Just in time for winter, the much-anticipated Kahtoola NANOspikes traction product — primarily designed for runners that train in snow and ice — became available in U.S. outdoor retailers this week. You may remember the Kahtoola’s popular MICROspikes from season’s past.
Company founder Danny Giovale says he created the product to allow mountain athletes to extend their outdoor training season, something that he’s personally passionate about and has gone to great lengths to promote in his home town of Flagstaff, Arizona, sponsoring local athletes and promoting running events for all ages.
He formally launched this home-spun, labor-of-love company down in Flag in 1999, and has been creating his own versions of functional, high-performance outdoor products to help get folks out and where they want to go ever since. The idea for Micro Spikes was born from his own need for a small, portable crampon type device that could easily be carried in a pack and used with a variety of footwear.
Created specifically with runners in mind, the new NANOspikes allow athletes, both of the competitive and every-day variety, to forgo the treadmill and train outdoors despite snowy, icy conditions. And boy do they work. To prove the concept, we took them to the ice — an ice skating rink to be exact — and were able to truly run on ice without fear of slipping and falling due to the 10 low-profile carbide spikes on the sole.
Specific specs include: ultra-lightweight fabrication to enhance the winter running experience. (8.3 oz for the largest size); low profile (each Tungsten Carbide spike measures .21-inches); ergonomic band provides a uniform stretch over the entire foot – no straps or buckles needed); dual compound (combining flexible and semi-rigid) materials protect the foot and enables a direct energy transfer from step to spikes. The product is available in 3 sizes: small, medium and large.
“The NANOspikes are the most exciting product we’ve introduced to the Kahtoola family yet,” said Giovale. “Every feature has been chosen to ensure that they’re the lightest, strongest and most effective running traction product available. The technology and evolution of the NANOspikes traction makes them one of a kind, and we know it’s going to change the way people think about running in winter.” Giovale’s brain child was recently featured as one of the top-rated and field-test products in Outside’s Winter Buyer’s Guide and his entire development team speaks with confidence when they revealed all the details of how the new, crampon-like product will exceed the demands of athletes.
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Find them at specialty outdoor shops and larger retailers including Eastern Mountain Sports and REI, as well as online at Kahtoola.com. NANOspikes (MSRP $49.99) include a protective tote sack. For more sizing information visit the sizing sheet on Kahtoola’s website. Kahtoola donates one percent of sales revenue to organizations that work to preserve indigenous mountain cultures worldwide through the Kahtoola for the People grant advisory board.
