Your goal is to find ice cleats that
Generally speaking, the more studs on the ice cleats is better. More studs are especially beneficial when the designer intelligently distributes the studs over the bottom of the ice cleat.
Many ice cleats concentrate the studs in a particular area or just around the periphery. This design reduces the chance of the studs coming in contact with the ice especially when the ice is "bumpy" and uneven. Once you lose traction, it's tough for the remaining studs to catch hold and get it back.
The distribution of studs is especially important for EMTs when negotiating narrow steps when you want as many studs contacting the ice as possible.
Aggressive tungsten-carbide studs are best. Here's why.
The smaller the surface area of the stud's point against the ice, the better because it will be better able to penetrate the ice. Sharper studs are better than less aggressive spikes. Sharp studs are especially critical in frigid temperatures when ice becomes denser and on black ice.
The effectiveness of spikeless and gritted ice cleats is greatly reduced or eliminated on denser ice. EMTs need every stud to be as effective as possible when negotiating narrow steps where fewer studs contact the ice.
Generally speaking, the longer the stud, the better up to a maximum of 2mm for ice cleats designed for walking and everyday use. Spikes longer than 2mm become a tripping hazard. The longer spike together with an aggressive self-cleaning tread design is especially important when there's a thin layer of snow on top of the ice. That thin layer of snow could prevent the studs from making contact with the ice.
Tungsten Carbide Spikes are
The ice cleats I recommend have a patented Heel Spike. Think about how you and what hits the ground first. It's your heel, right? Well, if there's no spike there at the base of your heel, you risk having your leg slide right out in front and from under you. Ice cleats without Heel Spikes force you to walk more flat-footed. That's not natural. So, you have to think about doing it. Because walking flat-footed isn't natural, you can easily forget. Forgetting is especially troublesome if you have to move unexpectedly or in a hurry.
Furthermore, if there's one spike on the ice cleat you want to be an aggressive, sharp tungsten carbide spike, it's the Heel Spike. That's because there's no other spike to grip the ice if your foot slides forward while you're taking a step.
You want ice cleats that stay on your boots, so you don't walk out of them in deeper snow. Also, you want them to not slide out of position on your footwear, so the spikes remain in place and effective. Ice cleats that stay in place are critical for EMTs because of the pushing and pulling required.
Make sure the ice cleats you choose don't have straps or other design that could interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle.
You'll be safer no matter what the wintry mix or how cold the ice. They all have
They have advanced, patented features that keep them in place but are still easy to put on and take off.
All recommended ice cleats are heavy-duty with tough, chemical-resistant straps and tungsten carbide studs.
You won't have to take off and put on ice cleats every time you get in and out of the truck. Note: Regardless of what I think or the manufacturer claims, the final decision about whether any ice cleat is safe to wear while driving is yours or your Safety Manager's.
My recommended ice cleats may initially cost twice as much as the cheap brands. However, they keep you several times safer and last several times longer.
Continuing thinking about the financial cost, it's not like the old days when you showed your insurance card, and that was it. The deductibles and copays are out of sight. Therefore, buying the right ice cleats something you don't want to skimp on spending.
Falling on the ice is serious business. Many of my customers look for ice cleats after the serious, life-changing injuries have occurred. They'll be the first to tell you that paying a little more for ice cleats that have the best chance of preventing injuries from falling on the ice is the best investment you ever made.
For ambulance services, one lost-time accident can cost as much as providing ice cleats to most of the EMT services in the county or even the state.
Fits Shoe Sizes Based of Steel Tip Shoes |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Men's | Women's | Footwear Length Range in Inches* |
Size |
13½+ | --- | 14" - 14½" | XXL |
11½ - 13 | --- | 13¼" ‹ 14" | XL |
9½ - 11 | 12+ | 12¾" ‹ 13¼" | L |
7 - 9 | 9 - 11 | 11¾" ‹ 12¾" | M |
5 - 6½ | 7 - 8½ | 10¾" ‹ 11¾" | S |
*Measured on the bottom of your shoe or boot from the tip of the sole to the base of the heel. | |||
If you have bulky or oversized boots, consider Winter Walking ICE BEAST HIGH-PRO Ice Cleats. |
Men's | Women's | Size | |
---|---|---|---|
14+ | --- | XXL | |
12 - 13½ | --- | XL | |
10 - 11½ | 12+ | L | |
7½ - 9½ | 9½ - 11½ | M | |
5 - 7 | 7 - 9 | S |
Men's | Women's | Footwear Length in Inches | Size |
---|---|---|---|
13½ + | --- | 13.75" to 14.25" | XXL |
11½ - 13 | --- | 13.25" to 13.5" | XL |
9½ - 11 | 11.5+ | 12.5" to 13" | L |
7 - 9 | 9 - 11 | 11.75" to 12.25" | M |
5 - 6½ | 7 - 8½ | <= 11.5" | S |
LOW-PRO is my top recommendation for people with regular shoes and boots constantly going in and out of doors, vehicles, or have difficulty putting ice cleats on and taking them off. LOW-PRO is safe to wear while driving and on most indoor floors without damaging them. So you can often leave LOW-PRO Ice Cleats on your shoes and boots all day.
Fits Shoe Sizes Based of Steel Tip Shoes |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Men's | Women's | Footwear Length Range in Inches* | Size |
13½ + | --- | 14" - 14¾" | XXL |
11½ - 13 | --- | 13¼" ‹ 14" | XL |
9½ - 11 | 11.5+ | 12¾" ‹ 13¼" | L |
7 - 9 | 9 - 11 | 11¾" ‹ 12¾" | M |
5 - 6½ | 7 - 8½ | 10¾" ‹ 11¾" | S |
*Measured on the bottom of your shoe or boot from the tip of the sole to the base of the heel. | |||
If you have bulky or oversized boots, consider Winter Walking ICE BEAST LOW-PRO Ice Cleats. |
Men's | Women's | Size | |
---|---|---|---|
14+ | --- | XXL | |
12 - 13½ | --- | XL | |
10 - 11½ | 12+ | L | |
7½ - 9½ | 9½ - 11½ | M | |
5 - 7 | 7 - 9 | S |
Therefore, if you find a lower DELIVERED PRICE from a legitimate online store (not auction sites) selling authentic, new Winter Walking Ice Cleats, I'll match or better that price.
No store works harder than we do to get ice cleats sizing right on the first try. If you measure your footwear as I advise you to do in my Sizing Tips, Size Exchanges are rare. However, when Size Exchanges are necessary
The last thing I want is for you to be disappointed in your purchase or feel that I mislead you or treated you unfairly. So, in the unlikely event you're not totally satisfied with your ice cleats or shoe traction devices purchased from me, I'll refund your money and pay for the return freight. Call me at 610-670-2549.
My satisfaction guarantee is unconditional. However, I'll ask you why you're not satisfied because I want to know if