Traction devices - advice ?

[Bumpsis]

On many hikig trip descriptions, people mention Stabilicers.
Is that a good product? Is it effective? Do they stay attached to the boots or are they flimsy? Downsides? Upsides?

I've used something similar to that, but the metal cleats fell out after just short use.
Granted, the Stabilicers don't cost all that much but I just hate throwing away money on something that's half baked.

I've been using Yak Tracks on my winter hikes in the past, and overall, they are not bad, but they can slip off the boots and on terrain that's more rocky, the elastic webbing gets all cut up, rendering the device useless.

I don't have crampons and I'm not really considering them either. Looks like an overkill for most of the hikes that I'm likely to do.

Any opinions/advice will be appreciated.

 

[JimG.]

On many hikig trip descriptions, people mention Stabilicers.
Is that a good product? Is it effective? Do they stay attached to the boots or are they flimsy? Downsides? Upsides?

I've used something similar to that, but the metal cleats fell out after just short use.
Granted, the Stabilicers don't cost all that much but I just hate throwing away money on something that's half baked.

I've been using Yak Tracks on my winter hikes in the past, and overall, they are not bad, but they can slip off the boots and on terrain that's more rocky, the elastic webbing gets all cut up, rendering the device useless.

I don't have crampons and I'm not really considering them either. Looks like an overkill for most of the hikes that I'm likely to do.

Any opinions/advice will be appreciated.

I have crampons. They can be weapons, so they must be used properly (with an ice ax or some kind of self arrest aid) or you/others can get hurt.

That said, I really got them for long downhikes with a loaded pack more than for climbing although they are incredibly useful on those early mornng ski hikes/climbs in spring when the snow is still icy and hard. The stabilicers didn't look like they would provide enough traction on a steep slippery trail like the Tuckerman Ravine trail. The crampons work great in those situations.

 

[David Metsky]

If your Yak-Traks have been giving you enough traction (when they stay on your feed) then the Stabilicers should do an as good or better job. People have reported that they stay on much better than the YT, I haven't used either.

As long as you aren't going up something where a fall could cause serious damage to you or the person behind you, they should be OK. On steep terrain, solid water ice, or above treeline I think full crampons are significantly safer, assuming you know how to use them.

-dave-

 

[Bumpsis]

Thanks for good input. Sounds like a good product that would serve me well. I think I'll get them after I use up my Yaks.

 

[Bergamo]

Do you take them off/put them on, when there are varied conditions - some icy spots, some not, some bare ground? I ask because I was in the woods the other day and thought I could get by with just my boots and by being careful on the icy/wet spots. Dumb: had a fall. I tried to pick them up the day before but neither EMS nor REI had them.

 

[dmc]

I have a set of instep crampons... Pretty easy to use and really effective for low angle hikes on ice/snow...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=47886&memberId=12500226

 

[bigbog]

thanks for the heads up dmc....

dmc,
Those get my thumbs up.."I can use those today!" nod of approval...