The Best Cleats for Walking on Ice and Snow

Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats

Lightweight and Durable

These classic cleats are a trusted, reliable option for walking in snow and ice.

Best Overall

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Yaktrax has made such a name for themselves that they’ve become synonymous with “ice cleats.” Easy to put on, durable, and totally effective at keeping you upright in slippery conditions, these Yaktrax cleats provide 360 degrees of traction. Worried they’re difficult to use? My mother, an elderly woman who can’t use her hands well and has balance issues, can put her Yaktrax on and go for a walk on hard-packed snow with her dog. With an innovative design that is lightweight and durable at once, these are basically an incredibly strong rubber band with steel coils for traction. Easy-on, easy-off, won’t rust, and will get you out in the elements without the constant fear of falling? These guys tick all the boxes when it comes to high-quality, effective ice cleats.

Pros:

• Heel tab for easily slipping on and off over your shoes or boots
• Incredibly durable outer band
• Spike-less design

Cons:

• These could be improved by an additional strap over the top of your foot to keep them on securely

EnergeticSky Ice Cleats

Traction Control

With an aggressive spiking system, these heavy-duty ice cleats provide extra stability and traction.

Most Heavy-Duty

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If you love icy, cold-weather exploring, these ice cleats are a definite must-have. Made with 19 multi-direction stainless steel spikes, you’ll be able to get (and keep) traction on even the slipperiest of surfaces. While these do have a chain bottom with spikes, there are some definite benefits here to these cleats. For starters, they have a silicone cover that’s highly elastic, slipping up and over the sides of your shoe for a sure-grip that won’t slip or break. On top of that, there’s a strap that goes over the top of your foot to keep these guys in place, and while the chains and spikes are noticeable, they’re taut enough so as to keep you feeling confident walking in otherwise treacherous conditions.

Pros:

• Suitable for a variety of icy outdoor terrain
• Silicone is both flexible and lightweight even in the coldest conditions (it’s rated for flexibility to -60F)
• Aggressive spike design

Cons:

• The spikes are all centered on the foot with none on the sides

STABILicers Traction Cleat

Stabilizing Ice Cleats

With a full foot bed, these stabilizing ice cleats are lightweight and secure.

Most Lightweight

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If you’re more of a casual snowy-day walker, these traction cleats will provide precisely the right amount of stability for you without going overboard with spikes and chains. With full-sole coverage and small steel traction grips, you’ll feel confident when out for a casual stroll through the snow-covered neighborhood. These are made with a featherweight rubber band that easily folds and packs away for both storage as well as for on-the-go convenience. The full-sole coverage provides a bit of extra security in conditions where snow might otherwise pack under your shoes.

Pros:

• Lightweight for easy walking
• Large pull tabs for easily pulling these on and off
• Remain flexible even when the temps drop (-45F)
• Multi-directional cleats

Cons:

• For larger, heavier-duty boots, you’ll need to order up a size (these run a bit small)

ODIER Shoe Ice Cleats

For Casual Strolls

These ice cleats are designed specifically with sneakers in mind.

Best for Sneakers

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These definitely aren’t for backcountry hiking, but that’s precisely the point. If you just need a bit of extra security–not a rugged, spiked cleat–these ice cleats are ideal. Appropriate for frozen sidewalks or moderately slippery conditions, these cleats will slip easily over your every-day sneakers for a step-up in stability. Made of silicone, they’ll fit right over your shoe. They’re lightweight, which is a huge bonus when you’re wearing an already lightweight shoe. (You don’t want a cumbersome pair of cleats on a light shoe — trust me.) Basically, these act as a second, more aggressive shoe tread.

Pros:

• Silicone, plastic, and steel construction
• Size small can fit older children as well
• Lightweight traction for lighter conditions
• Perfect fit for sneakers

Cons:

• These feel a bit snug on your feet when you’re wearing them

Yaktrax Run Traction Cleats

Ice Cleats for Runners

With these cleats, there's no need to give up running when the cold weather hits.

Best for Runners

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Don’t let the weather stop you from getting your daily run in. Thoughtfully designed for the committed runner, these traction cleats have lightweight durability in mind with a traction bed that makes sense for a runner’s stride. With both spikes and coils, you’ll have excellent traction on those ice-and-snow-covered cold-weather runs. A rubber foot frame with an incredibly stable strap system makes these a runner’s must-have when it comes to training in icy conditions.

Pros:

• Spikes are replaceable
• Tested to temps as low as -41F
• Adjustable strap system for a secure fit
• Natural rubber webbing

Cons:

• Order up in size — these run small

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ice cleats difficult to walk on?

While you can definitely notice that you’re wearing something extra, ice cleats shouldn’t feel difficult to walk on. In fact, they should make walking in difficult conditions easier. That’s the whole point, anyway.

Can you use any type of shoe with snow cleats?

It depends on the type of snow cleat. Some cleats are meant specifically for sneakers or lightweight shoes, and some are meant specifically for heavier boots. It all depends on what you’re going for. If you get a mid-weight, mid-range type of snow cleat, you should be able to wear them with both your everyday shoes as well as your snow boots.