The Kahtoola Nanospikes. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
As a 15-year fan and consumer of Kahtoola traction merchandise, my curiosity is piqued when information of enhancements to their designs comes throughout my e mail as a result of every time, I discover it onerous to consider they might make their spikes choices higher. As soon as once more, nonetheless, they’ve with the Kahtoola Nanospikes ($55), which the model up to date in late 2023.
Kahtoola, primarily based in Flagstaff, Arizona, launched their very first crampon again in 1999, after which translated that analysis into toothy Kahtoola Microspikes, designed for the fast-moving alpine runner and athlete round 2007. Focusing on the winter highway/hardpacked floor runner subsequent, the Kahtoola Nanospikes had been launched in 2015, after which a cheerful medium choice within the Kahtoola Exospikes got here in the marketplace in 2020. The main focus of this assessment is on the brand new, redesigned Nanospikes, particularly designed for onerous, icy roads and surfaces.
Although I’m not a highway runner on the whole, winter requires a sure resourcefulness to get the miles in and hold the thoughts calm, so filth roads, flatter crushed gravel, and the occasional paved highway think about. With our extra standard trails well-traveled by fats bikes and toes alike, the packed snow quickly turns to ice for lengthy sections, so having low-profile however efficient traction is extremely useful for the better, flatter, and quicker operating days.
Up to now this winter, my Nanospikes have been on heavy rotation due to a soaker of an early season storm that dropped two-plus toes of snow in our space. It’s been gradual to soften off, so the low-profile Nanospikes have allowed me to run confidently in highway sneakers or door-to-trail sneakers on the filth roads and clean trails, as they shift from packed snow and ice within the shade to regular filth within the sunny sections. Microspikes and Exospikes can be too toothy and aggressive for the surfaces I’ve been specializing in most just lately.
The Kahtoola Nanospikes are available unisex sizes starting from additional small beginning at U.S. ladies’s 5 (EU 35) to an additional massive U.S. males’s 13+ (EU 48+). The medium simply matches over my U.S. ladies’s 9.5 (EU 40-41) sneakers and weighs 7.4 ounces (210 grams) per pair. They fold in half and match right into a pouch with dimensions of 5.75 inches by 4 inches by 2.25 inches (15 centimeters by 10 centimeters by 6 centimeters). From a sensible perspective, this measurement simply matches into the again pouch of any of my slim 3- to 5-liter hydration packs, or a big pocket of a wind jacket. The brand new product is available in inexperienced or gray, which makes them fast to differentiate when you have an older pair.
Kahtoola Nanospikes Design
A backside view of the Kahtoola Nanospikes.
The newly redesigned Kahtoola Nanospikes capitalized on every thing good from the primary design with key enhancements in traction, flexibility, and luxury. I’m a fan of every improve these spikes have obtained. When you desire a video abstract, Kahtoola has an wonderful two-minute video with side-by-side comparability of first and second variations.
The primary improve is with the spikes themselves. Ten tungsten carbide spikes are positioned across the perimeter of every traction plate as earlier than, however as a substitute of the previous convex/pointy design, the spikes are concave. Kahtoola discovered that the concave form will increase the strain and engagement of the spike considerably on ice, whereas resisting abrasion as much as 100 occasions greater than the older and extra frequent metal spike.
Heart plate ridges had been added to the textured forefoot and heel plates to enhance the traction on uneven packed snow and ice, whereas the brand new directional and scooped lugs enhance traction with ascents and descents. I completely agree that the traction supplied by the brand new design has improved considerably, which I’ll focus on within the subsequent part.
A lateral view of the Kahtoola Nanospikes.
One other improve is an enormous one which addressed a typical concern of the previous iteration. Kahtoola decreased strain factors from the harness across the whole shoe by using low-profile rivet connections as a substitute of hyperlinks and by integrating a simplified toe bail over the entrance of the shoe, which retains the shoe from migrating ahead on downhills particularly. The improved flexibility and geometry of the thermoplastic harness permits the Nanospikes to suit snugly with out pulling the entrance of the shoe up which was significantly noticeable on the softer uppers of highway sneakers — as in comparison with path sneakers. Gone are the friction factors over the toenails as effectively. I can now simply put the spikes on with the improved heel tab whereas standing on one foot with a one-hand pull as soon as I set the toe. Whether or not I’ve highway sneakers or gentle path sneakers, my toes are fully comfy in these; I don’t have additional leg fatigue on the finish of a run.
Kahtoola Nanospikes Use and Traction
A medial view of the Kahtoola Nanospikes.
I completely agree that the traction supplied by the brand new design of the Kahtoola Nanospikes has improved considerably, as I used to be in a position to do a head-to-head take a look at with these and my first era Nanospikes on a number of runs, and slippery, icy bike-path canine walks after a current storm. The brand new concave spikes don’t skitter or slip throughout ice just like the older pointy spikes are inclined to, whether or not on lengthy ice segments or on the frozen disorganized footprints on a path.
The traction on hilly, snow-plowed filth roads or well-packed fats bike tracks can also be higher. The ridges on the traction plate catch simply sufficient of the hardpack that even with a highway shoe or low-traction path shoe, the ascent and descent is purposeful with much less slippage and fewer calf muscle fatigue.
To be abundantly clear, the Nanospikes are designed to be worn over highway or gentle path sneakers for highway runs on icy, plowed, snow-but-hard-packed surfaces. They do nice for brief distances on dry, crushed gravel or smoother filth surfaces between the icy or snowier sections. If I encountered a protracted section of dry pavement, I’d slip them off till the following part required them. For free or deeper snow on entrance nation trails, the Exospikes are good; for mountain trails, steeper surfaces, and extra burly terrain, the Microspikes actually shine.
Kahtoola Nanospikes General Impressions
A high view of the Kahtoola Nanospikes.
The newly redesigned Kahtoola Nanospikes are a noticeable enchancment over the pretty-darn-good first iteration. They’re considerably extra comfy and versatile, simply as safe, and have improved all-around traction on ice and hardpacked, road-like surfaces. Benefit from upcoming seasonal gross sales and present them to your self or a good friend. These are good for walkers, runners, emergency winter automobile kits, and neighborhood post-winter-storm shovel periods.
My first Nanospikes are 4 years previous and nonetheless going sturdy, which is 4 occasions extra sturdy than opponents’ alternate options in my expertise. I count on this new model will likely be simply as lengthy lasting. Properly carried out, Kahtoola! Sustain the excellent analysis and design.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the second model of the Kahtoola Nanospikes? What did you assume?
- When you’ve got worn each variations, how does this second version evaluate?