A really nice representative of La Sportiva asked if I’d like to test out a set of the A.T. Hobnails, but I think I can get the drift without actually screwing them into a pair of my running shoes. Each kit comes with a set of 20 Hobnails and a key that screws them in and out. Make sure you’re not using Nikes with air pockets, or it’ll turn out like that time I punched a screwdriver through the fridge lining and got blasted in the face with Freon (true story). The Hobnails are basically a set of ice cleats that keep you upright while ice fishing or log rolling. The A.T. Grip Hobnails cost $40 a set.
ByRocky Thompson
Or for only $2 you could use this sheet-metal screw setup, which has been awesome in Idaho Falls this winter.
http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm
How are these better than sheet metal screws? High altitude runner, Matt Carpenter, has a good guide for screws at http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm
The AT hobnails are better than sheet metal screws for a few reasons. For one they do not fall out of the shoe on each run. If you use hex head screws you know that you lose a few on each run. Think about all of the people using screws and losing 3-5 screws on each run. That’s a lot of metal on the trail come mud season. Another reason is that the metal used in the hobnails is made of widia tungsten a very hard metal that is super resistant to abrasion and also is extra grippy on hard surfaces like asphalt and rock compared to other metals.