Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost Review by Emma and Ollie Harrison
Background
Scotland (and the rest of the UK) can be epic for snowy trails and scrambling up quiet ridgelines, but being prepared for winter conditions is not optional—it’s an absolute necessity. In any outdoor environment, packing the most suitable kit for the conditions is vital, but keeping costs down for great kit can be difficult. Not only is it expensive, but also notoriously heavy—particularly winter gear: the loftiest down jackets, the warmest, snuggest hats, and, in this case, footwear support that can handle the iciest, snowiest conditions. However, if you’re anything like me and hate sloshing and slipping about on icy trails, a secret weapon is needed – particularly one that can fit into a small pack.
As a very brief overview, many articles that compare crampons to microspikes rightly point out that crampons are safer for mountain trails, as microspikes are built for low -angle inclines, as opposed to more robust, technical trails. However, as runners, carrying a big set of crampons around is impossible. Snow and ice won’t stop us from exploring, so some added assistance will always be welcomed – plus, if mountain experts are making these, surely this has got to be a win – win situation?
For those who are new to this game, microspikes are basically constructed as ice grippers that work effectively on icy paths and compacted snow. Normally, they are small spikes made of stainless steel, and if you have a good set, they are easy enough to fit over your running shoes. In my experience, however, they aren’t always that easy to put on, and choosing the right size can be difficult. Microspikes are designed to give enough traction to move safely and fast, but at the same time, reduce your chance of falling on your arse, or worse. Kahtoola already had MICROspikes on sale for some time, but when they were looking for a review for their newly developed model, and through the wintery months of February and March, I was delighted to take on the challenge to review this new product. Kindly, my partner Ollie was also offered a pair, and as he’s my usual adventure buddy, it was great opportunity to test these together and compare notes.
The Brand
Kahtoola are a super impressive brand, born in Arizona on the Colorado Plateau founded in 1993 by adventurers. Notably, they are crampon creators, bettering mountain safety for everyone, which can’t be ignored when reviewing a product like this. Their overall aim is to allow more people to move efficiently and safely in the mountains. I like their ethic, and their values.
As a mountain lover, I’ve walked in many crampons over the years, and always appreciated how secure they make me feel. But, as a runner through winter, I am always looking for that same feeling of security, and have had my fair share of cheap microspikes where I would have been just as safe in a pair of football boots, so I’ve been looking for something for quite some time that would live up to the hype.
Ghost Footwear Traction
Marketing your product as ‘Featherlight freedom’ could be seen to be a risky business for a product that’s designed for hardy conditions, as the expectations, especially for longer distance runners, are high in the ultra-light weight kit department. As already noted, Kahtoola already made MICROspikes, but have redesigned these at a ‘whisper of the weight’ of the originals, which is some feat. To be precise, they are half the weight of the previous model. That’s because the Ghost model replaces steel chains with durable, lightweight TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and has introduced a lighter, high-performance TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) toe harness with increased packability. At the same time, it maintains an aggressive spike length and arrangement that demanding outdoor adventures have come to rely on. The Ghosts are marketed as ideal partners for lightweight, flexible footwear – aka, our trail running shoes.
Features:
- Twelve aggressive, stainless steel spikes
- TPU traction matrix for durability factor
- Hybrid elastomer harness that combines thermoplastic rubber (TPR) at the toe with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) at the back for a lightweight, secure fit
- Patented reinforced eyelets that strengthen key stress points
- Articulating rivets that allow spikes to move independently to shed snow and ice buildup
- A raised heel jab
- Includes tote sack measuring 6.75 x 6.25 x 0.25 in / 17 x 16 x 0.6 cm
Specifications
- XS 6.4 oz / 179 g
- S 6.5 oz / 184 g
- M 6.8 oz / 192 g
- L 7.1 oz / 200 g
- XL 7.4 oz / 208g
- Spike length: 0.36″ / 9 mm
- Number of spikes per foot: 12
- RRP: £81
The Test
From the off, both Ollie and I loved the design and we both felt like they were made with robust in mind. We both also loved the little red stuff sack they came in.
Comparing them to other microspikes we have had in our kit before, we both agreed that they both looked and felt durable, and welcomed the TPU rather than chains, as they felt less clunky, even in our hands. But I did personally notice right away that they didn’t pack as small as other spikes I had owned in the past. Still, they packed into both of our running vests just fine, so it’s more of an observation than a complaint.
We picked a fantastic day to test this product, as fresh snow had fallen in the Scottish Highlands, good weather was forecast except for high winds, and one of our favourite trail runs was calling. Naturally, we kitted up and packed as light as we could in the winter months. The snow was fluffy on the lowest of ground, so we managed just fine in trail shoes, but as we began slowly climbing to the higher paths, it became increasingly compact. We picked a fine time to deploy the Ghosts, as the more solid ground started to feel slippery, and impossible to gain traction. It was windy, so we were both battling with taking the spikes out of our bags, but were ready for the test ride.
Em’s notes
I was surprised how easy they were to put on in a rush, fitting the Ghosts to the front of my foot in place first, and pulling back to the close-fitting stretchy heel, stretching around the back of my foot snug as a bug. As the ultimate hates-faff-monster, there wasn’t much faff needed at all, and I loved the helpful tag to assist the back of the foot – especially since my hands were freezing.
I am a size 5.5/6, and had picked size medium to try. At first, I did wonder whether they felt a little bit too tight, but as started to run, I realised quickly that I wouldn’t have wanted them loose fitting. They were comfortable once I got going, and the steel spikes really delivered on traction, and the TPU traction matrix allowed impressive durability over the next three hours. Needless to say, I very much needed them, and they felt secure throughout, even on more technical areas of the route. Though microspikes aren’t built so much for gradient, I actually felt like they coped well with my undulating route, and I felt much more confident than in other microspikes I’ve owned before, causing less near- slips, and my outcome was a solid and enjoyable run.
Ollies Take
The sizing on these are perfect! I have always struggled to find a close fitting, but not squeeze-me-alive set of microspikes, and these were by far the most efficiently designed microspikes I’ve ever put on. They actually fit really well on both my trail shoes AND fell shoes with zero slippage, nor adjusting needed. I have used other brands in the Dolomites over multi-day runs, where the rubber mesh has cracked and worn too easily, but these aren’t showing any signs of wear and I will absolutely be choosing these to take on my next epic adventure. They are ridiculously quick to put on which was well and truly needed on test day one in the snow (Scottish Summer really) The traction on the snow, ice and to be honest, even the mud and sand is really good. The spikes are even so they don’t feel uncomfortable – they actually felt really quite flexible too. The crem-de-la crem of micro-spike world to be honest.
The next couple of outings were on icy compact fire trails and forestry – the Ghosts dealt with them perfectly fine. We’ve both had days out with other microspikes and come home with totally drained legs, but with these, they gave back some support.
Pros
As Kahtoola replaced the old chain layout with a flexible TPU, they felt way less bulky, but as they’ve kept the twelve 9mm stainless steel points, they feel super grippy. For both me and Ollie, and compared to previous microspikes we’ve owned, we agreed that they were much easier to put on than chained versions, and it just feels like a slick process from start to finish. This is down to the soft rubber at the toe, as you stretch this to get your shoe comfortably inside. The Hybrid elastomer harness combines TPR at the toe and TPE at the back for that lightweight, secure fit. The accommodating size for the wider toe box is also a big plus point for these microspikes, especially compared to other microspikes on the market.
They were very easy to take off and pack away, all ready for next time. There’s no doubt about it, they are fast and light, and they are aesthetically pleasing, especially in their lovely red bag (you can also add your name onto this so no one takes them by accident – hands off!) We loved the tab to help pull back to my heel; it made it so much easier to put them on.
Cons
Like any new design, the Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost come at a higher price point between £80-£90. But, this product is the difference between being able to go out for a winter run, or not. Though, in contrast, they also don’t pack away as small as other microspikes, for example, Black Diamond Distance Traction microspikes, but it can’t be ignored that they are much, much lighter.
Conclusion
A must for any winter toolbox – they are what they say on the tin – they are ultralight, packable, and impressively grippy. Being 43% lighter than the original MICROspikes traction is pretty epic, and the fact they are so light to carry and wear is a huge plus point for anyone. Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost provide secure traction on icy trails — a smart choice for fast and light winter movement, and knowing this brand created them gives us both extra confidence in the design. As with the originals, there’s a four-year warranty on them too.
Now one of our favourite pieces of kit, and one we won’t need to replace for a while – we both highly recommend the Ghosts to anyone looking for some reliable microspikes. There’s nothing spooky about them!
Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost Review by Siobhan Brennan
There are pieces of kit you carry and hope you never need. Then there are pieces of kit that carry you. The Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost fall firmly into the second category. I used them during one of the most brutally demanding winter ultras in the world — The Spine Race — and in conditions that tested every bit of gear I had, and these were the ones that earned their place.
In winter Spine conditions — frozen ground, sheet ice, windswept snow pack, and the kind of cold that gets into your bones — staying upright becomes something else entirely. Every step is a negotiation. The trails disappear. What’s left is ice-glazed peat, rock slabs sheeted in frost, and a wind that makes upright movement feel almost comedic. On The Spine, you don’t have the luxury of sitting down, taking your gloves off, and fiddling with buckles in a gale at 2am. You need something you can get on and off quickly, in the dark, in the cold, while your hands are numb and your brain is running on no sleep. The Ghosts deliver that. The elastomer harness stretches over your footwear intuitively — toe first, heel flipped over the back — and it seats itself securely without fuss. No straps to adjust. No clips to fumble with. They are easy to get on and off and comfortable to wear for long miles. On an event as long as The Spine, comfort over distance isn’t optional — it’s survival. This is exactly the environment the Ghost was built for. Let me be clear: my race ended with a rib injury, and it wasn’t a finish I’ll be celebrating. But I made it further than I had any right to, on terrain that was trying its level best to put me on the ground. I credit the Kahtoola Ghost MICROspikes with a significant part of that.
My race ended earlier than I wanted. The ribs had other plans. But I made it through some of the most technically demanding winter terrain in British ultrarunning, on foot, in full storm conditions, and the Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost were a constant and reliable partner.
11/10 as a useful product
Expensive but not as expensive as a race ending broke bone!
Value per use very high
About the authors:
Siobhan Brennan is an ultrarunner who has been under the wise tutorship of Joe Faulkner at NAV4 who pushed her to do scary stuff. She jumped from the Manchester 10k to Lakes in a Day and embraces the freedom and empowerment that distance races give her. She has now completed many 50 milers plus the Northern Traverse and Spine Challenger North. A passionate advocate for running in the menopause and accomplished in doing distance with the slow and steady approach, always at the back of the pack chattering and often heard before she is seen.
Emma Harrison is an ultra runner at heart, and likes nothing more than running up mountains, dancing on ridge lines and awkwardly runs her way down to the pub with her dodgy ankles!
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