Microspikes are really great development which I assume were enabled by materials work that enables the bendable stretchy silicone you see in all sorts of things. The alternatives before were Yaktraks which, at best, gave you a bit of extra traction on your way to pick up the mail or you had to go full-on mountaineering crampons which obviously were way overkill or not even usable in many situations.

I have mountaineering gear but, to be honest, both myself and most of the people I usually hike with just use microspikes a lot of the time. (Also much more practical for beginner instructional trips.)