what footwear do you wear that helps you get a grip when it is icy?

trainers are no use, muck boots marginally better, army style boots ok but still not very confident.  This is the first year I have had 2 dogs (combined weight of 10 stone and both prone to quick movements and lunging when other dogs/cats/interesting people/old ladies who have previously provided them with biscuits etc etc are around).  My rott boy has a headcollar so I have lots of control but 2 dogs when it is slippy is driving me bonkers.

Any tips for good footwear?

I'd also be interested to know, even to stay upright on both legs without the dogs is some mission, especially on hills..
Don't really wish to walk about in snow shoes either.. :-)

No recommendations for walking on ice unless you want to walk around with running shoes & spikes on?

For snow, I have a pair of Karrimor Snow boots, I've had them for a few weeks now and although I've yet to wear them in snow, they are fab for keeping my feet dry in wet weather.

I wonder if these would be any good? I thought the Petzl Spiky might do the trick? 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=crampons&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=4762104063&ref=pd_sl_21iv7axxyb_b

I keep a pair of old, high-heeled, long black leather boots for such weather - they look absolutely dreadful - no amount of polish can bring them back to "normal" wear - but with a pair of thick socks underneath, I can cheerfully get a grip in the worst of snow & ice .....but they kill my feet now and I can only wear them for short distances - used to be brilliant on station platforms that were never gritted/salted!

> high-heeled, long black leather boots

> can cheerfully get a grip in the worst of snow & ice

Perfect, can really see you tottering about in your heels in this weather Margot.. :-P

> Perfect, can really see you tottering about in your heels in this weather Margot.. - I dig the heels in first, to get a grip!

Nah ....I stomp!! - I dig the heels in first, to get a grip!  OH calls them my jackboots :d

Not sure how fashionable you want to be but last year I bought pair of these and absolutely love them :)
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductList.asp?topGroupCode=001&parentGroupCode=0103&groupCode=01304#sku.16229
I have the star print pair and am yet to slip on ice/grass/snow... and always have dry toes :)
Just noticed you already have muck boots.....

>

> Not sure how fashionable you want to be but last year I bought pair of these and absolutely love them :-)
> http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductList.asp?topGroupCode=001&parentGroupCode=0103&groupCode=01304#sku.16229

I have the fluffy ones :-) They are great, wear them most days walking the dogs.

wow they look great (oops does that mean I have given up being fasionable lol  )            

I picked up a pair of these in a local charity shop in the summer for £5

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Oneill-snow-boots-Ski-snowboard-BN-UK-5-6_W0QQitemZ230414804624QQcmdZViewItemQQptZWomen_s_Shoes?hash=item35a5cae690

I can honestly say I havent worn anything like them on my feet before :)
Put them on today for the first time as we had loads of snow and ice over night and they are fantastic. Grip is brilliant. I am terrified of falling over on ice but in these I felt very steady on my feet :)
And not to mention soo very warm and cosy!

Do you think they are the same as snowjoggers?  I end up with a sore back and calves from clenching my toes so much when I am walking in the ice.  Walking like I have had an accident in my undies is not a good look!

http://www.blacktoe.co.uk/ice%20Grips/ice%20grips.htm

I have a pair of boots simialr ot these (although with more of a flat heel):
http://www.shoes.co.uk/Womens/Wrangler/Ankle-and-Shoe-Boots/WL1532-530800001/Black-Leather/
They have a really good tread which grips to the ice. Alternatively, my mum wears these which are also good:
http://www.jamesandjames.com/htmlfiles/shoefiles/caterpillar/catellietan.htm

The cat style boots can be bought for around £15 in shops like shoe zone or shoe express. THe only reason 'cat' boots are so expensive is cos you are paying for the name.

Look for something supportive around the ankle with a good solid tread on the bottom and you should be fine :-)

I am wearing a taller pair of the ones below at the moment when I walk the dogs and still find them a bit slippy.  I feel like a girly mick martin with them on. lol.  I don't find the deeper tread makes much of a difference.  Walking 2 dogs on ice still feels very precarious.

http://www.mandmdirect.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=107148

Starryeyes, the link you have put up is probably what I need.  An ice pick and crampons too!

>Not sure how fashionable you want to be but last year I bought pair of these and absolutely love them
>http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductList.asp?topGroupCode=001&parentGroupCode=0103&groupCode=01304#sku.16229

I have the fluffy ones too, got given them by a friend who bought them in a charity shop and then found them too small.    

They are brilliant in the snow and ice. 

Didn't know they were Muckers tho !  till today :-D      Lucky me!

>http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductList.asp?topGroupCode=001&parentGroupCode=0103&groupCode=01304#sku.16225

Does anyone know where i can buy a pair of these in size 5 ?  Have e-mailed Robinsons, but they're only showing size 7/8 and that's far too big!

Daughter wants a pair desperately - first time she's ever wanted something I wear! LOL

Regatta Isotex  with gaiters for the fresh snow Perfect!

I wear my Muck Boots, and they haven't let me down as yet, I wear them to walk the dogs in, and the road has has been very slippery with snow and ice, and they have plenty of grip.

I wear snowjoggers....fantastic. Its great being able to walk normally in the snow and ice with no fear of falling or slipping.  Well worth the money and they also keep my tootsies lovely and warm.  I'm on my second pair and i'm looking for another pair for the next season.  Great too because you can pop them in washer if they get too mucky!!!

Rain, snow and mud not a problem

My other pair are Berghaus walking boots which i use for walking, climbing and walking the dog when my snowjoggers are out of action... (Washed). Also great in any weather including Ice and snow... I hope you find what you are looking for x

If it is very slippy I always wore welies.  I bought some waterproof leather walking boots a few months ago that seem to be doing a reasonable job.

I walk my five (combined weight about 100kg), four on head collars which makes life easier.

I did slide on a pach a bit when out last and the girls instantly stopped in their tracks, good dogs.

I couldnt be without my boots this winter, not slipped once which is a mircale for me. They are the wkye valley copy of the long brown leather dubarry boots. I couldnt afford the proper dubarrys so got the wyke valley ones for £90. Can hardly tell the differece, very grippy, comfy and keep your feet dry like wellies!

Dill,

These muck boots how does the sizing compare to normal size shoes?
I'm a size 5 normally.

I only ask as the actual brand 'muck boots' don't fit, 5 too big and 4 too small.

I love my Crocs wellies - haven't slipped in them yet (and we have lots of snow and ice up here), they have thick soles to keep feet lovely and warm, and easy to slilp on and off.  Only sticking point is that they are bright pink!  Only colour I could get in my size when I wanted them in a hurry :)

I have 4/5 but my feet are a small 4 - the boots are a little loose - but nothing that a good furry insole won't cure ;)  I prefer boots a little loose so that I can wear nice thick hiking socks to keep my toes nice and warm :-D

depends on what you want to spend and how much use you are going to get out of them. I swear by my Hunter Sovereigns--swamp, ice, snow, lashing rain, and my feet are always warm :-). I walk three dogs, sometimes four, and they are prone to lunging at some seasonal items: snowmen (for some reason these drive them wild), sleds, umbrellas and backpacks. So far I've stayed on my feet with no trouble...last year I got pulled over by two and cracked a tooth. 

I have a few boots which are good, derby house thermal boots which I highly recommend in all ways they keep your feet toasty!! The North Face walking boots which are very comfortable and I also have never slipped in and for Christmas I got some Aigle neoprene wellies which seem to be good and are appearing to be better in slippy conditions than my OH's Hunter neoprene wellies.

> Aigle neoprene wellies

This is what i have my eye on, but don't seem to find them readily in shops. There is one hunting shop a good 45mins from me which sell them, though never find them in the sale anywhere, even in the summer there was no discount on them :-(

They are expensive but I have had lots of different wellies and would definately recommend these!!! I originally asked him to get me Hunter ones like his but they were sold out so he pad extra for these and they were worth every penny!! Definately worth treating yourself with.

My £9.99 ones from Shoezone (or wherever - cheapo footwear!) have been brilliant. great grip, and if they split it's no big deal.

My cheapos have always been good too but living in them day in day out with the horses I didn't manage to find any cheaper ones that were comfortable. Muckers and wellies tend to be my main footwear so have to be comfortable!!

found these online - may be worth a try :-D

http://www.yaktrax.co.uk/shop/products.php?cat=8