Category: Daily Living
Hi. As we all know, this is a bad winter. What are you folks doing about slick conditions in regard to boots? I do have a pair I am using but I think the traction on the bottom could be better. Anything I can do to make the bottoms rougher so they have more grip? Thanks in advance.
There are all kinds of things you can put on your boots to help traction. In the past, I've used Yaktraks. They are a slip on that goes over the bottom of the shoe via an elastic band, probably some silicon. the bottom of the Yaktraks is made up of looped metal that acts as grippers as you walk. I think I paid about $20-$30 for mine over ten years ago. I bought pairs for both of my parents as well. At the time, they were the best thing around. I do believe I've seen similar types of things since for less.
There are also rubber overshoes that have some sort of gritty patches on the bottom. I'm not impressed, but know others who swear by them. I don't know where you get them but the Yaktraks and similar devices can be purchased in places like Walmart and sporting goods/hunting type stores and also online.
One note about the Yaktraks, as much as I like them; if you have them on and are walking throughsnow that is either compacted or deep they can come off. (I walked around with only one until I bought a new pair for a while because one is better than none!)
Years ago I bought something from a catalog for the blind called Ann Morris Enterprises which isn't around anymore, but I think she sold her stock to Independent Living, so perhaps they have them. I don't remember what they were called, but they slipped over the bottom of your shoes or boots and had little metal spikes that helped you get better grip on the ice. However, I still walked very slowly and cautiously even with them and used my white cane almost more like a support cane on icy conditions.
I've used both of those devices, and they both work respectably. However, not slipping is more a matter of how you walk rather than what you're wearing. Keep your center of gravity lower, keep your feet closer to the ground when you step, and keep your weight centered and you won't slip as much.
I find, personally, that I shorten my stride length and tend toward a stomp rather than a shuffle. The more you slide your foot along the ground, even unconsciously, the more you risk hitting ice and taking a spill. If your strides are fairly short and firm, if your foot-strikes are confident and mostly you're ringing your foot straight down (or the next best thing to straight down, since you're moving), then you may help minimize your slipping.
Getting something to help your boots grip wouldn't hurt though either. I've never used them, personally, but that doesn't mean much. I've also taken a couple of really good tumbles in my time, and got lucky only in the sense that I didn't break bones or smash my face off a post or a frozen hedge or something.
There are products. You should call your local sporting goods shop, and ask.
The type of bottom on your boot makes a difference too, but that requires new boots.
Ice is just how ice will be. Ask for ice climber gear. Lots of new stuff.
Thanks. I have those ice grippers that go on the bottoms of my boots but it seems like they need to be taken off when inside a store or such.
Yes, I used to take mine off as soon as I entered a building or even the bus.