Background info - I'm a Trail Maintainer on the Appalachian Trail in the mid-Atlantic region. So, I'm out on the Trail and hiking almost every other week throughout the entire year. In good and bad and crappy weather. I had a large blowdown tree across my section of the Trail that needed to be cleared. We had just gotten a decent snow fall (~10"), so I was reluctant to head out and clear the blowdown until the snow melted in a week or two. One of my co-maintainers suggested that I get a set of mini spikes to make it easier - and safer - to go out. I've never owned any mini spikes and was doubtful they would help, but went ahead and bought these to try them out. I had read a lot of the reviews, and saw that many of the negative reviews mentioned that the metal links allowed the spikes to separate when using them. I looked at what I received and noticed that some of the links had larger than normal openings to them. So, I took the advise on some of the reviews and used a pair of Channel Locks to crimp every link on each foot.
Actual review - I went out the next day. The spikes were very easy to mount and felt tight and secure with no sense of looseness on my boots. I used the restraining straps, mainly because they were there. My trail section is a combination of steep, very rocky ups and downs, as well as nice gently graded mostly flat sections. I wasn't too worried about the flat sections, but the steep rocky areas were of major concern. I am extremely happy to say that the spikes were life-changing for me. I hiked about 7 hours and about 10 miles in sub-freezing temps that day and not once did I feel unsafe on the Trail. Not once did I slip or have questionable footing. It didn't even feel like I had anything on my feet except my regular boots. I've been out before in similar conditions in the past, and decided to be safe and turn back because of unsure footing. It was actually FUN to be out that day!
Was my great experience JUST because of these SPECIFIC mini-spikes? I can't say because I don't have anything else to compare them to. Will they work as well on an icy trail and rocks and packed snow? Will the rubber harnesses hold up over time? I don't know, yet. All I can say is that these spikes worked perfectly for me in the conditions above. I felt safe and in control in conditions that in the past I would not have gone out in. I inspected the spikes after I got home, and didn't see where any of the links had separated or loosened at all. So, I feel that the time I took "tightening" the links was well spent. Time will tell if they continue to "wow" me, and how well they will hold up in my varying working conditions and environment.
What I can say, though, is that they gave me a sense of safety in conditions where in the past I didn't have that. And that is a REALLY good thing as far as I'm concerned.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 9.76 x 7.95 x 1.85 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.42 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8 x 7.25 x 0.1 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.42 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | Cimkiz |
| Warranty Description | 1 Year |
| Model Name | CIM-TCL-M |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Cimkiz |
| Part Number | TCB-M |
| Style | All-season |
| Included Components | 1 Pair of Ice cleats |
| Fill Material Type | TPE |
| Size | Medium |
| Sport Type | Hiking Walking Fishing Jogging Climbing Mountaineering |
