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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have nice office suitable boots that don't slip on the ice

44 replies

Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 12:39

Is this impossible? Am I doomed to changing when I get there?

(DM Chelsea boots with arctic grip or whatever it's called is brilliant but they're not smart enough for work)

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PinkCherryPie · 02/01/2026 18:19

I've used yaktrax for years on ice. They are brilliant!! (The spiral springy type).

I am irrationally terrified of falling over, and used to not go out at all in the ice but after buying YakTrax I have no issues going out now.

Heronatemygoldfish · 02/01/2026 17:57

Rieker lined snowboots. I bought a pair years ago when we were going to a German Christmas market and forecast to be very cold. It was pre-covid. I'm still wearing them (even though I've worn down half of the treads after 6 years and wearing them Oct-March constantly for work) and they are marvellous for not slipping on snowy or frosty pavements. Today was a bit of a challenge (sheet ice... ) but they cope with frost perfectly.

And I have a spare pair in the loft for when these finally give up the ghost.

GoldOpenAccess · 02/01/2026 17:50

I'd brazen it out with the Docs. You barely notice them if wearing an office trouser suit.

Tiddlywinky · 02/01/2026 17:45

Could you have your dressy boots resoled with grippy winter soles at Timpsons or similar ?

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:40

outerspacepotato · 02/01/2026 17:32

Everything slips on ice unless you've got spikes on.

Carry a pair of microspikes (crampons) and put them on over your boots. Take them off when you go indoors.

Not doc martens winter grip! It's honestly amazing. Maybe I just need to make the workplace accept that they are smart.

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MymblesMother · 02/01/2026 17:40

Have you looked at LANX? They may be a bit too casual for office wear, but they do have some smarter shoes and boots.

vanillalattes · 02/01/2026 17:34

Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:04

Yax trax are unfortunately no good for city ice/black ice, only for proper deep snow and ice (and they are dangerous if you forget to take them off once inside)

Who told you that? They work absolutely fine on both.

DrunkenKoala · 02/01/2026 17:32

GoldOpenAccess · 02/01/2026 16:22

Needless to say I live in Northern Scotland too

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My dad recommended these years ago - he lived in rural North Yorkshire.

outerspacepotato · 02/01/2026 17:32

Everything slips on ice unless you've got spikes on.

Carry a pair of microspikes (crampons) and put them on over your boots. Take them off when you go indoors.

GoldOpenAccess · 02/01/2026 17:29

Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:28

Check out all those fancy ladies with desks! We have been a hotdesk doomscape since 2019

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Ha!

roadrunnerbeepbeep · 02/01/2026 17:29

I have Gabor ankle boots. Pretty good grip

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:28

GoldOpenAccess · 02/01/2026 17:26

www.reddit.com/r/BusinessFashion/comments/1pebry5/ladies_what_shoes_do_you_wear_in_the_winter_to/

Check out all those fancy ladies with desks! We have been a hotdesk doomscape since 2019

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NotAnotherScarf · 02/01/2026 17:23

Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:16

I don't want to heave shoes around with me all day. I just want smart non slip shoes.

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But a pair of trainers aren't particularly heavy and given it's only a couple of days....but fully agree about smart non slip shoes...as a suggestion would a man's pair of broages be an option, Clarke's come with very grippy soles on some styles....blag it out with a trouser suit (warmer too) white blouse and tie?

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:16

NotAnotherScarf · 02/01/2026 17:13

I've never understood the mentality of "it's bad weather... I'll wear a pair of fashion boots I haven't worn for months" surely it makes more sense to have a decent pair of shoes or waterproof trainers and carry work shoes just for the couple of days of snow?

I don't want to heave shoes around with me all day. I just want smart non slip shoes.

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NotAnotherScarf · 02/01/2026 17:13

I've never understood the mentality of "it's bad weather... I'll wear a pair of fashion boots I haven't worn for months" surely it makes more sense to have a decent pair of shoes or waterproof trainers and carry work shoes just for the couple of days of snow?

GoldOpenAccess · 02/01/2026 17:11

Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:04

Yax trax are unfortunately no good for city ice/black ice, only for proper deep snow and ice (and they are dangerous if you forget to take them off once inside)

I use them for city ice. And yes, I always make sure to remove them before getting on a bus or going indoors. My own preference is for snow boots with added Yak Trax. Belt and braces.

Keep warm and upright everyone. (Never got the hang of penguin walking)

Clefable · 02/01/2026 17:07

I’ve used them on icy pavements and black ice fine, they work great on both. That’s my most usual use case for them, treacherous pavements on school run! Even on patchy ice, they are fine on pavement, just clicky on bits without ice on.

And they aren’t really dangerous inside, they are noisy for sure but you just take them off before you go inside, you quickly notice you’ve got them on as they are very clicky and feel odd!

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 02/01/2026 17:04

Yax trax are unfortunately no good for city ice/black ice, only for proper deep snow and ice (and they are dangerous if you forget to take them off once inside)

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