Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats

Brand: Yaktrax Pro

The Pro is the Walk with two upgrades that matter on a long icy commute. The coils are 1.4 mm stainless steel rather than zinc coated, and a removable strap crosses the instep so the device stays put when you lengthen your stride or plough through a snowbank. The elastic band still slides on with a heel tab, no buckles to fight with in gloves. Weight stays low enough that people forget they are wearing them.

Worth the small premium for postal routes, dog walkers, anyone outside for hours. Coils shed slush well and never clog the way small spikes can, but they are still coils: on mirror ice with a slope, a spiked model feels safer. The strap needs a moment to thread the first time, and on very narrow shoes the extra length dangles.