Product Information

Name:	Kahtoola Traction System (KTS) Steel Model Footwear Traction Devices
Maker:	Kahtoola Inc.
Website:	http://www.kahtoola.com
Year of Manufacture:	2005
Product Type:	Strap-on footwear traction system for non-technical travel
Available Options:	Stuff sack, snow release “skins”
Ships With:	Hangtag, instruction sheet, Kahtoola sticker
Size Tested:	One size
Size Range:	Said to accommodate U.S. men’s 4 -14
Dimensions (approximate, collapsed for storage):	8x3.5x3 in (20x9x8 cm)
Stated Weight:	23.3 oz (662 g) per pair
Measured Weight:	22.6 oz (641 g) per pair
MSRP (US)	$144
Report Date:	February 23, 2006

Tester Information

Tester:	Rick Dreher
Email:	redbike64(at)hotmail(dot)com
Male
Height:	6 ft (1.83 meters)
Weight:	175 lb (79 kg, 12.5 stones)
Shoe size:	U.S. 11.5 (Euro 46)
Age:	52
Location:	Northern California, USA
Years backpacking experience:	38
Backpacking skill level:	Mid to advanced
Style of backpacking:	Lightweight

Backpacking Bio

I learned camping and hiking in Boy Scouts, tramping the Washington Cascade foothills, and eventually took up backpacking as a singular pursuit and found a home away from home in the Cascades and Olympics. Now living in northern California, most of my hiking is in the Sierra Nevada, the trips ranging from overnight to weeklong excursions. Total pack weight for three-day summer trips, including food and water, is now roughly 25 pounds (12 kg), longer trips see pack weights ranging into the mid to upper 30s (17 kg).

Introduction

The steel Kahtoola Traction System (KTS) traction devices are strap-on spikes similar in appearance and function to climbers’ crampons, but made to fit most any shoe or boot to aid in walking on snow and ice. Compared to crampons, the Kahtoolas have fewer, shorter, less-aggressive points. As a result, they’re easier to walk in compared to technical crampons. Climbers might still find them useful in less challenging conditions; in fact, Kahtoola notes they’ve summitted Everest. Also, a misstep or fall while wearing a pair of KTSs poses far less threat of a personal injury or shredded gear than while sporting an aggressive set of crampons!

The KTSs fit a range of shoes and boots, from flexible low-top running shoes to full-on snow and hiking boots, in an array of sizes from men’s (US) 4 to 14.

Design, Materials and Construction

The KTS Steels are described in detail in my Initial Review:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Snow%20Gear/Crampons/Kahtoola%20Steel%20KTS/Rick%20Dreher/Initial%20Report/

To summarize, each comprises two sets of spikes--forefoot and heel--connected by a flat, springy stainless-steel extender bar and fitted to shoes using a two-part binding system. The spikes--ten per side--average about an inch (25 mm) long--some longer, some shorter. There are six forefoot spikes and four heel spikes joined by a flexible extender bar (“LeafSpring Extender Bar” or E-Bar). The E-Bar’s heel end is drilled with a row of seven holes, used for tool-free length adjustment (about 2 in. [5 cm] range). Left and right KTSs are helpfully stamped “L” and “R,” it’s also easy to tell them apart based on shape, just by viewing them from above or below.

The KTSs come fitted with long E-Bars and a second, short pair is included in the box for smaller feet. It’s a simple task to swap them out; the process takes about a minute. There’s a 2-inch (50 mm) length difference between the two sizes.

Separate bindings attach the forefoot and heel plates. The rear binding comprises a folding metal heel support fitted with a plastic “Heel Grip” that, in turn, holds the polyester webbing ankle strap. The heel support assembly folds flat for compact storage and an ankle strap lace hook keeps it from riding up the wearer’s instep. The strap has a quick release buckle and rubbery strap keepers to secure flapping strap ends. The front binding is a crisscrossed webbing strap with a plastic Strap Guide where they cross. The strap attaches to the toe plate on either side via a D-ring and is long enough to accommodate large and bulky boots.

The KTSs collapse into a tidy bundle. The heel supports fold flat against the heel plate and the toe plate, in turn, slides forward on the E-Bar until it touches the heel plate. Stacked one on the other, the KTSs slip easily into the (optional) tote sack — a rugged nylon bag that can be strapped to the outside of a backpack for quick access.

Fitting to Boots and Shoes

As discussed in the Initial Report, fitting the KTSs to a pair of boots requires a few extra steps but once fitted they go on pretty quickly thereafter. After a few minutes of walking I usually find I need to snug a strap or two, but once done they can be generally ignored the rest of the way.

After sliding the shoe toe into the toe binding, center the Strap Guide by sliding it along the straps. Once centered, tighten the straps and the tuck away and secure the strap ends under the strap keepers. Adjust the ankle strap length and center the lace hook, if needed.

It takes me two or three adjustments per pair of shoes or boots to get the straps and Strap Guides adjusted just right and to select the best length. Once done, no further tweaking has been necessary until there’s a change of footwear. Once fitted, it’s easy to slide into the KTSs, tighten the forefoot straps and buckle the ankle straps. Taking them off is simple: loosen the front strap, unbuckle the rear and either step out or pull them off.

So far I’ve fitted the KTS steels to my Nike Air Tallacs, my leather and Gore-Tex Danner hiking boots and my all-leather Merrell hiking boots--which are either US 11 or 11.5. The Merrells are the widest; the soles are quite a bit wider than the KTSs themselves. This extra width requires bending the D-ring strap tabs to fit the boots. Kahtoola assures the tabs will take this sort of abuse, noting, “In fact Kahtoola Inc. has not had a single report of any broken component ever.”

In the Field

Because of prevailing snow conditions so far this winter, I’ve carried the KTSs far more than I’ve worn them. All my trips have been in the Tahoe Sierra, where typical midwinter snow has been soft and deep on most of them. These conditions mean I sink into the snow without snowshoes, so the Kahtoolas stay strapped to the pack most of the time. However, recent unseasonably warm “false spring” conditions, followed by an equally unseasonable cold stretch have given me the opportunity to use the KTSs on condensed, refrozen snow and ice. Here the Kahtoolas excelled, far bettering either bare shoes or snowshoes.

Grip on flat, icy surfaces is good--the KTSs bite well without slippage. I can push off with confidence that my back foot isn’t going to shoot out from under me and my forefoot grip will hold on each step. Walking atop the fairly long teeth does feel a little teetery and I’m consistently aware of the possibility of rolling my ankle with a misstep. This is partly a product of my ankles and partly the fact the KTSs are narrower than my shoe and boot soles. So far, caution has prevailed and I’ve had no problems.

On icy inclines the KTSs pay even bigger dividends than on the flats, gripping with tenacity and allowing travel up, down and across slopes I simply couldn’t navigate without them. I’ve not “front-pointed” yet so can’t report on front-tooth effectiveness, but in all instances grip has been effective and equally important, reliable. They don’t suddenly release and send me to the deck.

I’ve worn them with my Nike trail shoes and my Merrell boots. I prefer the Nikes because they’re lighter and suppler to wear, but the Kahtoolas work well with both, testimony to the binding’s effectiveness. Their relative flexibility (compared to traditional crampons) allows a reasonably natural gait.

Iceballs accumulate under the KTSs and sometimes require digging out. Unless they’re frozen hard I can usually do this with a stick or pole tip, but sometimes I’d like to have a hammer handy (an ice axe will do). I can see the potential benefit of Kahtoola’s optional ice guards. Luckily, icing has only been an occasional problem and usually they remain fairly clear.

Wear and Tear

As I’d expected, the powder coating is wearing off the spike tips and there are ample gouges on the crampons and to a lesser extent, on the extender bars. The points seem a bit duller, but I can’t detect any slacking in performance. Nothing is rusting and the bindings look good as new. I rinse off accumulated grit back home to assure the adjustments work smoothly.

The Mitten Test

I can easily fit and tighten the KTS straps wearing medium weight gloves, but thicker mittens make it a challenge, even with warm hands. Initial fitting is definitely best done inside with bare hands.

Transporting

I carried the KTSs outside of my pack, either in the tote sack or by themselves. To prevent loss when not in the sack, I first clip the KTS bindings to one another then run the pack strap through the metal plates. I’ve tried stowing them point-to-point and point sides out, and don’t yet have a preference. The first goal, of course, is to keep the pointy bits from poking holes in the pack but in case of a bad fall I also don’t want them poking me. Another benefit of carrying them outside is that when they’re balled up with ice, it can’t melt and soak pack contents.

Conclusions

The KTSs Steels work very well. While this isn’t a comparison report, I find they grip more aggressively than the KTS Aluminums but are less comfortable for walking the icy flats. They fit an array of footwear from sneakers to stiff and heavy boots. They’re nicely built and I can’t find any shortcomings in the design or materials. Initially fit can be tricky, but once adjusted they go on quickly with little extra fuss.

Questions and Answers

I began this test with a series of questions, some of which I’ve managed to answer:

* They fit both boots and trail sneakers. They’re somewhat lost beneath big, wide-soled boots but the length and binding adjustments handle my footwear collection well.

* So long as I’ve prefitted them at home, they’re easy to put on and take off on the trail, even with cold hands. I have to take off mittens and heavy gloves to put them on, and at least the mittens when removing them. I don’t hesitate to put them on for relatively short stretches.

* I generally find I have to snug the straps after wearing them awhile but they stay in place once I’ve done so. For long-term comfort I need to mind strap tension when wearing trail sneakers, but can cinch them tightly to boots with no discomfort.

* They’re relatively easy to walk in across ice, and quite comfortable across snow. My gait seems fairly natural due to the rocker curve. They will ice up sometimes and I do notice the extra weight.

* They’re wonderfully confidence-building on relatively steep slopes, and I find I’m expending far less energy because I’m not step-kicking or tensing myself against slipping.

* They’re relatively easy to stow and retrieve on the go, and this is more pack-dependent than related to the Kahtoolas themselves. Their collapsibility assures they take up as little room as possible. The optional stow sack is very helpful, and can even be kept at hand so I can put them on or stow them without taking off my pack.

Further Testing

My primary interest in the Kahtoolas is for late winter through early summer backcountry travel, when trails are beginning to emerge but there’s lots of snow to cross. I look forward to answering more questions in the Longterm Report:

* How do they handle brief stints of off-snow travel (stream crossings, bare spots, rock, etc.)?

* Do they grip well in varied springtime conditions, from wet, compacted spring snow to glare ice⁽¹⁾?

* What will they look like at test’s end? Will I need to resharpen or unbend any points? How will the paint hold up?

Suggestions

Speaking as a member of the Bigfoot brigade, I’d like the forefoot plates to be wider. This would increase lateral stability on ice, but would likely require Kahtoola to make the KTSs in different sizes and leave their universal-fit approach behind.

My sincere thanks to Kahtoola and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to participate in this test!

Rick Dreher

⁽¹⁾ Extremely smooth ice with high reflectivity; can have serious effects on visibility while driving; very difficult to walk on because it is so slippery.