Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra Review

JUMP TO: SPECS  |  PROS & CONS  |  HOW THEY PERFORMED  |  FEATURES  |  SUMMARY

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Apr 30, 2023
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The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras are designed to accomplish what few other winter traction devices do well: provide aggressive traction but in a minimal package for fast and light adventures.

Unlike the similar, but slightly burlier Hillsound Trail Crampon, the Trail Crampon Ultras are suitable for trail running and fastpacking. Unlike other microspikes or crampons with similar abilities, they are light enough to play well with trail running shoes and far better on ice and packed snow than lower-profile spikes or studs designed specifically for running.

Not just great for running, these crampons also perform well for winter hiking or summer scrambles in the alpine, making them an excellent “do it all” winter traction device.

SPECS

HOW THEY PERFORMED

TRACTION: Every winter, one of my favorite forest trails transforms into an icy death trap. Massive ice floes form across the trail as water drains from the above plateau into the river valley, and the multiple steep climbs become slick as water slides. I first tested the Trail Crampon Ultras on this trail, and those details became trivial. The traction provided by the 18 stainless steel spikes is outstanding: I ran up and down snow-covered slopes and across hockey rink-esque ice floes with total security and confidence.

EASE OF USE: While a crampon in name, the Trail Crampon Ultras function like a microspike and are easy to use. There are no fussy attachment systems or worries about boot compatibility. An elastomer harness wraps around the heel and toe box. A toe bail and single velcro strap help keep the crampon in place on your boot or shoe. The strong elastomer can be a bit challenging to remove from your shoes, especially in cold weather. But overall, these crampons are well-designed and straightforward.

FIT & COMFORT: Given the robust design of the Trail Crampon Ultras, they are surprisingly comfortable, even when worn over less sturdy footwear. I find that the elastomer harness does bend the toe box of trail running shoes upward, which can sometimes get uncomfortable after a couple of hours of running.

SHOE COMPATIBILITY: The Trail Crampon Ultras are designed to work with trail running shoes, hiking shoes and boots, along with less technical winter boots. In my US size 10.5 trail runners, I find the size L crampons to be a touch too tight and definitely recommend going a size up if you are between sizes.

WEIGHT: At under a pound per pair, the crampons are far lighter than more aggressive and technical winter traction devices. Worn with hiking boots, you will scarcely notice a difference, but the same cannot be said for running, as they will essentially double the weight of your average trail shoe. But for slippery and snowy winter running, the tradeoff in nimbleness is more than worth it.

NOTABLE FEATURES

TRACTION SYSTEM: The 18 spikes are arranged in groups of three in a small circle under the heel and a larger oval-like shape under the midfoot. The spikes, plates, and attaching chains are all stainless steel, but make sure to dry them thoroughly before storing them to avoid any rusting.

HARNESS: The heavy-duty elastomer harness feels bombproof. A toe bail works with the form-fitting harness to ensure the spikes remain secure and stable underfoot.

STORAGE BAG: The spikes on these crampons are sharp. They can shred through gear, and even you, if you’re not careful. Fortunately, the Trail Crampon Ultras come with a puncture-proof carry bag to ensure safe storage while in your pack or on the gear shelf at home. The crampons are somewhat bulky when packed into the bag, but I could still fit them into the mesh harness pocket of a Salmon Active Skin 8 Running Vest for easy access.

WARRANTY: Hillsound winter traction devices all feature a two-year limited warranty. If the crampons unduly fail or break, they will repair them or send you another pair for free.

SUMMARY

Living as I do in the Canadian Rockies, where my favorite trails are subsumed in snow and ice for upwards of 8 months of the year, finding a microspike that was compatible with trail running while offering this level of traction was something of a revelation for me. The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras have greatly expanded the winter terrain that I can actually run on enjoyably and safely. That they have the versatility to take on winter hikes, alpine conditions, and even light low-incline glacier travel makes them all the better.

However, the aggressive spikes make walking or running on any sort of hard ground quite awkward and uncomfortable. Perhaps overkill for mixed surface conditions you often encounter in the shoulder season, these crampons do best in the depths of winter when you are mostly traversing snow and ice.

With excellent versatility and performance, the Trail Crampon Ultras established themselves as perhaps my favorite traction solution, and I find myself favoring them again and again for winter runs and hikes in the mountains.

DISCLOSURE

Hillsound provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review also contains affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content.

MORE INFORMATION

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Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!