Help me stay upright on the ice

[Babieseverywhere]

Just that. I am really struggling on the morning school run with the iced pavements.

It takes me 10 minutes to walk my little girls to school in summer and today after 15 minutes, I had hobbled slowly maybe a fifth of the way there, lost both my grip soles (I have them, but they fell off my boots) :(

A passing mother took pity on me (bless that woman) and offered to take my kids the rest of the way.

But the weather is only going to get worse, help me with suggestions, ideas or products to keep me upright over winter.

I was practically in tears this morning, it is not good for my kids to see me struggle, as they then worry about me getting home again.

1. I have terrible balance generally, as I have problems with my ears since being a child. I fell down some stairs 6 months ago, stretched my leg tendons and weakened my ankles. Signed off from physio now but I don't want to be back on crutches again.

1. I always wear sturdy walking boots with big grippy soles.

3.I do use ice grips on my shoes, mine usually flip off my boots. I need to take off my boots to refit them. So spend more time carrying them, than wearing them.

1. In the past I had a car, so when I was unwell or the weather icey I would drive close to or into school carpark. This is no longer an option.

Have you considered a hiking stick or something similar? It will give you an extra bit of balance maybe?

Look for walking boots that have an outsole made of Vibram Arctic Grip (I know that Merrell do some). They are designed to give you traction on ice and are excellent.

www.igb.illinois.edu/safety/walking-safely-slippery-conditions Some great tips on there.

Your boots may be great hiking boots, but are the soles actually any good for ice? It doesn't sound like they are.

What kind of grippers have you got that keep falling off?

You need to buy proper ice grips. They shouldn't be flipping off like that.
I second the walking stick

Yes, my ice grips are rubbish.

I am thinking of getting some of these instead
www.amazon.co.uk/Unigear-Traction-Walking-Jogging-Climbing/dp/B07JH15Z7Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&psc=1&rnid=419157031&keywords=ice%2Bgrips%2Bfor%2Bboots&rps=1&sprefix=ice%2Bgrips%2Bfor&th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1576661684&refinements=p_76%3A419158031&sr=8-1

Off to Google hiking poles

A couple of sticks or a buggy of some sort will help.

As counterintuitive as it seems taking normal steps is best when it comes to walking on ice

Also agree with regards a walking stick or hiking pole

Snow boots ?

Push a buggy! Use as zimmer

I feel for you.
We live at the top of a bank that always seems to catch the ice even when the rest of the village doesn't!
It's been an ice rink these past few days. It looks like the ground is wet but it's actually black ice.
I had a nasty fall last year and it's really knocked my confidence.
Like you, I have a 20 minute walk to school. It's a nightmare!

This morning I resorted to putting socks over my shoes (which someone recommended) and it actually works!!!
I was worried about looking silly, but figured I'd look more silly sprawled on my back!!
I sort of put them on to blend in with my shoes (if that makes sense) so it looks less obvious! No-one noticed (well if they did they were discreet about it).

I use YakTrax and once they're on and velcroed over the top, they don't come off. You have to have the right size. The only problem with them is that on non-iced roads/paths they're actually slippery! But if your ice/snow is present along the whole route, they might be worth getting.

My walking boots are awful on ice

Ice- I hate it. And I was internally whinging about the swamp like mud in the woods this morning walking the dog. I’ll take mud over ice every day. Commiserations to all who have that nightmare.

Another vote for YakTraks!
I'm terrified of slipping due to mangling my ankle three years ago on a gravel path.
They give me peace of mind when it's icy

Decent shoes, try a stick and this sounds silly but walk floppy don't stiffen up you are more likely to fall. I have physical disabilities and usually walk with a stick anyway big confident strides is the way to go x

I have this too OP. I avoid the ice now but I appreciate that you can't.

I'd go for some grips that are rubber based with smaller spikes because the all metal ones like you linked to need deep snow/ ice to work well in or the metal spikes can be slippery if they hit the tarmac. The coiled ones are simply a death trap on tarmac!

Rough socks over shoes is a good one. And I would also suggest trying trainers if your walking boots are stiff and clumpy. It should help your feet and ankles to be more responsive and flexible to the changing surface. I find I stiffen up in big winter boots and it makes it a lot worse.

Wish there was an easy answer. Its a nightmare :(

I have ice grips and they have never come off. In fact, getting them off at the end of the winter is a real mission so a couple of years ago I gave up and left them on a pair of snow boots. So I think if you get a decent and properly fitting pair of ice grips, they will stay on and they do make a huge difference.

The ones I usually use and ping off at the top of a hat are these.
www.amazon.co.uk/Due-North-Everyday-Traction-Improved/dp/B002LWDCE6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?psc=1&keywords=ice+grippers&sprefix=ice+grip&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMFE1V0NNN0VaS0lMJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDAxNTAzMlJNRURXUE1EQ0FDUCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDU5MjY4QUJIN1dQOUYzR0FYJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1576665014&sr=8-2-spons

It is half tarmac and half paving with some ice and I need grips that will cope with all surfaces.

Yes since my last fall I am very hesitant and take tiny slow steps as my feet slid and it makes me very unbalanced.

I have heard before, that bigger steps might be better but I if I am sliding around with small steps would that really help ?

Its a great inner thigh workout. But it is unpleasant.

You can buy some grip attachments for the soles of your shoes. Look in hiking shops.

Would these work ok on tarmac ?

www.amazon.co.uk/WIN-MAX-Grippers-Traction-Walking-Climbing/dp/B07ZCTCKR3/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=ice+grippers&sprefix=ice+grip&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1576665014&sr=8-7

I had socks on over my boots walking to work this morning m. It works x

I have heard before, that bigger steps might be better but I if I am sliding around with small steps would that really help ?

If it was more stable to walk like that you'd do it all the time. Small steps provide a less stable base, if one of your feet goes then the other one is too close to balance. You don't want the steps to be too big cos then you risk the splits, but the closest possible thing to your normal gait will be the most stable in any situation

Torn between trying socks or buying some more grips.

These are the ones recommended twice on this thread. But mixed opinions on whether they are wearable on mixed ice and pavement surfaces.

www.amazon.co.uk/YakTrax-Winter-Traction-Device-Grey-Medium/dp/B009SZHLAA/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=yaktrax+women&sprefix=yak+tr&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1576665622&sr=8-6

I have this too including the ear thing. Have you tried penguin walking? Heels in toes out and small steps forward. Looks ridiculous but I’ve found it makes me really stable. It could be a game with your kids too?