Backside Line
After weeks of operating and climbing round Colorado’s entrance vary with the Kahtoola EXOspikes, we’ve decided that they’re greatest on ice, packed snow, and blended surfaces on light to reasonable terrain. For extra aggressive winter traction gadgets, see our full information to ice cleats.
The tungsten carbide studs, though not as aggressive as spikes, are made in a concave form to assault ice from any angle and are barely raised off the footbed to assist in recent powder. The low profile match makes for safe, all-day consolation with minimal snag danger.
The cleats are simple to make use of with clear marking and a stretchy elastic harness that matches over a variety of footwear. The development is sturdy for probably the most half, however the barely inflexible backside presents some longevity issues.
General, the EXOspikes are a effectively rounded traction system that’ll present assured footing from city to path. They’ll be much less efficient at increased and snowier elevations, however for hikers and path runners on reasonable terrain, they’re a really inexpensive possibility.
How We Examined
It’s our primary precedence to deliver you trail-tested evaluations that you would be able to belief. We walked, hiked, and ran over 100 miles throughout diversified terrain and elevations within the Rocky Mountains with these traction gadgets. We’ve additionally extracted quantifiable data from shut analyses and comparability to take away as a lot opinion as attainable.
Fast Specs
Kahtoola EXOspikes
Finest Shoulder Season Cleats
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$65
Weight:
7.3 oz.
Kind:
Studs
Finest Use:
Path operating & climbing
Execs
- Versatile
- Light-weight
- Comfy
- Glorious worth
Cons
- A bit bulkier than some
- Much less aggressive traction
Traction
The Kahtoola EXOspikes present the most effective traction out of all of the stud type traction gadgets. The raised 7.4mm studs dig additional into packed snow to grip on the arduous surfaces beneath and are made in concave form to assault ice from each angle.
Most studded gadgets are particularly geared towards offering mild traction on dry surfaces within the case of surprising icy patches. The EXOspikes nevertheless could be taken a step additional off the pavement to supply assured grip on snowy roads, slippery trails, and icy neighborhood runs.
There are 4 studs on the heel and eight on the toe, every raised up on a person platform to extend every’s total dimension. The studs themselves grip fairly effectively on ice, however elevating them up supplies extra grip on packed and slighter softer snow.
That being mentioned, they’re nonetheless not as aggressive as true spikes, so we advocate limiting their use to light to reasonable terrain. Warning ought to nonetheless be used on steep slopes with excessive penalties.
Match
The EXOspikes are suitable with most informal footwear, however we discovered they work greatest on sneakers, path runners, and lightweight climbing boots. Whatever the shoe, they supply a snug and safe match for all day use.
After operating and climbing on these cleats all day on snowy trails with patches of ice and rock, we not often needed to readjust them, and so they by no means sagged or twisted.
We particularly just like the EXOspikes for path operating. They keep safe even with the added stress on every stride and there are not any chains or straps to hold down and snag roots and rocks.
Upon making it again to the automobile after a full day of sporting the EXOspikes, we didn’t have that nagging need to lastly liberate our toes from them.
Ease of Use
The EXOspikes characteristic a easy elastic design that’s easy and simple to make use of. The entrance is clearly marked and the elastic is straightforward to stretch over your entire foot. You could have to do some preliminary adjusting and the elastic can typically lure a finger or glove.
The studs present versatile traction throughout a variety of various surfaces. They’re greatest on slick surfaces with slightly little bit of give like packed snow and filth. They supply excellent traction on ice as effectively and even provide a bit extra confidence on a lightweight dusting of snow.
We really discovered them to grip greatest on ice whereas operating – once we have been targeted on steadiness and hanging every stride firmly towards the bottom. Nevertheless, for those who catch a patch of shiny ice off steadiness, they received’t prevent as a lot as spikes will.
Whereas the raised studs do penetrate snow higher than some others, they received’t be of a lot use in additional than an inch or two of the recent stuff.
Weight & Packability
We love the EXOspikes for operating due to their minimal weight and respectable packability. Every particular person cleat provides a barely noticeable 104 grams to both foot. This low profile, light-weight design lets you run or hike all day with none important foot fatigue brought on by your traction gadgets. It additionally means much less pack weight when not in use which everybody loves.
The EXOspikes include a useful stuff sack that, when packed, takes up slightly more room than the smallest cleats on our checklist. The plastic bottoms of the EXOspikes, though light-weight, don’t collapse down as small as different supplies.
Sturdiness
The uppers of EXOspikes are made with the identical sturdy building as their sibling, the MICROspikes. The harness is comprised of a thick, thermoplastic elastomer that retains its elasticity and sturdiness even in subzero temperatures. We left them out in a single day in temperatures all the way down to -30ºF and solely observed a slight lower in elasticity and no indicators of cracking.
Though the studs are small, they are going to take years of arduous use to put on down. The studs are comprised of a tungsten carbide which is 100 occasions extra abrasion resistant than metal. The factors that connect the highest and backside are strengthened and made with a single oval chain hyperlink that’s simple to restore with some pliers if one comes unfastened.
The one level of concern is the Versatile TPU Traction Matrix which is comprised of a semi-rigid plastic that, if pinched in the identical place repeatedly, will weaken over time.
The Kahtoola EXOspikes present a number of worth for climbing, path operating, and strolling on light to reasonable terrain with ice or packed snow. They’re sturdy, light-weight, comfy, and extra inexpensive than extra excessive tech counterparts. They’re not probably the most aggressive ice cleats on our checklist however they are going to present enough traction on most mellow terrain. Anybody searching for the sturdiness or aggressive traction to comply with them deep into the bush would possibly wish to look into burlier choices. The EXOspikes are greatest fitted to well-trodden trails.
What Different Traction Units Ought to You Contemplate?
Take a look at our full information to winter traction gadgets for extra choices particularly geared in direction of highway and path operating.
Kahtoola NANOspikes Overview: The NANOspikes are the least aggressive cleats from Kahtoola and probably the most inexpensive. They’re nice for operating, however their minimal traction is greatest fitted to light, semi-dry terrain.
Black Diamond Distance Spike Overview: These spikes impressed us with their superior operating efficiency. They’re aggressive sufficient to sort out steep trails and the revolutionary building makes them extremely light-weight and cozy. They’re nevertheless on the expensive facet.
YakTrax Diamond Grip Overview: The Diamond Grips are a wonderful purchase for runners and mellow hikers on a price range. They aren’t probably the most sturdy possibility, however they shed snow extraordinarily effectively and are available at a really inexpensive value level.
