Hello there. I’m looking for crampons that are good for walking or hiking on flat, icy surfaces—nothing too extreme like mountain climbing or anything. I currently have these North Face Verto boots, but if I need new shoes to get the right fit, I’m open to suggestions. Thanks in advance, appreciate any advice…
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If you’re just on flat ice, I’d go with microspikes instead of full crampons. They’re lighter and work great for trails that aren’t too steep. I’ve used Kahtoola microspikes with my Salomon boots, but they should fit your North Faces no problem.
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Do microspikes give enough grip when it’s really slick? I don’t wanna end up sliding everywhere lol.
Yeah, they work really well on ice as long as it’s not super thick or uneven. I’ve never had issues with slipping. Plus, they’re way easier to pack than full crampons. Win-win
I’d say go with Yaktrax. They’re cheaper than Kahtoola and work for casual hikes. Just make sure they’re snug, or they’ll slip off and turn into a frisbee. 
Honestly, crampons on flat ice can be overkill unless you’re on a glacier or something. I use those cheap traction cleats from Amazon on my Merrells, and they do the trick. No need to spend $50+ unless you’re getting serious with your hikes.
I’m thinking I’ll probably stick to easier, flat trails for now, but I don’t want to risk sliding around. Would the cheap ones hold up for a few seasons, or am I looking at replacing them soon?
They might last a season or two, depends on how much you use them. They’re definitely not as tough as Kahtoolas or Hillsounds, but they’ll get you through light hikes without breaking the bank.
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If you’re planning on hitting any ice near a lake or river, I’d actually go with something a little heavier like the Black Diamond Neve Pro. The mix of wet ice and frozen ground can be tricky, and the added grip is a life-saver.
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Anyone else ever have their crampons pop off mid-hike? Had it happen once on a frozen pond, and let’s just say, I was on thin ice—literally.
Thanks for all the input, leaning towards the Kahtoolas or maybe the Hillsounds, but definitely sticking with microspikes instead of full crampons after reading all this. I’ll let you know how they work out.
Good choice. You’ll be slipping around less and still have toes by the end of winter. 
Yeah, just don’t forget to take ‘em off before walking inside—nothing says ‘I’m not a pro’ like scratching up your kitchen floor. Learned that the hard way