Footwear when trails are ice covered?

[grandpa_r]

This is my first winter caching. I was out today and the trails were really slippery (I fell twice) – the same thing happened last month! I have good hiking boots and I’m in good physical condition, but I don’t like to fall down on the ice. Anyone else have this problem? For the people that don’t have this problem (and are active cachers) – how do you do it? Good balance or what?

[CodeJunkie]

I haven’t had the problem caching (yet) this winter, but for snowblowing I have a pair of cleats that attach over my boots. They’re the cheapy rubber stretch kind, but serve the purpose pretty well giving me a little extra grab. The only downside is that using them on concrete wears them out pretty quick.

[lone_gunman]

Check in sporting goods by the ice fishing equipment. Those ice cleats can really come in handy

[frmr]

I got a pair from Walmart for ice fishing. I believe they where about $5.

[Smashing Ground]

ive played hockey for 18 years so that helps.
maybe find the crunchy snow.
and yes those ice cleats help when ice fishing

[MuddyBottoms]

I am what I would call a pretty avid ice-fisherman…and right now, every lake is like a skating rink, and I have been out allot. My favorite system seems stupid, but allot of people do it. I use 1/2″ sheet metal screws that are flathead/ 1/4″ drive head. If you have boots with deep tread as I do, you drive about 15 of those in each boot, from heel to toe. When you don’t need them you spin em out and the rubber closes back up and you will never even know they were there. It is not the best solution for everyone, but for me it works perfect, they don’t fall off, or move around on your boot when you are walking. I love it, and I can run full steam to be the fist one too the tip-up while my buddies are still at the shack spinning their wheels.

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[frmr]

That sound just like a what buddy of mine did to his RC car so he could take it out on the ice. He just putting 1/4 sheet metal screws in all the tires. Now he can get going pretty good out there.

[huffinpuffin2]

Recently we’ve been encountering more and more Slippery, Slidey, Slanty Slopes as we have been hitting trails that are hard-packed and ice-coated from the rains a few weeks back. Nastier than walking on flat ice. Good luck and balance and seeking the crunchy stuff have been the short-term solutions. MuddyBottoms’ route sounds like a good, fast and economical fix. Thinking we might be making a habit of it in the coming years, we’ve been starting on our “Christmas wish-list” for next year, and have been looking at something gnarly like the following: http://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-MICROspikes-Pocket-Traction-System/dp/B0030I3Y48/ref=pd_sim_dbs_sg_5

see also the items down the page under ‘Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed’.

The above is not an endorsement of any product, but more of a source of ideas and awareness of the sort of products and approaches available to enable safe ice trekking.

Be safe, and have fun!

[gotta run]

@MuddyBottoms wrote:

I am what I would call a pretty avid ice-fisherman…and right now, every lake is like a skating rink, and I have been out allot. My favorite system seems stupid, but allot of people do it. I use 1/2″ sheet metal screws that are flathead/ 1/4″ drive head. If you have boots with deep tread as I do, you drive about 15 of those in each boot, from heel to toe. When you don’t need them you spin em out and the rubber closes back up and you will never even know they were there. It is not the best solution for everyone, but for me it works perfect, they don’t fall off, or move around on your boot when you are walking. I love it, and I can run full steam to be the fist one too the tip-up while my buddies are still at the shack spinning their wheels.

[/img]

This is a good system if you’re willing to take the time to do it, although not as flexible to switch as the cleats. I’ve done this with running shoes and it’s worked very well. Obviously you can choose longer length screws with boots than with running shoes.

The main advantage, not that it matters much with boots, is that screws are pretty low-profile for the traction they provide. Pull-over cleats add a noticable bit of height to a regular shoe and can feel a bit “tippy.”

On the Left Side of the Road...

[uws22]

hey GR… i have a race for you. Run on Water in Bayfield March 6… Bayfield to Madeline Island and back – that’s right, on the ice of lake superior – 5 miles. i still have my 3/8 inch spikes from cross country in hs… they work great!

[MuddyBottoms]

@gotta run wrote:

@MuddyBottoms wrote:

I am what I would call a pretty avid ice-fisherman…and right now, every lake is like a skating rink, and I have been out allot. My favorite system seems stupid, but allot of people do it. I use 1/2″ sheet metal screws that are flathead/ 1/4″ drive head. If you have boots with deep tread as I do, you drive about 15 of those in each boot, from heel to toe. When you don’t need them you spin em out and the rubber closes back up and you will never even know they were there. It is not the best solution for everyone, but for me it works perfect, they don’t fall off, or move around on your boot when you are walking. I love it, and I can run full steam to be the fist one too the tip-up while my buddies are still at the shack spinning their wheels.

[/img]

This is a good system if you’re willing to take the time to do it, although not as flexible to switch as the cleats. I’ve done this with running shoes and it’s worked very well. Obviously you can choose longer length screws with boots than with running shoes.

The main advantage, not that it matters much with boots, is that screws are pretty low-profile for the traction they provide. Pull-over cleats add a noticable bit of height to a regular shoe and can feel a bit “tippy.”

Yes, I should have stated that I have the screws put into my “hunting/fishing” boots. Those get put into the truck when I go caching, in case I run into some slick areas. Then I just kick off my hikers and slip these badboys on. If you have an extra pair of boots around, use the screws and you will not be upset. They are light, low profile, work exceptionally well, and best of all..super cheap.

[gotta run]

@uws22 wrote:

hey GR… i have a race for you. Run on Water in Bayfield March 6… Bayfield to Madeline Island and back – that’s right, on the ice of lake superior – 5 miles. i still have my 3/8 inch spikes from cross country in hs… they work great!

I do not like going across big expanses of deep water! Even if big trucks drive on it!

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Buy_The_Tie]

My wife uses these and really Likes them:

http://www.yaktrax.com/

[SammyClaws]

@Buy_The_Tie wrote:

My wife uses these and really Likes them:

http://www.yaktrax.com/

My wife and I used the pro version last weekend and it made a huge difference walking the icy trails. They didnt help a lot on sheer ice, but on the uneven stuff they were great.

[Todd300]

Could always put on ice skates and move along quicker 😛

[Author]

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