Why Get Ice Traction For Shoes?

You may have heard about the recent popularity of snow and ice traction for footwear. However, it might not be immediately obvious why these devices are so useful. If you’ve been lucky enough to escape a fall on ice or snow, you may not understand how much good traction can help. Incidences of injuries and even deaths due to falling on slippery surfaces go up a lot in the winter, with emergency rooms seeing a significant increase in patients. To prevent yourself from suffering the pain and expense (not to mention lost work time) that comes with a fall related injury, think about getting ice traction for your shoes. It’s easy and inexpensive to get, and doesn’t take much time to put on. Twenty bucks you spend now could keep you from taking a nasty tumble later.

There are several different types of snow and ice traction footwear on the market. Spike and stud type ice traction for shoes works well in very harsh conditions, but can be bad if it’s only a little icy outside, actually harming your footing. That means that these types of ice traction footwear are best if you live in a climate where you’ll need a lot out of them. For really harsh ice and deep snow, however, they can provide that extra grip you really need.

If your environment isn’t quite so wintry as to need the grip that spike and stud types provide, coil snow and ice traction footwear might be a better option. These products also slip over the shoe, but instead of metal protrusions, they use a steel coil to give you extra stability. The multiple faces of the coil mean that there’s a lot of surface area to dig into ice and snow. Since these types of ice traction for shoes aren’t as high profile as the former type, they don’t make you slip in conditions where ice and snow are intermittent. They’re inexpensive, and popular with the elderly and other people who need an extra hand when winter time comes. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re not suitable for more active people. Runners and others who like their outdoor exercise, as well as people who walk to work or school all benefit from using ice traction for their shoes.

No matter what kind of traction you decide to use, look for models that give you a snug fit without a lot of adjustment points. Many models use a special rubber like material that retains its elasticity in cold weather, making them easy to put on and take off. Make sure that all components are of high quality materials, and that the construction is solid. Parts such as springs, studs, and spikes should be replaceable and easy to find at your local sporting goods or outdoor supplier. That way, you’ll get the longest life out of your snow and ice traction footwear.