Has anybody got any good suggestions re footwear that gives a good grip on ice? I had an accident on ice as a child (slid down concrete stairs and wrist swelled up like a football) and am therefore terrified of ice.

What with a dog to walk and work to get to I am hoping someone can suggest a type of footwear with good grip in the current icy conditions.

Ailsa

Hi Ailsa

I had a thread HERE which has a few links which may help :)

The two types I got have proven great in ice and sluchy conditions and Lori plus others have recommended different ones too - hopefully something there will suit purpose and budget

Both pairs I invested in came from robinsons.co.uk :)

regards, Teri

You could also wear crampons, that climbers use.

Hi,
Can highly recommend these,  http://www.icegrips.co.uk/icegrips1.html, though shouldn't be worn when not icy as they wear down v. quickly.

I'm surprised my sister Teri didn't suggest the good old fashioned way 'we' used to do it when we were wains.
The 'old thick sock (usually yer Dads) over the shoe' trick works for a reasonable time and lets face it we dont usually get ice for long periods..(except now of course) 

And cheap of course ...we were terrible poor wee wains :-(

Teri has come up in the world - her boots are mink lined.  :-)

> we were terrible poor wee wain

some of us still are but there's always the barras :-D

(truth be told when it's REALLY icy the handyman gives me a puggy ;) )

> the handyman gives me a puggy

Ah'm a terrible clype ye unerstaun :-)

Hey Teri its not the Barras, Paddys Markets better LOL!!!

My Nan did the thick sock over the shoes, whilst walking to the village shop.
She ended up falling over and breaking her hip :(
This was when she was in her 70's (and still riding her bike).
Sadly after the hip broke she never got on her bike again.
She's still here at 91.

I'm using my yard masters - nearly went up on ones backside on Monday
in my normal foot wear just trying to get out of my house onto the path outside.
I've worn the yard masters ever since - not trendy but I feel safer and have quite
good traction control with them, plus they have thinsulate so my feet are nice and toasty :)
I work in an office but we have a relaxed dress code.

We were canal boating and it all froze so we put an old pair of socks over your boots works a treat. We had to open about 30 locks and all frozen no trips and no spills. Else you can buy snow chains to go over the bottom of your boots in Cotswold camping or snow & Ice shops which we used in Antartica but the socks over the boots worked better.

Put socks on over your shoes. You will look ridiculous but honestly, it works.

Boxacrazy - thanks for that. I checked the link for the Yardmasters from the previous thread but unfortunately they do not have them instock in my size. But I have bookmarked it in the hope they will get more stock in.

Ailsa

Belgian bonkers - thanks for that link. I have ordered some. Also thanks for the tip about how quick they wear down.

Ailsa

Teri - thanks for the link to the previous thread. There is so much useful info. on it I think I will end up printing it out.

Ailsa

> Put socks on over your shoes.

Boxacrazy's Nan did that and broke her hip.
It worked for us as kids but obviously not for everyone :-(

>Boxacrazy's Nan did that and broke her hip.

Nothing in Life is guaranteed. ;-) Just before Christmas my neighbour fell in her own house and broke her hip. Some people are more prone to falling than others.

> my neighbour fell in her own house and broke her hip

she had ICE in her HOUSE   - methinks best use the crampons indoors too in them there parts :-D

>she had ICE in her HOUSE

No, you silly! I know it's been cold (-11 last night! ) but not that cold!

I was just showing that it's easy for people to fall (it doesn't even have to be slippery) and that it'd be a mistake to disregard the value of wearing socks over shoes to help prevent slipping just because it's not 100% guaranteed.

> No, you silly

That's a relief :-p

> it'd be a mistake to disregard the value of wearing socks over shoes

true - purely for entertainment value alone :-D 
Tell us, did she wear her liberty bodice over her jumper too? 

I got my Yardmasters from Hyperdrug (pet pharmacy)
As per the other thread it's better to go up a size as they aren't generous.
I'm 6.5 and have gone up to 7's and they are a very snug fit ;)

Glad to help.

Boxacrazy - thanks for that info. Have now ordered a pair one size larger than normal.

Ailsa

That's ok glad to help - I reckon the other thread generated such a demand from Robinsons that they sold out of the average sizes.
The added bonus is that the Yardmasters are lined with thinsulate so your feet stay nice and toasty :)
I've worn them everday to work so far this week.
Work is just opposite RAF Benson...so we have been very cold and icy - at minus 11.8 the other morning ..
and still have some snow & ice on the pavements & road outside at home.

not slipped over yet...do hope I now haven't jinxed myself

You could try cleats, they strap on over your shoes and look pretty good.  I am thinking of investing in a pair after the last couple of days walking the rather excited huskies on ice - it got a bit fraught at times especially if a rabbit was spotted!

>I reckon the other thread generated such a demand from Robinsons that they sold out of the average sizes

I should've been on commission :(

You Should !! Made yourself some good commission!!