Any use Yak Trax?

Don't waste your money...buy microspikes instead.

Depends on the terrain you are running. Microspikes are fine for ice, but aren't good for softpack snow. Yaxtrac's are great for that. Buy, em. 25 bucks won't kill you.

Yak Trax puts a fulcrum right in the center of your foot. You will roll your ankle constantly...definitely not worth the money. I just go to the hardware store and get some 3/8 inch hexagonal head sheet metal screws. A box of them is like 3 bucks. Place them around the perimeter of your sole. You'll never know they are there when running on concrete (except the clicks) and they give tons of grip on the ice. I've tried everything and nothing works better.

I use yaktrax. They work great in snow. I use them on trails that are packed down a little by snow mobiles, they work very well. Work great in just plain deep snow, like you have on snow days.

They don't really work on ice. I used to use the rubber things with the little spikes on them that stretch over your shoes for ice. They cost about $50.

Then I broke my tailbone when I slipped on a frozen puddle, on a day that was neither snowy nor icy. Now I just run on a treadmill during winter most days (because I'm over 50). I never go out during ice. I will go run on a heavy snow day, wearing my yak trax, because I like the cushion of the deeper snow.

For yak-trax, I use the heavy duty kind. They sell heavy duty and regular. I like them.

The sheet metal screw idea sounds like a very good idea, especially to put on your heel. That's where you'll slip if you step on ice. I wouldn't think the screws would do much for you in deep snow, but InWyo has actually tried it. He should know.

InWyo wrote:

Yak Trax puts a fulcrum right in the center of your foot. You will roll your ankle constantly...definitely not worth the money. I just go to the hardware store and get some 3/8 inch hexagonal head sheet metal screws. A box of them is like 3 bucks. Place them around the perimeter of your sole. You'll never know they are there when running on concrete (except the clicks) and they give tons of grip on the ice. I've tried everything and nothing works better.

That's exactly what I do, and it works great!

Like someone said, Yak Tracs are great in packed snow, but not so good for ice or slushy snow.

Just spent a week running in them on snowshoe trails at a ski resort. My whole family used them. Way more fun than the hotel treadmill.

InWyo wrote:

Yak Trax puts a fulcrum right in the center of your foot. You will roll your ankle constantly...definitely not worth the money. I just go to the hardware store and get some 3/8 inch hexagonal head sheet metal screws. A box of them is like 3 bucks. Place them around the perimeter of your sole. You'll never know they are there when running on concrete (except the clicks) and they give tons of grip on the ice. I've tried everything and nothing works better.[/quote]

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How many hex head screws do you use? 12? 4 in the heel area, 4 in the midfoot, 4 in the forefoot?

I have a pair, I don't really find them that useful. Most shoes can do just fine in snow without them and on ice, there really is no difference. I don't really care for them but I've also had mine for a while so maybe they've improved them since then.

The Red Panda wrote:

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How many hex head screws do you use? 12? 4 in the heel area, 4 in the midfoot, 4 in the forefoot?

I use around 16 per foot, and I cover the entire bottom, not just the perimeter.

I use around 16 per foot, and I cover the entire bottom, not just the perimeter.

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That's helpful. Thanks!

I have to run today in a mix of dry asphalt, ice and loose snow. The roads are a mess. On days like these I find the NB 740 trail shoes work well..they have an aggressive outsole just like a snow tire and handle the loose snow just as good as those Yak things (which suck on dry pavement). I also like the Asics Trail Attack on slushy and icey conditions.

I have to run today in a mix of dry asphalt, ice and loose snow. The roads are a mess. On days like these I find the NB 740 trail shoes work well..they have an aggressive outsole just like a snow tire and handle the loose snow just as good as those Yak things (which suck on dry pavement). I also like the Asics Trail Attack on slushy and icey conditions

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My favourite winter shoe was the NB 961 - spikes in the forefoot, Gore Tex upper, and an "anti-freeze" gel in the mid-sole and heel. It's too bad that they aren't made anymore

I prefer Ice Joggers http://www.amazon.com/Sure-Foot-Joggers-Fitness-Equipment/dp/B0000UQV9E to Yaks (which I found useless). However, the best thing is Icebugs http://www.icebug.se/ProductList.aspx?m=657

I used to use Yak Trax, but stopped using them once I gained the confidence to run on ice/snow without assistance. If you're maintaining proper form it shouldn't be an issue anyway.

Oh Please wrote:

The Red Panda wrote:

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How many hex head screws do you use? 12? 4 in the heel area, 4 in the midfoot, 4 in the forefoot?

I use around 16 per foot, and I cover the entire bottom, not just the perimeter.

I have a pair of training shoes that 4 sheet metal screws in the heel area and two in the forefoot and they work perfectly. I actually look for snow and ice along the road, rather than clear blacktop. Just be sure not to place the screws near a presssure point in your forefoot.

the yax are great for snow.

Careful on asphalt and cement and metal grates and ice.

They wear out quickly if you use them on asphalt for prologed periods. Just remove them.

treadmill powered telly wrote:

I used to use Yak Trax, but stopped using them once I gained the confidence to run on ice/snow without assistance. If you're maintaining proper form it shouldn't be an issue anyway.

Your running form is not going to do you any good on a sheet of ice. Especially if you suddenly hit a patch hidden under some loose snow. Unless you are talking about treadmill ice which is a whole different story.

The sheet metal screws add a little bit of grip when running in loose snow, but are better for packed snow and ice. As for how many I use...I think there are two in my heal and five in the fore-foot all of them placed really close to the outside of the sole. You really don't need much and they don't penetrate any deeper than your rubber out sole so I don't think it's possible to feel any pressure points (although there are some minimalist shoes that this wont work for). The greatest thing is that they'll fall out occasionally, but it's not a big deal. I think I replace 2-3 a week (30-50 mpw) in one of the snowiest places in Wyoming, and have had the same box for 2 years now. If you ask if $20-50 dollar gadgets are worth it, the answer is definitely no, when you can spend 6 every 2-3 years and have better grip on ice with no fulcrums that are going to make you roll you ankles.

Why? Just wear normal shoes and if it's icy, go slower. Never needed any special device to run Canadian winters.