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Best Ice Cleats for the Blind
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Ice Cleats Recommended for Blind People
Common Features of Ice Cleats I Highly Recommend for Blind People
- Aggressive, well-positioned tungsten carbide studs are reliable, the most durable, and provide excellent traction on ice including black ice .
- Dual Pull Tabs - You can use two hands to stretch the ice cleat over your boots and shoes. Dual Pull Tabs are especially useful for people with weakness in their hands or who have arthritis.
- Dual Density Construction - The straps are thinner in non-wear areas so they're easier to stretch over shoes and boots.
- Aggressive Self-Cleaning Treads - provide traction in loose snow. The Self-Cleaning feature prevents snow and debris from building up on the bottom of your shoe and boot that would prevent the studs from contacting the ice.
- Dual Material Design - The treads are molded using a harder material for greater wear and stud retention.
Blind People Need Convenient Ice Cleats Effective on All Slippery Winter Surfaces
Ice and snow are a safety risk for sighted people. Blind people are especially susceptible because they don't know what slippery surface exists under their next step. Many ice cleats only provide traction on some slippery conditions. Therefore, the best ice cleats for the blind have to handle surfaces including
- ice;
- packed snow;
- loose snow;
- slush;
- black ice;
- denser ice in frigid temperatures;
- dry sidewalks and parking lots;
- tile, brick, and granite surfaces both in and out of doors;
- sewer grates; and
- utility hole covers.
- can be safely worn on most interior floors to eliminate the hassle of taking them off and putting them back on every time you go in and out of doors; and
- not cause serious injuries to guide dogs if you step on their paws.
- effective on ice and packed snow only;
- not helpful in loose snow;
- become less effective on ice as temperatures drop;
- not reliable on steep hills; and
- lastly, extremely slippery on smooth interior floors and on sewer grates and utility hole covers.
- may or may not provide traction in loose snow depending upon whether they have aggressive treads;
- must be removed before going indoors; and
- can seriously injure your guide dog.
Recommended Ice Cleats Common Features Important to the Blind
All recommended ice cleats
- Aggressive, well-positioned Tungsten Carbide Studs provide excellent traction on ice including black ice and remain effective in frigid temperatures. Well-distributed spikes assure that at least one stud contacts the ice on uneven surfaces.
- Patented Heel Spikes and spikes positioned close to the front of the ice cleat allow you to walk naturally. That's because your heel is the first thing to strike the ground when you take a natural step and the front of your footwear is the last as you push off.
- Dual Pull Tabs - You can use two hands to stretch the ice cleat over your boots and shoes. Dual Pull Tabs are especially useful for people with weakness in their hands or who have arthritis.
- Dual Density Construction - The straps are thinner in non-wear areas so they're easier to stretch over shoes and boots.
- Aggressive Self-Cleaning Treads - provide traction in loose snow. The Self-Cleaning feature prevents snow and debris from building up on the bottom of your shoe and boot that would prevent the studs from contacting the ice.
- Dual Material Design - The treads are molded using a harder material for greater wear and stud retention.
- Industry Leading Strap Design - Keeps your ice cleats securely on you footwear.
Things Blind People Must Consider Regarding Ice Cleats
The goal for everyone, blind or not, is fall prevention. But choosing the best Ice Cleats can't be generalized because the best choice depends on
- how much risk of falling you're willing to assume for the sake of convenience and protecting your guide dog;
- your physical capabilities and limitations including
- your ability to bend over to put on and take off your ice cleats;
- weakness in your hands that make it difficult to put ice cleats on your shoes and boots;
- extenuating circumstances including
- icy stairs, or
- you live on a steep hill;
- where you live (urban, suburban, or rural);
- physical limitations like
- arthritis;
- recovery from surgeries or broken bones; and
- the activities they plan to do while wearing ice cleats.
We'll take all the above into consideration in recommending the best ice cleats for your unique situation.
First, I can't give you a 100% guarantee any ice cleats will stop anybody slipping on the ice. I can only reduce your risk of falling.
HIGH-PRO® Ice Cleats are the best, professional quality, stretch-over ice cleats on the market. No other ice Cceats in its class do more to reduce our risk of falling on ice. However, HIGH-PROs have aggressive 2mm spikes and aggressive self-cleaning treads that provide traction and confidence on ice, packed snow, loose snow, slush and black ice. However
- you would have to take them off before going indoors or mass transit because they would damage most floors, and be slippery on hard, smooth surfaces;
- be slippery of the sewer grate and utility hole covers in urban environments; and
- would cause a more severe wound if you step on you guide dog's paws.
Winter Walking LOW-PRO Ice Cleats better serve the needs of most blind people. That's because LOW-PRO® Ice Cleats have all the patented, revolutionary features of the HIGH-PRO but with
- 1mm studs that minimally protrude beyond the tread. You can wear them on most indoor floors because of both the studs and the treads make contact with the ground;
- they provide better traction on sewer grates, utility hole covers, smooth stone or brick walking surfaces found in cities, and when entering and exiting mass transit; and
- won't inflict severe wounds on your dog's paws if you step on them.
