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Microspikes & crampons

OUR FAVOURITE FIVE

Whether wandering beneath the hills admiring their white coats or heading up the mountains to tackle their icy challenges, come winter you’ll need something to boost the traction of your boots.

Nortec Fast £69

For hikers who don’t really get involved with winter mountaineering, but who like to tread the lower-level paths around the hills to enjoy their winter spectacle, these micro crampons are ideal. Available in five sizes (and two colours – Day-Glo yellow and pink), these can be pulled on over almost any pair of trekking shoes, and all but the largest and chunkiest boots. For steeper or more technical ground a proper pair of stiff, fixed crampons is required, but for a just-in-case grip boost for icy paths or snow-covered lanes, these are perfect.

Simond Caiman £85

Founded in 1860 in Chamonix at the base of Mont Blanc (where its crampons are still made), Simond has been part of the Decathlon family since 2008. Like much Decathlon gear, the Caiman offers reliable performance at an excellent price. The 10-point arrangement offers the best layout for walking, while the strap-on attachment means they’ll fit almost any winter hiking boots. At 850g per pair they’re lightweight too. More technical models do exist, but these are ideal for walkers who occasionally venture into the hills in winter.

Petzl Irvis Leverlock £120

Another 10-point crampon that at first glance could be aimed squarely at walkers, the Irvis from Petzl offers some features that make it suitable for easier mountaineering routes too. For starters, although a fully strap-on version is available (the Flexlock model), this Leverlock attachment fixes firmly to dedicated winter boots with a rear crampon welt. It can even be configured to work as a step-in crampon with boots that have a front toe-welt t