Walking on ice...a self help solution

[dickp]

We could all moan about how long the council takes to clear the snow from the pavements, but I have been road testing a “help yourself” alternative for the past few weeks. And they’re blummin’ marvellous.

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/backcountr ... g-mens.htm

They are fantastic on snow and ice, to such an extent that I actively choose to walk in it, rather than slush. They’re OK-ish on cleared stretches of payment, but a bit weird if parts of your journey involves walking on tiles.

At £15, I don’t suppose they’ll last long. But, as long as they get me through this winter, I don’t really care.

[JRobinson]

they look good, but they can't now deliver them before Christmas (but that's alright), they're no good on smooth surfaces, like inside shops, or on buses or tubes, so you'd have to keep taking them on and off, which might be ok if you're just walking on packed snow or ice.

one FAQ on there asks about walking on black ice, and the advice is to mix rubberised roof paint with coarse sand, and paint it on the soles of a pair of outdoor boots that you're not that attached to.

these things are a bit specialised, and I don't think I'll be buying them just yet, unless the weather gets really cold for a long time, and the council run out of grit.

[kennyb]

That idea has been about for years and they work very well.

With a little ingenuity you can make them yourself from bits of lightweight chain from B&Q or the like and some tension springs, you get those from car accessory shops, or even rubber bands.
The light weight chain links can be easily parted and closed again with a pair of pliers.

[Rachael]

There are lots of variations on this type of over-the-shoe crampon available online and from outdoors shops such as Finches in Forest Hill (although I believe they are low on stock). I bought a pair for my other half that are rather different from those above - rubber, with flat-bottomed spikes rather than chains. He wore them to walk to the station this morning, whipped them off when he got on the train, and will put them back on this evening on his way home. Very easy to put on and take off, not such a specialised item these days, more of a winter essential. I'll be buying pairs for the whole family in time for the return to school in January.

Meanwhile, just so you all know, the best self-help is to clear the snow from the pavement outside your own property. Helps you, helps others, and the idea that you will be sued is a myth. Central government are urging people to do it, although local councils are being slow to spread the word. Check out this advice on directgov: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868

[Robin Orton]

If you've got walking boots with vibram-type soles, they seem to work well in the sort of conditions we've got at the moment. I've been using them regularly during that last few days and find I can walk confidently in the snow at my normal pace. But then

Pride goes before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Proverbs 16.18 NRSV)

[JRobinson]

I worked from home yesterday, went out for some lunch at about two and saw a man crossing Sydenham Road, by the cake shop / Mayow Road, and he was wearing some of those YakTraks - I'm guessing it was probably the OP.