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Yaktrax or Studded Ice Cleats?
Hundreds of thousands of people use and swear by Yaktrax, and I was one of them for years. Coil-style traction devices like Yaktrax do keep you a lot safer than bare shoes, but you need to know their limitations. Today I believe top-quality studded ice cleats with tungsten carbide studs are the better choice for most people. Here's how they compare.
Yaktrax Coils vs. Tungsten Carbide Studs
Yaktrax Steel Coils
Winter Walking Tungsten Carbide Studs
Grip on hard, cold ice
Many blunt edges; grip drops as ice gets colder and denser
Sharp studs penetrate even dense, frigid ice
Ice and packed snow
Yes
Yes
Black ice, slush, deep snow
Not effective
Effective, with aggressive, self-cleaning treads
Indoor floors
Won't damage most floors, but extremely slippery. Must come off.
Most must come off. LOW-PRO® can stay on most indoor floors.
Sewer grates, utility hole covers, marble
Very slippery
LOW-PRO is less slippery on these surfaces
Durability
Coils wear quickly, especially on bare pavement
Tungsten carbide lasts several times longer than coils or carbon steel
Why Studs Grip Better
Aggressiveness
Sharp studs penetrate and hold ice better than blunt edges, especially in frigid temperatures when ice is denser. Coils make up for being blunt by having lots of edges, but it takes dozens of them to equal the grip of a single tungsten carbide stud.
Distribution
The criss-cross coil design covers a lot of the sole, which beats studded ice cleats with too few or poorly placed studs. But on uneven ice, your chance of regaining traction depends on how aggressive the first stud to touch the ice is. A well-designed ice cleat with well-distributed, aggressive studs protects you far better.
Points of Contact
Coils win on sheer number of contact points, but too many points spread your weight like a bed of nails, so none of them penetrates. Coils still grip by micro-penetration, and that's exactly what fails on hard, dense ice in frigid temperatures. The best ice cleats hit the sweet spot: enough studs to stay in contact, few enough that each one bites.
Coil traction devices won't damage most floors, but that's a moot point: steel coils are extremely slippery on smooth floors, so you absolutely must take them off before going inside. They're also very slippery on bare metal like sewer grates and utility hole covers, and on granite and marble. That matters in the city, where you have to watch where you step off the curb, and on mass transit, with its steel steps and tile floors.
Most studded ice cleats must come off indoors too. The exception I recommend is Winter Walking LOW-PRO, with patented Transitional Traction™: its 1mm tungsten carbide studs protrude just slightly beyond the tread, so the tread and studs both touch the floor. That prevents damage to commercial floors in places like supermarkets and post offices while still giving you traction. Don't wear them on finished wood floors. See ice cleats you can wear indoors.
My Recommended Alternatives to Yaktrax
If you want…
Choose
Ice cleats you can leave on indoors and while driving
EASY SPIKE™ fits over most types of shoes and boots.
Sizes are for regular shoes or sneakers.
Select the next bigger size to fit over boots.
Men's
Women's
Size
11½ - 13½
---
XL
9 - 11
11+
L
6½ - 8½
8½ - 10½
M
< 6
6½ - 8½
S
Questions About Yaktrax and Studded Ice Cleats
Are Yaktrax good on ice?
They work on ice and packed snow and are much safer than bare shoes. But their coils aren't aggressive, so they lose grip on black ice and on hard, dense ice in very cold weather, and they aren't effective in slush or deep snow.
What's better than Yaktrax?
Ice cleats with sharp, well-distributed tungsten carbide studs and aggressive, self-cleaning treads. I recommend Winter Walking LOW-PRO if you're in and out of doors, and HIGH-PRO for the best traction outdoors.
Can I wear Yaktrax indoors?
No. They won't damage most floors, but steel coils are extremely slippery on smooth, hard floors. Take them off before you go inside or board most public transportation.
How long do Yaktrax last compared with studded ice cleats?
Studs generally last several times longer than steel coils, and tungsten carbide studs last several times longer than carbon steel studs. Walking on bare pavement shortens the life of any ice cleat.
Want help choosing a replacement for your Yaktrax?
Call me at 610-670-2549, every day 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET.
Ice Cleats and Shoe Attachment Volume Discounts
Your discounts are
automatically calculated when you add ice cleats or shoe traction devices to your cart;
calculated based upon the total number of pairs of ice cleats and other shoe traction devices you order; and
not calculated on accessories like Ankle Straps or Replacement Spikes.
Crucial Ice Cleats Sizing Advice
You can go by the shoe sizes. However, the shoe or boot size can vary significantly for the same foot size. Option two below is a better way to select the correct size.
(OR)
Measure the length of your shoe or boot. Measure the bottom from the tip of the sole to the base of the heel. Measure on "the flat", don't wrap around. We want the length. Then, find the size on the sizing chart with the Footwear Length Range, which spans the length of your footwear. Measure carefully. Measure twice. Our goal is to get you the right size on the first try to make you as safe as possible as soon as possible.
Ice cleats sizes are unisex and fit men's and women's shoes and boots according to the sizing charts.
Always try your ice cleats on when you receive them for two reasons.
You want to be ready for the bad weather. Be sure to find out you need a size exchange before the ice is on the ground.
I can't do free size exchanges for ice cleats that you have used because I can't resell them.
FAQs
What should I do if the length of my shoe or boot is extremely close to the breakpoint of a size range? Should I choose the next larger size? For example, assume the length of your boot or shoe is just under 12½". You look at the specific size chart for ice cleats you're buying. Assume for this example the Medium has a size range of 11½" to < 12½" and a Large is 12½" to < 13" For regular shoes and work shoes, stick with the smaller of the two sizes you're considering. Choose the bigger size if you plan to use your ice cleats on heavier winter boots.
I plan to use the ice cleats on my shoes and boots. But they're different lengths. What should I do?
If the difference in length is small, order the size for the larger boots. Purchase the optional Ankle Strap to use when you use the ice cleats on your shoes. The ankle strap will make sure they stay on. If the difference in length is significant, you may need two sizes of ice cleats. That's because you want the ice cleats to be snug so they stay on your footwear and aligned.
I have a large company. There's no way I can measure everyone's footwear.
I understand. Go by shoe sizes. I'll be happy to exchange sizes later on. However, please make sure you haven't used the ice cleats outdoors.
Is the measuring technique 100% accurate?
Nope. It's accurate most of the time. Measuring is far superior to go by shoe size.
ICE BEAST Ice Cleats Sizing Tips
ICE BEAST Ice Cleats run large. Therefore, if you have a normal winter boot and your shoe size is close to the minimum of a size range, choose the next smaller size. If you have a large, bulky boot, stick with the size chart.
Ice cleats sizes are unisex and fit men's and women's shoes and boots according to the sizing charts.
Always try your ice cleats on as soon as you receive them for two reasons.
You want to be ready for the bad weather. Don't wait until the ice is on the ground to find out you need a size exchange.
I can't do free size exchanges for ice cleats that have been used because I can't resell them.
FAQs
I have a large company. There's no way I can measure everyone's footwear.
I understand. Go by shoe sizes. I'll be happy to exchange sizes later on. However, please make sure you haven't used the ice cleats outdoors.
Ice Cleat Ankle Straps
Winter Walking Ice Cleats fit securely on most shoes and boots. Most people do not need or use the Ankle Strap. However, Ankle Straps add an additional level of comfort, knowing your ice cleats will stay on your footwear. It's more critical to consider Ankle Straps if you
walk through deep snow (especially wet snow), snow with a crusted surface, or mud because Winter Walking Ice Cleats are so comfortable that you may not notice one is missing until you've traveled some distance or, even worse, slip and fall; or
plan to wear them while you're using a snowblower because of the twisting often required while making a tight turn; and
are a senior citizen or a person with disabilities because retrieving an ice cleat that has come off and putting it back on your footwear might be almost impossible depending on the circumstances.
What Free Ice Cleats Size Exchanges Means
No store works harder than we do to get ice cleats sizing right on the first try. If you measure your footwear as I advise you to do in my Sizing Tips, Size Exchanges are rare. However, when Size Exchanges are necessary
We do not charge you additional freight to send out the correct size(s).
The customer is responsible for the freight to return the incorrect size(s).
Lastly, we immediately send out the correct size(s) so you're protected as soon as possible.
This policy is consistent with and exceeds competing stores Free Exchanges policies. If you have questions, please call me at 610-670-2549.
The last thing I want is for you to be disappointed in your purchase or feel that I mislead you or treated you unfairly. So, in the unlikely event you're not totally satisfied with your ice cleats or shoe traction devices purchased from me, I'll refund your money and pay for the return freight. Call me at 610-670-2549.
My satisfaction guarantee is unconditional. However, I'll ask you why you're not satisfied because I want to know if
there's a problem with a product I'm selling; and if
I can improve the description and presentation to avoid future misunderstandings and problems.
You Won't Find a Better, Safer Place to Buy Ice Cleats!
Here's why buying ice cleats from us gives you peace of mind.
Family-Owned and Run
When you buy from us, you're supporting a small, independent, U.S.-based family business, not a large, impersonal conglomerate.
No Sales Gimmicks including no fake sales and no inflated retail prices with overstated discounts.
No Unsolicited Emails or Pop-Up Ads so you can surf the Internet without being harassed by our ice cleat ads.
Informed, Useful Content and Personalized, Expert Advice You Can Trust
We're ice cleat and shoe traction device experts. We don't sell every ice cleat brand. We only sell the best because, although no ice cleat can guarantee you won't slip on the ice, the slightest difference in the design of an ice cleat can make a big difference in reducing your risk. Furthermore, you don't have to guess about which ice cleats or shoe attachments are best for you. The expert, free advice you need is a phone call away at 610-670-2549.
Help is available when you need it, every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET.
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Same-Day Order Processing
Unmatched After-the-Sale Customer Service and Support
Authorized Yaktrax and Winter Walking Ice Cleats Dealer
We sell new, authentic Yaktrax and Winter Walking Ice Cleats and shoe traction attachments purchased directly from Implus and Winter Walking.
We Stock What We Sell
If we need to bring in additional stock, we can usually get it within 24 hours.
Immediate Size Exchanges
We don't wait until the incorrect size is returned before sending out the correct size. That's important because the sooner you're wearing ice cleats or shoe traction devices, the safer you are.
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ICEGRIPS™ Ice Cleats Sizing Advice
Here's my recommended approach to choosing the correct size.
First, find the ICEGRIPS™ size that corresponds to your shoe or boot size.
Second, measure the length of your footwear in inches and add ¼ inch. Then compare that length to the "Footwear Length in Inches" column in the size chart corresponding to the size you found in the first step.
If the length exceeds that size range, even by as little as ¼, select the next larger size.
If the length falls below that size range, again, even by as little as ¼, select the next smaller size.
Questions:
What if the measurement I get in the second step above is more than 14.25"?
I would not buy ICEGRIPS™.
Will ICEGRIPS™ fit large, bulky boots?
Yes. A "Bulky Boot" Strap Kit is available at an additional cost.
