Stabilicers

This is a fairly well-built piece of equipment - much more rugged and reliable than Yaktraks, and also more effective in icy conditions. I have witnessed plenty of lost screws littering the trails during spring thaws. Online message boards are full of advice about tightening the screws, using glue, etc, but I personally never lost a screw. That may be because I didn't use my stabilicers very much: at about 700 grams (depending on size) they defeat the purpose of "lightweight traction". I usually carry crampons, and my crampons are lighter than these, so these are not worth the extra weight to carry.

Edit 2010: nowadays I carry Katoola Microspikes instead of these. Much lighter and less bulky, and just as effective.