There’s a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. However, Yaktrax break more easily and don’t stay on the foot quite as well as Microspikes. Microspikes are much more sturdy and durable, they stay on your feet better and the spikes definitely cut deeper into the ice to provide better traction, but they come with a heftier price tag and aren’t suitable for running in. Continue your training during the winter with the same stability you are accustomed to on dry surfaces. Although designed for the demands of winter runners Yaktrax Run can be used as a general ice grip and are ideal for winter walking, particularly in urban areas, in parkland and on firm woodland trails. In the past I’ve used YakTrax Pro cleats in cases where a bit of extra traction is needed. These are the standard YakTrax with the metal coils underfoot. They’ve always worked well, but the consistent complaint I hear about them is that the rubber bands inside the coils are prone to snapping, which renders them useless. I don’t use mine except when there is a layer of snow on the ground, so they don’t come out often, and never on bare asphalt. As such, I have never broken a pair, but I can see how durability would be a concern. For most of our insoles, the easiest way to find the best size for you is to go off of your current shoe size. The majority of our insoles are available in a range of sizes and you can simply select the size that best fits your existing shoes.

The dimensions for insoles can be found on the "Product Details" tab (please see below) and are usually found in the sizing section of the listing, in a table. Please be aware that not all products currently have the dimensions listed. Upside is the bite on even the greenlandic inland ice and pure glacial ice, where yaktreks or other more pedestrian models are useless. The kathoola micro spike though is by far the best option out there for terrain use, they are quite heavy in comparison and on soft shoes as the brooks pure runs you will feel the heavy spikes through the sole. The heel of the Yaktrax Run retains the familiar coils from other models, and does a better job in deeper snow. Yaktrax Run are great on icy surfaces and snow-covered, plowed roads, and decent in fresh snow as long as it’s not too deep.For do-it-your-selfers, you could also try screwing your shoes (get your head out of the gutter!) – my buddy Sam recently did this with a pair of Hokas and some Ice Spikes, and I’ve done it with La Sportiva Hobnails. It’s also possible to just use some sheet metal screws from a hardware store – minimallyshoddy recently wrote about screwing his Skoras, that’s a risky proposition! I have used both yaktrak and kathoola up to full marathon distances pair with either the brooks pure cadence and puredrift.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_1g0Eos9X0 Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Best Winter Running Tips (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_1g0Eos9X0) Overall I found that the YakTrax Run did a pretty good job for the conditions I encounter on roads and sidewalks during or after a snowstorm. They are great on icy surfaces and snow-covered, plowed road, and decent in fresh snow as long as it’s not too deep. My runs are not suited to a spikier traction device so the Kahtoola Microspikes are not something I’d really need, but for occasional traction needs encountered by a road runner in winter they function well. To prevent injury to yourself of damage to the product, you should always avoid walking or running on non-snow or ice-covered surfaces, including pavement, concrete and gravel. Instead, try to take them off and carry them when walking over such terrain. Do Yaktrax Eliminate the Risk of Ice?Over the years of continuous research and innovation, manufacturers have developed numerous types of Yaktrax for different levels of traction, to suit every need. For winter running, there are two types of Yaktrax namely Yaktrax Pro and Yaktrax Run. Yaktrax Chains Run Grips for Shoes are available in four different sizes. To find the correct size for you, simply take your UK or EU shoe size and match it against the table below. Size

Yaktrax, although it helps a lot, still requires you to have a running shoe that is designed for winter running. For better winter running performance, be sure to partner your Yaktrax with these great shoe features: The Yaktrax Pro front strap design also lessens the chance of a complaint that I’ve heard about other rubber ring design traction devices. That is that the rubber pulls the toe of the shoe up, which can lead to discomfort or even injury when used for prolonged periods. The Yaktrax Run supports a forefoot/midfoot strike well because of the placement of the spikes, so no worries about that. A strong rear foot striker is going to land with a bit more on the coils but will still use the spikes to generate forward momentum during the later stages of the running gait when they shift onto the front of their foot.The front straps of your Yaktrax will help keep them securely in place while you run so you can enjoy your exercise in peace. Fitted with reflective material, they can also help to improve your visibility when running in low lighting or adverse weather conditions. What Are the Yaktrax Runs Made Of? Please be aware that, as with shoes, there can be slight variations in the size of insoles. For example a size 8 of one brand might not be exactly the same size and width as the size 8 of another. To help account for these discrepancies, a number of our insoles include dimensions to help you ensure you're getting the right size. Measuring Your Current Insoles

Splitting the difference between the Microspikes and Nanospikes above are Kahtoola’s Exospikes. In this case, you get 12 tungsten carbide studs for grip, which are slightly deeper than those on the Nanospikes above (you also get two more of them). But the biggest difference is that the Exospikes have a more open design between the metal tips, which allows them to shed snow more readily and promotes better flexibility underfoot (it also means you can still get some traction from your shoes’ tread). For trail runs and winter hikes that don’t require aggressive bite, the Exospikes are a well-built and versatile option. Yaktrax are strap-on metal spikes that are designed to pierce through ice and hard snow which provides you more traction when running. Also known as “ice cleats,” these are affixed to a shoe or a boot with small spikes underneath. These are used to avoid sliding on slippery surfaces when walking or running during the winter season.

Yaktrax are designed to accommodate the entire foot, so need to be slightly larger than the sole of your shoe