Black Diamond  Access Spike Traction Devices

After fewer than 20 days if use, they have failed twice. After about 2 weeks, one of the end loops in a connecting wire opened up and let go of the spike plate. I figured it was bad luck so I reattached the wire and carefully closed the loop with some pliers. Less than a week of use later a different wire simply fatigued and broke. Living here in coastal Alaska I own lots of different makes and models of trail crampons and have never experienced such an under-engineered product.

On June 2, 2023, I hiked through the snow fields on Mt Rainier from Paradise to Camp Muir. These traction devices were easy to put on and did great in the snow/ice/ slush, and also worked well over some trail areas that were dirt and rock.

Pros: works great when it works. Easy to put on, adds excellent traction on snow and ice. Cons: one of the chain links near the front broke after about 30 seconds. It was a link near where the chain meets the rubber, where little to no stress is applied. The metal just broke due to being low quality and brittle. I bought an XL set, and have size 11 Lowa Renegade boots. I sized up to the XL which was the right call for sizing. All that to say: the breakage wasn’t due to a bad fit. I returned these and got the Kahtoola Microspikes instead. The steel is obviously thicker and higher quality in that set. I recommend buying those instead.

Used it on a major hike and several road/trail runs in snow. Loved it. Incredibly secure, comfortable to step on, fits Altra Lone Peaks and Merrill Moabs well (size 10.5 both and using Large). I am able to run over 4 miles on packed snow so far are respectable paces. It also works well with gaiters.

These are great, the loop in the back really helps to pop these on. Also fits my boots with no loose connections. I am size 8 shoes (W), but 8.5 in boots. The medium was ideal; had trouble with other brands since my size is in between, smalls were way too tight and mediums too loose.

They fit snug and stay in place. Used them across ice, snow, and rock. Work as they should and seems they will have a good service life after 6 miles of hard use.

My poor experience is limited to the size XL on 14US Men's shoes. I believe these would be a great product if they fit. Listed sizes for XL are 13-15.5 in boots, but I couldn't even get these to stretch over a sz14 Solomon Quest 4d boot. Consequently the spikes don't line up with where they need to on my feet and I have no traction as my heel strikes flat ground. Going down hill in these is very precarious. Half the weight of Kahtoola spikes and I feel the weight savings after miles of walking. I could have probably used them for running on ice as well. They have significantly more traction than Yaktrax, so I was very disappointed that the manufacturer did not properly scale up the links between the plates to cover my whole sole. Maybe as a result of this poor fit, one of the chains broke on my first walk, 5 miles in.

I am 66 years old. Live in Minnesota. Walk daily in the summer but always thought way too dangerous to walk outside in the winter. This winter losing my mind sitting inside, no where to go cause of Covid. So desperate to get out, on a warmish 30 degree day put on some old snow cleats (not this kind) and went for 3 mile walk. Invigorated!! Slept so good!! The old snow cleats fell off twice because they couldn't seem to adjust to the many different surfaces, slush, ice, packed snow, blacktop. Need to upgrade. Decided on these. Best decision ever!! Yah, they're pricey, but wanted as many crampons money could buy for security. Did 5 mile walk today. Even more ice today than last walk, but not problem. Felt secure whole time. Did not slip once. After about a mile was confident enough to walk at my normal summer pace. Man, do I feel good!!! Size 6.5 shoe. Bought small. Great fit.

I got these for my husband because his old ones of a different brand always seemed kind of loose, and one of the links had broken. the picture looked like these would fit nicely onto lightweight hikers. We've only used them a few times, but compared to the other brand he had, these so far go nicely and easily onto his hiking shoes and stay put without flapping around. The front part is long, so it really hugs the front of the boot. There's a tab on the back, so it's easy to see where the front and back are. The spikes seem to be a nice length, not the longest but not the shortest either, plenty for icy conditions. So far so good!

After weeks of testing them on icy walks, I cant recommend the upgrade to these traction devices. They gave me a sense of security I haven't found with other traction devices before. No matter if I was being pulled by an eager dog down an icy sidewalk or hiking up a snow packed incline, I never worried about slipping. The devices were easy enough to get on and were tight enough to know they wouldn't slide around while walking. I followed the size chart and it said I should get a size large to fit over my winter boots. The size chart was accurate in its recommendations and they fit my boots well. Make the investment and get these to help you enjoy those less than ideal conditions!