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Staying active in winter can be challenging. It’s not just the cold that makes you want to stay indoors — all the slick snow and ice make slipping and falling a real possibility, so venturing outdoors can be a hazard. If you want to avoid injuries in the cold weather, investing in a pair of ice cleats is definitely a smart move.
Ice cleats are devices with small spikes along the bottom that attach to your shoes or boots to provide better traction. Ice cleats typically attach to your footwear with straps that span the heel and toe or a single strap that covers the center of the foot. Some models are designed specifically for winter jogging or hiking, while others are designed for everyday use.
Finding the right ice cleats for your shoes can be tricky, however, because there are so many options available. You have to figure out what activities you’ll be wearing them for, what type of terrain you’ll be navigating and what other features will make your ice cleats as safe and functional as possible.
Our top choice is the Kahtoola MICROspikes, which provide excellent traction for all your cold-weather adventures.
Editors’ Favorite
Material: Hardened stainless steel | Type: Spike | Terrain: Mountain trails
The Kahtoola MICROspikes is one of the best options for trail hiking and ice mountaineering. They’re designed for all-around use and provide excellent traction whether you’re ice fishing, trail running or ice trekking.
Each cleat features 12 heat-treated, corrosion-resistant stainless steel spikes. There are eight spikes at the forefoot and four at the heel for enhanced traction over snow and ice, and the rigid inserts reinforce key stress points, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. Plus, they retain their elasticity in temperatures as low as -22 degrees.
If you enjoy winter outdoor hiking, the Kahtoola MICROspikes is a must-buy before your next adventure. They’re built to last and provide terrific traction even on the most stubborn ice and snow.
Great Value
Material: Steel/plastic | Type: Coil | Terrain: Sidewalks, mountain trails
If you don’t want heavier spiked cleats or you’re looking for something more affordable, the YakTrax Walk Traction Cleats are your best bet. These cleats use innovative coil technology to provide superior grip on slippery surfaces and stay flexible in cold temperatures.
The coil design provides 360-degree stability whether you’re walking forward, backward or laterally, and the thermoplastic sling with a heel tab makes installation and removal easy across various shoe shapes and sizes. The high-strength steel coil is highly durable and facilitates excellent grip on ice and packed snow.
Customers love how easy it is to attach these cleats to any shoe or boot. They’re convenient for sidewalk or trail trekking, and unlike spiked cleats, they don’t pose a floor-damage risk. Plus, the flexible underfoot helps significantly reduce slippage.
Best for Snow, Ice, and Multi-terrain | Material: Alloy steel | Type: Beads | Terrain: Sidewalks, mountain trails, grass
The Yaktrax Diamond Grip Cleats are super flexible and easy to install over your winter boots. They’re made with a durable alloy steel for superior strength and a highly weather-resistant rubber upper band that stays flexible in freezing temperatures.
They’re equipped with diamond beads strung on aircraft-grade steel cables, with riveted upper-band attachments for long-lasting durability and performance on slippery surfaces. The swiveling beads prevent snow from building up underfoot, enabling smooth transitions between surfaces.
These cleats are suitable for walking or hiking on sidewalks or mountain trails where significant snow or ice has accumulated. The low-profile diamond beads and elastic bands deliver excellent comfort, whether you're walking, standing or hiking.
Best for Trail Use
Material: Stainless Steel | Type: Spike | Terrain: Mountain trails
The YakTrax Adventure Grip is a must-buy for anyone who spends time hiking in snowy mountain trails. These cleats are highly cold-resistant and can help reduce slips and falls, allowing you to traverse snowy or icy trails with confidence.
They feature half-inch stainless steel spikes and a thermoplastic rubber upper that stretches to fit various types of shoes and boots. The upper remains flexible even in cold temperatures, and the full-coverage design provides optimal traction on multiple surfaces. Plus, the chains are quiet and make no noise as you move.
These cleats are suitable for various winter activities, including walking, hiking and ice fishing. They’re super-easy to install on your boots, and customers appreciate them for their superior durability and how well they bite into ice and thick snow.
Best for Urban Walking on Pavement:Material: Alloy steel | Type: Rubber | Terrain: Pavement
Although many cleats are optimized for use on snowy mountain trails, the STABILicers Walk Traction Cleats are designed for everyday commuting on pavement, making them an excellent choice for city dwellers.
These cleats are made of flexible rubber and fit securely on any shoe or boot. Heat-treated steel traction plates are built into the heel and forefoot of the stretch-to-fit frame, providing excellent multidirectional grip and maximum contact with the ground. Full-sole coverage means you get 360-degree protection, and the sturdy material remains flexible down to -45 degrees.
These cleats are super durable yet flexible enough to fit a wide range of shoes and boots. They’re terrific for everything from walking the dog and commuting to work to shoveling the driveway and playing with the kids in the snow.
The best ice cleats are made from high-quality materials that provide excellent traction on snowy or icy roads and trails. We considered flexible cleats that are easy to install and durable. We wanted to give shoppers various options that suit their needs, so we included models optimized for trails and urban pavement.
When you’re choosing ice cleats, the first thing to consider is what activities you’ll be wearing them for and where you’ll be wearing them. If you need ice cleats for walking to and from your car in the winter, nearly any pair will do. But if you plan to use the cleats for more rigorous activities, you need to be sure they can keep you on your feet in even the most rugged terrain.
Some ice cleats are designed specifically for winter running or hiking. They typically offer the best grip because you’ll either be moving more quickly or traveling over more uneven, rugged terrain. Some ice cleats are marketed as all-terrain, which means you should be able to go from icy sidewalks to snow-covered hills seamlessly.
Metal: Cleats designed for rugged terrain are typically made from metal chains with longer spikes for a superior grip. You can find cleats manufactured from stainless steel, aluminum, or carbide-steel. These are extremely durable, sturdy materials that hold up well to regular use. While they can handle heavier activities, they’re usually lightweight enough for everyday wear.
There may be issues with getting metal chain ice cleats to fit on your shoes or boots, though, since there’s no “give” in metal. They could also rust with regular exposure to snow and ice, so it’s important to choose cleats made of non-corrosive metal.
Rubber: Ice cleats are made of rubber are extremely lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear and easy to take on the go. In many cases, they can fit around your footwear more securely than chain cleats. While they can be used for running, rubber ice cleats aren’t usually the best option for extremely rugged terrain.
Ice cleats all feature spikes to help grip slippery terrain. But the number of spikes can vary greatly from shoe to shoe. In most cases, the more spikes a pair of cleats has, the better traction they’ll provide in winter weather. The length of the spikes is important, too. Ice cleats with longer spikes typically offer a better grip for hiking. For daily wear, however, shorter spikes are usually more comfortable and practical.
Ice cleats should fit over your shoes or boots securely. Most manufacturers offer multiple sizes, such as small, medium, large, and extra-large. Consult a brand’s sizing chart to see which size corresponds to your usual shoe size. Most brands provide both men’s and women’s shoe sizes for each ice-cleat size.
Keep in mind that rubber ice cleats are typically more forgiving because they can stretch a bit if the fit is slightly off. Metal chain cleats don’t offer any give, so getting the size right is vital.
While ice cleats are meant for walking outdoors in winter weather, it’s important to know whether you can safely wear them indoors, too. You don’t necessarily want to have to stop to take off your cleats when you stop in your favorite coffee shop on your way to work, so look for a pair that won’t make you more likely to trip, slip, or fall on indoor surfaces.
If you want to be able to wear your ice cleats from year to year, durability is a key feature. In general, metal chain cleats are more durable than rubber options, which can get worn down by heavy use. Metal cleats also tend to perform better in extremely cold temperatures.
You want ice cleats that are easy to put on and take off. You don’t want to spend too much time fussing with them, so look for models that are easy to slip over your shoes and fit comfortably.
Forget about having to deal with a scarf that’s always getting in the way. A neck warmer can keep the chill away without any fuss.
If you’re wearing your ice cleats for hiking or other activities that will keep you outdoors for a while, you’ll appreciate having a rechargeable hand warmer when your fingers start to feel frozen.
Ice cleats vary in price based on the material, the number of spikes, and the length of the spikes. Most pairs cost between $5 and $70.
The most affordable ice cleats are typically made of rubber, which gives them a lightweight feel. They tend to have only a few short spikes and work best for everyday wear. They typically cost from $5 to $25.
Ice cleats in this price bracket are often made from a combination of rubber and metal. They have quite a few spikes, which are generally medium in length. They can work well for running, but may not be the best option for hiking or more uneven terrain. You can expect to pay between $25 and $50 for these ice cleats.
The priciest ice cleats are made entirely of metal. They have many spikes, which are often long. They are generally suitable for hiking and running on uneven terrain, but they’re usually too heavy for everyday wear. These cleats cost between $50 and $70.
A. Most ice cleats are fairly easy to put on. You can usually wear them over any shoes or boots by sliding them over the front of the footwear and then pulling them back to stretch across the bottom of the shoe to hook over the heel. Some cleats even have a tab at the back to make securing them on the back of your shoe or boot even easier. If you’re new to wearing ice cleats, you may have an easier time putting them on if you opt for a rubber pair.
A. Some rubber cleats can become stiff in subzero temperatures and crack when you put them on or wear them. If you’re interested in rubber cleats, look for a pair that’s made with vulcanized rubber, which can stay flexible even in subzero temperatures.
A. Some ice cleats do have replaceable spikes. This means that if you a spike breaks off or wears down, you can replace it rather than the entire pair of ice cleats. Not all cleats have replaceable spikes, though, so check product descriptions carefully before buying any cleats if this feature is important to you.
