Microspikes are an attachment to footwear made to be worn underneath hiking boots, shoes, or trail-runners. They provide traction for hikers on ice, slippery snow, and other difficult terrain. Microspikes should not be confused with crampons which are used for more technical climbs of ice, and also should not be confused with lesser traction devices such as Yaktrax.
Microspikes should be considered a safety essential for anyone hiking on terrain that may contain ice or snow. This is especially true for steep alpine ascents, but also is the case for flat terrain that could be covered in ice. The spikes generally contain a rubber top portion with metal chains and teeth. The rubber part makes it easy to stretch and slip your feet through, while the chains and teeth are pulled tight by your foot.
Terrain that would definitely cause a slip or fall can be walked over easily with microspikes. They are often carried in conjunction with other winter traction devices such as snowshoes.
Safety
While microspikes allow for traction over most ice and snow, crampons are generally needed for steep icy ascents, and oftentimes when used in mountaineering should be accompanied with a mountaineer's ice axe. While walking, it is possible for the chains of the microspikes to get tangled together. This can create a phenomenon similar to having your shoes tied together, and can potentially cause a dangerous fall. Care must be taken to keep the feet apart to prevent the microspikes from getting caught on each other and causing an injury.
