Traction Devices for Hiking

For everyday warm-weather hiking, a good pair of boots or even a quality pair of athletic shoes can provide all the support and traction that's necessary. However, snow and ice can present a challenge in colder weather or in mountainous areas even in midsummer. When the treads on your shoes don't provide a safe degree of traction, there are several devices that can be added to your shoes to help avoid injuries from slipping and falling.

  1. Ribbed Traction Aids

    • The most basic form of traction aid for hiking boots is a set of chains, or criss-crossing metal or rubberized ribs. These are designed to be compact and lightweight enough for hikers to carry with them at all times and slip on easily over your shoes or boots. Lower-cost versions of this style are designed to stretch over the boot, holding themselves in place. Better quality models include some form of strap, to keep them from sliding off during use. The chains or rubberized ribs provide simple, straightforward traction for use on packed snow, mud or loose soil.

    Spiked Traction Aids

    • Spiked traction aids are similar in their basic design to the ribbed variety, except that the flexible attachment contains an arrangement of small metal spikes or studs to provide traction on ice or slick, hard-packed snow. Like the ribbed versions, lower cost models are held on by their own elasticity while better versions have straps or buckles to hold them in place. Some have semirigid platforms at the ball and heel of the food in order to keep the spikes in a predetermined arrangement that provides reliable traction. Spiked traction aids are excellent on frozen surfaces but less helpful in mud or soft soil.

    Combination Traction Aids

    • Several models of traction aid combine multiple approaches to the problem of maintaining a safe footing in slippery conditions. Many combine studs or spikes with a ribbed or chained design. This is logical, given that spikes are better on ice and hard-packed snow, while the ribbed design is better for softer snow as well as mud. Some models are designed to provide a partial sole with a heavy-duty tractor-like tread to provide traction in mud or soft snow. These traction aids are better suited for serious hikers, who will encounter a wider range of conditions on the trails.

    Crampons

    • Crampons are the "big gun" of traction devices. They consist of a shoe-shaped platform with straps to hold them onto your hiking boots, surrounded by a ring of heavy-duty metal cleats, shaped and edged like the tip of a knife. Crampons can be used effectively on packed snow or ice, where they provide unmatched traction. However, crampons are primarily used for serious mountaineering and ice climbing. Their size, weight and potent claws are unnecessary for general-purpose hiking. They are primarily of interest when hiking in extreme conditions or locations.