Wicked ice cleats!

[eclarke]

I was delivering mail to a house a couple weeks ago with a steeply sloping driveway covered in 1/2 inch thick ice that had been rained on and was now smooooth. As I walked up the driveway a fella stepped off the porch and slid 60 feet to the bottom of the driveway without moving a muscle. I stomped past him with my 20 pound satchel on, delivered the mail, stomped straight down the driveway at normal speed, then planted a foot at the bottom and made a right angle turn to carry on my way. The cab driver that was picking the fella up said his jaw dropped and he said, "What the f***? How did he do that"!

Hehehe

Murray

I took mine for the first test Saturday crossing from hard ice over a packed snow bank and down a hill with packed sledding snow. I went down another hill and onto ice and snow covered rocks under a waterfall. These things are like suction cups, I felt like Spiderman (except for the fat, baldness and old age)...EC

 

[eclarke]

Wicked Ice Cleats Update

I wore my microspikes all winter and wore them out!! They are a fantastic tool and I keep them between my feet on the floor of the car at all times. The spikes rounded off from abrasion on ice and rocks but I was able to sharpen them in a huge disk sander I have. I bought a new pair from REI because I had a dividend and they had a 20% off sale!! I called the company and suggested making a model with carbide spikes..Evan Clarke

 

[bsdunek]

I've seen these, but I thought they were a little too aggressive. I bought YaxTraks which work pretty well. They do want to shift on my boots, and they fit pretty tight. Maybe next winter I'll try these.
Ya, like ECLARKE, as we get older, fatter, slower, we need a little more security.

 

[eclarke]

My Yaktrax were like ball bearings in some situations and on the Mn. North Shore last winter wer almost useless. These Microspikes do the job under every circumstance making them effective when the walking surface fades form snow to hard ice. They are not nearly as aggressive as crampons and are really easy to put on your feet. My mistake this year was using them on the driveway when snowblowing but now ia can use the old pair for that and use my new ones for photographing...EC

 

[keithwms]

I can report that yaktrax do not suffice for climbing glaciers in Iceland in January

For level ground they are pretty much okay.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

In Canada, Mountain Equipment Co-op now sells them;

http://search.mec.ca/?N=10&Ntt=microspikes&bmUID=1237988504543

We're still in the early spring freeze / thaw cycle here, and steep hills can get really gnarly...these puppies work great in the woods! Last week I went for a run in the bush and didn't break my stride even when crossing frozen sections of the trail including corners, and going up or down hills.

Good idea about using carbide tips on the spikes, Evan. I had intentions of contacting them about that but never did, so now I'll follow your lead and give them a buzz too.

Murray

 

[Andrew Moxom]

After looking at Yaktrax, Kahtoola, I decided upon 'Stabillicers'. They are strapped on and held in place with velcro and much more secure than any other brand. The cleats are actually small bolts that are replaceable if they wear out of get torn out. These things saved my butt in northern MN this year and allowed me to walk on glare ice without any problems whatsoever. They are a must for anyone with back problems, or joint problems/replacements etc. They are around $50 from Cabelas.

 

[c.d.ewen]

It's about time I publicly thanked Murray for saving my life - last year and this. Last year, my transfer case broke and I had no 4-wheel drive. I had to park by the road and trek up and down the steep driveway in New Hampshire. This year, some left-over effects of some surgery made it hard to walk. I keep two pairs of Kahtoolas around. They go on and off easily with one hand, and fit all my various shoes and boots. Great product.

Thanks, Murray!

Charley

 

[MurrayMinchin]

No problem

Murray