Mt Whitney Zone Forums Gear Heads Kahtoola Microspikes

Here's the Kahtoola Microspikes picture (from backcountry.com):



And YakTrax (image from Cabelas.com)


The ad for Microspikes reads, "When heading out on the sidewalk feels like a trek onto the Antarctic ice sheet, strap on the Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System, and get durable grip on even the slickest surfaces."

I don't think they are recommended for anything but a casual walk.

Regarding self arrest, I've never heard of using hiking poles. Wouldn't they just bend or break?