Hillsound  FreeSteps6 Crampons

Rock Creek in western Montana is probably the most slippery river out here. The smooth rocks are covered with a sort of slimy algae. Fishing in felt boots I just slide around on the stuff and every year I end up swimming (it's just part of the fun.) Last year I got a pair of these and they've been a game changer. The spikes get down to the solid stuff and stick. They go on and come off quickly if I'm fishing from a boat and want to jump out to fish something. They've been very durable thus far. Lots of grinding around on rocks and boulder with no show of wear so far. Over all I'm real happy with them. More fishing and less swimming is a good thing.

Just picked these up and tried them out the same day. I went trail running shortly after a snowstorm deposited about 3-4" of packable snow. The Freesteps6 held up on all terrains, from loose gravel (with snow), to rock faces covered with ice. In short, I never lost my footing once due to the snow/ice. However, the one small problem with the Freesteps6 is the tendency for snow to build up under the heel and toe. In each of these areas, the chains come together and form a small circle. Within these circles, the snow would slowly pack up and become the size of a golf ball. A quick kick against a tree breaks up the snow balls, but it was a bit frustrating to stop every mile or so nevertheless.

I just wanted to say thank you for the Free Steps 6 Traction Device, it is by far the best traction device I have ever used for ice fishing. This year we have had cold temperatures and light snow which made for very slick ice conditions on the lakes. The Free Step 6 Traction Device spikes are just long enough to get thru the light snow and dig into ice and still allow for easy walking. With other traction devices I have used the light snow prevents the spikes from digging in making walking even worst. Being able to walk comfortably with the confidence of not slipping is worth every penny.

If you need to walk on ice, buy these. I live in Newfoundland, where ice coats sidewalks and trails for a good part of every winter and I've gone through many different kinds of ice grippers over the years. These are the best, hands down. They are light weight, easy to get off and on, sturdy, comfortable and they provide perfect traction on icy surfaces. I can walk where others tiptoe and go out for my daily hike when my friends stay home because they are afraid they will fall. I showed them to a friend and she said, "these will be life changing." In this climate, they are.

I acquired a pair of FreeSteps6 Crampons during the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. I could not wait to get these babies on my feet and get hiking on some snow and ice. Went out today hiking up a canyon a 5 minute drive from my home. Tons of ice and packed snow. Having these spikes on my feet saved me from slipping and wasting energy on taking more steps than needed to get up the trail. I could not be more happy with how these perform and how simple they are to get on and off your boots. You can also be confident that they aren't going to slip off your boot as the top of the crampons wraps over the toe of your boot. These are an incredible micro spike traction crampon for the price. Worth every penny!

I’ve been using the Hillsound FreeSteps6® Crampons through real winter conditions—icy sidewalks, packed snow trails, and a few steep, slick sections—and they’ve been a total confidence booster. The traction is aggressive in the best way: the spikes bite cleanly into ice and hard snow, so you don’t get that nervous “micro-slip” feeling that cheaper cleats often give. I’ve worn them for walking, winter hiking, and even some light trail running, and they’ve stayed secure the whole time without shifting on my boots. What I really like is how simple they are to put on and take off. The rubber harness stretches snugly over footwear and feels durable, not flimsy. Once they’re seated properly, they stay put—even in deep snow or uneven terrain. For the price, the build quality feels excellent and the performance punches above its weight compared to other traction devices I’ve tried. A couple small things to note: sizing matters. If you’re between sizes or using bulkier winter boots, it’s worth double-checking the size chart or sizing up. Also, in sticky or fresh snow, I’ve noticed some snow can pack under the heel/toe areas where the chains loop together. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you may need to knock the buildup out occasionally on longer outings. Overall, these are a fantastic winter traction option—lightweight, tough, and seriously effective. If you spend any time outdoors in winter, they’re absolutely worth it for the stability and peace of mind. Highly recommended.

I have had trail crampons for years and they’re the best for heavy ice and snow, even deep mud. Other brands don’t even compare. I grabbed these freesteps at a Dicks when I realized forgot my TC’s a few weeks ago and they blew me away. Ran/hiked 16 miles in sub zero temps with 12-16” of snow covered ice in the Catskills and these absolutely killed it. Didn’t slip or slide at all and they stayed on my shoe perfectly. A few other runs in well packed snow and ice were even better. I’ve actually been grabbing these when I used to grab the TC’s. Love them. Sizing was a tad small compared to my TC’s and I had to go up one from the recommended sizing. These are hands down the best value spikes you will find. They performed well beyond their practical use.

I've had one pair for many years, and it's been great. Footing is very secure with these, on ice and packed snow. So I ordered a second pair in a larger size to fit some warmer boots, but they turned out to be a little big for the sole. So if your shoe size is on the border between, say, L and XL, you may want to order both sizes. You need to be sure the rubber upper is pulled all the way up onto the sides and back of your foot-wear, or else the cleats and chains may be loose. If you have deep lugs or heavily patterned soles, the chains may hang up and make it hard to get them properly tensioned. The rubber is very high quality and stretchy, but you may need real hand strength to stretch the cleats into position. Once in place, though, they are very secure.

I'm unsure why the chain links that hold onto the rubber part aren't welded shut, but I was near the summit of Mt. St Helen when one on my right foot broke off and then it wouldn't stay on my boot, so I was hiking the rest of the way up and down with only 1 secure foot. It's kinda tough because it's expensive to buy another set just to have a spare with you, but also I don't know that I'd put all my trust in them for a long adventure, either.

We have a lot if daytime melt and night time freezing here and it makes for very icy trail conditions. These things are a life saver. Running up and down hills are no problem. I wear a size 8 trail runner and ordered an extra small, they fit perfectly. Fresh Snow in near 0 degree temperatures are the only drawback as snow will pack up in them and form snowballs which can be nuisance.