10 Best Crampons for Winter Hiking and Mountaineering

Do you often go on hiking? And does your hiking involve walking in snowy areas?

Or let’s say, you are an enthusiast of mountaineering or your next trip is going to take place in winter and/or close to the mountains.

Well again on a different thought, you happened to live in a snowy place.

Then you might just be interested in Best Crampons for Winter Hiking and Mountaineering.

For me, being a Hiking enthusiast on the high hilly area is a bit hard.

I am going to share you one of my first experience.

It was winter time. On weekend, I wanted to go on a hiking trip. Yes, the hill was a bit high, about 3000m. As I started climbing I saw traces of snow. And a climb further the whole place was covered in snow.

I slipped almost about 50 times. Can you imagine that?

But my fellow hiking partner was not slipping at all. Then I noticed he had spiky crampons on.

I was angry with him that he did not inform me.

But you don’t need to face the same thing as I did. You can learn from my mistake.

Crampons are a gripping device, attached to your footwear to improve your mobility in ice or snow.

Indeed very useful on winter hiking on snowy areas and obviously on mountaineering.

Why Crampons are necessary for winter hiking or mountaineering?

Basically saying, it does not let you slip off on glaciers, ice fields, snowy areas, snow slopes, snowy rocks etc.

Those particular ground facing spikes will grip the snow underneath your shoe and keeps you standing and walking.

Below are my best picks on Crampons for Winter Hiking and Mountaineering.

The 10 Best Crampons for Winter Hiking and Mountaineering

S.N.	Product Name	Product Image	Check Price
1	OUTAD Crampons Non-slip Shoes Cover		Check Price
2	STABILicers Walk Stabilicers		Check Price
3	Vdealen 2 PCS 12 Teeth Claws Crampons		Check Price
4	OuterStar Traction Cleats Ice Snow Grips		Check Price
5	Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction		Check Price
6	YUEDGE Ice Snow Antiskid Crampons		Check Price
7	Hillsound Trail Crampon Traction Device		Check Price
8	Uelfbaby Microspikes Footwear Ice Traction System		Check Price
9	YuEdge Ice Snow Cleat Spikes Crampons		Check Price
10	EONPOW Ice & Snow Grips		Check Price

1. OUTAD Crampons Non-slip Shoes Cover

Do you fear walking on snow or ice? Then Fear no more.

Spikes are your friend. These spikes create traction and hold you there where you are.

OUTAD Crampons Non-slip Shoes Cover has 18 spikes backing you out to ensure the best walking experience on snow and ice.

The crampon comes in a pair for each of your shoe. TPR highly elastic and durable rubber which simply does not snap or tear attaches the 18 teeth claw stainless steel crampon to your hiking shoes.

There are many crampons in the market but one of the main problems with them are they get loose as you walk. And if these gets loose while walking, well it spikes you are dealing with. They might turn up and might even hurt you.

But with OUTAD Crampons you don’t have to worry about. It comes in 4 different sizes to choose from. You can choose the best fit.

The heavy duty rubber guarantees it will stay intact and on the same time will also ensure ease on your feet.

OUTAD is also very much easy to carry around. It can be folded into the included drawstring bag.

It’s ice cleats provide 360 degrees of traction on packed snow and ice.

The OUTAD Crampons Non-slip Shoe Cover ensures better traction which in turn enables your confidence while walking on ice and/or snow.

Features I like:

2. STABILicers Walk Stabilicers

Even normal walking on the snowy road can be very tricky in winter. Just think of your own previous experience, when you are going office, you are out on the road suddenly you slipped.

There are several crampons available in the market but most of those will be best suited only for hiking shoes. But what about your daily life needs?

You will still need to walk.

STABILicers Walk Stabilicers is just what you are looking for. It goes fine with your normal shoes, office shoe. Well, you name it on what kind of shoe you want it to be attached.

Very light in weight and it folds up to fit perfectly in your normal or office bag. And even your pocket. How cool is that?

Even with this brilliant feature, it does not compromise with durability and safety.

The Walk STABILicers are very easy to put on and take off and fits securely on normal shoes and hiking boots as well.

Just insert one end of the shoe to the STABILicer and pull the other end of the crampon to fit perfectly to the shoe.

Easy to use as well.

Steel cleats on the STABILicers will bite on the ice and snow allowing you to stride your way through.

STABILicers Walk Stabilicers in your pocket or bag, feel free to walk around anywhere you want.

Features I like:

3. Vdealen 2 PCS 12 Teeth Claws Crampons

Was your last crampon comfortable enough?

If you are using one right now, does it make you feel that your weight is equally balanced? Is it comfortable?

Well, if all these questions make you think about it or makes your mouth shrink, then Vdealen 2 PCS 12 Teeth Claws Crampons is the one perfect for you.

The spikes really are perfectly placed ensuring awesome weight balance. It provides long lasting comfort and durability.

It has 12 high-strength manganese steel cleats with 2.5mm stainless steel plate. All these features ensure serious traction on any kind of icy or snowy floor.

Go hiking or mountaineering your choice.

All the cleats simultaneously contact walking surface which provides superior grip.

Vdealen 2 PCS 12 Teeth Claws Crampons comes in two sizes. Choose the most suitable for yourself.

Spikes are attached to the chain and chains to the heavy duty, sturdy rubber which perfectly fits any of your hiking, trekking boots. Rubber gets attached to the boots securely but does not let you feel constricted.

Vdealen has Velcro strap for easy for easy putting on and taking off. Carry bag also comes along with crampons for easy storing.

Talking overall, this is one durable, comfortable and secure crampons for your demanding needs of walking on a very rugged and harsh terrain.

Features I like:

4. OuterStar Traction Cleats Ice Snow Grips

Are you unable to walk well because your crampons are too heavy?

Then OuterStar Traction Cleats are exactly what you are looking for.

Comes in 2 sizes, medium and large with again varying size for men and women. The total weight for any of the crampon does not exceed more than 0.84 pounds (for large).

It has 12 stainless spikes connected with steel chain and eventually attached with rubber which holds up to the shoe.

Simple and lightweight, yet very durable, secure and safe are it’s major features.

12 spikes are very strategically placed that you will feel the weight distribution perfect.

Cleats are sturdy, does not bend and are made for climbing. Cleats will just rip through the snow or ice and ensures the secure grip.

OuterStar Traction Cleats Ice Snow Grips are very easy to use. Descriptions on the crampons are very useful. On the crampon, you will be able to find the sign of FRONT.

Enter your shoe’s front part of the crampons front stretch the back and hold it on the back of your shoe. Simple isn’t it?

Putting these on you will be able to run your way through any icy terrain.

I remember my experience while hiking with this heavy crampon and I was not even able to keep up with the pace of my group. Throughout the trip, I felt there is something bulky attached to my shoe and it is not even letting me walk properly.

Well, that is indeed a bit embarrassing to slow your whole team. That is the reason from my next trip I began to consider the whole weight of crampons and weight distribution as a major factor to make my next purchase decision.

Features I like:

5. Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction

Crampons are nothing but a combination of some cleats, chain, and rubber. But to make it wear-worthy and comfortable while ensuring security and durability is indeed challenging.

Regarding this aspect, nobody knows it better on continuously improving and spending time and money on researching ‘how to make one’s product better’ than Kahtoola.

Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction is an award-winning crampon for its absolutely perfect traction. It just digs in that icy floor and holds you in place.

Can you run in the snow?

Yes, I too answered, ‘are you crazy’ to this question?

I said, it is a fortune if I was able to even walk nicely in the snow. But it was after I tried Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction, it did not even take me a moment to change my view to ‘Yes with these on I really can run.

Best for winter trail running, hiking and ice fishing.

This crampon comes with 12 spikes on all sizes. Spikes are about 3 to 8 inches in length. Its has altogether 4 sizes of which from small to extra large.

One of lightest in weight available in the market. The weight of small sized crampon is just 11 oz and is 14 oz for extra large.

Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction is very easy to store as well either you do it in pocket pack or purse.

They are very much able to encounter any kind of challenging terrain and are very easy to put on as well.

Features I like:

6. YUEDGE Ice Snow Antiskid Crampons

All crampons claim themselves to be durable and easy to wear but only a few do say that with all those previous traits it is also comfortable.

Well, YUEDGE Ice Snow Antiskid Crampons is just that. Along with all the other criterias, it is also very comfortable to wear.

Along with other various reason, for its comfortability one of the main is its ability to flex according to the rhythm of your shoe. Rigidness always makes us feel uncomfortable.

Various shoes we wear flexes as per our feet and this crampon as well as per the shoe.

YUEDGE comes with 12 to 18 high-strength manganese steel teeth. High strength teeth and steel chain ensures excellent traction on any icy surface.

Not just for the special purpose of hiking and trekking in winter season this crampon is suitable for everyday use as well.

YUEDGE comes in 3 different size options from medium to extra large.

Crampons are provided on small carry bags which are very much suitable for putting in your pocket or normal bag.

While wearing anything, safety is of utmost concern. And having spikes on your shoes. Well, it has to be very safe. If only the crampon gets loose there will be a chance spikes can turn around to your shoe.

So while buying crampons be very careful and be sure that it fits perfectly. YUEDGE also provides you the ability to adjust the tightness. This aspect makes it very secure.

Features I like:

7. Hillsound Trail Crampon Traction Device

Have you ever faced a problem that you could not find crampons that perfectly fits your shoe size? This thing becomes a major problem while selecting a crampon.

As shoe comes in many varieties of sizes but crampons only have few size choices.

Well, Hillsound Trail Crampon Traction Device exactly addresses this problem. Its elastomer harness stretches to fit most of the footwear available in the market.

It also has ergonomic plate system that improves spike stability on a different variety of terrain and for a variety of your walking needs.

Securitywise as well Hillsound is brilliant. It has that added extra strip that binds your shoe from the top and put the crampon intact beneath your feet.

Spikes are two third of an inch in length that grasps the ice and packed snow to ensure good walking experience.

One of the major problems with spikes of several crampons is they will nicely grip the ice but it feels a bit of pressure while you try to take out your feet to take another step.

If you have previously used crampons I am sure you might have definitely felt it.

But Hillsound does that work of gripping and letting go amazingly wherever and whenever you want.

Another good feature about Hillsound is, it flexes according to the heel of your shoe. All these things work on together to make excellent movability.

Features I like:

8. Uelfbaby Microspikes Footwear Ice Traction System

Uelfbaby Crampons are the best for its durability and sturdiness. These crampons come with double buckle chain and thick steel teeth.

I was hiking on stone paved snow road when I suddenly hit a stone below. I did not care much at that time but later I felt I uneasiness while walking.

I sat down to check on my shoes and crampons.

I noticed two of the spikes from the front portion are missing. The whole way I walked unbalanced.

The quality and size of the steel spikes also matter to avoid my kind of scenario.

Uelfbaby can take in all terrains, angled, special hardened icy trail, snowy muds with occasional stones, you name it.

It has specially designed diamond style spike distribution that ensures very comfortable walking.

Uelfbaby stretches very nicely to fit into your shoes and comes with a carry bag.

Carry bags are very much important and should always get one while you buy crampons. As the crampons are full of cleats it is better to have a bag just designed to carry these.

Other if you carry them in your normal bag there will always be a threat of yourself or other items inside being torn or destroyed by pointy spikes.

Uelfbaby Microspikes Footwear Ice Traction System are available in several sizes and you can choose your fit.

Features I like:

9. YuEdge Ice Snow Cleat Spikes Crampons

Whenever you buy any crampons your main concern will be durable and lightweight. And you will be majorly focused on it.

But imagine if along with all the above-mentioned qualities the product some with an additional feature of multiple usabilities, it would be best of the best.

YuEdge Ice Snow Cleat Spikes Crampons is suitable for adventure activity and as well as day to day use. Whether you want to go mountaineering and hiking or just to the shop across the street perfectly fine for both.

The blend for city use and the wilderness.

YuEdge will fit in any footwear. The range goes from sneakers, boots, casuals, dress shoe etc.

While being lightweight it also safe and secure. Easy to use and provides you that confident you have always wanted while walking in slippery ice or snow.

These Ice Cleats Contain Two Velcro Straps over-shoe keep the device secure on footwear. You can walk with confidence on any terrain, snow, ice, mud sand, and wet grass.

Spikes on YuEdge Ice Snow Cleat Spikes Crampons are made out of manganese steel and chains are those of stainless steel. The rubber is heavy duty and durable.

Features I like:

10. EONPOW Ice & Snow Grips

If you are tight on budget and the winter is coming, then you have just found the right crampons for yourself.

EONPOW Ice & Snow Grips is the cheapest and the lightest of all the crampons out there. Though, you should not be worried about the durability of the product.

100% original from EONPOW also comes with a guarantee on each of its products.

These crampons are so lightweight that you will not even feel you are wearing these on. Weight for these is 1.9 pounds for the small size and 0.46 pound for extra large.

What makes them so light then?

EONPOW are made up of TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers) or simply Thermoplastic rubbers and non-slip studs.

Even though these crampons seem too simple, it performs fine in hardest of conditions.

Very good performance under -40C as well and goes perfectly fine with boots, sneakers, casual and dress shoes. You can wear it anywhere.

EONPOW Ice & Snow Grips are great for ice fishing, hunting, walking, jogging, hiking, running, snow shoveling, etc.

You will find it very easy to put on and off. And in my view this the most convenient crampons for day to day use.

Features I like:

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Things to Consider While Choosing Best Crampons for Winter Hiking and Mountaineering

Safe and secure

The first things that should be considered is Safety and Security. Why?

You will be walking on snow and ice. And yes, it will be very slippery walking on them with only your normal shoes. The first thing you need to check is cleats or spikes on them.

And ask yourself the question will these spikes be able to create enough grip or traction. The level of traction you need also depends upon where are you planning to walk with these on.

If your need is demanding very much from crampons, then you must choose crampons with longer and more sturdy spikes.

Also, these needs to be secure. Because you are dealing with sharp edges. Those crampons need to fit perfectly. Loose crampons can hurt the alternative leg while walking or it can turn back to your shoe sole and then penetrate it. Yes, I am right.

Durability

Another factor is Durability. Well, first of all, choose your crampons as per your need.

If you are going mountaineering but will be using for short term use then you will need long spike high-end crampons. But your need is just simple hiking or day to day choose shorter spiked crampons.

After all you don’t want the wear and tear on the crampon rubber or want to lose those spikes while on a mission.

Remember, metal on your crampon must be heavy duty and very strong, After all, it has to hold your whole body weight.

Comfort ability

You should not feel that your crampons are constricting your feet. Yes, it has to be secure but again it also needs to be comfortable.

Weight

Hiking boots or mountaineering boots are already about a pound each if it’s not more. Do you really want to add up the more heavy weight on top of them?

If you want then, you will just be restricting yourself from reaching your full potential while walking.

And imagine its snow outside, but your job demands you to go out frequently. Just think, don’t you want your crampons to be lightweight?

Portability and storage

Imagine if you are walking on snow or ice, but now the icy portion is completed and you are entering on rocky portion. What would you do?

Throw your crampons or store it?

You might say I would store it in my bag. Well, let me remind you again. They have spikes.

You need special safe storage bag designed only for crampons.

Editor’s Pick

For me, Uelfbaby Microspikes Footwear is the best. It comes with diamond shaped spike placement that ensures perfect weight distribution.

Other important factors I like are it has thick and long spike which is perfect for traction and are also durable on the mean time.

While hiking and/or mountaineering storage bag is very necessary so that I will be able to wear and store it easily and at any place.

Another worth a mention is EONPOW Ice & Snow Grips. Extra lightweight. Rubber is at its finest and can go along with almost all footwear type. What do I want more?

And yes, it is one of the cheapest as well.