Microspikes, snowshoes, crampons: what for what?

Rubber soles with tread grip on earth, rock and loose snow because the tread presses into the ground. On ice that doesn't work: the surface is hard and smooth, and often there is a thin film of water on it that acts like a lubricant. Metal points, by contrast, go a little way into the ice and so give grip.

Microspikes have short spikes on chains held between elastic rubber harnesses. They grip the surface of ice and packed snow. Crampons have much longer points, often including forward-facing front points, and are firmly attached to a compatible boot. That is why they also grip hard snow and steep ice.

Snowshoes work quite differently. They increase the area over which your weight rests on the snow. The larger the area, the less pressure on each patch of snow – and the less you sink in. Many snowshoes also have claws under the foot and a heel lift that raises the heel when climbing.

Microspikes are meant for icy hiking paths, forest roads and flat to moderately steep paths, and also for slippery pavements in everyday life. They are light, quick to put on and fit over many normal shoes. The size must match the shoe; try them on at home before you set off.

Snowshoes are meant for deep, soft snow in which you would otherwise sink deeply with every step. It is best to adjust the binding at home in peace, with the shoes you will wear on the trip. On hard, icy ground or on steep slopes snowshoes are often more of a hindrance.

Crampons belong in high mountains, on glaciers, steep hard-snow fields and ice. They need a compatible, sufficiently stiff boot, an ice axe and above all training. A course with an alpine club or a mountain school teaches the walking technique and how to stop a fall with the axe. Anyone who has not learned this does not belong in that terrain.

Only use crampons and an ice axe after training. A fall on steep ice or hard snow speeds up very quickly, and without practised technique it often cannot be stopped. For the same reason microspikes don't belong on hard-snow or ice slopes with a fall hazard: their short spikes don't hold reliably there.

No traction aid protects against avalanches. Good gear can even tempt people into terrain they would otherwise avoid. Avalanche warning services publish bulletins using a danger scale that is standard across Europe. Enter avalanche terrain only with knowledge of the conditions, suitable equipment and training – otherwise avoid it. When in doubt, turning back is always right.

Spikes and points are sharp. Carry them in a protective bag so they don't damage anything in the pack. Take care not to catch them on your own trouser legs – that can cause a fall. On rock, tarmac and smooth tiles walk carefully or take the microspikes off, because metal points slip easily there.

With microspikes you walk with fairly short steps and place your foot as flat as possible so that as many spikes as possible grip at the same time. Lift your feet with every step instead of shuffling – shuffling feet catch easily. Overlong strides throw you off balance.

Don't try new gear for the first time on the trip. Put microspikes or snowshoes on at home, adjust them and walk a little way in them, for example on an icy path nearby. That way you notice whether everything fits and don't have to fiddle about in the snow with cold fingers later.

After use, dry the gear so nothing rusts. While doing so, check whether points are bent, whether the rubber has cracks and whether the chain links are in order. Replace damaged parts before you go out again.

Crampons have existed for a long time; mountaineering handbooks such as “Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills” describe their technique in detail and stress practising under instruction. Microspikes are a more recent aid, mainly intended for winter walks on paths.

The biggest danger with traction aids is a false sense of security. They make walking on ice safer, but they do not change the terrain. A steep slope stays steep and an avalanche hazard remains. Anyone who keeps this in mind can enjoy winter a lot with microspikes and snowshoes.