Boot ice grippers

[Iowa Fox]

Last year was a horrible icy winter here lasting for probably 6 weeks and I really took a few hard falls on the ice. This year I want to get a set of slip on ice grippers for my boots while I'm out. Scheels just put out their new inventory of a half a dozen different styles. Yak Trac chains, Yak Trac diamond point chains, then a few styles of steel points, What are you guys using for ice, and snow on hard shiney ice?

[Winger Ed.]

When I was a kid, we didn't have shoes.
We just wrapped barbed wire around out feet to get some traction on the ice.:kidding::bigsmyl2:

[Gofaaast]

Yaktrax pro traction is what I use ice fishing. I recommend them as they have performed well while pulling my otter sled on pure ice and ice that is snow covered.

[Minerat]

I've used these on lakes that have little snow Ergodyne TREX 6304 Performance Traction Cleats they worked fine on solid ice but I'd be leary on icy concrete.

[winelover]

We get more ice than snow. I use the type that are skeletonized rubber that have replaceable steel studs. Easy on/off. Forget which brand but there are many out on the web. Check Amazon.

Winelover

[JBinMN]

Of all the types I have used over the years, and I have tried a lot of them, the Yak Tracs Pro & Diamond have been the best for me.

They would be the ones I would suggest.

The cost, around $20 a set IIRC, is well worth the price of not landing on your butt, or any other part of your body that you don't want to have hit the ground surface real hard, regardless of type of surface.

G'Luck! whatever you decide.
:)

[Thin Man]

A WWII veteran I used to work for about 35 years ago had 10-12 pair of ice creepers that were GI surplus. They had hinges that allowed them to fit different shoe sizes and were secured to the shoes by leather straps. Always wanted a pair of those just for the novelty of having them. When he passed his family disposed of them before I knew they were cleaning out his goods. They probably sent them to the landfill.

[waksupi]

I never had much luck with any of them. I got a pair of thick soled winter boots, and screwed 1/4" self tapping hex topped screws into each lug. I could run on glare ice with them, if I was the running type. They have the added benefit of being a cheap option.

[trebor44]

I never had much luck with any of them. I got a pair of thick soled winter boots, and screwed 1/4" self tapping hex topped screws into each lug. I could run on glare ice with them, if I was the running type. They have the added benefit of being a cheap option.

The commercial version of the this is the "Stableicers" strap on platform and costs about $30-$40 depending on where you get them. They work well on slick-icy concrete. I use them when clearing the concrete pad in front of the garage. The metal 'cleats' are replaceable and are made of steel. While I did get some replacement cleats, I have yet to need them. The Yaktracks have different models and if you only need nonslip traction occasionally they do work. I keep a pair in our vehicles for those moments. The toughest ones are the 'Stabilicers" in my estimate. If you are dealing with deep snow then consider the instep or full sole crampons for stability or traction.

[jonp]

Yak Pros. Company gives them out to those that want a pair

[NyFirefighter357]

I never had much luck with any of them. I got a pair of thick soled winter boots, and screwed 1/4" self tapping hex topped screws into each lug. I could run on glare ice with them, if I was the running type. They have the added benefit of being a cheap option.

You can buy screw in carbide studs for ATV's. https://www.amazon.com/Marrkey-Anti-Slip-Snowmobile-Motorcycle-Installation/dp/B078JKLVYL/ref=asc_df_B078JKLVYL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312174136943&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14974322667216015010&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-568481742386&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63790029762&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312174136943&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14974322667216015010&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-568481742386

[Tripplebeards]

They all work...and come off and get lost. I had some cheapies from thirty years ago that we’re just some cheap black rubber with cleats. You could get them at farm and fleet, also Shopko. Worked well on my ice Kings that were slick as butter on ice and snow...but sure can keep my feet warm. If it were me I’d buy a few pairs of the cheapest ones because they come off when you least expect it. They work great till you loose them. My bother in law fell down and broke his wrist two years ago with that nasty ice storm you guys had while he was salting his side walk.

[xs11jack]

A couple of years ago we had more ice than snow so I invented ice shoes for the wife to use to get to the mail box. I used duck tape that I pushed shingle nails though then wrap them around her tennis shoes. She wouldn't wear them, drat.
Ole Jack

[Alstep]

I've had good luck with icetrekkers.

https://icetrekkers.com/

[MT Gianni]

I have used several kinds and never found one not to work when put on. Use what fits your boot best.

[fecmech]

I've used the yak tracs and they work fine for me.

[woodbutcher]

[smilie=s: Two maybe 3 years ago I went to the grocery store for some odds and ends.
Heard some funny clicking coming across the parking lot.So, here comes a guy almost running,and I thought boy is he looking to take a fall.NOT.He was wearing GOLF SPIKES.
Seemed to work well for him.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[Elkins45]

I’ve used both the yak traks and a brand I think was called Yukon Charlie’s that had carbide spikes when I’ve hiked the frozen sections of the Grand Canyon in winter. Both worked fine for me. I think I liked the Yukon Charlie’s just a tiny bit more.

[bassnbuck]

+2 on the stableicers, not cheap, but are great on ice. Been using mine going on twelve years.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'm glad this subject came up.
Last year there was a day or two, when I wished I had some ice grippers for shoes.
So when I seen this thread 8 days ago, I ordered some cheap clone of Jak-Trax (Fleebay for $7 they arrived saturday), just to have lying around, incase we get an ice storm this year. They only need to save my backside one time :wink:
Thanks.

[megasupermagnum]

Are you asking about just walking to your car, or about ice fishing or similar? They all work somewhat, and they all get lost eventually. I'm an ice fisherman, and use Yak trax. They go on easy in just a few seconds. They don't grip all that well, but are plenty to keep you from falling as long as you walk like you are on ice. I've never fallen with them.

The very best on ice is boots with studs, however, it turns out they are not practical in the real word. Driving with them is iffy. No store will let you in with them. They are slick as snot on smooth concrete. The biggest problem for me is not the glare ice. The biggest problem is when you get a dusting of snow on that ice deeper than your grips. There is no perfect answer for this, but Yak Trax actually seem to dig in pretty well compared to studs with snow.

[JBinMN]

Are you asking about just walking to your car, or about ice fishing or similar? They all work somewhat, and they all get lost eventually. I'm an ice fisherman, and use Yak trax. They go on easy in just a few seconds. They don't grip all that well, but are plenty to keep you from falling as long as you walk like you are on ice. I've never fallen with them.

The very best on ice is boots with studs, however, it turns out they are not practical in the real word. Driving with them is iffy. No store will let you in with them. They are slick as snot on smooth concrete. The biggest problem for me is not the glare ice. The biggest problem is when you get a dusting of snow on that ice deeper than your grips. There is no perfect answer for this, but Yak Trax actually seem to dig in pretty well compared to studs with snow.

Of all the falls I have suffered in Winter, the bolded above has always been the worst ones. Light snow on ice is the most dangerous walking, IMO.

P.S. - I ice fish a lot as well. No running to the tipups is one of our rules, the fish will still be there even if you walk if ya did what you were supposed to do in setting it. If people run, they usually fall & hurt themselves, & it ruins every one in the parties day & not just the one(s) who fell, because the others usually have to deal with the one that got hurt.

I am sure you know what I mean...

;)

[AK Caster]

The best I ever used was purchased at REI. A thick sole with a bunch of small hardened screws. Two Velcro straps held them to your shoes or boots. Once the screw heads wore down you could replace them easily.
$50 a pair and worth every penny.

[justashooter]

crampon is the word you are looking for. slip-ons go over your shoes in a second and have various types of spikes, from brand to brand.