People who walk confidently without slipping on snowy/slushy/icey pavements, what are you wearing on your feet?

[SwedishEdith]

I'm determined to get on top of this for next winter. I know my basic Decathlon walking boots are not good enough. But I see people in normal heeled boots walking without slipping. I know about those trax things you slip over the soles but I'd just like some really slip proof boots.

Thanks

Muck boots.

I found my plain old Dunlop wellies to be best in the last lot of ice we had. Managed to walk the dog without slipping at all!

As others have said, socks over your boots/shoes. Works wonderfully.

Thanks all. I see Decathlon do sell snow boots and the things you pull over your shoes (but not my size when I went today). I wondered what I used to wear when younger - maybe it was just ordinary wellies. I do think confidence must play a part - walk quickly and you lift your foot off the ice more quickly? But I hate that feeling of your foot just going. Got caught out last night in a very snowy and slushy hilly place - nightmare.

Friction is the misting physics. I trust you didn't genuinely think that every manufacturer of off road tyre and walking boots had been getting this wrong all this time?

A smooth sole has a very low coefficient of friction. To stop yourself slipping you need friction between the slippy (low friction) ice and your boots. This is where the cleated rubber (commando) soles come in. Rubber to introduce friction, cleats to get purchase in deep snow/mud etc, and of course friction within the depth of the tread. A solid rubber some would be likely too inflexible to bend much.

Rock climbing boots do have flat, smooth rubber soles. Lots of friction, and no need for deep grip. They do bend, but the rubber is not deep.

I also wear Sorel and have several pairs. I don't drive, and still walk to and from primary school for my youngest which is nearly 2 miles each way. Sorel are the only thing I've found which will survive the winter.

Dubarry's- mine are 10 years + worn for about half the year na shave just given up the ghost. Expensive but cost per wear is peanuts.

Never slipped in them. Since they died I've been using micro spike chains over some bog standard hiking boots that would be not much use on their own. You are never going to slip on there's bag boys though they do feel a bit overkill if there are any bare patches.

YakTrax - game changer

A few years ago the road down to the station where I live, was ridiculously icy. It had snowed slightly melted then refrozen. Me and another mum were apprehensive approaching that part because it's always awful. I saw a teenage boy cross the road and thought with the invincibility of a teen,he would just stride down the hill no problem....but he skidded and slipped all over the place. We walked in the road!

It’s not the shoes - it’s your confidence in your balance and cute strength.

if you’re weak and can’t balance well you’ll struggle

I live in the mountains. Sorel/Baffin winter boots, and when it gets really icy I use micro-spikes that slip on and off.

Yeah we did a workshop. You basically have to mimic a penguin.

Was really funny to watch it being demonstrated.

Same here. DMs.

These if there’s ice underfoot:

www.amazon.co.uk/YUANCOX-Grippers-Crampons-Traction-Non-slip/dp/B09P1SQD9M/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1LLTXVW65BWKR&keywords=shoe+ice+grips&qid=1678649915&sprefix=Shoe+ice+%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-7