Kahtoola

Frequently Asked Questions

• What sets Kahtoola MICROspikes® apart from traditional crampons?

  Kahtoola MICROspikes® pair a low‑profile thermoplastic elastomer harness with 12 heat‑treated, corrosion‑resistant stainless‑steel spikes and welded chains to offer aggressive bite on ice and hardpack while remaining far lighter and more packable than mountaineering crampons. They’re optimized for trails, frozen mud and mixed winter routes rather than steep, vertical ice, so they trade extreme crampon bite for versatility and comfort.
• How is the MICROspikes® Ghost different from standard MICROspikes®?

  The MICROspikes® Ghost is a chain‑free, ultralight option that uses articulating rivets and a stiffer TPU toe with a stretchy heel, making it significantly lighter and more packable (size M ≈ 6.8 oz) than standard MICROspikes®. Ghost is tuned for trail running, thru‑hiking and fastpacking where low weight, quiet performance and snow‑shedding matter.
• What materials and construction features give Kahtoola traction devices their durability and grip?

  Kahtoola combines heat‑treated stainless‑steel spikes (typically 12 per foot), welded chains on MICROspikes® or articulating rivets on Ghost, and durable TPE/TPU harnesses with reinforced toe and heel points to resist wear and corrosion. Those elements work together to deliver spike bite on ice and hardpack while allowing the harness to stretch on and retain fit in cold conditions.
• What is Kahtoola’s origin and design focus as a brand?

  Founded in 1999 in Flagstaff, Arizona, Kahtoola has focused on lightweight, packable traction, gaiters and crampons that make winter travel more accessible for hikers, trail runners and mountaineers. The brand’s innovations—like MICROspikes®, MICROspikes® Ghost and EXOspikes™—prioritize practical durability, stainless‑steel spike technology and low‑profile retention systems for mixed winter terrain.
• How do Kahtoola’s elastomer harnesses fit different shoes and how should I choose a size?

  The stretch‑on elastomer harness with reinforced eyelets, toe bails and a raised heel tab is designed to hug most hiking boots, trail runners and road shoes securely; sizes generally run XS to L and are model specific. Choose based on your shoe type—lighter shoes often pair best with Ghost or NANOspikes®, while stiffer boots benefit from standard MICROspikes® or EXOspikes™—and verify fit using the brand’s size chart or by trying them on with the shoes you plan to wear.