daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 564
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Post by daveg on Jan 29, 2021 20:03:31 GMT -8
I don't (intentionally) do winter backpacking. Sometimes, on a shoulder season trip I'll run into sections of trail covered in snow or ice. But most of my winter hiking is dayhikes, often on trails with slick footing because the snow has been packed down by foot traffic and then softened by sunlight or above freezing daytime temps and freezing solid overnight. Worst case, the trail becomes a sheet of rough ice. I've tried various traction devices for my hiking boots with mixed results. I recently ordered a pair of Kahtoola EXOspikes as a birthday present for myself. Tried them out on a four mile hike today -- the trail had a thin layer of soft snow over a hard and slick base. They seemed to work well. I'm curious to see how they handle more difficult trail conditions and how durable they prove to be. My big feet (size 14) may be a problem. I got the XL size which is supposed to fit size 12-14 shoes. But Kahtoola cautions on the box "Sizing is approximate. Kahtoola recommends trying on EXOspikes before purchasing." No one stocked them locally so I took a chance and ordered online. It took quite a bit of effort to get the EXOspikes onto my hiking boots. They were pretty much stretched to the limit and didn't go up as high on my boots as I would like. But during my hike they seemed stable enough and I never had the feeling they were about to come off. I was able to remove them easily enough after my hike. But trying to put them on in the middle of a hike would be a challenge. Still, they show enough promise that I thought I'd give them a plug. I believe the EXOspikes are a new product this season. If you're looking for a foot traction device, they are worth a look.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 29, 2021 22:57:34 GMT -8
I'm not familiar with the EXO model, nor do I have a large shoe size. I thoroughly recommend their traction devices for trail hiking. They are not meant for anything technical, but do pretty good on moderately steep trails.
If the straps are at their limit on your big boots, yes, the straps will stretch out pretty quickly and failure is probable. You want them to fit tight but stretching them to their limit will shorten the life. Carry some parachute cord or something like that in case a field repair is necessary.
Edit: Looked at the link you posted. I think the Microspikes are a better option. Longer spikes and more easily field repairable. That is the model I have used.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Jan 30, 2021 5:01:35 GMT -8
I've only used the Micro Spikes, and found them to be just what I needed. Fit easily over my 12.5
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Post by cweston on Jan 30, 2021 5:38:58 GMT -8
Like the others--I've used the Microspikes and had really good results with them. Looks like the model you have may be a little more suited to transitions between, say, icy packed trail and pavement or bare ground. I'm always pretty quick to get the Micros off when I step onto rocks or anything: seems like you could wear those metal spike points away pretty quickly.
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Post by bluefish on Jan 30, 2021 6:08:33 GMT -8
I've used everything from some aluminum sheet metal screws with hex heads (my UL emergency traction kit)to 10 point walking crampons. The crampon-like teeth on the chain and rubber microspikes seem to be the best compromise between walking comfort and traction. The studs on the exo's are the same as my studded fat bike tires. I can easily ride (or walk with studded boots) on frozen lakes, but inclined ice is very dicey. I took an agony of defeat fall on a trail last week trying to quickly get over an icy hill. Same thing has applied when wearing wading boots with similar studs and navigating icy hills to a river. The microspikes have gotten us over some pretty dicey terrain as the points dig in much better than the small studs. I've found it helpful to wear boots with some stiffness. Don't need double boots, just something beyond a flexible trail runner. As an example. I currently use them on a pair of Salomon Quest GTX boots. Helps with foot fatigue. We've walked down and up ice and snow with the microspikes into the Grand Canyon and we were very, very glad for them. However, using the studs for running would be much, much easier. The range of fit on the microspokes isn't all that great. They fit perfectly over my Quests, but my insulated Sorel Conquests in the same size are too much of a stretch. I can imagine the Exo's would need to be dialed in for a good fit for running on trails. The microspikes can be re-sharpened when they round off. I used a vise and my 4" grinder.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Jan 30, 2021 10:41:31 GMT -8
I've never used the EXOs, but my original (circa 2009?) Microspikes, size XL, worn on size-15 boots, are still going strong.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 30, 2021 13:28:26 GMT -8
Looks like the model you have may be a little more suited to transitions between, say, icy packed trail and pavement or bare ground. Yes, the EXOs look more like they are designed for icy pavement rather than trail hiking despite what their ad says. Those little blunt nubbins prolly won't be sufficient on any icy trails that have much angle. Makes me wonder what the "EXO" name designates. Also, Kahtoola states they are intended for trail running and hiking shoes, so that may be the reason they are too small for use on big boots at the upper end of their size range.
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Post by bradmacmt on Jan 30, 2021 14:44:04 GMT -8
I’d never seen the Exo until this thread. They actually look like they have good versatility for most of the conditions microspikes would be used for... dunno? They’re certainly lighter and probably easier to use for those not accustomed to spikes.
My Microspikes are Chainsen “Lights” (the co. of a former Kathoola employee). I like mine (as does my wife hers).
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jan 30, 2021 15:34:39 GMT -8
I have a pair of Yak Trax Diamond Grips My only complaint is that they are a little sketchy on smooth solid rock.
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 564
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Post by daveg on Jan 30, 2021 19:49:30 GMT -8
Initially, I had planned to buy the Microspikes. But when I saw the Exos, I thought that, while they would undoubtedly be worse than the Micros for certain trail conditions, they would be better over the range of trail conditions I am likely to experience. The local terrain is pretty flat. There are some bumps (I hesitate to even call them hills) with steep but short inclines that can ice up. I'll find out in the near future whether the Exos are up to the task. If not, I'll order some Micros. Carry some parachute cord or something like that in case a field repair is necessary. Good advice. I'll be sure to do that. And hope I don't have to test the two-year warranty. Also, Kahtoola states they are intended for trail running and hiking shoes, so that may be the reason they are too small for use on big boots at the upper end of their size range. I wondered about that and tried the Exos on my hiking boots (Merrell), hiking shoes (Oboz), and trail runners (New Balance). The fit was equally tight on all of them. It was actually worse on the trail runners because they lack the stiffness of the shoes or boots and scrunched up under the tension.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 30, 2021 21:35:11 GMT -8
I wondered about that and tried the Exos on my hiking boots (Merrell), hiking shoes (Oboz), and trail runners (New Balance). The fit was equally tight on all of them. It was actually worse on the trail runners because they lack the stiffness of the shoes or boots and scrunched up under the tension. Given that, my guess is the EXOs straps don't really work for size 14. The straps need to be tight to prevent slippage, but not WAY tight. Properly sized they will scrunch up trail runners a bit but should not be so scrunched they are uncomfortable when you put them on your feet. In your comparison test, were your feet in the trail runners/hiking shoes when you put them on? I've never put them on my shoes before my shoes were on my feet.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 31, 2021 15:28:16 GMT -8
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Jan 31, 2021 15:34:46 GMT -8
Yeah, but they've also got a $75 model and even $35 version if you're only interested in forefoot spikes.
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 564
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Post by daveg on Jan 31, 2021 21:00:12 GMT -8
Given that, my guess is the EXOs straps don't really work for size 14. The straps need to be tight to prevent slippage, but not WAY tight. Properly sized they will scrunch up trail runners a bit but should not be so scrunched they are uncomfortable when you put them on your feet. In your comparison test, were your feet in the trail runners/hiking shoes when you put them on? I've never put them on my shoes before my shoes were on my feet. I tried putting the Exos on with my feet in my shoes and with my shoes off my feet. I can feel the pressure of the Exos against my feet in the trail runners (but not in my shoes/boots). I don't plan on using the Exos on my trail runners so didn't try walking any distance in them to see how they would feel over time. I can put the Exos on while my shoes/boots are on my feet but found that getting them adjusted just right is easier if my shoes/boots are off. My size 14 boots are at the outer limit of what the XL Exos can handle and fractions of an inch seem to matter. I've played around with them enough now that I am fairly confident that, while perhaps not ideal, they will work. The unanswered question is whether using them at their outer limits will affect their durability. Only time will tell.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 31, 2021 21:52:01 GMT -8
I have a pair of Yak Trax Diamond Grips My only complaint is that they are a little sketchy on smooth solid rock. I find those quite effective and convenient. My only knock is that they usually rust through after a couple seasons. It's not a hard knock, because they do get a lot of use and a lot of exposure to salt.
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