I've been looking around for some micro spikes since seeing some in the Lakes last winter and spending most of time falling over on the same trip. From reviews on here I had settled on Kahtoola Microspikes. However, just before I bought some I saw some Pogu Foot Spikes advertised on ebay. Looking at their website they are a company in the lakes so I contacted them, www.pogu.co.uk I also put a thread up on here and they were generally considered to be similar to Hillsound spikes from the states. They come is a handy carry bag, and look pretty similar to most other products on the market The spikes have 10 large spikes (6 on the front plate and 4 on the back plate) and two small spikes on the ball on the foot. The front foot plate is also hinged where the ball of the foot falls Fitted on the boot Front plate Heel plate The rubber webbing is quite thick (3 - 4mm) and they have a velcro strap that goes over the bridge of the foot And they are labelled front and back just in case you forget All the chain links are sound and have welded links with the exception of the joints to the rubber webbing. I can't see that being a problem though - the rubber will tear before the link opens. The spikes fit easily on both pairs of my boots and are designed to go over all types of footwear. Obviously I haven't had the opportunity to try them on a hill in the snow yet but they are comfortable and appear to be well made. The customer service from Pogu is prompt and very good.
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| Edited: 25/11/10 22:53 |
 They look identical to the un-branded ones I bought last winter, as you mention the oval links are welded although the ones that attach to the plates/rubber part aren't. The only thing I'd say is that wet snow can ball up on the chain that runs between the heel plate and footplate, not a problem as such as you can knock it off and you'll feel it anyway.
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Well I did a few miles in these yesterday in everything from knee deep loose snow to hard, compacted snow and ice on roads and they were great. There's no noticeable benefit from wearing them in loose snow (to be expected) but on the harder stuff and ice they just give so much grip and you can hardly feel them on your feet. I also went up a few steep slopes in my local wood and found them to give excellent grip when you have to kick with the front part of your foot to get some grip. Taking them on and off was also very easy, even with gloves on. I'm very happy with these.
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 have a pair of these and love them, i recommend them alot on my blog and for very good reason.
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I was recently in the states and I stumbled on the Hillsound Trail Crampons. Having purchased some Pogu Spikes for my trip to Mount Washington. I decided to purchase a pair of Hillsound Trail Crampons for comparison. Now I'm not a technical user and I really didn't notice a huge difference. I did like the lightweight design and the lack of bulk in the foot harness. The rubber on the Pogu Spikes seemed to stretch too much causing the front plate to slip; however the Hillsound crampons did not give me that problem. After about 4 overnight trips and a few day trips my conclusion over the Pogu Spikes and the Hillsound Trail Crampons is that although they are similar, the Hillsound Campons had the better fit and performance for me. After doing a bit of research I found that the Hillsound Crampons have been around for about 3 years, and the Pogu Spikes just since this year 2010... crampons website: www.Hillsound.com www.[b]pogu[/b].co.uk
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 They look identical to the un-branded ones I bought last winter, as you mention the oval links are welded although the ones that attach to the plates/rubber part aren't. The only thing I'd say is that wet snow can ball up on the chain that runs between the heel plate and footplate, not a problem as such as you can knock it off and you'll feel it anyway. Do you still have a link to those R_Mac. ?
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Not exactly but an ebay search turned them up, same seller I got mine from. Just so you know they're an unlicensed copy of the Hillsound ones. ICE CRAMPON ICE CHAIN ICE CLEAT WALKER STYLE 1 Type 'Ice Crampons' into an ebay search and you'll get a variety including Kahtoola style ones. As always Caveat Emptor
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Yep - they look remarkably similar.
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Did you see the ones that look remarkably similar to the Kahtoola micro spikes?
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Cheers R_Mac, i did find the old thread but the links were broken.
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What do the pogu and the hillsound weigh? I can see some advantages in having more connected spikes than, the little spikes joined by chains, of the microspikes. But when you pack them and are not wearing them they will pack smaller and will probably weigh less.
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My non-branded ones are 490g including the stuffsack and the velcro over straps.
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 My large Kahtoola microspikes are about 400g, which I found a bit surprising - they feel lighter.
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The webiste says approx 250g each for the pogu's. I've not weighed them so can't say how much any of the sizes weigh but Its not a lot of weight and I didn't notice them whilst wearing them (other than not slipping!).
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My large Kahtoola microspikes are about 400g, which I found a bit surprising - they feel lighter. Which is probably because they are... ! Wrong pair, my Kahtoolas are Mediums and weigh 360g.
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So overall, which do i buy... KAHTOOLA MICRO-SPIKES, HILLSOUND OR POGU come on, i need your help! My life may depend on it!
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 i had to get the kahtoola ones in the end as the pogu didn't go up to my size, ive used them a fair bit lately and have been very impressed.
they didnt come with a stuff sack so I bought an xs outdoor designs one at the rab sale last week...just the job!
the pogu ones do look rather good and are a bit cheaper, they also have the addition of the velcro strap and the plates where as the microspikes are more chain than plate.
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