Review: HillSound Trail Crampons
Hill Sound Trail Crampons are long lasting winter traction for the trail
Pros:
-Durable design
-Strap keeps them secure
-Exceptional traction
Features:
-Stainless steel construction
-Hinged at toe
-support strap across foot
-Eleven 2/3" spikes
Cons:
-Pricey
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Today we’re reviewing the HillSound Trail Crampon. These units (all four of them!) were purchased 5 years ago with my own money and this review is not sponsored by Hillsound. These winter traction aids for hikers come with a carry bag, and slip right over your hiking shoes or boots. They provide 11 spikes at a depth of 2/3" or 1.7 cm underfoot, and are hinged at the toe to allow for a more natural walking movement. They attach to your shoes with stretchy rubber and also have a strap that goes over your laces and keeps them snug. They weigh in at 16.3 oz or 462 g per pair.
When you look at the spikes, you’d think they would feel unwieldily underfoot, but surprisingly, you don’t really notice them at all while you walk--well, other than the incredible traction they provide. Which is to say they work exactly as you’d want them to. The HillSound Trail Crampon's make it easy and relaxing to walk on icy trails, no matter if they are flat or extremely steep. If you've never tried trail crampons, you won't believe the difference they make in peace of mind and in the speed you're able to cover ground.
We have put a ton of miles on these crampons over the past 5 years, and they are still like new. Beyond the paint wearing off the tips of the spikes, and being a bit dirty, they still look brand new, so score one for their longevity.
HillSound also makes a Trail Crampon Ultra, which are a bit lighter (14.25 oz or 422 g per pair) and have 18 lower profile spikes (1/2" - 2/3" or 1.2 - 1.5 cm): these look to be a great option for trail runners and fast packers. But for a day hiker like me, I’d stick with the regular trail crampon. The Hillsound Trail Crampon is priced at $89.95 CDN, while the Ultra Trail Crampon runs $99.95 CDN. My American friends are looking at $84.95 USD for the regular or $89.95 USD for the Ultras.
HillSound is headquartered in mountainous British Columbia, and they are well respected in the outdoor world, so you know the design of their Trail Crampons is going to be optimized. You can't afford to be slipping and sliding when you're hiking in the mountains! There are definitely cheaper options out there, but they may not have the same effective design.
Quick tip: when ordering, pay attention to Hillsound’s sizing chart to make sure you get a good fit. I ordered a large which is a touch big for my size 9 footwear: a medium might have fit more snugly.
Nonetheless, I highly recommend the Hillsound Trail Crampon. The peace of mind they provide on a slippery trail cannot be overstated, and after 5 years of trouble-free ownership, I’m really happy with the quality as well.
If you're interested in purchasing a set of HillSound Trail Crampons for yourself, click on the buttons below. Some links may be affiliate links.