Yaktrax Walker Plus Shoes Traction Device (1 Pair)

I got a Large size this time. I've used various incarnations of YakTrax for years and have always had trouble putting them on because the recommended size was small for my shoes and required more strength than I had in my fingers to pull the darn things over the soles of my shoes. They would always spring back like a rubber band before I could get the outer edge situated above my soles all around the foot.These are easier to put on, even though they do fit a little looser. The "removable" cleats in the center are terrific on icy sidewalks; but that means the YakTrax has to be removed as soon as a dry sidewalk or indoor flooring is reached. They can either 1) make walking treacherous, or 2) damage both the flooring and the cleats (depending on which is harder). Generally, I prefer the security of traction that they offer and the Large size fits me loosely enough that I no longer mind applying or removing them on short notice.The only complaint I have is that the toe piece does not have enough openings to catch on to moccasin-style boots and will slip right off unless applied to the boot before putting it on. The current toe piece has relatively inflexible strands that are so closely placed they might as well be a flat piece of silicone as far as fitting over the straight fronts of high toed boots. I'm not sure if I am expressing that in an understandable way; but the difficulty of getting the toe piece to stay in place cost it one star because it was very frustrating to keep trying to put them on and having the toe pop off every time I tried to stretch the rest over my shoe sole.To put them on you have to catch the toe webbing over the toe of the boot or shoe and then stretch the rest of the device over the sole of the shoe to the heel and catch the heel piece there. Then you have to check around the entire sole of the boot to make certain the outer rim of the device is caught above the sole and can't slip under the foot. If it does slip, the entire device will pop off the boot as you walk. It feels a little strange to walk on the squishy-hard surface of the device at first; but I got used to it after about 5 minutes.When it comes to needing a traction shoe on icy surfaces, this can't be beat. They grip just enough without cutting deeply into the ice. This winter, I have taken to keeping them in my backpack inside their convenient storage bag for unexpected "emergencies"; and they have proved very useful.

I had big, clunky Stabilicers and I like these a lot more. I don't feel like they're strangling my feet. Be careful when you put them on, though. When I put them on toe to heel, they kept popping off. Sit down and put them on heel to toe, making sure you get them pulled up high on both ends. It can be really difficult to get on, but the hassle you're saving yourself from by not slipping on ice is well worth it. I live in rural Alaska and have to walk everywhere. When I first put these on, the right one kept popping off, so I was walking with one on and one off. My left foot was fine, but my right foot kept slipping and I almost wiped out several times! Now that I put them on heel to toe, they stay on and I haven't had any problems. These are great!

I've been a YakTrax user for years. I've had several sets of the standard and Pro models and have had great success with them. I keep a set of the Pros permanently on pairs of winter boots that I only wear in bad weather, and they have performed admirably. That being said, I was intrigued when I found the Walker Plus model, and thought the carbide spikes would be a little more insurance against falls in sheer ice conditions (my driveway when it snow, melts, and refreezes). These YakTrax not only keep falling off during use, but the carbide inserts also have a tendency to just pop out of the device. The construction is odd, and the front of the YakTrax are built in such a way as to not attach to the shoe very securely. I"ve worn all kinds of traction devices over the years, including some of the heavier duty products like Katoolas, and the YakTrax Walker Plus model has proven to be the worst of them. They do work, as long as you can keep them on your footwear and as long as the carbide inserts don't choose to pop out at random moments. The standard YakTrax so a much better job, and at a far lower price.

Purchased these before moving to a snowy area. They work great on icy sidewalks and roads. If your foot size falls on the upper end of the YakTrax range, be prepared for some seriously wrestling to get these things on your shoes. They fit very snugly. Our YakTrax came with handy storage bags. However, the gripping springs and removable spike inserts on the YakTrax kept snagging the bags as we put them in and took them out.For much of the winter, we kept a set of YakTrax on a pair of shoes by the front door. It was easier than constantly taking the YakTrax off and putting them on again. Looking forward to another snowy, icy winter and getting more use out of my YakTrax in 2016!

Well wouldn't you know. We haven't had everyone else's crummy weather, so I haven't had the opportunity to use yet. I did try them on indoors and I suspect that I will need to figure out a way to keep them from sliding off. The size is right, they just don't seem molded to fit my favorite shoes as well as I would have liked. Will try on other shoes to see what works best. I'm sure, if I can get a secure fit, they will work as intended.

I got these summer of 2014 to be ready for the couple of times there is ice when I walk my dog. Last winter I only used them once on the flat snow packed path through a park. They were fine but a little difficult to get on right. This winter I have already used them 3 or 4 times. They don't stay on too well after about a mile or so even on flat terrain. I went off the even path onto one that is not cleared. It is sort of uneven from the other people who had been there and from an uneven freeze-thaw cycle. This was not a difficult path. It was flat but uneven. One came off about 20 yards in. The other was twisted and almost off. So, if you are going to stay on a cleared path with only a bit of packed snow they work OK. If you have any chance you will have to walk on broken or uneven surfaces, try something else. Also, it is easier to put them on before you put on your shoes or boots to be sure they are even.