of the foot and the more significant "plate" in the sole were the main features that sold me.

You can certainly slip them off on an extended sidehill, but they seem to stick to the feet better than what I saw of the microspikes. I also wouldn't be surprised if the microspikes of today were somewhat different than what I saw, as that was...7 years ago now?

A pard tried the microspikes on a goat hunt last year. Epic fail. Same slipping issue and overall lack of traction. One of them broke on the second day. They seem best suited to the elderly shuffling across an icy driveway to retrieve a newspaper. Short of full on, heavy, mountaineering crampons, the best I've used so far are the old CMI in-steps. They can still be found on ebay.