YakTrax are traction devices that you wear on your feet. The YakTrax come in two varieties: everyday "Walker" and high-perfomance "Pro". Both YakTrax compliment existing footwear by slipping on over your shoes, and they come in a variety of sizes.

The YakTrax "Walker" is the original version of YakTrax and is ideal for anyone who is looking for greater stability and traction on ice and snow. The YakTrax "Walker" can be used for walking to and from work, school or anytime you need to venture outside during wintry, icy conditions. The YakTrax "Pro" is identical in design and use as the "Walker" but is geared more for the outdoor enthusiast. The "Pro" is ideal for hikers, runners, hunters, or anyone that spends a large amount of time outdoors during wintry conditions.

YakTrax are made out of an injection molded thermal plastic elastomer. This design allows you to easily slip the YakTrax on and off of your shoes or boots. The key component that gives YakTrax their great gripping abilities on icy surfaces are the high strength, abrasion resistant steel coils. These coils give you 360 degrees of traction on ice and snow. Every step you take wearing YakTrax places hundreds of biting edges in direct contact with the ice beneath your feet. And to help provide traction in snowy conditions, the elastomer bands crisscross the soles of your shoes. This design helps alleviate sideways slipping and sliding.

When I first considered wearing a pair of YakTrax, I was a bit skeptical. At first I couldn't see how spiraled steel wire on the soles of my shoes could keep me from slipping on the ice. I thought something along the lines of spikes would be best for icy winter conditions. However, once I stepped onto my icy driveway wearing my YakTrax, I was amazed. I was able to walk normally across the slippery ice without any slipping or sliding. Just a few minutes before I was having the most difficult time just trying to navigate from my back door to my car. Now I was able to scrape the ice off my car, throw salt on the walk, and put out the garbage, all as if the ground was bare.

I would definitely recommend a pair of YakTrax for anyone that does hiking in the winter times. There have been many times that I've started a hike in the valley, where there was only patches of snow here and there, only to find the rocky ridge tops covered in ice. Now you either have to turn around and end your hike early or slowly and carefully make your way across this icy region. With a pair of YakTrax in your daypack, just pull them out, slip them on, and off you go. Not only will you be able to complete your hike and enjoy the outdoors, you won't be putting your self at risk where you could possible slip and fall.