When you search for the best ice cleats for a particular purpose, you usually get a "Top 10" list. I do have several ice cleats that will give you traction on your steep driveway or sidewalk. However, I will only recommend the one that I feel will give you the best traction. Here's why.
No ice cleats can guarantee you won't slip on ice on a flat surface. Steep inclines are obviously worse because you're working against gravity. So, the instant you lose traction, you're going down. Sometimes, the slightest detail can make the difference in maintaining traction. Therefore, why would I recommend anything except what my 16+ years if experience selling ice cleats tells me are best ice cleats to keep you safe?
Fits Shoe Sizes Based of Steel Tip Shoes |
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---|---|---|---|
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 |
The picture above says it all. You have a driveway or sidewalk on a steep hill that's ice covered. That would be bad enough. However, it snowed on top of the ice. Now might be the time to get professional-quality ice cleats designed to handle the worst slippery conditions like the one above.
The primary focus for most recreational-grade ice cleats manufacturers is to keep costs down followed by preventing slips and falls.
I sell professional grade Winter Walking Ice Cleats. Winter Walking's primary focus is to prevent slips and falls while keeping the cost as low as possible without sacrificing effectiveness and quality. The difference in focus makes a huge difference in keeping you safe especially on steep hills.
Read the information on this page. When you're done, you'llNO ICE CLEAT CAN GUARANTEE YOU WON'T SLIP AND FALL ON ICE ESPECIALLY ON STEEP ICY HILLS.
However, I can guarantee that
Generally speaking, more studs on 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, especially on steep inclines, it's difficult and often impossible for the remaining studs to catch hold and restore traction.
To get traction on ice, you must penetrate the surface of the ice. 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. For example, the traction of just one tungsten carbide stud is more than the aggregate traction of the 100's of gripping edges of ice traction devices with wound steel coils.
Sharper studs are better than less aggressive spikes. Sharp studs are especially critical
The effectiveness of spikeless and gritted ice cleats is greatly reduced or eliminated in frigid temperatures on denser 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.
Ice cleats without Heel Spikes force you to walk more flat-footed, and 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 aligned and on your boots and 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 because of the constant pushing and pulling required while operating a snowblower or shoveling snow and because of the additional forces you incur on steep hills.
You'll be safer no matter what the wintry mix or how cold the ice. They all have
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. But more importantly, buying the right ice cleats isn't something you 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.
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