YaktraxSnow Trax L-XL

When I moved to Central Oregon, the first thing my friend did was take me to the sporting goods store to buy YakTrax. She was so right because we have lots of very icy mornings. In the first year, however, I “walked through” several pairs of the popular coil style YakTrax before I found this spiked style also by YakTrax. They have small spikes on the bottom which have as good or better a grip icy sidewalks than the coil style, and they last longer. I’m now in my second season with the same pair of YakTrax spikes and have bought more - not because they’re wearing out quickly, but because I like to leave them on different pairs of walking shoes so they’re ready to go. The biggest problem I’ve had is that the coil style is easy to find whereas this spiked style is not. I can’t understand why these are so difficult to find or why the coil style is so much more popular! Yes, the spikes do wear down over time but they are far outlasting the coil style.Some other brands make the spiked style (with much bigger spikes) which work great for tramping across frozen ground, but are very hard on the back and knees when you’re walking on hard surfaces like icy sidewalks. This style of YakTrax spikes still provide a good grip on icy sidewalks but are easier on the back and knees than other spike styles I’ve tried.Be aware that these are a tight fit which they need to be in order to stay on. I wear a women’s size 8 shoe, and the S/M fits on my shoes easily, but I prefer the L/XL for my boots.

I've tried a few different brands and styles of traction aids over the years, but these are my favorite for a few reasons. Unlike heavier duty versions these go on and off very quickly. And unlike the chain styles these seem to last for many years. My older versions of these actually do not have the Velcro strap across the top, and I've never had an issue with them falling. I've hiked dozens of miles in these in the Black Hills, climbing mountains, frozen creeks, and slippery rocks. I've been surprised the abuse these have taken, but the rubber still feels supple like it did when I bought them. This year I bought a second set to bring with on hikes since the first sets are going on 4-5 years old. Still have not worn a pair out, but I'm sure they will eventually so I bought some more while they still make this style.

Fit boots well. Stay on the boots and are holding up well over the past few months of use. They work well. Every once in awhile your foot will still slide on the ice but it doesn't slide far before the spikes grab. I would have given a 5 star rating but have found these cheaper at Dunhams since I purchased them.

I think these are better than the other snow cleat type shoe things. I can literally walk around when it’s a solid sheet of ice outside. I have a dog that expects a walk, regardless of the weather, and these allow me to do so. In fact, there have been occasions where the dog gets stuck when his paws slide in four different directions and I can pick up the dog and carry him to a less slippery spot while having no trouble whatsoever maintaining my balance and footing.

They don’t stay on worth a dang

Easy on and off…..just lay flat and insert toe and push down on heel…..excellent grip walking on ice and snow….excellent product

So, my wife uses another version of these Yaktrax that wrap around the entire shoe. They work great. But these ones only fit on the front part of your shoe with a velcro strap. I kept slipping as my heel planted first, with no traction. So it literally only works half the time. Instead, I ordered the diamond big boy style. Hopefully those will work more better.

Sunny days melt some of the snow and the freezing evening temperatures turns sidewalk into skating rinks. These Snow Trax are incredibly useful. I needed a little practice to get them over my boots but well worth the effort. My last pair lasted all season but I bought 2 pairs anyway. I highly recommend them to ANYONE who deals with cold, icy weather. Just so you know, the year before I bought these I fell THREE times on the ice. Since getting Snow Trax I have not fallen, knock on wood (superstition, I know, but whatever). Snow Trax are your safest, most economical defense for navigating icy walkways.