The Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Launched in September 2025, simply in time for the winter season, the Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost ($105) is an thrilling choice for microspike lovers who’re searching for one thing mild and versatile for winter path operating that gives unimaginable traction on icy, hardpacked circumstances. Kahtoola, in my thoughts, is the de facto main model in winter traction gadgets for all sub-crampon endurance actions, they usually’ve been my private favourite for mountain trails for the reason that very first model of the Kahtoola Microspikes was launched and graced my trail-shoed foot in 2005.
Kahtoola takes a really methodical strategy to product growth in Flagstaff, Arizona, so it’s fairly thrilling, when after a number of years, they announce a brand new product. The Ghost is the latest and lightest choice of their line-up. A medium had an precise weight of 11.8 ounces (187 grams) for the pair. The extra streamlined design additionally permits it to pack a bit extra compactly inside its included ripstop nylon tote sack and match extra comfortably behind a hydration pack and even the pocket of your jacket.
With 5 completely different sizes from extra-small to extra-large, the sizing is sort of and can match from a U.S. girls’s 5.5 as much as a U.S. males’s 14. My girls’s measurement 9.5 places me simply into the medium measurement, and the Ghost match any of my path footwear whatever the form of the toebox or depth of the lugs.
As an added bonus, the guarantee on new purchases of the Kahtoola Exospike, Kahtoola Nanospikeand the Microspike is now doubled from two years to 4 years. It’s a real testomony to their rigorous testing course of and confidence of their product sturdiness.
The Ghost, along with different Kahtoola merchandise, may be present in our Greatest Winter Working Traction Gadgets information.
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Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost Design
The streamlined Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost is considerably lighter than the Microspikes, and this weight financial savings makes a noticeable distinction in foot and leg fatigue, particularly over longer runs the place the packed ice and snow is constant. Much less arch, Achilles, knee, and hamstring fatigue is at all times a great factor and means I can hit the identical terrain the subsequent day. I weighed my measurement medium Ghosts at 6.6 ounces (187 grams) for the pair, whereas my 2021 Microspikes weighed 11.8 ounces (336 grams). That’s a couple of 45% discount in weight. The Ghosts pack all the way down to concerning the measurement of a medium-sized fist, making them straightforward to move.
The hybrid elastomer harness is constructed with a barely denser and stiffer rubber over the toe to offer a really safe, slip-free match, and a lighter-weight and extra pliable elastomer for the remainder of the harness system that enables it to stretch and conform over the shoe extra simply. I discovered the heel tab make it simpler to place these on whereas standing on one foot, although your expertise might range … and disrespect that splat imprint on the snow drift again there.
Below the shoe, additional weight financial savings are achieved with the up to date abrasion-resistant TPU matrix, which is much less cumbersome than the metal chains and fewer susceptible to amassing snowballs on hotter days. The recessed articulating rivets reduce stress factors in opposition to the only real of the shoe and permit spikes to maneuver independently, creating very responsive traction. Bolstered eyelets enhance the sturdiness on the excessive stress factors of the gadget.
The Ghost’s 12 aggressive, triangular, corrosion-resistant stainless-steel spikes are 0.36 inches (9 millimeters) lengthy. They’re barely shorter than the spikes on the common Microspike, which measure at 0.41 inches (10.4 millimeters). Functionally, I didn’t discover a big distinction within the high quality of traction supplied between the 2, and if the Ghosts had been the one pair of traction gadgets I had, I wouldn’t hesitate to make use of them confidently anyplace I’d take the unique Microspikes. These enamel may actually do some harm to the within of your calf or your favourite canine operating pal’s foot, so do use with thoughtfulness.
The motion facet of the Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost.
Kahtoola Microspikes Use and Traction
The Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost brings confidence to operating and mountaineering in icy winter and shoulder-season circumstances past most different traction gadgets on the market. Whereas they’re not meant for lengthy grime and rock sections, the convenience with which you’ll don and doff them means you may adapt to what nature throws in your path whereas nonetheless operating in your favourite path footwear. I’ve used the Ghosts on snow and ice on city trails, in addition to lengthy ascents and descents on secure snow-packed slopes and trails within the excessive nation. With the traction they supply, my winter downhill speeds on snow simply exceed my dry-season speeds as a result of all of the rocks are coated, and I can simply cruise.
Whereas I gained’t be giving up my nearly five-year-old customary Microspikes for instances once I need that additional spike depth, resembling if I used to be going to go run or hike a peak with a protracted sustained climb and descent, like Quandary Peak in Colorado, the Ghosts really feel just a little extra conducive to operating with simpler turnover and fewer weight on the legs. I additionally discover much less slipping when trotting round steep switchback corners, because of the improved spikes close to the toe of the shoe. It’s a small factor, however a welcome enchancment. In terms of one thing longer and extra runnable, or with extra number of terrain, the light-weight performance of the Ghosts shines.
The closest competitor to the Microspikes Ghosts is the Black Diamond Distance Spikethat are nearly the identical weight and have a millimeter shorter spike depth. They’re additionally very snug for operating, however with the softshell toe cowl, they are often tougher to suit over wider toeboxes. They’re additionally nearly the identical worth, so for the better adaptability the Kahtoola offers, the Ghost can be my present decide.
One key factor to notice is the Ghosts positively work greatest on sturdier trails footwear — with extra overlays, reinforcements, and a greater toe bumper — than with extra versatile highway footwear. Out of curiosity, I did strive them twice on highway footwear on a crushed gravel path that had some snow on it, and the highway footwear tended to indent and create stress factors contained in the toebox from the compression of the harness. Conversely, I’ve used the Ghosts with Scarpa, La Sportiva, Salomon, Asics, and Brooks path footwear with none points by any means.
A lateral view of the Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost.
Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost Total Impression
Kahtoola has raised the bar fairly considerably with the Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost. I’m a devoted practically 20-year consumer of the Kahtoola Microspikes and I can’t think about not having a pair of them. However with the brand new Ghosts, I really feel fortunately conflicted as to which pair to achieve for. They’re mild, snug, and supply distinctive traction on a wide range of slippery winter surfaces.
Should you’re needing new traction gadgets to your winter operating pleasure, and you want operating and shifting mild and quick on the snow-packed and sometimes icy singletrack trails and slopes in your space, the light-weight Ghosts are certainly the best way to go. There’s a motive they’re included in our Greatest Winter Working Traction Gadgets information.
You may’t beat the four-year guarantee and unimaginable performance. If weight financial savings will not be as essential to you as price financial savings, the unique Kahtoola Microspikes are nonetheless a really sound selection, and you continue to get that industry-leading four-year guarantee.
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Different Winter Working Traction Gadgets
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A medial view of the Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost.
