Hillsound FreeSteps6

If you’ve ever had the unfortunate luck of trying to walk an icy sidewalk or trail in just about any pair of shoes, you know well the perils of doing so. A few brands make slip-on microspikes, basically crampons that fit around your city or hiking shoes. Hillsound makes some of the most versatile and effective on the market at an incredibly reasonable price point.

The FreeSteps6 microspikes are constructed of 21 stainless steel spikes arranged on stainless steel chains. The sturdy rubber perimeter ensures these are relatively easy to put on; it takes just a couple of practice rounds to become fast and efficient at donning these traction devices. They fit snuggly around your shoe but don’t fit so tightly that they hurt your feet with extended use.

The rubber is intended to maintain elasticity in cold weather; a usability test confirmed this multiple times in sub-freezing temperatures. The rubber on many other microspikes tends to tear after lots of use, but Hillsound has used reinforced elastomer to prevent this problem.

The versatility of the FreeSteps is noteworthy. They’re lightweight and minimal enough to fit easily in a backpack for the possibility of encountering snow on a backcountry trail but they’re also great for runners who don’t want to add a lot of extra weight to their footwear. And of course, they’re ideal for city slickers in winter.

An unexpected use is the ability to grip on slimy river rocks for fly fishing. With a simple rinse after use, the devices are clean and therefore don’t transfer invasive aquatic species from one location to the next.

Learn more about the FreeSteps6 at hillsound.com.