Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Snow Cleats are the Key to Trekking Safely During Icy Conditions

No matter how athletic you think you are or how great you think your boot traction may be, when winter storms hit and a two-inch layer of ice covers the ground, you’ll want a pair of snow cleats to keep you upright.

Sure, a great pair of winter boots will insulate and protect your feet, but nothing compares to snow cleats when you’re looking to stabilize your balance while trekking on ice.

For the winter adventurer in all of us, we’ve rounded up a diverse selection of strap-on snow cleats to help you keep your balance secure.

Stabilicers Walk – $22

stabilicers walk
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Stabilicers offers a plethora of footwear protection in the form of overshoes, spikes, and snow strides to get you through those sub-zero conditions without a slip. For everyday use, we suggest the Stabilicers Walk, a basic design for anyone who wants unbeatable traction on both snow and gravel. The pliable construction slips easily over most shoes.

However, depending on your activity, you have the option to upgrade. Whether you need cleats running shoes, hiking, over even the most rugged terrain, Stabilicers has you covered. Do you have a pair of L.L. Bean boots that need extra grip? STABILicers designed a pair of Bean Traxx.

$22

Yaktrax Icetrekkers – $42

yaktrax icetrekkers
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Yaktrax also has a wide array of choices for keeping your behind off the ground, Whether you need casual protection or heavy-duty reinforcement, Yaktrax offers assured safety in icy conditions. Our recommendation for reliability and all-purpose use would be the ICEtrekkers, packed with Yaktrax “diamond grip” technology. These cold weather companions  easily attach to a variety of footwear for enhanced traction on winter explorations.

$42

Kahtoola Microspikes – See Them

kahtoola microspikes
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kahtoola is somewhat of a pioneer in the winter traction game. The Microspikes come loaded with stainless steel spikes and welded chains for unrivaled support in icy, outdoor conditions, whether you’re trekking through seemingly impossible backcountry trails or slippery sidewalks. These may be the most reliable on our snow cleats roundup, but they are also the most expensive. Just make sure you take these puppies off when going inside.

See Them

Due North Everyday G3 – $14-$32

due north everday g3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Due North has redesigned their snow cleats for sneakers, which now come packed with a 360-degree spike pattern that provides more lateral grip. So, for your light-intensity activities in the snow — such as shoveling the driveway, a daily commute, or running errands around town — these spikes are a reliable and affordable. Due North also offers all-purpose aid for other winter footwear styles, like boots.

$14-$32

Editors' Recommendations

Bryan Holt
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Bryan Holt is a writer, editor, designer, and multimedia storyteller based in Portland, Oregon. He is a graduate from the…
Learn to tie the clove hitch for when you need a secure, adjustable knot
The clove hitch is one of the most useful knots to have at your disposal in the outdoors
A clove hitch tied to a fixed point

The clove hitch knot is among the most useful outdoor knots you can learn. This fully adjustable bind has endless uses and can be tied either freestanding or around an object. Being fully adjustable means you won't have to completely retie the knot in your system if you want to adjust the tension of your rope.

Read more
8 healthy benefits of hiking you need to know
Start hiking and enjoy the mental and physical benefits right away
Two people hiking together

Hiking is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the U.S. However, it’s more than just a full-body workout; it’s also an excellent opportunity to spend time in nature, clear your mind, and improve your sense of well-being. In addition, hiking is a fully adjustable workout, and you can start on an easy trail and work your way up to full-blown mountain hiking no matter how long your progress takes!

It’s an activity that can be done just about anywhere. Because the prime hiking season in the national parks around the U.S. varies based on climate and affordability, you can easily adjust your hiking plans to match the seasons and see some beautiful areas throughout the country. It’s a great way to meet nature at its level and a perfect excuse to shut out the noise of the modern world.

Read more
ZERO BREEZE Mark 2 is the first real off-grid AC and it’s discounted right now
Zero Breeze Mark 2 real off-grid AC being carried

Last summer, and most of last year, really, was one of the hottest on record. This year looks to be just as hot, so you'll need a reliable way to cool down. The problem with that is that air conditioners are expensive. They're expensive to install and run, and if you're living off-grid, you can pretty much forget about AC at all — until now, anyway. ZERO BREEZE has introduced the first truly off-grid air conditioner that's ultra-portable — at only 16.5 pounds — and battery-powered. The 24-volt battery can last up to eight hours in sleep mode, perfect for extended off-grid use or van-living. You can even connect solar panels or plug it into DC or AC outlets to boost battery life, if and when available. The handheld and lightweight design works exceptionally well for easy transportation and travel, so you can bring the Mark 2 wherever your adventures take you. Use code SPRING15 at checkout through ZERO BREEZE for a limited time to get 15% off your purchase — good from March 15 to March 21.
Buy Now
 
What can the ZERO BREEZE Mark 2 do for you?

Summer can be hot and clammy, and it can even get miserably wet if you live in a humid climate.  One of the trade-offs of staying off-grid is that you're living more efficiently, which also means you're interested in cutting down on power usage and comparable utilities. Even if that's not your goal, and you're just out for an adventure, you'll have to make the same concessions. The wilderness is, well, the wilderness. But with the Mark 2, a portable, battery-powered AC unit, you can cool off anytime, anywhere.

Read more