Backside Line
The Yaktrax Diamond Grips provide a singular set of advantages at an reasonably priced worth level. The patented Diamond Beads shed snow surprisingly properly, making them splendid for sticky spring situations and assorted terrain.
These cleats snugly hug the foot with no sagging chains or spikes, providing you with strong and safe footing on dry surfaces. Though they shine on packed snow, the Diamond Grips nearly really feel like a traditional mountaineering shoe on patches of dust and gravel.
Our testing included lengthy hikes with the Diamond Grips on trails that continuously modified from dust to rock to ice and snow. They remained comfy over each floor and by no means introduced the necessity to take away them.
The reasonably priced worth level does include just a few downsides, nonetheless. The cleats could be a little difficult to drag on and off, don’t include a useful stuff sack, and lack sturdiness in a number of areas. For critical winter situations, you would possibly think about different choices from our full traction gadget information. However for mild use across the outskirts of city, the Diamond Grips are an awesome price range purchase.
How We Examined
We’re lucky to have an extremely versatile native testing floor within the stunning Colorado Rocky Mountains the place we will deal with trails from rocky desert terrain to snowy mountains. Along with scrutinizing every product by way of managed, quantifiable lab testing, we’ve run, hiked, and walked for weeks over vastly completely different environments to carry you actual, trail-tested knowledge.
Fast Specs
Yaktrax Diamond Grip
Finest at Shedding Snow
CleverHiker Score:
4.2/5.0
Worth:
$55
Weight:
9.7 oz.
Kind:
Metal beads
Finest Use:
Strolling & mild mountaineering
Execs
- Inexpensive
- Sheds snow properly
Cons
- Not as sturdy as some
- Much less aggressive traction
- Match not as dialed in
- No stuff sack included
Traction
The Yaktrax Diamond Grip ice cleats present a average quantity of traction that’s ample for mild walks and gentle hikes. The traction stretches over a large space from the very tip of the toe to the top of the heel.The cleats are made up of case-hardened metal beads strung on metal plane cable. The beads are designed to swivel freely to be able to shed snow, which they do effectively. The swiveling beads are notably helpful for spring days with moist snow however can detract from the general traction. Yaktrak’s declare of the Diamond Grips having “a whole lot of biting edges” is a bit deceptive.
In the end, we’ve discovered the Diamond Grips to be best whereas jogging or strolling on mild terrain with packed snow and onerous surfaces. They sadly don’t grip ice in addition to we want. For a price range purchase, the Diamond Grips are wonderful for snowy neighborhood walks and brief day hikes.
Match
The Diamond Grips present a light-weight and cozy match that’s wonderful for all-day use. The elastic rubber sling retains the cleats tight towards the foot, and the low-profile design helps to keep away from snags on sticks and rocks. In contrast to bulkier spikes which have hanging chains, the Diamond Grips keep conveniently out of the way in which.
These cleats additionally match on a wide range of shoe types. We discovered them to work finest on path runners and light-weight mountaineering boots. Nonetheless, on some footwear they create an undesirable hole on the arch, which is a possible snag hazard.
The cleats keep in place for probably the most half, however after miles of mountaineering, we discovered ourselves having to achieve right down to readjust periodically.
Ease of Use/Versatility
The Diamond Grips are efficient throughout blended mountain terrain, however they could be a little difficult to get on and off. The 2 traction zones look very related, and the markings are fairly small. This mix makes it a bit troublesome to inform the entrance from the again. Pulling the cleats in your foot feels a bit awkward and initially requires a little bit of adjusting.Although the patented Diamond Beads are best on shallow and packed snow, additionally they journey properly over ice and dry floor with out the necessity to take them off. The units are so low profile that they barely really feel any completely different than an everyday mountaineering shoe when strolling on gravel and dust.
We’d like to see a extra streamlined match and higher markings to reinforce the Diamond Grips’ general person friendliness. However for the worth, they nonetheless provide wonderful versatility.
Weight/Packability
At simply 9.7 ounces for the pair, the Yaktrax Diamond Grips are one of many lighter traction units on our listing. This makes them properly suited to all day consolation on highway and path runs. Every gadget provides simply 137 grams to every foot, minimizing foot fatigue.
Though the units collapse down fairly small, they aren’t bought with a stuff sack. Which means they will get tangled with different gadgets inside your pack. For quickest entry and minimal tangling, we suggest clipping the Diamond Grips to the skin of your pack.
Sturdiness
Sadly, the Yaktrax Diamond Grips will not be probably the most sturdy cleats available on the market and needs to be handled with care.
The Diamond Beads are comprised of case-hardened metal alloy, which is a really abrasion resistant materials that ought to final a really very long time. Nonetheless, the weak hyperlink is within the metal plane cable that the beads swivel on. Wherever you could have shifting elements, you’ll have abrasion. Though we haven’t skilled any catastrophic failures but, many customers have damaged the cable, scattering the beads all around the floor. A damaged cable will certainly be a buzzkill in your winter outings, and it’s additionally troublesome to restore.
The attachment factors to the rubber sling are extremely strong, in order that space will not be a difficulty. The chains, nonetheless, are a bit smaller than on different ice cleats. A minimum of they’re simple to restore. The rubber sling can stand up to most temperatures with no downside. Nonetheless, after leaving them out in -30ºF temperatures in a single day, the rubber confirmed micro cracks when stretched, which provides us some concern.
Ought to You Purchase the Yaktrax Diamond Grips?
The Yaktrax Diamond Grips are a superb price range purchase for the informal hiker or anybody in search of a bit extra confidence on their neighborhood walks and jogs. The patented Diamond Beads are finest for offering extra steady footing on packed snow and ice whereas not being overly obtrusive when the path or sidewalk dries up. Sadly, their sturdiness could depart a bit to be desired. Each part, other than the attachment factors, is a little more susceptible to heavy use than different traction units. Nonetheless, if snow-shedding and affordability are your high priorities, this could possibly be a cheap traction gadget.
What Different Traction Units Ought to You Think about?
On the lookout for a extra premium possibility? Take a look at our full information to one of the best ice cleats, the place we’ve suggestions for each mountaineering model.
Yaktrax Chains Overview: The Yaktrax chains provide much more value financial savings for informal strolling round city. Their traction is minimal, however so is the worth level.
Kahtoola NANOspikes Overview: The NANOspikes promote for the same worth and are probably the most low-profile units on our listing – good for highway working in winter situations.
Kahtoola EXOspikes Overview: Though a bit pricier, the EXOspikes present spectacular versatility throughout blended mountain terrain and are simpler on ice and packed snow.
Black Diamond Distance Spike: These are probably the most aggressive path working cleats on our listing. They’ll deal with difficult mountain terrain, and the featherweight building is extremely comfy.
