After a week of slipping and sliding around on the ice-covered streets here in Bellingham, I've been informed of a totally cool invention called "Yak Trax." You are looking at a picture of them. They strap onto your boot or shoe and hopefully stop you from falling on the ice. This morning I talked with some of my fellow walkers who have told me they use them. The only real problem most people have is to forget to take them off before entering a store with slick floors: they will cause you to fall because they don't grip the floor like they do the ice.
I just placed an online order with
Cabela's, my favorite online outdoor outfitters. Their closest actual store is hours away in Olympia, but I've also learned that REI carries them locally. Having some other stuff to order from Cabela's I did some research and found that they also have several brands of ice grippers. Their own brand of grippers had 58 customer reviews and after having read them, I decided to buy these instead. Their own brand seems prone to breakage.
I was actually tempted to get a pair of ice cleats, available online from Amazon.com, but since I haven't heard of anyone actually using them and finding the reviews to be ambiguous, I decided against trying them out. They seem like a great idea, though: they slip on a boot in the same manner as Yak Trax, but instead they have just a few cleats on the bottom, as shown here:
In many ways these seem more practical, because I don't think you would be as likely to fall in a store if you forgot to take them off immediately upon entering. Instead, I would guess that you would just sound like you forgot to take off your tap shoes. I'm wondering if any of my readers have used any of these cool tools for ice-covered surfaces. When I get a chance to try out my Yak Trax, I'll let you know what I think.
:-)
I am certainly aware of them,from being an REI member, and studying the catalogs when they come in the mail. I have not tried them and don't have any additional info. Let us know!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll make good use of your new Yaks. Me, I'd rather make a bee line South and avoid all this cold and ice altogether. Humbug!
ReplyDeleteFunny, my family was just talking at lunch today about needing one or another of these products. I'll be interested to hear your review. Yak Trax definitely get points for coolest name!
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested in your report on these. Perhaps they would allow me to set foot outside when there's ice on the ground.
ReplyDeleteI am terrified of falling so I never stick my toes out if it's icy.
I do like the name Yak Trax, very cool. I haven't tried any of these but look forward to hearing your review DJan. So far the soles of my Emu (very similar to Uggs) and Rocket Dog boots have given me excellent traction even on the ice plus they are so warm.
ReplyDeleteIt has warmed up to 28F over here but more snow is falling.
those yaks look really cool...hope they work out good for you...look forward to hearing...
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to hear how EITHER of these work as I'd like to take more winter walks here, but am always afraid of slipping!
ReplyDeletePlease let us know. My husband has a pair of the Yak Trax, but he has not tried them. I worry so much about him falling because of his artificial joints.
ReplyDeleteI should think of getting some for myself...thanks for the idea, DJan!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to check these out...thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat info, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am interesting in hearing what you think..I know several people that really like them. Of course here in Minnesota..they mainly use them for walking around on paths and trails:)
ReplyDeleteI could certainly do with some of those over here at the moment. We have some very slippery pavements today. I've never worn anything like that but I can see the sense in it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Star
Like the other people leaving comments on this post, I am interested in how well these work. I heard about the various types only a few weeks ago and have been thinking they may be good for hubby and me. We want to continue taking walks through the winter months but the icy conditions sometimes would be just be too scary. I had a bad slip/fall a few years ago that resulted in an operation on my elbow and my tailbone has never been the same. I also broke a wrist in that fall. So I am cautious when outside walking. Do you recommend your walking stick for ordinary walking or just for hiking.
ReplyDeleteIce?? What's that?
ReplyDeleteIt's tennis (running) shoes for me all year long...
Are they an American invention? Where there's a problem, there's always a solution. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteOf course, in Hawaii, I have no use for anti-slippage footwear. Good luck with the ones you chose!
Those would come in real handy here in Florida. Sometimes it's hard to keep you footing on the sun-drenched walkways.
ReplyDeleteI used my Yaktrax for the first time during this recent cold spell and was very, very pleased with their behavior on ice. Costco is selling something similar, with coils under the sole and cleatish things under the heel, for a killer price of 2 complete pairs for about $14.
ReplyDeleteI miss REI! *sigh* Hiking gear is in expensive little specialty shops around here (and in Alicante it's even worse!) grrr...
ReplyDeleteThose look really interesting! But probably not something I would have much use for at the present (well, near future in ALicante), although they might be useful for my next two hikes if the weather keeps the way it's going! Snow keeps coming, and with the sun melting it and the temperatures freezing, plenty of ice on the trails!
I did discover that frozen mud is fun though! :p
I'm sure they'll work well for you as long as you remember you're wearing them when you're no longer on an icy surface. No doubt you'll get lots of great use out of them.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably way too young to remember "studs" in automobile tires. How about penny loafers or white suede shoes? Duck-tail haircuts and Brylcream. Those were the days. Your studded shoes reminded me of this and more.
ReplyDeleteI haven't, but they sound like a great idea. I looked at them while living in Minnesota but didn't buy any.
ReplyDelete