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The Vikings also used crampons to avoid slipping on ice
- vincnetas 2y agoVikings are OG users, WE are also using crampons like vikings :)
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- wylielunaloki 2y agoI really enjoyed this article and how reminded me of the first time I hiked in snow without crampons. I had to use fallen spruce branches to steady myself with each step on the way down. It was like walking on little brooms. It did the job well enough for a southern California native.
- throwway120385 2y agoYeah -- I learned to walk on dirty snow where I could when I didn't have snowshoes. The albedo makes the snowpack melt a little more than its surroundings and it makes a nice crust over what could otherwise be quite deep. Stepping onto clean snow and postholeing is quite an experience. Clean snow is quite nice if you have a long downhill chute though because then you can just plunge step quickly down and let the snow cushion your quite large steps.
- neilv 2y agoAnd, walking in dense city, some of the "micro" spike traction aids are amazing for walking over the slipperiest surprise slick ice spots, like they're nothing. Occasionally, I feel like I have to warn people coming the other way on the sidewalk, since I'll stomp right over, say, some ice that has has filled a porous sidewalk, and left a slightly wet layer atop that smooth surface -- basically, you'd have a lot of trouble simply standing on it without falling down, much less moving on it -- but the person coming the other way probably doesn't realize I've got gear making all the difference.
- cooljacob204 2y agoCan you share an example of what you're referring to?
- germinalphrase 2y agoThere are many brands but, in the US - YakTraks and MICROspikes are common choices.
- neilv 2y agoThis winter, I newly have Yaktrax, after a brand I really liked seemed to go downhill (or counterfeits).
- mckn1ght 2y agoIcebug makes nice integrated-stud shoes and boots. I have a pair of Salomon winter cross spikes that are fantastic.
- dagurp 2y agoMicrospikes and Nanospikes are products from Kathoola. I own both and have used them for running in Iceland so I can definitely recommend them.
- sandworm101 2y agoThey are great on the ice, but really do a number on any other surface. You have to be really good about taking them off anytime you aren't on ice.
- neilv 2y agoYeah, the ones I've had are fine on concrete and brick sidewalks, but bad for floors. If you're walking to stores or something, you'll want ones that are easy to remove and put back on over the shoes. When indoors away from home, I carry them in a clear plastic bag in one of the water bottle pockets in my backpack. (That they look messy with water and de-icer and such means that they don't look your something you're shoplifting.)
- kazinator 2y agoWhen you go onto running track that is covered in ice in January, you get to really appreciate those middle distance spikes.