YakTrax Men's Run Winter Traction Device-Grey

Product Information

Splitting the difference between the Microspikes and Nanospikes above are Kahtoola’s Exospikes. In this case, you get 12 tungsten carbide studs for grip, which are slightly deeper than those on the Nanospikes above (you also get two more of them). But the biggest difference is that the Exospikes have a more open design between the metal tips, which allows them to shed snow more readily and promotes better flexibility underfoot (it also means you can still get some traction from your shoes’ tread). For trail runs and winter hikes that don’t require aggressive bite, the Exospikes are a well-built and versatile option. For do-it-your-selfers, you could also try screwing your shoes (get your head out of the gutter!) – my buddy Sam recently did this with a pair of Hokas and some Ice Spikes, and I’ve done it with La Sportiva Hobnails. It’s also possible to just use some sheet metal screws from a hardware store – minimallyshoddy recently wrote about screwing his Skoras, that’s a risky proposition!

In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the product Yaktrax Run now includes recycled content in the coils, carbide spikes and the natural rubber foot frame. Although yaktrax and trail running shoes are designed to handle wet and snowy conditions, there are tools that would make them handle snow and ice even better, especially in extreme circumstances. How to choose your Yaktrax While using your shoe size to find your best size is a good guide, it is not always foolproof. If you want to guarantee that your insole fit your shoes as closely as possible, we recommend measuring your existing insole and using this as a guide to your size. Please be aware that, as with shoes, there can be slight variations in the size of insoles. For example a size 8 of one brand might not be exactly the same size and width as the size 8 of another. To help account for these discrepancies, a number of our insoles include dimensions to help you ensure you're getting the right size. Measuring Your Current Insoles Interesting review and product, although it looks like making the product worse compared to the pro model.

What's Included?

The action side of the Yaktrax Pro is wire coiled around an elastomer frame. This contrasts the many traction devices with more aggressive teeth or metal spikes underfoot. This helps them weigh in at 5.0 ounces (140 grams) for the pair. This is less than half the weight than, say, the very capable Kahtoola MICROspikes. While you might not notice as you start running, the difference between having less than 3 ounces on each foot rather than 6 ounces makes itself known as the miles and hours go by. Over the years of continuous research and innovation, manufacturers have developed numerous types of Yaktrax for different levels of traction, to suit every need. For winter running, there are two types of Yaktrax namely Yaktrax Pro and Yaktrax Run.

Traction devices that fall into our daily use category are designed to be worn for fairly casual and low-intensity activities like walking the dog, running errands around town, commuting, shoveling the driveway, etc. Compared to models in our hiking and running categories, ice grips made for everyday wear typically cost less than performance offerings and have the least aggressive traction in the form of coils or shallow spikes (typically fewer than microspikes built for hiking). Some of our favorite options in this category include Yaktrax’s simple and cheap Walk, their more capable Diamond Grip, Korkers’ Ice Walker, and Stabilicers’ Walk. A few more performance-focused designs can also pull doubly duty for daily wear, including Kahtoola’s Nanospikes. In the end, if you don’t plan to do any hiking or running in your spikes and simply want a pair for navigating icy city streets, an option in this category should be perfectly serviceable. Yaktrax's Diamond Grip are a great option for everyday useUpside is the bite on even the greenlandic inland ice and pure glacial ice, where yaktreks or other more pedestrian models are useless. Overall I found that the YakTrax Run did a pretty good job for the conditions I encounter on roads and sidewalks during or after a snowstorm. They are great on icy surfaces and snow-covered, plowed road, and decent in fresh snow as long as it’s not too deep. My runs are not suited to a spikier traction device so the Kahtoola Microspikes are not something I’d really need, but for occasional traction needs encountered by a road runner in winter they function well. While I initially wasn’t a fan of the process of mounting the YakTrax Pro to my shoes, over time I’ve come to realize it’s actually quite easy. Yes, the the metal coils inevitably fold each device into a pyramidal shape. When the pyramid points downward, the rubber ring constricts and it can be difficult to slip your toe under the strap. When the pyramid points up, the coils press against the forefoot strap, which again makes it difficult to slip your toe under the strap. Second, you have to be mindful of the strap itself, as it could slip out of the slit through which it folds over itself. For most of our insoles, the easiest way to find the best size for you is to go off of your current shoe size. The majority of our insoles are available in a range of sizes and you can simply select the size that best fits your existing shoes.

Measure the insoles at their longest and widest points (see the below diagram for an idea of where this will be What he then saw on this Sherpa’s feet sparked a revolutionary invention known as the Yaktrax. Thanks to this outdoor adventurer who conceptualized this genius invention, you no longer have to worry about slipping and falling when going for your winter run. Testimonials from athletes and sports bloggers around the web:

Who Can Benefit from the Yaktrax Run Ice Grips?

There’s a few obvious features to each product that might make it preferable to the other. For example, Yaktrax are much more affordable and work better for road running in slushy conditions whereas Microspikes would dig into the tarmac and slow you down. However, Yaktrax break more easily and don’t stay on the foot quite as well as Microspikes. Microspikes are much more sturdy and durable, they stay on your feet better and the spikes definitely cut deeper into the ice to provide better traction, but they come with a heftier price tag and aren’t suitable for running in. Living in Greenland means that I run snow and ice, on trail, off trail, and roads a lbig part of the year. Continue your training during the winter with the same stability you are accustomed to on dry surfaces. Although designed for the demands of winter runners Yaktrax Run can be used as a general ice grip and are ideal for winter walking, particularly in urban areas, in parkland and on firm woodland trails. The outer band rests against the outer edge of your footprint (this should not be caught on the sole).