Ice cleats help, but you still need to be careful
Ice cleats are removable attachments with metal elements or chains that fit over your shoes to improve traction on slippery surfaces. They’re useful when your route includes ice, but they can’t guarantee that you won’t slip: surfaces vary, the cleat may shift, and metal parts behave differently on tile or bare pavement than they do on ice.
Choose ice cleats not because they promise “no slipping,” but by considering three things together: the surface, your shoes, and the fit. If your route alternates between ice, snow, and cleared sections, think ahead about where you might need to take the cleats off or put them back on. If you’re choosing footwear for walks and everyday comfort, you may also find our articles on choosing walking shoes and walking in winter helpful.
- Choose a size according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and check that the cleats don’t wobble or slide off.
- Match the design to your route: ice cleats made for ice may not be comfortable on tile, pavement, or indoors.
- On ice, take shorter steps, keep your feet closer to your body, and walk steadily without sudden acceleration or turns.
- If the cleats don’t stay in place, your balance is limited, or the surface is too dangerous, choose a cleared route or skip the walk.
How to choose a type for your shoes and route
Ice cleats vary in material, the placement of chains or spikes, and how much of the sole they cover. No one type is best for every situation. First, think about where you’ll be walking most of the time: on hard ice, packed snow, or a route with frequent dry sections.
| Design | When to consider it | What to look out for |
|---|---|---|
| Stretch-on cleat with chains or coils | A route with patches of ice and snow | Check that the model and size suit your sole shape; don’t let the cleat shift |
| Cleat with metal spikes | Hard ice, if the manufacturer specifies this type of surface | Traction may change on tile and other smooth surfaces; check the limitations |
| Covers almost the entire sole | If you want traction elements near both the heel and the front of your foot | Check that the cleat doesn’t restrict shoe flex and is easy to put on |
| Covers only part of the sole | If you need a compact model and its design suits your route | The part without traction elements won’t have extra protection |
For sneakers, look for a model that fits the length and width of the sole without squeezing the shoe. A soft or narrow sole may flex differently from a stiff winter boot, so check that the cleat stays in place as your foot bends. If your boots have wide or projecting soles, check the size range and fastening method: the elastic should stretch according to the instructions, and the fasteners should lie flat.
If you wear shoes with an orthotic insole, an unusual sole shape, or additional fastening, check compatibility with that specific pair. Don’t wear ice cleats over another attachment, and don’t stretch them more than the manufacturer allows: an accessory in the right size should fit without twisting.
Fit: check your ice cleats before heading out
Check the fit at home, using the shoes you plan to walk in. Put the cleats on as directed: different models vary in spike placement, strap direction, and attachment points. The general rule is that the whole assembly should stay secure and not twist.
- Put the ice cleats on both shoes or boots and make sure they fit the footwear size range.
- Look at the soles: the traction elements should be positioned as the design intends, without twisting.
- Take a few steps on a nonslip mat or another safe surface. Check that the cleat doesn’t slide and doesn’t restrict your foot as it flexes.
- Squat and lift your heel and toe one at a time. If a strap loosens, a chain shifts, or pressure causes pain, adjust the cleat or choose another model.
- Before your walk, check the fastenings and metal parts once more for damage.
A quick check matters more than a confident promise If the cleat wobbles at home, it won’t become more reliable outdoors. Don’t go out on the ice with damaged or poorly secured ice cleats.
How to adjust your stride and pace on ice
On a slippery surface, don’t reach far ahead with your foot or take a wide, sweeping step. Shorten your stride and place your foot closer beneath your body: that makes it easier to keep your balance if your sole slips. Keep your knees soft, your torso roughly upright, and your hands free of bags, your phone, and your pockets.
You don’t need to turn every step into a slow shuffle. Walk smoothly and at a controlled pace; avoid sudden movements, running, abrupt stops, and pivoting on your supporting foot. On an unfamiliar section, assess the surface first, then shift your weight. If you need to change direction, take a few small steps instead of turning sharply on one foot.
In observations of 1551 pedestrians, steps on snow and ice were shorter on average than on asphalt; step frequency was higher on ice. This was an observation of natural walking, not a trial proving that one pace suits everyone.
Fossum M, Hillnhütter H, Ryeng EO. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science. 2024.There’s an important nuance: “walking more slowly” doesn’t automatically mean “walking more safely.” A laboratory study of unexpected slips tested different combinations of speed and step length; the authors noted the role of both factors. This isn’t advice to speed up on ice: the trials didn’t establish a safe pace for a winter walk. The more modest practical takeaway is to shorten your stride, avoid rushing, and keep a steady, comfortable rhythm.
In a laboratory study of 57 young adults, the authors examined unexpected slips and distinguished the effects of speed and step length. The results can’t be directly applied to walking on ice, but they caution against the oversimplified advice that “the slower, the safer.”
Espy DD et al. Gait & Posture. 2010.On ice, the goal isn’t to walk as slowly as possible. It’s to avoid sudden movements and not place your foot far ahead of you.
- Watch the path ahead so you can spot ice while staying aware of your surroundings.
- Keep your hands free: don’t put them in your pockets or get distracted by your phone.
- On a slope, around a turn, or on uneven ground, shorten your stride even more and don’t rush.
- If you feel yourself losing your balance or a cleat has shifted, stop on a safe surface and check it.
Surfaces change: when to take your ice cleats off
A cleat designed for ice isn’t necessarily suitable for a hallway, stairs, or dry tile. Metal parts may scratch the surface, catch on it, or interact with it in other ways; check the instructions for your model for specific limitations. If your route includes a shop entrance, apartment building, or public transit, it’s a good idea to carry a case for your ice cleats in your bag.
Before entering a building, take the cleats off somewhere safe where you can stand steadily or sit down. Don’t walk on a smooth floor in ice cleats unless the manufacturer explicitly says that your particular model is suitable for it. When moving between an icy section and clear asphalt, consider what you’re wearing and how the sole is designed: don’t assume traction will stay the same on different surfaces.
Don’t drive while wearing ice cleats Take the cleats off before driving. They may interfere with your ability to use the pedals confidently. Don’t keep them on while walking on stairs, smooth floors, or other surfaces the model isn’t designed for.
What research shows — and what it doesn’t promise
Research supports the idea that ice cleats can reduce the risk of falling in specific conditions, but the results for one product can’t automatically be applied to every model. For example, a randomized trial tested a specific design in older adults who were already prone to falls. This is useful evidence, but it isn’t a guarantee for every route, age group, or type of cleat.
In a randomized trial, a specific ice-cleat design was compared with ordinary winter shoes in independently mobile people aged 65 and older who were already prone to falls. On days when participants walked on snow and ice, the relative risk of an outdoor fall in the device group was 0.42. This result applies to the model and group studied, not as a promise of complete protection.
McKiernan FE. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2005.Another type of evidence comes from evaluations of municipal programs that distributed ice cleats to older residents. A study of Swedish municipalities found fewer snow- and ice-related injuries in places that distributed more devices; the average estimate of the effect across all programs was less certain. This wasn’t a quality test of every model, but evidence of the potential benefit of making these attachments available and using them.
The authors compared data from 73 municipalities with programmes and 200 control municipalities. The average estimated change in ice-related injuries had a confidence interval that included no effect; a more noticeable reduction was found where more ice cleats had been distributed. This was a quasi-experimental evaluation of a programme, not a clinical trial of an individual cleat.
Eklund E et al. Injury Prevention. 2023.Care and checks before every walk
After your walk, take off the ice cleats and remove dirt, snow, and salt using the method specified by the manufacturer. Let them dry, then inspect the connections, fastenings, and metal parts. If an elastic part has stretched, cracks have appeared, a spike is missing, or the cleat no longer stays secured to your shoe, don’t rely on it for your next walk.
- Store the pair together so you can quickly check both cleats before heading out.
- Don’t leave wet ice cleats in a closed bag for a long time; dry them according to the instructions.
- Replace a damaged cleat rather than trying to hold it on your shoe with an extra elastic band or wire.
- Check the forecast and your route before leaving: sometimes a cleared path or an indoor walk is safer.
When ice cleats aren’t enough
If you’ve fallen recently, feel unsteady, have trouble seeing the surface, or find it difficult to put on and take off the cleats by yourself, don’t test your limits on an icy slope. Choose a flat, cleared route, ask someone to accompany you, or talk to a rehabilitation professional about whether ice cleats are compatible with a cane or rollator. Read more about how walking and balance relate to fall risk in our article on balance and falls.
If the surface is covered in smooth ice, the route is steep, the cleats won’t stay in place, or you can’t plant your foot confidently, the sensible choice is not to continue. Ice cleats are a useful part of being careful, not permission to walk on any ice.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wear ice cleats on both feet or just one?
Unless the manufacturer says otherwise, use a pair and put a cleat on each foot. This helps keep traction from being noticeably different between your feet. Make sure both cleats fit equally securely.
Can I walk on asphalt in ice cleats?
That depends on the design and instructions for your particular model. On dry asphalt, metal parts may feel different, wear out faster, or catch on the surface. If you can avoid that section or safely take the cleats off, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Will ice cleats fit ordinary sneakers?
Many models are designed for different types of shoes, but there’s no universal fit. Compare your soles with the manufacturer’s size range, then check that the cleats stay in place on your shoes before your walk.
Do I need to walk very slowly?
Not necessarily. Walk at a comfortable, controlled pace, shorten your stride, and avoid sudden movements. Don’t try to compensate for feeling unsteady by taking long steps, running, or turning on one foot.
Sources
- McKiernan FE. A simple gait-stabilizing device reduces outdoor falls and nonserious injurious falls in fall-prone older people during the winter. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2005. DOI
- Fossum M, Hillnhütter H, Ryeng EO. Winter walking – the effect of winter conditions on pedestrians’ step length and step frequency. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science. 2024. DOI
- Espy DD, Yang F, Bhatt T, Pai Y-C. Independent influence of gait speed and step length on stability and fall risk. Gait & Posture. 2010. DOI
- Eklund E et al. Quasi-experimental evaluation of municipal ice cleat distribution programmes for older adults in Sweden. Injury Prevention. 2023. DOI
