Looking for a new pair....any suggestions? Thanks
Fishing Equipment
ice cleats creepers
I have been running Yaktrax Diamond Grip Traction Device for the past ~5 seasons. They are the best I have found so far for ice fishing.
They are lightweight, easy to pack, not dangerously sharp (but like any of these cleats, one could definitely be hurt if not careful), and relatively easy on/off. They are effective on glare ice, wet ice (think heater-caused melting, slick surface), with a bit of snow on top, or in slushy conditions. I was initially concerned about the cable corroding thru and breaking, but that has not yet happened.
Now, if I was looking for something for winter hiking or jogging, I would probably go a different direction. The Diamond Grips are not as aggressive as most crampons and I do not see them holding up to running/jogging on road surfaces.
I hike the Ice Age Trail a lot and every winter I find pieces and parts from lesser brands of creepers- the ones you find at Fleet or most other places. I have been using the same pair of Kahtoola Microspikes for 10 years and they look like the day I got them. They pull on and off easily on everything from trail running shoes to Mucks to my biggest pac-boots. If you only fish on ice without snow cover- or for walking on icy pavement, Kahtoola Exo-Spikes are the way to go as they have a much shorter spike. Either will run you $60 but are well worth the money, will get you where you are going with less effort and much better than a busted ass. Get some.