Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
Snow chains for your tootsies...
Page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Seasonal and Frugal Shopping
Author 
 Message
sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 10 2:24 pm    Post subject: Snow chains for your tootsies... Reply with quote
    

Linky. Anyone tried them?

Brownbear



Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 10 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They're shown being used on smooth-soled shoes - I would have thought it would be better to just use some stout shoes or boots with good soles in the first place. These things look a bit like wearing shorts with special clip-on leg extensions in the cold.

Just wear long trousers in the first place.

marigold



Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 10 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I've got a pair - just waiting for some snow and ice to try them out (though I'm hoping that buying them will mean that I never need them ).

TBH I think they'll be a PITA in some ways as you can't use them indoors so wearing them to go shopping would mean having to take them on and off as you go in and out of buildings. That would be unpleasant and difficult with cold hands. You aren't supposed to wear them on tarmac either, so not much use in the patchy conditions we tend to get here.

OK for emergencies, but for frequent/regular use in long-term bad conditions rugged-soled boots and a spiked walking pole or two would probably be better. I'll know better if/when I get a chance to try them out.

toggle



Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 11622
Location: truro
PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 10 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

i've got a set somewhere, never had the need to use them.

if they are where i think they are, i'll offer them for swapsies

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 10 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

not as good as vibrams on snow or external socks on ice

some of the mini walking crampons are ok on mixed surfaces but plated boots and real crampons are best if a bit cumbersome

on all but the steepest ups i vote skis for snow

TINKS30



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 162
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire
PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 10 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My ex had a set he clipped on to his boots. He said they were good in the snow in january.

Bodrighy



Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 2157
Location: Near Devizes
PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 10 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What's wrong with a pair of woolly socks over your shoes/ works for me and a lot cheaper than those and more comfortable I should imagine.

pete

marigold



Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex
PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 10 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bodrighy wrote:
What's wrong with a pair of woolly socks over your shoes/ works for me and a lot cheaper than those and more comfortable I should imagine.

pete


I guess you don't knit your own woolly socks... After I've spent weeks toiling over my knitting I'm certainly not going to wear my socks over my boots!

SmattyB



Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 127
Location: Just landed in Aarhus, Denmark.
PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 10 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I bought a similar set in Norway, with small tungsten studs on a silicone rubber frame, just stretched over your boot. they were invaluable on the ice. Have to remember to take them off before you walk on anyones nice polished floor though!

T.G



Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not
PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 10 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They look worth investing in. Our yard is on a slope and even with boots with good soles, in icey conditions, you can end up going down it a lot faster than you would prefer!

gardening-girl



Joined: 25 Feb 2009
Posts: 6024
Location: Somerset.
PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 10 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I used to be sooo embarased when my mum put socks over her shoes
Found it very usefull last winter though.
My boys turn to be embarased

robkb



Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 4205
Location: SE London
PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 10 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

gardening-girl wrote:
I used to be sooo embarased when my mum put socks over her shoes
Found it very usefull last winter though.
My boys turn to be embarased


The joys of parenthood

I've a good pair of Caterpillar boots that were great at coping with snow and ice last winter (crap for driving in though...)

marigold



Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex
PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 10 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

DIY alternative: screw shoes

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 10 7:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

that works on heavy soles for rock thin ice combo but claggs in wetter snow ,not sure if i want to wear trainers in winter

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Wed Dec 08, 10 10:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

SmattyB wrote:
I bought a similar set in Norway, with small tungsten studs on a silicone rubber frame, just stretched over your boot. they were invaluable on the ice. Have to remember to take them off before you walk on anyones nice polished floor though!


Just an update on this while many of us have been walking on snow and ice. My OH has a pair as described by SmattyB and they've been very good on compacted snow and ice. However, they look as though they'll wear quickly on the road where the ice has gone so they need to be taken off. They are also a little tricky to put on. Fine for emergencies.

I've found a pair of cheap trainers I've got to be very good. They're sort of walking trainers with a bobby grip but the rubber is very soft and seems to grip the ice quite well.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Seasonal and Frugal Shopping All times are GMT
Page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com