Ice Cleats/Creepers

[2Lungs]

Sounds like its going to get slick out there. Any info on a good pair of cleats ? I have a pair but they don't have anything on the heel area which is what I would like to go to. Thanks

[NittanyDoug]

Yak-trax look decent. They have traction on the entire boot bottom.

[FishinJoe]

I have a pair of boots I only use for ice fishing and I put self tapping screws i the bottoms, works like a charm.

[RichP]

I picked up a pair of yaktrax a few weeks ago based on Esox's recommendation (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270005) and have been very satisfied with them so far. They stay on the boots really well, and like nittanydoug refers too, unlike those $5.99 creepers, the traction is over the entire bottom...

[Quack Wacker]

Gander Mountain First Ice, best IMO. $19.99 and they have replacement sheet metal screws so they last forever. Plus fit any boot including Mickey's.

[GoneFishin]

Have a pair of the HT Sandal type ice cleats, they have worked well for me the past 3-4 years. Bought mine at Gander - Flint but have seen 'em elsewhere.

[Biggsy]

I need some as well. I've seen the one's that look like you have springs crisscrossing under you boots but they looked kinda flimsy to me. The 5.99 ones don't interest me they look like you would be walking on stilts and are only in the center of your foot. Any recommendations out there.

Biggsy:coolgleam

[jjc155]

Like stated above, go with the Yak Trax. I have the "Pro" version which has an extra strap, but I dont think that it is really needed. They are nice as you will hardly know they are on, they are pretty easy on and off, you dont need to takem' off for walking on concrete etc plus they are comfortable.

I used to wear a pair on running shoes and run in the winter with them on.

J-

[Downsea]

I used to wear a pair on running shoes and run in the winter with them on.

J-

Yak Trax Pro! Saved my *** a lot of bruises. My daughter wears them running in the winter.

[turkey track]

Yak-trax. I have used them for 3 yrs now, and have never had a problem. On our fire department, a lot of us use them on fires in the winter. After spraying all that water, the entire house can turn to ice, but I've been on roofs that were ice covered and never slipped at all. Also, they can be worn in stores or vehicles without damaging anything.

[The_Don]

I need some as well. I've seen the one's that look like you have springs crisscrossing under you boots but they looked kinda flimsy .

Biggsy:coolgleam

those are the yak-trax and are very good. I have the pro ,but dont use the strap

[SubSurfaceMD]

I bought the HT spikes from Dick's 2 yrs ago - around 8 bucks. They have large jagged teeth and fit over my large boots (size 12 1200g thinsulate Rocky boots). They hardly shift when using. They were a little tough to get on, but when on they are great. They dont have heel spikes so you can still do "wheelies" across the slick ice. I might get another pair to have on hand. I tried the yak-trax first, but they didnt fit over the boot well and shifted alot. Maybe i had the wrong size because they were "overly stretched", but i think a larger size would slip alot more on the boots.

[Mark Sylvester]

If you have a dedicated pair of ice boots I would run the self tapping screws!!!

[Quack Wacker]

Yak-trax look decent. They have traction on the entire boot bottom.

Yak Trax are nice, but they do not last more than a few seasons. Since you stretch them and then they are wrapped in coiled metal they end up cutting themselves at the preasure points.

The best ones that I have found are the knock offs to ice stabilizers.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_810809_imageset_01?$main-Large$

They last forever, they have replacement screws, plus they fit any size boot including Mickey's. You can get them through Cabelas, but Gander Mountain has an HT version and they are only $19.99 and work great, but good luck finding some now.

[Mark Sylvester]

Looks like they have self-tapping screws in them!!!

[melnik]

I use the cheap arch cleats. I don't know what they're called, but they fit into your arch and are held in front of your heel. They are just a piece of stamped sheet metal with four cleats. They attach with medical tubing, which is a hollow rubber/elastimer tubing. I don't recall the name, but they're sold in lots of places. I've never had a problem with them. Some folks think they would be uncomforatable because they are only in the arch of your boot, but the fact is, they pierce the ice so easily that they don't put any additional or unreasonable pressure on your arch. I also like them because they store pretty small, and I always have them with me because they are so small.

[fishnpbr]

I use the cheap arch cleats. I don't know what they're called, but they fit into your arch and are held in front of your heel. They are just a piece of stamped sheet metal with four cleats. They attach with medical tubing, which is a hollow rubber/elastimer tubing. I don't recall the name, but they're sold in lots of places. I've never had a problem with them. Some folks think they would be uncomforatable because they are only in the arch of your boot, but the fact is, they pierce the ice so easily that they don't put any additional or unreasonable pressure on your arch. I also like them because they store pretty small, and I always have them with me because they are so small.


If the tubing you are referring to is bright green they are called Arctic Spurs. That is all I have used and really like them.

[salmonslammer]

I've used them for about 5 years with no problems....

Till the last time I used em..I think they really aggravated this tendon problem that has been on going since nov... I think its cause all the weight is on the 1 spot of ur foot and not evenly distributed.

I'm going to give the icetrax a whirl and see if they help any..

[Perchchaser]

Sounds like its going to get slick out there. Any info on a good pair of cleats ? I have a pair but they don't have anything on the heel area which is what I would like to go to. Thanks

Beginning of the season I bought the Yak-Trax Pro and they have worked great. No expierence with any others but so far I have no complaints with what I bought.

[GILL_SLAYER]

If you guys ever get stuck out on the ice without creepers and the wind is blowing a bungee cord wrapped around your boot so one of the metal hooks are under your arch will give you a lil extra traction. Had to use this method on Tuesday. Ice was very slick, wind was at like 30mph and there was no way I was making it back to shore without the bungees!

[chuckinduck]

If the tubing you are referring to is bright green they are called Arctic Spurs. That is all I have used and really like them.

I use them too, no problems if all you're trying to do is walk on the ice.

[jjc155]

Yak Trax are nice, but they do not last more than a few seasons. Since you stretch them and then they are wrapped in coiled metal they end up cutting themselves at the preasure points.



My original pair of Yak trax lasted about 5 years and were used primarily on my running shoes for running in the winter, on cement, ice, snow, which is way more hard on them than walking on the ice fishing.

I have the pro's now and just leave them on my boots. nice to beable to walk from the parking lot out on to the ice and not have to stop to strap on cleats. Just my 2 cents.

J-