+Team Spoonhead Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 After nearly falling twice on an icy trail today, I thought it was time to investigate crampons or similar. Since I do not plan any mountain climbing trips, I was interested in the Yaktrax which are coils that slip on and off of your regular shoes or boots rather than full crampons which retail for $130+. Yaktrax look easy to roll up and pack in a back pack. Has anyone had any experience with them - good or bad? Are they worth the $20 to $30 price? Do they work? Thanks! Quote Link to comment
+IV_Warrior Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I haven't used them personally, but I did see a cacher wearing them at a event I attended, and another there told me he has them. Both say they work nicely. Quote Link to comment
+Harrald Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I own a set of these. I've used them for snowblowing and general walking on the ice and snow. They worked great for that. I would trust them on a trail that was covered with ice. as long as the trail wasn't in awful shape. In that case I would want 6 point crampons. Quote Link to comment
+Cool Librarian Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I've used my Yaktrax all winter, and I loved them. But, mine broke - the rubber split. Even though I bout the recommended size for my feet, they may have been too small. Other than that, they performed great on the ice. I also recommend that you get the Yaktrax PRO, not the walkers - they are sturdier and they strap on to your boots. Quote Link to comment
+flask Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 yeah, 'cause without the straps they pop of if your heel gets caught in something, like snow. i like mine, but i never seem to have them when i really want them. same as i never seem to have my ice chopper when i really want it, or why the shovel is always in the wrng car... Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 (edited) I've never used them, but a friend has. His broke after two uses and his wife's pair broke several weeks later. His impression was that they were made for walking on icy sidewalks, but not sturdy enough for hiking on somewhat rugged trails. On the recommendation of another person, he purchased a product called Stablicers and has been very happy with them. They were $50. I have to find out where he got them, because a Google search doesn't turn up any distributors, or even a home page for the manufacturer...or maybe I'm spelling it wrong? Instep crampons are also an option. They are cheaper than full crampons and will give you sure footing on most icy trails. Edit: Stablicers can be found at REI Edited February 28, 2004 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+TeamK-9 Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Channel 4 (in pittsburgh that is) has test it tuesday, and every tuesday they test some random item they tested these a while back and they worked for icy sidewalks very good, but they didn't show walking through woods or anything... Quote Link to comment
+J&FErickson Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Both my wife and I bought a pair of Yaktrax when they came out a couple of years ago. Both hers and mine broke after less than 5 miles of walking on ice. Great for packed snow though. We found a more lasting ice walker are the black rubber ones that have about 5 carbide studs under the ball of the foot and 2 or 3 under the heel. These are a bit harder to put on but once on stay in place much better, are much more durrable (the carbide tips are replaceable) and grip better on ice. I think we paid about $25/pr Quote Link to comment
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