I just got a pair, and they're great, but for one thing; one of the eyelets on the front of one tore after less than 12 miles of hiking.

Kahtoola is replacing them at no cost to me as per their 1 year warranty(though it's unclear if they'll reimburse me for my shipping costs).

I've read nothing but great reviews about them, and before they broke, I'd already mentally placed them in my Top 10 favorite pieces of gear.

I was hiking pretty rugged terrain, but that's what they're for, right? I wouldn't need 3.4" steel spikes if the terrain was easy.

I'm not mad, I just assume at this point I got a defective set. But has anybody else had this happen?

Thanks.

Hi Jim which bit went? On mine there is a steel upstand with a slot in it, then a steel sheet loop/ ribbon through the slot, riveted onto a webbing strap. I am guessing the sheet/ribbon. Mine are all scratched and one dent but no sign of splitting. This is their third winter some of the spikes are 8 mm wide at the "point" having not been sharpened. I was more worried about the steel sheet attachments at the next fixing point back which go under my sole and get more battered

What happened was one of the metal attachment points on the front pulled/tore through the red elastomer webbing. I had the correct size for my shoes, and they were on correctly as far as I could tell. These aren't my pair(at work so can't take picture), but If you look at this picture I pulled off the net, it was the left front attachment point that broke.

Sorry Jim
I was thinking of the wrong Kahtoola item. I have only just got microspikes so I only have 2 trips more use than you. No problem so far but we will see

I'd hedge on a defective pair. The red area might have been thinner than normal?

Ford was extremely abusive when pulling his on (he outgrew them!) but they still look new, even after 2 hard years of wear.

I would say a defective pair as I have beat mine to heck and back and they still are holding up pretty good. Make sure you have the right size and not something too small.

I am into my 3rd year on my Microspikes with no problems, however a friend had two pair break on him last winter. Both were replaced at no cost by the retailer he bought them from and his 3rd pair seems to be holding up fine.