Latest review on OM is a cold snap special look at Pogu Spikes, British-designed micro crampons from the Lake District that score points over full-on crampons thanks to their ease of use, lightness, small pack size, versatilty and lack of skills

also have in at the moment. Generally we're massive fans of micro-crampons, they're incredibly flexible in that they'll fit pretty much any shoe and, while they're not a substitute for crampons in technical mountaineering situations, they're also far

We're about to get another option on the winter traction front with the imminent arrival of US brand 43North's STABILicer ice cleats.As with mini-crampons like Kahtoola Microspikes, STABILicers can be used with pretty much any footwear

This week's Monday Tip is a simple, topical one – in winter, don't walk the area, walk the terrain. To which you're thinking, eh? What on earth are they talking about. Well, there's a tendency to think that you only need micro-crampons or crampons

Sometimes the world won't listen. Like when you desperately want to test a bunch of micro crampons and the weather steadfastly refuses to play along. So it was a bit of a relief this morning when the Peak dawned bleak and sub-zero, the last few days

. Unfortunately when cooked in the pouch, the print comes offin the water rendering it unusable for drinks, which would be a ournormal strategy.Plus there's an increasing number of micro-wavable pouched meals outthere, everything up to and including Thai curries

Just arrived for review is a pair of STABILicers Sport snow and ice traction devices from the States – essentially they're a slightly different alternative to mini-crampons like Kahtoola Micro-Spikes and Pogu Spikes.The Sports version

better. Other new boots too...The Matrix Reloaded...The Fugitive - see our review- has become a real OM favourite and we've used it on pretty much anyterrain that doesn't require crampons, but the buzz for this springis the Matrix Series, Flame - below

.The Vapour-rise Guide Jacket, it's called, and it's a winterised version of Rab's versatile Vapour-rise soft shell-ish kit, which uses weather-resistant, very breathable and high-wicking Pertex Equilibrium fabric on the outside and a micro-velour, wicking

and mountain walking outside of snow, though you could of course man up with micro or even flexible trekking crampons.The one note of caution we'd sound is over the lack of an all-round rand. Mostly we think the toe and heel protection should be enough