My dogs love winter and they like to be outdoors.  I’m out everyday walking them and, on my days off, doing some hiking.  While both my Goldens have paws built for winter traction, I need some help.  I started researching some options and came upon Yaktrax and STABILicers.  I decided to purchase one pair from each company to see which I like the best.  Good thing I did that because as it turned out I have a need for both.  Let me explain.

I need winter traction cleats for daily dog walks.  I also have a puppy that has a tendency to get under foot so I did not want any type of cleat with spikes.  Being a puppy is tough enough without getting a little paw impaled.  So I went with Yaktrax Walk+.  These are very lightweight and easy to slip on and off.   The cleats have steel coils instead on spikes which is exactly the option I was looking for.  They give me the traction I want, plus the safety of no spikes and the added bonus of letting me walk into my house without gouging my floor up.

The second pair I purchased was STABILicers Walk Lite Ice Cleats from 32North.  These have spikes and I use them for light trail hiking with Chuck Billy.  Little Asa is too small to come along, at least for now, so I am not concerned about the spikes.  These cleats work great.  I can slip them on and off my boots easily and once they are on, they stay on.  Don’t worry about the red color, you have options.

 

 

32North offers a hiking version called STABILicers Hike.  These have a strap  across the top.  I suppose If I used these for heavier hiking I would need it.  However, if I am at that point I’m wearing snow shoes instead.

Both the Yaktrax and STABILicers are easily slipped onto a boot.  One thing to keep in mind is that you should remove them after use.  Keeping them on your hiking boot will just stretch out the material and they will not cling to your boot as well.  With each company I chose my correct boot size and had no issues with them being too big or too small, so you do not have to buy one size bigger or anything.

I’m glad I own both pairs.  Each suits a specific need and keeps me upright on icy and packed snow surfaces.  I find that I enjoy my walks or hikes more with the added winter traction, especially with the STABILicers, I can feel myself stick into the ground with each step.  Even if you live in a warmer climate than New England, you may get ice storms in the winter.  Your dogs are still going to need to go outside and chances are you are as well so having a pair will be worthwhile.  Overall, winter traction cleats are a must for every New England dog owner.