A good pair of snow grips will be your best friend when the outdoors gets treacherously slick. The main reason people buy snow grips is to increase grip on slippery winter surfaces like ice, packed snow, and deep snow. Read on to find out how the products fared in our assessment categories of traction, ease of use, secure fit, versatility, durability, and packability.
Slipping and falling can be dangerous, and the risk goes up in winter. After testing 19 traction devices on water-slicked ice, hard-packed snow, and slippery hills on wintry city sidewalks and forested trails, we’ve identified several top contenders for different uses.
Here’s a detailed look at some of the best ice cleats available:
Types of Ice Cleats
In general, the products on the market fall into one of three types: crampon, chain, and cleat. Each type of snow grip excels in different terrain and surface conditions. Crampon-style grips excel in deep snow and soft surfaces, while cleat-style spikes do best on firm surfaces with little soft snow. Chain-style grips perform decently in both kinds of conditions, but they aren't excellent for either.
- Crampon-style grips use vertically oriented teeth that protrude down into the ground, focusing the user's body weight on a small number of points and increasing friction between the spikes and snow or ice underneath. These have the best grip on icy and snowy surfaces.
- Chain grips use a length of sharp metal material under the foot to chip into slippery surfaces. These have decent traction and are more comfortable to walk in than crampons.
- Cleat-style spikes do best on firm surfaces with little soft snow.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Review
The Kahtoola MICROspikes are crampon-style winter traction cleats that provide excellent traction for deep snow and thick ice. The Kahtoola MICROspikes have the best traction in our review, placing crampon points in strategic areas all over the shoe sole. These are best used in deep snow, on thick ice, and where the surface underneath the snow or ice is soft, like hiking trails and dirt roads. The MICROspikes are hands down the best snow grip option out there for users who live in harsh winter climates. The Kahtoola MICROspikes are a time-tested traction machine in deep snow.
A close-up view of the crampon-style points on the Kahtoola MICROspikes.
Each foot has 12 spikes that protrude ⅜", making them perfect for winter hiking, chopping wood, and working on soft surfaces like dirt. They are relatively easy to put on, requiring the user to stretch the rubber body around their boot or shoe. Once on, they stay in place securely and don't slide around or feel like they will come off. The stainless steel points are strong and will easily last multiple winters.
These robust snow spikes are heavier and bulkier than some other options, but they provide better traction than any other product we tested. That said, the large spikes make them uncomfortable and awkward to use on firm surfaces like concrete with just a dusting of snow.
Pros:
- Great spike layout
- Secure fit on any footwear
- Durable
Cons:
- Not suitable for mostly dry surfaces
- High profile elevates user
- On the heavy side
Specifications:
- Measured Weight (per pair): 11.0 oz
- Number of Points: 12
- Grip Style: Crampon
- Spike Material: Stainless Steel
Yaktrax Walk Review
7 Best Ice Cleats In 2025 For STRONGER Winter Traction
The Yaktrax Walk was one of the first snow grips on the market, and its design has changed very little over the years. The Yaktrax Walk are a simple and affordable option. It features zinc-plated steel coils wrapped around rubber under the foot, and the coils dig into snow, ice, and even dirt and rock. These work very well on shallow snow or thin ice over firm surfaces like pavement. They are also easy to put on, lightweight, and pack down to a very small size.
Our tester found: “These felt great on both ice and dry pavement. Many other cleats lack that versatility.” The icing on the cake? They are very reasonably priced. However, the coil design doesn't work so well in deep snow, where crampon-style spikes with larger points are more appropriate. The coils also aren't very comfortable when running because they protrude from the bottom of the shoe, creating an uneven landing surface. But aside from these niche uses, the Walk are great for most everyday winter uses on slippery urban surfaces. And for the price, these are the best option out there for users expecting mostly light-duty winter walking.
Chain grips like the Yaktrax Walk provide plenty of traction for everyday activities on pavement and some off-pavement use.
The Yaktrax Walk are an incredible deal for folks who don't need the burliest spikes. They are light, packable, and ideal for thin ice and dustings of snow.
Pros:
- Easy to put on
- Fits securely on all types of footwear
- Low profile
Cons:
- Poor grip in deep snow
- Not super versatile
Specifications:
- Measured Weight (per pair): 5.4 oz
- Number of Points: 12 chain sections
- Grip Style: Chain
- Spike Material: Zinc-coated Steel
Unigear Traction Cleats Review
The Unigear Traction Cleats provide excellent grip in deep snow and on thick ice - and they do it for a low price. They are nearly identical to the Cimkiz Ice Cleats. The Unigear Traction Cleats are an affordable alternative for deep snow and soft surface grip. These snow grips feature 18 large crampon-style points that easily dig into soft material, making them a great choice for users who spend a lot of time in deep snow, on dirt trails, or working outside. The points are durable to last multiple winter seasons, and the stretchy rubber provides a snug and secure fit that won't accidentally come off.
Like other crampon-style snow cleats, these grips aren't comfortable to wear on hard surfaces, like sidewalks with a dusting of snow or a thin veneer of ice. They also have a point layout that places three spikes right below the toes, which can sometimes get caught when stepping up stairs or stepping over roots on a hike. The points also add weight and size to the profile of your normal foot, making these spikes unsuitable for winter running. Still, for the cost, they provide excellent traction on soft surfaces and are a great option for users who need maximum grip without breaking the bank.
That said, the Unigear and Cimkiz provide excellent traction for a lower price than the MICROspikes. These are best for use on dirt roads or during high-consequence activities like chopping wood.
Pros:
- Great traction
- Durable
- Fit securely on most footwear
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Only for use on softer surfaces
Specifications:
- Measured Weight (per pair): 16.6 oz
- Number of Points: 18
- Grip Style: Crampon
- Spike Material: Stainless Steel
Kahtoola NANOspikes Review
The Kahtoola NANOspikes are low-profile cleats that feature ten small metal points protruding less than ¼", providing enough traction to prevent sliding on packed snow and thinly iced surfaces. The Kahtoola NANOspikes have the most traction among the cleat-style grips and are our pick for winter running. They are also lightweight, making them almost unnoticeable. As our tester points out: “Many cleats feel burly like you have snow chains on your feet. But these are barely noticeable.” The points are deliberately placed for maximum traction and stability when landing on each foot. They are easy to put on and stay securely placed, adding up to a great option for anyone who can't fathom not running, even in the winter months.
This style of snow grip works decently well in deep snow but not nearly as well as crampon-style points. And since the points don't protrude deeply into the ground, they are not ideal for use on soft ground surfaces like steep, unfrozen dirt trails; if the ground moves just a little bit, the points no longer have any purchase. They're also relatively expensive, especially considering their limited versatility. This pair is a specialty product that winter runners will cherish, but other users should check out different options. The Kahtoola NANOspikes are a secure and low-profile option, perfect for winter runners.
Pros:
- Excellent secure fit
- Good grip on packed snow and thin ice
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Not great for deep snow or blue ice
- Limited versatility
- Expensive
Specifications:
- Measured Weight (per pair): 9.0 oz
- Number of Points: 10
- Grip Style: Cleat
- Spike Material: Tungsten Carbide
Additional Options
Here are a few other ice cleats worth considering:
- Black Diamond Distance Spikes: These strike a great balance - they are lower-profile and work for running but provide excellent traction thanks to 18 small crampon points. If you want good traction but a little more versatility, the Distance Spikes are a good choice.
- Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra: For backcountry hikers, the Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra set offers the biggest and most plentiful spikes underfoot. The 18 stainless steel spikes are arranged at different angles to provide traction no matter which way your weight is distributed, so you’ll maintain grip walking both up and down hills.
- Kahtoola EXOspike: The most versatile snow grip, featuring 12 studs on platforms, giving them extra height for use in relatively deep snow while retaining their comfortable feel on firm surfaces and their performance on ice.
Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table summarizing the key features of the reviewed ice cleats:
| Product | Traction | Ease of Use | Secure Fit | Versatility | Durability | Weight (per pair) | Grip Style | Spike Material | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahtoola MICROspikes | 10.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 11.0 oz | Crampon | Stainless Steel | Deep snow and thick ice |
| Yaktrax Walk | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.4 oz | Chain | Zinc-coated Steel | Shallow snow and thin ice on firm surfaces |
| Unigear Traction Cleats | 9.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 16.6 oz | Crampon | Stainless Steel | Deep snow and soft surfaces |
| Kahtoola NANOspikes | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 oz | Cleat | Tungsten Carbide | Packed snow and thinly iced surfaces |