I’ve seen them, but can’t seem to locate them any more. It was a slip on thing that could be put on boots to provide extra traction on ice. I seem to remember they where mostly composed of springs.
My Mother is coming up here to look after the pets for a week while we are away, and our drive is turning to a sheet of ice.
I have tried all sorts and I have yet to find one that fits me (size 13 boots), can be used on dry pavement or indoors, and can be put on without sitting down. Leaving the size aside, it means that if my street is clear, but parts of my four mile walk are not, I cannot readily take them off and put them on as needed, or put them on inside and leave them on.
I envision something that you step into and it springs shut like a venus flytrap, but readily releases when you pull release a catch. But I have never seen them.
Never really thought the YakTrax looked like they’d be good for ice, packed snow sure. Round wire springs on ice look more like ice skates to me!
Cool trick for the Sure Foots, you can buy replacement spikes. I took a properly sized hole punch, and added extra spikes to mine (six just ain’t enough), it helped a bit. The big problem is the heel strap that holds the spikes is centered on the heel of your shoe, so a natural stride doesn’t put the spikes on the ice, you’ve got to keep your feet flat and shuffle walk.
For snow shoveling (or winter hiking, what I need 'em for) I’d get the STABILicers, more money, but more spikes (34). The heel spikes look like they’ll let you take normal steps too.
Hari Seldon, might sound crazy but, ever thought about step-in crampons? They go on like ski bindings do, a toe bail and a heel clip. Here’s a sample pair ,should work with any boot with a Goodyear welt.
Less crazy, the STABILicers come in a overshoe style too. XXL fit men’s shoe sizes 13.5-15.
What Crowmanyclouds said. Cabela’s (www.cabelas.com) carries a variety of models if you’re looking for a good online source. I think I’ve seen them at REI as well.
If you’re looking for another (albeit expensive) option, Wesco makes “Surefoot Sandals”. I’ve never tried these, but they appear to be a strap-on sandal with timber-boot calks.
You probably wouldn’t want to wear them indoors, but what many people up here do (particularly people who do deliveries, such as newspaper folk) is buy a pair of thick-soled winter boots and drive short self-tapping screws into the bottoms. They work very well.
YakTrax worked fine for me on ice. Easy enough to take off while hopping on one foot. It does help to be sitting to put them on. I also wore them unto the bus several times without traction problems.