Thanks, Kalpana. I try to avoid shoehorning, but these (cathartic) videos struck me as a pretty natural springboard for talking about the unsung hazards of actual ice and the fairly simple solutions within reach.
Brilliant breakdown of the traction hierarchy. The insight about ice studs being the sweet spot between versatility and convienence really lands. Back when I lived in a colder climate I went straight for microspikes thinking more grip was always beter, but dealing with that constant on-off ritual got old fast.
As a Bostonian moved to Norway a few years ago, I was shocked & delighted by the quantity of traction footwear easily available everywhere -- basically, any pharmacy will have a selection. I of course owned coil traction yaktrax but I had never seen the stud type which is very common here (even in kids sizes!). But the new kind I had never seen is like plastic sandpaper -- basically, enough to grip on mild ice but NOT damaging to indoor floors so you don't have to awkwardly take them off them you get to the grocery store or coffee shop etc. There's incredible engineering happening for footwear & America is missing out!!
A very timely article. But no mention of of Stabilicers in the stud category? The classics have been around for years and the studs are even replaceable. The model I use the most are the L.L. Bean Stabilicers that have rounded teeth. I find the YakTrax useless on sidewalks - no good for black ice, and they wear down and break from walking on pavement.
Love how you connect this important daily winter hazard to the politics.
Thanks, Kalpana. I try to avoid shoehorning, but these (cathartic) videos struck me as a pretty natural springboard for talking about the unsung hazards of actual ice and the fairly simple solutions within reach.
Brilliant breakdown of the traction hierarchy. The insight about ice studs being the sweet spot between versatility and convienence really lands. Back when I lived in a colder climate I went straight for microspikes thinking more grip was always beter, but dealing with that constant on-off ritual got old fast.
As a Bostonian moved to Norway a few years ago, I was shocked & delighted by the quantity of traction footwear easily available everywhere -- basically, any pharmacy will have a selection. I of course owned coil traction yaktrax but I had never seen the stud type which is very common here (even in kids sizes!). But the new kind I had never seen is like plastic sandpaper -- basically, enough to grip on mild ice but NOT damaging to indoor floors so you don't have to awkwardly take them off them you get to the grocery store or coffee shop etc. There's incredible engineering happening for footwear & America is missing out!!
Wow, those sound great. I haven't seen them in the U.S., though.
Same -- my parents bought several when they visited, to share with friends 😂
Searching "sandygrip brodder" will show you examples of this other type. Brodder is the term for this tore of grippy shoe cover.
A very timely article. But no mention of of Stabilicers in the stud category? The classics have been around for years and the studs are even replaceable. The model I use the most are the L.L. Bean Stabilicers that have rounded teeth. I find the YakTrax useless on sidewalks - no good for black ice, and they wear down and break from walking on pavement.