Author Topic: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow  (Read 3929 times)

lizzzi

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Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« on: February 10, 2017, 05:31:02 AM »
So I walk the dog several times daily--twice a day for a long walk--and I'm worried that sooner or later the slip-and-slide of winter walking is going to result in a fall that gets me injured. Any recommendations for Yaktrax, Stabilizers, or Kahtoola Nanospikes or Microspikes, and why? Do they really make a difference? Thanks in advance for any wise counsel.

pbkmaine

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2017, 05:49:04 AM »

nereo

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2017, 06:02:44 AM »
Here's our experience. 
Yaktrax are good for walking on packed snow, but don't cut it on glare ice (that shiny, thick stuff) and they are really meant for walking on flat surfaces (sidewalks, driveways etc) - not uneven trails and over boulders. 
If you are dealing with thick ice or if your route takes you through the woods (especially over patches of ice-covered granite of concrete) Microspikes can't be beat.   Microspikes are a bit harder to walk on (literally and effort-wise), but they'll never fail.

So... it depends.  If you don't encounter thick glare ice much yaktrax or nanospikes or those ones pbkmaine linked will do great.  If your walks take you over a lot of ice and (especially) on uneven trails go with the micro spikes.


FWI We live in Quebec, used to live in Maine and NH...

Lews Therin

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2017, 06:09:53 AM »
First: Youtube Broomball (Hockey with shoes, and a weird stick)

Second - Look for broomball shoes in your part of the world, or Amazon.

I've played for years, and if we can run on skating rinks, it'll work fine for you and your dog!

100% will work perfectly

lizzzi

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2017, 06:31:03 AM »
My walking involves sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, paved walking trails, icy-packed flat terrain, icy-packed hilly terrain, some rocky flat or hilly terrain, some grassy flat or hilly terrain. My seven-pound yorkiepoo thinks he's an Alaskan husky--we go everywhere. in all the worst of winter weathers. Can't keep that dog inside. I've ordered the Bean product and some Stabilizers Maxx from Amazon. I will get back to the group with a report. I may end up going with more than one product--I can see needing Kahtoola Nanospikes or Microspikes for some of our treks. Will also check out broom ball shoes--never heard of that. Thanks everyone.

Cranky

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2017, 03:37:09 PM »
I like my yaktrax. I walk to work on paved surfaces, but not cleared sidewalks, and they are super helpful (and I'm an old-ish person with a gimpy knee who is very cautious about falling down these days.)

lizzzi

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2017, 12:29:30 PM »
I like my new Stabilicer Maxx.They are easy to strap on and off (sit in a chair and cross one ankle over the other leg), and grip well in deep snow, mixed pack snow/ice/frozen slush, and lighter snow covering asphalt, concrete, and wood. They can be a little slippery on vinyl tile, and mine did not leave dimples. They are definitely slippery on ceramic tile. They help a good deal in going up and down snow-covered hills and slippery, hilly, driveways and parking lots. They definitely add a good deal of stability, and make walking my dog much easier. (Eight times yesterday in a 16-hour span of time...and in a foot of snow.) I recommend checking first on the Stabilgear.com website. Use the site to see other products, to see the video about how to put on/take off, but most importantly, to figure out your correct size. Be mindful of what type of boot you're using. I found the XS was a good fit and even a little big (long in back by about 1/2 inch) on my women's USA size 7M Timberland Nellie's--a leather, high-top, women's work boot. The XS was a little small on my Columbia Bugaboots insulated, thick snow boots,  women's size USA 7.5, even though the sizing chart indicated XS should fit. I can use them, but the back of the boot really does not fit in the straps, and I am walking on the straps. I'm keeping the XS for my Timberlands, and have ordered a  size Small pair for my Bugaboots.

Now about pricing--be careful. Definitely find your size on the Stabilgear.com website, but shop around to find a lower price. The Stabilic
er Maxx is $57.95 on the website (and LL Bean has them for $59.95, though out of most sizes), but on Amazon Prime I got the XS for  $41.50 and the Small for $35.95. I bought a pack of 50 extra cleats on Amazon for $7.94...facepunch...they are only $6.00 on the Stabilgear website. Note also that brass spark resistant cleats are available for $8.00--meant for people who deliver fuel oil or otherwise work outside but have to avoid sparks.

I have not been able to test these on sheet ice, but as soon as I can, I will get back to the group with a report. So far I recommend these highly. (I don't own stock in the company--am just happy to feel so much more secure outside.)

lizzzi

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2017, 12:33:42 PM »
On the Timberland Nellie's and the Columbia Bugaboots.

lizzzi

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2017, 12:35:18 PM »
Back of the Timberland Nellie's. Showing excess length, which does not seem to be a problem.

nereo

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2017, 12:52:29 PM »
thanks for the follow-up.

lizzzi

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2017, 12:29:12 PM »
So today I received the Stabilicers Bean Traxx, which get good reviews in other places. I am sending them back, as I am very happy with the Stabilicers Maxx that I reviewed upthread. I specifically like the velcro strap around the ankle, which holds the Stabilicers on securely, even in deep snow. I have worn them on solid glare ice now, and they do grip. I find that I feel more secure doing a shufflling step on the glare ice--which makes the cleats dig in. They seem to grip OK without my shuffle, but I am a big chicken, and take the ice somewhat timidly.

  The Bean Traxx are designed specifically for L L Bean footwear--the duck boots, apparently--and I don't have a pair of those. The size Small is too big for my size 7M leather boots and shoes, and in any case, I would not feel as secure in them without the ankle strap--I am in deep snow a lot, and would be afraid they would slip off. They have little prongs (not the cleats) on the bottom that look like they would be grippy and secure--take a look at the Bean website if you are interested. 

moonpalace

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2017, 01:04:07 PM »
http://skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm

(the above is just instructions for outfitting your shoes/boots with sheet-metal screws for traction)

Pros: cheapest option by far; amazing traction

Cons: loud on pavement; can't take on and off easily

I use this system for running on the worst icy days in winter here (VT) and I swear by it.

SEAK

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2017, 01:49:32 PM »
Kahtoola Microspikes are all that I use. Big aggressive spikes really grips into the ice no mater how steep of hill you're on. My family and I all use them during the winter for backpacking trips, hunting, hikes, walks around the neighborhood. Since they have such large spikes they are not good on pavement, etc. They are simply the best. Expensive but totally worth it.


MountainFlower

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2017, 02:33:31 PM »
The screw shoe works great and costs about $2.  I hike on icy trails in Boulder and they grip amazingly well.

http://skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm

lizzzi

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2017, 03:13:31 PM »
I ordered a box of extra cleats from Stabil Icers for my Stabil Icer Maxx's...which I swear by...they made my dog walking so much more stable and I'm sure safe on all that ice, snow, and general wintry mess. Anyway, the cleats look exactly like one-half inch sheet metal screws to me.

Lenify

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Re: Recommendations for cleated footwear for ice, icy packed snow
« Reply #15 on: April 04, 2017, 12:11:54 AM »
Yaktrax are garbage. They'll break in a month max. Kahtoola are fantastic and last a long time. Amazon has a knockoff brand that does the exact same thing but about half the price. I've used mine to climb mountains in the PNW and have nothing but good things to say about them.

 

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