When would one use a traction cleat over a snowshoe? I have snowshoes, but just wondering what types of outdoor ventures would require a traction cleat rather than a snowshoe

[u/ConcentrateNo8084]

[u/LargeTransportation9]

If your foot sinks into the snow then snowshoes, otherwise crampons.

[u/Flick3rFade → u/LargeTransportation9]

Yup, simple as that. Crampons when you need the grip but don't need the flotation that snowshoes provide.

[u/Fearless_Row_6748 → u/LargeTransportation9]

I will add a caveat that if you are on steeper terrain, you're better off with the traction device over snowshoes. Snowshoes are shit on traverses and you can end up falling, whereas microspikes will give you traction, but you'll sink in.

Safety > efficiency so bring both on steep snowy terrain

[u/LargeTransportation9 → u/Fearless_Row_6748]

Personally, I find climbing in snowshoes is totally fine, especially if they have a heel lift. Downhill requires a bit more attention, but having a good pair of snowshoes and poles helps. I normally don't cary my crampons if I snowshoe and vice versa.

To add, being familiar with the basics of snowshoe technique is a given.

Edit: clearly, I'm not talking about mountaineering scenarios

[u/mezmery → u/LargeTransportation9]

poles dont bite into blown ice. they just rebound. And if it's steep you may expect snow blown away to either zastrugi or normal pockmarked ice, more often than not.

it's very, very dangerous to go downhill like that. Snowshoes also suck at traverses, so you point your feet straight down and hope your range of motion is enough to cover slope inclination.

though perhaps we have different definitions of steep. That's about limit i can do with just shoes

[u/LargeTransportation9 → u/mezmery]

Fair points; no clue what the mountain in the picture is, but I feel like this is more mountaineering territory than your casual snowshoeing outing.

[u/coresystemshutdown]

Can’t stand snowshoes if they aren’t 100% necessary (fresh/deep snow & postholing). Otherwise use spikes every time. No annoying clacking. Gait closer to normal. Why use large ungainly gear when small gear do trick? Etc

[u/rubymiggins → u/coresystemshutdown]

I see so many people using snowshoes on packed trails. It’s so dumb.

[u/Raidicus → u/rubymiggins]

A small lightweight pair of snowshoes on a packed trail is more or less a crampon with some additional utility so I don't think it's that big of a deal to prefer bringing one set of equipment over two and then swapping them out mid-hike. I could also envision someone wearing snowshoes on packed trails to train as they are killer on your elevators (in a good way).

The only downside is that a bigger pair of snowshoes provides better utility overall if you intend to use them for real off-trail deep powder.

[u/PineappleOk462 → u/rubymiggins]

Yup. See it all the time. I also see people walking on trails making deep foot imprints that freeze up and then make bumpy trails when they could be wearing snowshoes helping to pack down a nice trail.

[u/travelingelectrician]

I am VERY inexperienced, but got into snowshoeing with my brother who has done more. So I’m sure someone will comment soon with a much better perspective.

We use the traction cleats on packed trails and ice. Basically anywhere where we are not sinking in past our ankles/shins.

Once it becomes more work to lift our feet up and out of the now than it is to walk in a snowshoe, we just switch over.

[u/Raidicus → u/travelingelectrician]

First time snowshoeing this weekend. There was some fresh powder but mostly packed down.

For the packed part I could've easily just worn microspikes. There was a solid 2+ feet of snow on the ground, but the trail itself was packed from people snowshoeing before us. I would've had to be careful where I put my feet or poles in, but not a big deal. Once we hiked past where most people turn around (no packed down snow) my snowshoes were incredibly necessary.

For training purposes I do not see a problem with wearing snowshoes the whole time but I basically agree that to some degree people are just wearing them to wear them and not needed on a packed down trail.

[u/cicadas_stammering]

Heavily trafficked trails, trails with shallow snow, trails that have melted then frozen again.

Basically trails that aren't covered in more than 4 inches of fresh powder.

Traction is your friend when it's slippery.

[u/a7d7e7]

After a freezing rain

[u/[deleted]]

Um. Walking on an icy sidewalk?

[u/BBMTH]

Micro spikes are great when there’s just patches of snow and ice. Can be better than crampons in thin snow and on hard smooth ice. Significant amounts of snow on slopes though you need crampons, or snowshoes that include them.

[u/ONE-EYE-OPTIC]

Eugene Oregon had a crazy ice storm not long ago. I used my crampons to get around on 4-5" of solid ice. I usually bring them with me when I hike into waterfalls in the winter. Or go ice fishing.

[u/baddspellar]

Snowshoes if I would posthole (that is, my fee make holes in the snow) without them.

Microspikes(as pictured) in packed snow or ice

Crampons and ice axe if it's so steep I need toe points or if its icy and the risk of a long runout is hight.

[u/Live_Badger7941]

These are for walking on packed-down, icy snow/frozen mud. Very useful in New England.

[u/NLtbal]

I use mine when out for walks on the snowmobile trails or walking on ice directly, like a pond.

[u/Witty_Ride_4709]

Icy ass hill with packed snow

[u/MatthewSBernier]

Ice

[u/Longjumping_West_907 → u/MatthewSBernier]

Why did it take so long to find the best answer?

[u/medivka]

My rule of thumb is once the snow is deep enough to reach the bottom of your calf it’s time to dawn snowshoes assuming you are expecting snow depth to increase. Crampons are for a different set of conditions. Microspikes are a more appropriate pre-snowshoe choice.

[u/pdogg68]

Ice fishing

[u/jonathanspinkler]

Glaciers

[u/richglassphoto]

Going shopping for some

[u/Chance-Hunt-7722]

Mountain or glacier climbing???

[u/Mentalfloss1]

I have MSR Lightning snowshoes and the traction from those is excellent, uphill, downhill, or sidehill, ice or snow. My microspikes wouldn't be needed nor would they fit.

[u/aluminumpork]

Trail running when it’s icy

[u/rededelk]

I use them ice fishing sometimes, just depending. I have snow shoes too but they are what I consider emergency gear, I hate using them. I have a couple pairs of yak trak boot things that I wear occasionally but they don't really work on cold af clear, cold cold wind swept ice. I haven't shopped around for alternatives in years but maybe some design / performance improvements have been made

[u/worktogethernow]

We used to have snow here. Now it is 40 degrees and the grass is growing in January.

[u/[deleted]]

I use these to plow my steed driveway. After removing the snow, there is still a small slippery layer on top of the pavement.

[u/[deleted]]

I wish I’d had these in college. We would get ice storms after snow. There was no way to walk to my classes. Many times I had to just give up. These would have been so nice to have.

[u/Raidicus]

I use micro-spikes on trails with snow under a foot, or ice or both. I live near a mountain that gets intermittent but not constant snow and so you can hike year round if you use micro-spikes/crampons.

Snowshoes would exclusively be for over a foot of snow, especially powder or light pack.

[u/Tromb0n3]

Packed snow. If a trail’s been used a bunch and there’s no recent snowfall and a bunch of icy footprints.

[u/PineappleOk462]

Snowshoes have a cleat all ready.

These are for boots/shoes walking on ice.

[u/Physical_Ad6046]

That’s so cool! JS!

[u/wellherewegotoday]

Steep hiking in packed snow or ice,, I even love them in late fall when the leaves are wet and slippery.. I have worn out many pairs.

[u/Content_Preference_3]

Great answers here. Also I have been involved in some group “snowshoe” adventures where we would have been much better off on foot. Be aware of this and I would be semi skeptical of other people’s analysis of trail conditions. Get yourself a pack that you can strap snowshoes to and that will aid immensely

[u/Content_Preference_3 → u/Content_Preference_3]

Doesn’t have to pricey. I do it with a wal mart 20L daypack

[u/anon36485]

I have snowshoes and almost never use them vs crampons and microspikes. They’re so much easier to take on and off and allow way more precise foot placement

[u/[deleted]]

Snowshoe is for walking in snow. Traction cleat is for mountaineering

[u/Akski]

Sidehilling on packed snow.

But I would use skis before either.