I have hiked and car camped all of my life, mostly in the relative flatlands of the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, but also in areas east of the Continental Divide, such as South Dakota, New England, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and more. I have been backpacking since 2002. I keep my pack weight to 25% of bodyweight. However, I am always trying to lighten my load further to enhance my comfort and enjoyment as I like to hike big mileage.

Traction Equipment Experience
I also put in extensive miles trail running and road running, and I do not let winter keep me in the house. In winter, I usually end up strapping on the snowshoes. I've tried a different traction system in the past without satisfactory results. I have never used technical crampons.

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Reviewer Bio	For Further Testing
Product Information	This is Cool
Field Conditions	This Could Be Improved
Field Observations

PRODUCT INFORMATION

MANUFACTURER	Kahtoola, Inc.
WEB SITE	http://www.kahtoola.com
MSRP	USD129.00
MATERIAL	4130 Chromoly Steel
CLAIMED WEIGHT PER PAIR	1 lb 7 oz (662 g)
ACTUAL WEIGHT PER PAIR	1 lb 7 oz (662 g)
SIZE TESTED	One size fits most
SIZE RANGE (According to manufacturer)	US Men's 4-14/US Women's 5+
DIMENSIONS, COLLAPSED (for packing)	8 x 3 x 2 in (20 x 8 x 5 cm)
OPTIONAL STOW SACK SIZE	10 x 8 in (25 x 20 cm)

OTHER PRODUCT INFORMATION

US Patent #6,742,286
CE Certified EN893 standards

The manufacturer states that these are for non-technical use, including hiking, backpacking, glacier travel, adventure racing and peak bagging in icy and snow-packed conditions.

More information can be found in my Initial Report.

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FIELD CONDITIONS

This has been an exceptionally difficult time to be testing ice devices in Michigan! We experienced record high temperatures for a good portion of the test period. I was, however, able to get in 46 miles (74 km) on the Kahtoolas during the field testing phase. During the testing period, the Kahtoola Traction System was used:

Trail running at a local nature preserve, on the North Country Trail and a local rail trail
Dayhiking on the North Country Trail

The rail trail is, of course, flat. The parts of the North Country Trail that I frequented range from flat to rolling to hilly (well, hilly for Michigan!). The local nature preserve meanders along the bottomlands of the Paw Paw river, up to its ridge, and through open meadows, and offers minor short, steep hills, and slick ice through its wetlands.

Unfortunately, my backpacking trips during the test period fell during extremely mild weather. However, conditions are ripe for using them during my 6-night extravaganza in Michigan's Upper Peninsula next week. I'll be bringing snowshoes, but I plan on taking the Kahtoolas, too, for testing purposes.

The heaviest load I carried while testing the KTS was approximately 20 pounds.

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FIELD OBSERVATIONS

During the testing period, the Kahtoola Traction System has been used on an older pair of LLBean, Gortex-lined boots (model unknown) that I usually use for snowshoeing and a pair of Vasque Velocity trail runners. In each case, I had no difficulty fitting the KTS to my footwear.

Trail Running
Initially, I was concerned that the long teeth on the KTS would cause me to feel unstable. I quickly discovered that was not the case.

The first time I ran in the KTS, I started off tentatively, adjusting my stride to compensate for my fear of instability. I quickly discovered, however, that I could stride quite naturally without problems. I was able to run confidently in the Kahtoola Traction System. The KTS bit into ice and icy snow firmly and allowed me to move forward confidently.

I must say the extra weight on my feet added to my workout, but not unduly so. To me, winter is about working harder. Whether its snowshoeing, post-holing in boots or wearing crampons, one must expect an added workload in winter.

Dayhiking
One of the questions I put forth in my test plan was whether or not I could move from loose snow to icy conditions wearing the KTS without removing them. I did so easily. But on one cold morning, I encountered some trouble with icy/snowy build-up in the teeth. Nothing that greatly added to the weight on my feet, but enough that I kept wanting to knock it off.

After use, I've encountered no problems removing the KTS. On the day that ice built up in the teeth, the buckle was pretty crusted with ice, too. However, I had no problem opening it.

Convenience on the trail
I was pleasantly surprised that once I had the KTS properly adjusted, I had no need to constantly adjust them on the trail. I experienced no loosening while in use. Each time I stopped, I checked the straps: the webbing straps are long and kind of fold over themselves and tuck away. I was constantly worried that they would come loose. They never loosened the fit, but whenever I stopped I checked to make sure they were still tucked securely away. Once the test is over, I'll trim them so I'm not always worrying about them.

Use and Care
I've been relatively hands off on caring for the KTS. On the trail, I wipe the KTS off with my bandana before stowing them in their stuff sack. Twice at home, I've rinsed them with cool water and dried thoroughly. They still look fabulous.

Durability
Although the weather has not cooperated and offered me the extensive usage opportunities that I had expected, I've still put the KTS through some tough situations. The webbing straps and plastic buckles are still in perfect condition and there are no signs of wear on the teeth at this point.

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FOR FURTHER TESTING

During the final phase, the KTS will see use for at least 7 days during which I know I will encounter winter conditions. I hope mother nature delivers us more winter storms so that I can put them through even more extensive testing. Questions that I'd still like to address:

How quickly do the teeth dull?
Does the webbing hold up? Will I encounter any fraying?
Something I'd like to try: If I spray the teeth with nonstick cooking spray, does that prevent the ice build-up? It works on the inside of my home deep freezer for preventing frost build-up.

THIS IS COOL

The collapsible heel means these babies pack down very small
Extender Bar makes sizing a breeze

THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

Nothing yet discovered
I know they need to offer long straps to accommodate a lot of boots sizes, but I wonder if there could be a better system for tucking the straps away

Thank you to Kahtoola and BackpackGearTest.org for the chance to test the Kahtoola Traction System crampons.

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Read more reviews of Kahtoola gear
Read more gear reviews by Lynne Durham

Field Report

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