Ice Cleats
From LoveToKnow Shoes
Ice cleats are a useful tool for anyone who lives in, or is planning to move to, a location with a cold climate. The winter months don't have to cramp your style or activity level any longer!
Walking in the Cold
With or without ice cleats, the first thing to remember is walking safety in general. Spending time outdoors is obviously more difficult during the winter months if you live in an area that experiences a lot of snow and ice. However, you don't have to hide indoors either.
When going outside, it is important to layer your clothing. Starting with long underwear, try to avoid any cotton. This will trigger perspiration and make you feel worse for the wear. After you pull on some thermals, consider an insulating layer such as a wool sweater or a down jacket.
An outer layer should go on top of this, usually a waterproof jacket. On the bottom, again avoid cotton and also denim. Long underwear and athletic pants are going to be your best bet, or something similarly slick and resistant in fabric.
Top it all off with a hat, gloves, and waterproof boots, and now you are ready to start considering ice cleats. Ice cleats are vital if you are walking anywhere on snow or ice, as they provide traction and stability for you in hazardous conditions. It is vital that you avoid slick soled shoes and use a quality pair of ice cleats whenever you venture outdoors.
After you have all your gear in place, consider walking safety in general. Always start your walk against the wind, so it finishes at your back. This will help you to not grow tired or colder than necessary. Choose roads that have been cleared and try to avoid puddles and ice patches.
Beyond ice cleats, you may benefit from a walking pole to prevent slipping. These are available in the fitness section of many athletic stores, and they will also give you a stronger workout. Therefore, you will burn more calories during your walk.
Choosing Ice Cleats
There is a moderate variety of ice cleats to choose from. One brand that is popular with outdoor enthusiasts are Stabilicers. These inexpensive traction assisters slip on over on top of your shoe and help you to keep your balance and walk effectively through ice and snow.
The cleats themselves are made out of steel, and the sole is enhanced with special traction that moves easily with your foot. They also tend to be lightweight and their parts are easily replaceable.
Stabilicers stay on with adjustable Velcro fasteners that latch onto the ankle and forefoot. Eight separate steel spikes are standard for this form of ice cleat, giving you equally distributed traction. For a reasonable price, (under $40 in some instances), Stabilicers even come with replacement cleats.
If Stabilicers are a little too fancy for your taste, then you can always try out a pair of Get-A Grip. Reasonably priced at under 20 dollars, these cleats are strapped onto the bottom of your shoes with a durable elastic. With 12 spikes per pair, these are easily replaceable and inexpensive to maintain.
The Get-A-Grip's small size makes it a traveling favorite, and many avid snow sportsmen stash a pair or two into their luggage before taking off for that winter vacation.
Why Ice Cleats?
Slipping and falling was recently proven to be one of the most common work-related injuries. If your job involves any sort of walking in frozen conditions, ice cleats are a valuable resource. In fact, due to the fact that the average slipping injury costs $28,000 in worker's compensation, many companies of this manner actually require their employees to own at least one pair of these grippers.
As mentioned above, they are also a necessity for travel, especially if you are not accustomed to icy environments. One too many tourists are injured each year as a result of not properly preparing themselves for such foreign conditions. Purchasing a simple and inexpensive pair of ice cleats can save you harm and inconvenience.
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