The last two winters we have enjoyed snowshoeing as a new activity to keep us out and moving during winter. The only problem is that you can only snowshoe when there is a nice blanket of snow on the trail. We have our fair share of snow here in the northeast, but it’s not always consistent or long lasting. In other words, we get snow and melting, snow and melting, and so on. Most trails and walkways end up as a patchwork of snow, ice, slush, and bare ground.
We didn’t take many walks on the trail because I was uncertain of the conditions. I didn’t really want to bundle everyone into the car only to find that our boots weren’t going to cut it for the day. I’ve been thinking it over since then and may have found a solution.
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Ice Cleats
I noticed last winter that a few of my friends, who are ladies of a certain age, would wear ice cleats to keep from slipping. They fit over your shoes or boots and have spikes or studs to give the wearer added traction in snow, ice, and slush. According to Consumer Reports, ice cleats (sometimes also called microspikes, and nanospikes) work well to keep you from wiping out in winter.
While the article I looked up also referenced crampons as the same category with ice cleats, they are not the same. Crampons have large spikes, typically about 1’’ or longer. These are more mountain expedition equipment than winter walking gear. When you Google or Amazon search, type in ice cleats or microspikes.
You’ll find a range of products with different size spikes and fittings. Some use rubber that stretches around your shoe, Velcro, or both. Most of them are in the $50-$65 price range. You don’t have to spend that much for quality though. The CR article referenced Sportneer Ice Cleats that are $20on Amazon. They had the same test results and overall quality as the more expensive pairs.
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Kids Sizes
Finding a good, inexpensive product for me is one thing. What about the kids? I conducted my own Amazon search to see if there are decent products out there for kids that don’t cost half a year’s college fund contributions. I was happy to find kids ice cleats from High Stream Gear. They have a 4.5 star rating and cost under $25 per pair.
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A Few Caveats
Consumer Reports rated Yaktrax ice cleats lower than the other brands they tried. This surprised me a little since it was the only brand I’d heard of and is among the pricier pairs. The design of Yaktrax is unique in that they don’t have spikes or studs, but are more like putting tire chains on the bottom of your feet. They have steel coils wrapped around rubber threads to create extra traction. They don’t really dig into the ice the way spikes do.
You’ll get the best traction by walking more heavily than normal. You might have to do some practice for yourself and the kids to get used to the adjustment in your stride. However, on solid rock, you can actually slip more easily because there is nothing for the spikes to grip. Be conscious of your footing if you venture off the trail.
They will scratch your flooring and patio pavers, so don’t put them on until you are at the trailhead. The CR testers noticed that they would even leave scrapes on the parking lot pavement. Many pairs come with cases or covers for safe storage though.
Final Thoughts
I used to hate winter and everything about it. As I’ve looked for ways to enjoy this unique season, I’ve discovered that the time passes more quickly. Now I look forward to finding new adventures for our family to pass the snowy season. I’m excited that I can outfit my whole family with ice cleats for about $105. It’s going to be another great winter for us!
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