Ice Cleats

Here's what you'll find on The Ice Cleats Guy Website...

• You'll find both professional and consumer quality ice cleats that will help stop you from slipping on ice, snow and slush as you perform everyday activities... both personal and on the job. I don't sell ice cleats you would use for mountain or ice climbing.
• Every type of ice cleats but not every brand of ice cleats. I offer you the best ice cleats brands in each category. The best ice cleats are ice cleats that give you the best balance of cost, durability and performance based upon years of experience and feedback from the field.

Ice Cleats Effectiveness vs. Versatility and Convenience

• Ice Cleats Effectiveness

  • Generally speaking the more aggressive the cleats... or the longer the cleats... the better the traction on ice. That's because you not only want the cleats to penetrate the ice but also whatever might be between the ice and the bottom of your shoe. But if the cleats are too long... as for an extreme example like those used for ice climbing... they become impractical to use.
  • Generally speaking the greater the number of cleats the better because you're increasing the probability of one or more cleats coming in contact with the ice. But a lot depends on the positioning of the cleats. If they're only around the periphery of the sole and you step on something that's ice covered but not flat you're going to slip because there's no cleat to grip the ice..
  • The more aggressive the tread design the better the traction on snow and slush.
  • The better the tread design for expelling snow, slush and other debris... in other words self cleaning... the more likely the spikes are to come in contact with the ice and the better the traction on snow and slush..

• Ice Cleats Versatility

  • Ice cleats with the most aggressive studs are less versatile because...
    • You can't wear them indoors because you'll damage the floors or they themselves become slippery because you have only metal contacting a smooth, hard dry surface.
    • The spikes alone will not give you good traction on other surfaces that may be covered with grease, oil, chemicals or animal fats.

• Ice Cleats Convenience

  • Ice cleats that use a system of straps to attach to your boots are the best for staying on.
    But unless you spend the entire day outdoors or never plan on removing the ice cleats from your boots this method can be very inconvenient. It's also inconvenient if you're constantly getting in and out of your car or truck. If ice cleats are inconvenient to use you or your employees will tend to not be used... at least not all the time... and you'll exposed to injuries from slips on ice and snow. Seriously, it only takes one fall to make all the difference.
  • Ice cleats that use a system to stretch over shoes and boots are far more convenient for people who are in and out of doors because they're easy and quick to put on and take off. The disadvantage is that any ice cleats that stretch over shoes and boots can come off given the right set of circumstances... like when you walk through deep wet snow. But there are accessories and features that help prevent this from happening.
  • People with physical problems or limitations should look for features that make ice cleats easier to put on and take off...
    • Some ice cleats have dual pull tabs so that you can use two hands to stretch them over shoes and boots.
    • Some ice cleats have a dual density design that makes them easier to stretch.
    • One model... AltraGrips Lite Low Profile Ice Cleats... is unique because it allows you to go indoors on most floors without having to remove them.

• Ice Cleats Affordability

  • Ice cleats are like everything else... you get what you pay for.
    I have extremely effective ice cleats that are inexpensive. But the downside is durability. But if you use your ice cleats infrequently durability is not going to be an issue. And if the choice is getting ice cleats that are less durable vs. not getting any ice cleats go for the inexpensive ones. Almost all ice cleats give you vastly better traction than leather or rubber sole shoes and boots.