Kahtoola EXOSpikes Review & Comparison
by Simon Testa
A decade ago, I made my first purchase of Kahtoola MICROspikes ($74.95). They have become one of my all-time favorite pieces of outdoor gear. In fact, they are a must-have for winter hiking and trail running in Boulder, Colorado. Last year, I purchased a pair of Kahtoola EXOspikes ($64.95) after my friend Jeff Valliere, a local legend, recommended them. I couldn't fathom how anything could possibly be better than MICROspikes.
The impressive quality of their performance truly astounded me. The EXOSpikes have several advantages over MICROspikes:
Reduced weight: EXOSpikes are significantly lighter than MICROspikes, weighing in at 7.8 ounces for a large size compared to 11.9 ounces for a medium size. This reduced weight makes them feel lighter on foot and easier to carry in a pack.
Lower profile: EXOSpikes have a lower profile than MICROspikes, making them less likely to catch on rocks or other obstacles. This can be especially important when hiking in technical terrain or on icy trails.
Ease of use: EXOSpikes are easier to put on and take off than MICROspikes. They have a simple, intuitive design that doesn't require any special tools or skills. MICROspikes, on the other hand, can sometimes turn inside out when putting them on, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Reduced snow balling: EXOSpikes are less prone to snow balling than MICROspikes. This is because the spikes on EXOSpikes are designed to shed snow more effectively, preventing it from building up and interfering with traction.
Unbluntable spikes: The spikes on EXOSpikes are made of a durable tungsten carbide material that is resistant to blunting.
Increased durability: EXOSpikes are more durable overall than MICROspikes. They are made with high-quality materials and construction, and they are less likely to break or fail.
Affordability: EXOSpikes are more affordable than MICROspikes, with a retail price of $64.95 compared to $74.95. This makes them a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality traction device without breaking the bank.
As a seasoned winter runner, I have extensively tested EXOspikes, using them over 50 times and gaining more than 100,000 vertical feet in various ice, snow, and mixed conditions. They are my new favorite piece of outdoor gear. Through direct comparison, wearing an EXOspike on one foot and a MICROspike on the other, I found that EXOspikes are my preferred outdoor gear. I switched the spikes between feet on multiple Bear Peak ascents, as shown in the photos (blue represents the EXOspike, and red represents the MICROspike).
What makes them better IMO than MICROspikes? They are profoundly better on ice, better on mixed (including rock) conditions, and as good on snow (even loose snow).
I wear size large EXOspikes (and medium MICROspikes) on my size 44.5 La Sportiva Cyclon Cross GTX’s (the ideal Boulder, CO winter combo).
Simon Testa is a resident of Boulder, Colorado. He loves to trail run, hike, scramble (is the author of the Colorado Mountain Club, Best Flatirons Scrambles guidebook), mountain bike, fat bike, gravel bike, and skimo. His favorite events are the Pikes Peak Ascent race (3rd AG 2023) and the Aspen Power of Four Skimo race (2nd AG 2024). He is obsessed with gaining elevation. Over the last decade he has averaged 800,000 vertical feet a year and has topped 1,000,000 feet twice. He is equally obsessed with Bear Peak, which he has almost gridded and climbed almost 1,300 times!