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Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Research-based UK guide · How we research
Quick answer: for most UK winter hill walking, the best microspikes are Kahtoola MICROspikes: a proven, widely recommended design that stays on well and bites into ice and hard-packed snow on paths like the Pyg Track, the Ben Nevis Mountain Track and the Kinder plateau edge. If you mostly walk low-level icy paths and pavements, simpler Yaktrax-style grips are cheaper and enough. Remember that microspikes are not crampons. On steep snow, in Scottish winter conditions or anywhere a slip could become a fall, you need crampons, an ice axe and the skills to use them.
Our top pick
Kahtoola MICROspikes
Twelve stainless-steel spikes per foot on a chain-and-elastomer harness that fits over walking boots and trail shoes. It’s the benchmark design, with around 4.7 stars from thousands of owner ratings. Owners consistently praise how securely it stays on and how long it lasts.
The best microspikes for UK hill walking at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Spikes (per foot) | Owner rating* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahtoola MICROspikes | All-round UK winter paths | 12 × 3/8″ stainless | 4.7★ (3,500+) |
| Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra | Steeper, icier paths; bigger bite | 19 stainless | 4.7★ (300+) |
| Black Diamond Distance Spike | Trail runners, fast and light | 14 × 8 mm stainless | 4.7★ (smaller sample) |
| Kahtoola EXOspikes | Mixed ice and rock, lighter use | 12 × 7.4 mm carbide-tipped | 4.7★ (1,000+) |
| Yaktrax Spikes | Budget, low-level icy paths | Steel spikes | 4.3★ (390+) |
*Amazon.com ratings when we checked on 26 September 2026. Prices change daily, so check the current price before you buy.
How we chose
We haven’t lab-tested these. Like everything on Peak Outdoor Guide, this guide is research-based. We compared the manufacturers’ specifications (spike count, spike length, materials, harness design and sizing) and looked for patterns in large numbers of verified owner reviews. We weighted the things that matter on UK hills: grip on water-ice and refrozen snow, whether the harness stays put when you kick steps, how the chains cope with rock between patches of ice, and how easy they are to fit with cold hands.
Microspikes vs crampons: read this first
Microspikes are short spikes on a flexible harness. They’re brilliant on icy paths and hard-packed snow on gentle to moderate slopes, the conditions that catch out so many walkers on popular UK routes from December to March. They are not designed for steep snow, hard névé or technical ground.
- Microspikes are right for: icy paths, well-trodden snowy tracks, and frozen bog and slabs in the Peak District, the Brecon Beacons, the Lake District valleys and the lower Snowdonia paths.
- You need crampons and an ice axe (and the skills to use them) for: Scottish winter hills in full winter conditions, the Ben Nevis summit plateau in snow, steep snow slopes, gullies, and any ground where a slip could turn into an uncontrolled slide.
If you’re not sure which you need, check the MWIS mountain forecast and, in Scotland, the SAIS avalanche reports. A winter skills course is the best money you’ll spend before a first winter hill season.
The picks in detail
1. Kahtoola MICROspikes: best all-round
Who it’s for: most UK hill walkers who want one pair for icy paths all winter.
The MICROspikes design has become the default for a reason: 12 stainless spikes per foot linked by chains, held on by a tough elastomer harness that stretches over most walking boots. Owners regularly report years of use, and the harness is the part most people single out. It stays on when you’re kicking into snow and doesn’t creep off the heel.
Trade-offs: the spikes are short (about 9.5 mm), so they’re not for steep snow. It is also one of the pricier options. Size by your boot (see sizing below).
Check the price of Kahtoola MICROspikes on Amazon
2. Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra: most bite
Who it’s for: walkers who meet a lot of hard ice or steeper icy paths and want more grip than standard microspikes.
With 19 stainless spikes per foot and a Velcro strap over the top of the boot, the Trail Crampon Ultra sits between microspikes and true crampons. Owners like the extra security on steeper, icier ground.
Trade-offs: it is heavier and bulkier to pack, and it’s still not a substitute for crampons on steep snow. Stock can be patchy, so check sizes.
Check the price of the Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra on Amazon
3. Black Diamond Distance Spike: for trail runners and fast walkers
Who it’s for: anyone in trail shoes who wants traction that disappears into a small pouch.
The Distance Spike uses 14 stainless spikes (8 mm) with a softshell toe cover and elastomer harness, at just over 200 g a pair. It’s Black Diamond’s low-profile take on the design, made to suit lighter, flexible footwear and a runner’s pace.
Trade-offs: it has a smaller review base than the Kahtoola models, and it’s not the one to pick for heavy winter boots.
Check the price of the Black Diamond Distance Spike on Amazon
4. Kahtoola EXOspikes: for mixed ice and rock
Who it’s for: routes that switch between icy patches and bare rock or tarmac.
EXOspikes use 12 shorter (7.4 mm) tungsten-carbide-tipped studs instead of long chain spikes. That’s gentler on rock sections and less likely to catch when you step onto hard ground, while still gripping icy paths.
Trade-offs: the studs are shorter, so there’s less bite in deeper snow than with MICROspikes.
Check the price of Kahtoola EXOspikes on Amazon
5. Yaktrax Spikes: budget, low-level
Who it’s for: icy towpaths, forest tracks, dog walks and pavements, rather than the hills.
They’re a fraction of the price and easy to pull on. Owners rate them for everyday winter walking on frozen ground.
Trade-offs: they’re less robust than the picks above. Several owners mention wear and harness stretch over time, so we wouldn’t rely on them for mountain paths.
Check the price of Yaktrax Spikes on Amazon
Buying guide: what matters for UK conditions
Spike length and count. Longer and more numerous spikes grip better on hard ice and snow but feel clunkier on rock. 9–10 mm is the sweet spot for UK paths.
Harness. The harness is what fails first on cheap models. Look for a thick elastomer that grips the heel and toe; a top strap adds security for steeper ground.
Sizing. Size to your boot, not your shoe size. Winter boots are bulky, so if you’re between sizes most owners suggest sizing up. Try them on your actual boots at home before the trip.
Fitting. Put them on before you reach the ice, not halfway across it. Stand on the toe bail, stretch the harness back over the heel, then check that the spikes sit centrally under the sole.
Care. Dry them after use to prevent rust at the chain links, and store them in a bag so they don’t shred your rucksack.
Where you’ll use them
Microspikes earn their keep on the UK’s busiest winter routes. Pair this guide with our route kit lists:
- Winter walking kit list UK
- Best winter walking gloves UK
- Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) kit list
- Ben Nevis kit list (in winter, crampons and an axe are usually needed on the summit plateau)
- Scafell Pike kit list
- Kinder Scout kit list
- All UK outdoor gear guides
Check the summit forecast before you go. The free Peak Outdoor Guide app has step-by-step UK walking and cycling routes with maps, what to pack for each, where to get supplies and where to stay.
FAQ
Do I need microspikes for walking in the UK in winter?
On popular hill paths from roughly December to March, often yes. Refrozen snow and water-ice on well-trodden paths cause many winter slips. Microspikes are a light, cheap way to walk those paths safely. On steep snow or in Scottish winter conditions you need crampons and an ice axe instead.
Are microspikes the same as crampons?
No. Microspikes have short spikes on a flexible harness for icy paths and gentle snowy slopes. Crampons have longer points on a rigid frame, fit stiff winter boots, and are designed for steep snow and ice together with an ice axe.
Can I use microspikes on Ben Nevis or Snowdon in winter?
Microspikes help on the lower, icy parts of the main paths. In full winter conditions the upper slopes and summit plateaus usually need crampons, an ice axe and navigation skills. Check MWIS and, in Scotland, SAIS before you go, and be ready to turn back.
What size microspikes should I buy?
Size to the boots you’ll wear them with, using the manufacturer’s size chart. If you’re between sizes with bulky winter boots, most owners recommend sizing up.
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