Yak Tracks or Microspikes For Colorado Trails
Winter hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
While you might have loved to slip and slide as a kid, it’s a recipe for disaster on Colorado trails. Microspikes keep us steady. Yak Tracks for starters, Kahtoola microspikes for stability.
During a recent winter hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, I quickly remembered why I depend on my trusty shoe spikes. When I forgot my Kahtoola microspikes, I spent more time on the ground than upright for that hike!
Winter hiking in Colorado is exhilarating, but without the right gear, it can be downright hazardous.
My trusty Yak Tracks with Dirty Girl gaiters - the perfect accompaniment to hiking Pikes Peak.
Back when I was training for marathons years ago, navigating snowy Colorado trails was a slippery challenge. Adrenaline might have kept me warm, but taking a tumble was far from ideal. Ice cleats weren’t readily available. We had few options. That's when my running coach recommended Yak Tracks – a game-changer on the Santa Fe Trail.
My Yak Tracks lasted nearly two decades, which was impressive for a $25 purchase! However, when they finally gave out, I discovered that technology had evolved. Enter micro spikes – a modern upgrade to traditional traction devices.
After thorough research (by my husband), I opted for a pair of Kahtoola microspikes, and they've been my go-to ever since. Trust me, when it comes to winter hiking in Colorado, having the right gear, like Yak Tracks and reliable micro spikes, can make all the difference.
Kahtoola Microspikes make winter running easy!
What are microspikes good for?
Elevation hiking is its own beast and one we love in Colorado. However, as soon as the first snow hits, ice is your new BFF on the trail whether you like it or not.
Oftentimes you can forgo snowshoes with simple shoes with cleats for ice. Micro spikes are easy to get on and off hiking shoes and runners, lightweight and most importantly, keep you upright when your foot meets ice hidden under a layer of snow.
Best winter traction devices
As the outdoor tech market continues to grind out amazing gear, there are so many traction devices to choose from. We have two types of traction we’ve used and loved - Yak Tracks and Kahtoola Microspikes
If your curious what to look for winter hiking traction, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
What type of trails am I headed on? Roads vs. trails, long mileage hikes or short elevation treks? Am I wearing a heavy waterproof winter boot or a lightweight running shoe?
Microspikes have different
length of spikes
number of spikes
overall weight
Still unsure what microspikes to get?
Kahtoola Nanospikes
Light Ice/Road Walking
For light ice or road walking, opt for lightweight spikes for shoes. Long spikes aren't necessary for this terrain. The Kahtoola Nanospikes are perfect for icy neighborhood strolls or leisurely walks around town. Melody always keeps an old pair handy.
Yak Tracks
Entry Level Trail Spikes *under $50
Yak Tracks are the ideal entry-level road and trail spike. Perfect for running, these shoe spikes for ice stay securely on your shoe with a Velcro enclosure. A step up from basic microspikes, Yak Tracks offer an easy (and budget-friendly) solution for maintaining balance on the trail.
Kahtoola EXOspikes
Trails with mix of ice and gravel
Navigating trails with a mix of ice and gravel? Say hello to your trail heroes: the Kahtoola EXOspikes! These bad boys are a breeze to slip on and off, keeping you upright and grinning, instead of sliding down on your backside.
Winter hiking in Breckenridge with Kahtoola EXOspikes
Let’s Talk CoHH Two Favorite Microspikes!
Yak Tracks and Kahtoola EXOspikes are Melody’s top traction devices during winter hikes in Colorado. Whether she's winter running along the Sante Fe trail or exploring the best routes in Rocky Mountain National Park, microspikes are often all she needs to venture outdoors.
Yak Tracks
If you're new to buying ice shoe spikes for icy conditions, Yak Tracks (Yak Trax) are a wallet-friendly and straightforward starting point. Born in the Himalayas, they're a testament to resilience, created by a Sherpa determined to conquer slippery terrain.
Yak Tracks PROS
Affordable
Easy to find *available almost everywhere outdoor gear is sold
Simple to put on and take off on trail
Easy to adjust sizing of traction because of velcro band
Yak Tracks Cons
Velcro across top of shoe can rub for long runs and hikes
Coils collect ice, mud and heavy snow
What is better than yak tracks?
Kahtoola Microspikes
Kahtoola got its start back in 1993, all thanks to a pretty intense moment. Picture this: founder Danny Giovale nearly takes a nosedive in Italy because of some super slippery climbing shoes. That hair-raising incident got him thinking real hard. His mission? Whip up something that keeps folks from slipping and sliding while still being light enough to toss in your back pocket for hikes, climbs, or any outdoor escapade. With Danny growing up in the Gore family (yep, those GORE-TEX folks), he knew exactly what the great outdoors needed.
Fast forward to today, and if you're in the market for ice cleats, these should be number one!
Melody’s Story: My husband Matt, he's quite the research guru. When he came home with his $70 pair, I couldn't help but laugh a little. I mean, why spend so much on a pair of spikes for shoes when you can grab a $25 pair, right? But, after joining him on just one hike and trying out those Kahtoola Microspikes for myself, I totally understood the difference.
Kahtoola Microspike Pros:
Easy to slip on and off
Spike construction keeps snow from freezing and creating snow clubmping
Fits snugly around hiking/running shoe, nothing across the top of the foot
Solid construction
Kahtoola Microspike Cons:
Not one size fits all, need to measure foot and get size for you
Expensive
Strapping on traction for trails is like giving your shoes superpowers against slippery foes! Whether you rock Yak Tracks for their no-fuss vibe or Kahtoola microspikes for their hardcore grip, having the right gear means you can dance through icy patches like a pro. So, slap on those spikes and let's turn those trails into our playground!