Icy pavements

[Piemaster]

Pavements around here, to say the least, and are pretty treacherous and with the coming forecasts doesn't look like it will improve much.
I've searchedonline and there seems (unsurprisingly) to be a bit of a run on those spikey ice grip things for shoes (like these) and have just been wondering if a pair of football boots would serve as an alternative.
Obvious problem with the boots is they would be more likely to result in cold feet but my pair of sealskins socks may sort that out (or even perhaps the bike overshoes if the cleat holes and studs line up ok).
Not having owned a pair of boots since, errr, quite a long time ago, is there anyone who has some willing to go give it a try? A shoe/football boot back-to-back comparison?

 

[darkstar]

Th annoying this round here is the fact I was fine running on the pavements when they were covered with snow, as it wasn't slippery. But now the snow has melted, they are super slippery as it's sheet ice!

What would you use the boot for? Running or walking? I can't see football boots being a good option as you could always tweak your ankle on uneven ground (if running)

 

[PBancroft]

If anything, I would think football boots would be worse, at least on ice. They are designed to grip on mud and turf not near-solid slippery stuff - the studs are rather fat and flat. They might help on snow, but I reckon you would be better off with something like these.

Incidentally, I've just bought a pair of these, but not for everyday walking to the shops.

 

[summerdays]

I've got a feeling that my Dad used his golf shoes last winter in the snow...I don't know how the spikes compare on those.

 

[PBancroft]

I've got a feeling that my Dad used his golf shoes last winter in the snow...I don't know how the spikes compare on those.

I've never played golf, but I think the spikes are, um, spikier.

 

[Black Sheep]

Football boots don't grip on concrete or Tarmac, we used to run across the school footbridge and slide the other half on football boots on the way to the field.

I don't think you'll have much joy with them unless you stamp your foot into the ice hard which will be tiring and hurt after a while

I had been coping nicely with hiking boots, coped last winter with them too

 

[Globalti]

This is the winter shoe par excellence:http://www.scorpiosh...es-tan-1148.htm

They're waterproof, the sole grips well on snow and when worn smooth it grips well on my roof so old shoes get relegated for DIY duties. The only maintenance they need is an occasional waxing with Nikwax or the Waxoyle I have left over from when we owned a Land Rover. Plus they're a reasonable price.

 

[darkstar]

Football boots don't grip on concrete or Tarmac, we used to run across the school footbridge and slide the other half on football boots on the way to the field.

They grip in snow though.

 

[ThePainInSpain]

This is the winter shoe par excellence:http://www.scorpiosh...es-tan-1148.htm

They're waterproof, the sole grips well on snow and when worn smooth it grips well on my roof so old shoes get relegated for DIY duties. The only maintenance they need is an occasional waxing with Nikwax or the Waxoyle I have left over from when we owned a Land Rover. Plus they're a reasonable price.

Best shoes ever, used to wear them for work. Smart with a suit but comfortable and practical in the warehouse.

And as you say, waterproof and grips on the ice.

 

[numbnuts]

I have a pair of the YakTrak pros they are very good and no slip-ups this year

 

[asterix]

Have heard that pulling an old pair of socks on over your shoes can help grip on ice. Never tried it.

 

[palinurus]

I reckon football boots would be terrible. I have some metal studs in my cyclocross shoes to help with running in mud. They are terrible on ice, really slippy.

 

[downfader]

Have heard that pulling an old pair of socks on over your shoes can help grip on ice. Never tried it.

They need to be wool and yes they will work to an extent. The wool sticks to the ice and wicks away the soggy stuff.

 

[decca234uk]

Golf shoes are the way to go, better spikes and dig in the hard frost easier, plus they look like shoes, you won't attract too many funny looks when you are walking round a shopping centre or going to the pub. A pair of football boots would contravene the dress code for most bars in leeds.

 

[Piemaster]

Looks like the footie boot idea won't work, but I've also read that the socks thing might. If I can live with the looks I'll get in Morrisons

Another thought after reading this about DIY snow tyres was how well something similar would work on shoes. I've got a few in the garage so may try it sometime