Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice

Curated from 73 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: December 11, 2024

Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice

Brand: Yaktrax
Price: $24
Snoop Score:
6.8
Sentiment
6.6
Popularity
7.2
Technical
6.9

Snoop's Take

The Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats are designed to provide enhanced stability and grip while walking on snow and ice. These slip-on cleats fit various shoe styles and utilize innovative coil technology to ensure 360-degree traction across slippery surfaces. Consumer feedback highlights the effectiveness of Yaktrax in icy conditions, with many users calling them a "gamechanger" for maintaining grip on slick surfaces. Reviewers appreciate their ease of use and the ability to remove them as conditions change, stating, "Traction is your friend when it's slippery." However, some users note that they may not be suitable for deep fresh snow or heavy use, leading to concerns about durability. Overall, the Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats are highly recommended for those seeking reliable traction on snow and ice, especially for casual walking. They offer a practical solution for winter conditions, making them a valuable addition to winter gear.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Traction Cleats

Once it becomes more work to lift our feet up and out of the now than it is to walk in a snowshoe, we just switch over.

Positive Feedback

If your foot sinks into the snow then snowshoes, otherwise crampons.

Negative Feedback
Product
6.8
Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice
Everyday Walking & Hiking
9 / 10
Running & Jogging
8 / 10
Work & Heavy-Duty Tasks
1 / 10
Outdoor Sports & Activities
8 / 10
See how this compares to all Traction Cleats

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Effective for packed trails and ice
Once it becomes more work to lift our feet up and out of the now than it is to walk in a snowshoe, we just switch over.
Traction is your friend when it's slippery.
Better grip compared to snowshoes
No annoying clacking. Gait closer to normal.
Gamechanger for walking on slick surfaces
i got yaktrax last season and they were a *gamechanger*. can’t rec them highly enough
Yaktrax a game changer for walking around on possible slick areas like sidewalks.
Effective for maintaining grip on ice
Love our YakTrax. Why don’t folks like them?
Effective grip on hard ice
I found that my current cheap spikes, could not even get into the ice.
Ability to remove traction as conditions change
I don’t like spiked shoes. I like the ability to take my traction off, depending on how the trail changes.
Effective for walking on slippery surfaces
I'm looking for something to deal with the frozen rain conditions.
My Yaktrax have been great. I’ve walked to the grocery store in them and can walk around in the store without taking them off.
Effective on textured ice and snow
The Yaktrax spikes work far better on flat ice than the coil type.
Thank you! I was going to say, yaktrax aren't a single thing. The ones that are just coils won't do a dang thing on glare ice, but they have ones with spikes.
I wear the Yaktrax Diamond Grip for work and those work in any condition I've encountered in northern MN.
Good alternative for specific conditions
They aren't going to last forever but they're also $30.
Good fit for various shoe styles
Just bought a pair of YakTrax, but haven't had the chance to use them yet.
Decent traction on ice and snow
Ice and snow are common place so going out for a run over the next few months will almost certainly require YakTrax or something similar, so I'm curious if anyone has found a better solution than the YakTrax Run spikes?
Running in the winter weather here, such as the ice we got today, means you'll just have to slow down.
Works well on packed snow
I have yaktrax, but don't like them. They work well on packed snow, but are terrible on dry roads.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Not suitable for deep fresh snow
If your foot sinks into the snow then snowshoes, otherwise crampons.
Climbing can be challenging with snowshoes
Snowshoes are shit on traverses and you can end up falling, whereas microspikes will give you traction, but you'll sink in.
Not durable for heavy use
Anything that depends on a chain or a piece of rubber underfoot is not going to hold up in the real world for long.
my nanos have held up very well.
Not effective on loose snow
It depends on whether you're running in snow and ice or just ice over hardpack.
Some cleats may fall off easily
some pretty aggressive looking cleats with chains. But not sure if those are too much and may throw my balance or posture out and cause injury.
Can damage linoleum and wood floors
Ice cleats are like walking on ice as soon as you step onto tile or concrete.
Tend to slip off minimalist shoes
I’ve tried multiple different yak tracks, hill sound, etc and they all slip off of any minimalist shoe after a few minutes of running.
I hadn’t thought of racing spikes but I spent years in them when I raced in school and they were quite narrow.
Need to use racing spikes for better grip
If it's a significant portion of your training season maybe you could try just running in racing spikes.
Not overly thrilled with durability
I like Kold Kutter better than YakTrax
Wears down quickly on pavement
I've used them and they were fine on snow/ice, problem is if you run on pavement at all it can wear down the metal very quickly.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product NameImagePriceScoreCompareSee DetailsBuy Now
ZUXNZUX Crampons for Shoes and BootsZUXNZUX Crampons for Shoes and Boots$24
8.3
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SILANON Ice Snow Cleats for Shoes and BootsSILANON Ice Snow Cleats for Shoes and Boots$11
8.2
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Abeillo Crampons Ice Cleats for Shoes and BootsAbeillo Crampons Ice Cleats for Shoes and Boots$6
8.2
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XYZLH Ice CleatsXYZLH Ice Cleats$6
7.8
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Nonazippy Ice Cleats for Shoes and BootsNonazippy Ice Cleats for Shoes and Boots$9
7.5
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Aliglow Ice Snow Grips Over Shoe/Boot Traction Cleat SpikesAliglow Ice Snow Grips Over Shoe/Boot Traction Cleat Spikes$11
7.3
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Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and IceYaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice$24
6.8
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willceal Ice Cleats - Ice Grippers Traction Cleatswillceal Ice Cleats - Ice Grippers Traction Cleats$5
6.4
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Black Diamond Access Spikes Traction CleatsBlack Diamond Access Spikes Traction Cleats$33
6.4
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Due North Everyday G3 Ice Cleats for Shoes & BootsDue North Everyday G3 Ice Cleats for Shoes & Boots$17
6.2
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Giggleway Stainless Steel Anti Slip Traction Cleats for KidsGiggleway Stainless Steel Anti Slip Traction Cleats for Kids$19
6.0
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STABILicers Walk Traction Cleat for Snow and IceSTABILicers Walk Traction Cleat for Snow and Ice$24
5.8
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Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats for Winter ActivitiesYaktrax Pro Traction Cleats for Winter Activities$28
5.5
DetailsBuy
Yaktrax Diamond Grip All-Surface Traction CleatsYaktrax Diamond Grip All-Surface Traction Cleats$54
5.4
DetailsBuy
AGOOL Ice Cleats for Walking on Snow and IceAGOOL Ice Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice$12
5.4
DetailsBuy
Yaktrax Run Traction Cleats for Snow and IceYaktrax Run Traction Cleats for Snow and Ice$31
5.2
DetailsBuy
Ergodyne TREX 6300 Slip-On Traction CleatsErgodyne TREX 6300 Slip-On Traction Cleats$11
5.0
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AGOOL Ice Cleats for Snow and Ice TractionAGOOL Ice Cleats for Snow and Ice Traction$12
4.7
DetailsBuy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Usage varies based on terrain conditions
Fair points; no clue what the mountain in the picture is, but I feel like this is more mountaineering territory than your casual snowshoeing outing.
Varied experiences with different types of traction
I've never found EXO Spikes or YakTrax to be helpful (or durable) enough to handle running around here.
They feel much more stable than shoes with screws added to them, especially on mixed rocky terrain.
Spike cross have been the go to here in the Rockies.
I like black diamond micro spikes
Preference for different traction options
I bought random Amazon ones and they worked perfectly for this past week so don’t fret too hard.
Preference for different types of traction gear
They're pricey but stylish and give you perfect traction.
Yaktrax are good for light ice; other options exist for thicker ice
Yaktrax are good for light ice

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion about alternatives for traction
Check out the Due North all purpose spikes - I use these with my vapor gloves and they stay on and don't feel weird.
Alternative solutions for running on ice
Modifying your own shoes would be more cost effective.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Preference for smaller gear over snowshoes
Very skinny ankles. I see the newer Peregrines appear to have more material between the lugs, not too confidence inspiring for me just yet.
Currently my shoes feel like my hands have a comfortable firm grip around the sides. No sliding and no rubbing.
Varied experiences with size and fit
The medium is rated for much larger shoes but actually fits on the boot nicely.
Comparison with other brands and types
Yes I salt everything but there are times it's not enough.
Both are good.
I’ve tried some others and STRONGLY prefer these, 10/10.
ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip Traction System
Preference for specific footwear over cleats
My local trails aren’t very technical, but they are twisty, and I’m very good as slipping.
Cheaper and I would argue better all around.
Preference for regular winter boots over additional cleats
regular winter boots are fine.
Comparison to other traction options
I have never owned Yaktrax, but I live the Nanospikes as well!

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Concern about using cleats on a roof
Just wondering if it’s safe to wear yaktrax or other ice cleats for boots on my composite shingle roof?
I will just try it without anything besides my boots.

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