For taking long walks on ice and packed snow, nothing works better for me then screwing sheet metal screws in to my shoes. I get the kind with the hex nut head, 3/8 inch long for the toe and 1/2 inch long for the back of the shoe. For complete instructions visit http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm. I don’t have a hex nut attachment for my cordless drill so I used my screwdriver’s hex nut driver and did it by hand. The screw driver is called a 6 way all in one screwdriver.
Last year I went through 2 pairs of Yak-Traks: they broke after about 2 weeks of use. Then I tried a pair of light weight instep crampons but they were always slipping up and I had to stop and adjust them all the time. Then I learned about the screw shoe. When spring came I just took out the screws and my running shoes where fine.
NOTE: Change into screw less shoes before walking on nice floors.
Hi,
I’ve been looking at these: http://www.32north.com/prod_cover.htm tho I haven’t purchased them yet. I never really thought to put screws in my shoes. Not a bad idea, tho. They’ve been doing it to tires for years. Thanx for the tip!
Tony, Shirley and Brick
Yeah, I saw those too. They look like nothing more than 9 screws in a sole covering. Except they weigh more and cost more then just screwing some screws into your shoes. Even when there is no snow and ice on the ground, having the screws in my shoes doesn’t bother me, even on asphalt. At the end of the season it easy to take the screws out.
I have lately been walking without screws in my shoes, as most of the snow and ice is gone, and find that I miss having the extra traction that they offered on the mud.
On my next hike I am contemplating bringing sandals and a pair of running shoes, if I do decide to bring running shoes, I’m going to put some screws in them for extra traction across snowfields.
If you’re looking for lightweight “non-crampon” traction these have been getting rave reviews on the forums I visit: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html
They’re lighter than Stabilicers (which I own) and appear to have better grip