Winter Footwear

[arawa]

I bought new Scarpa walking boots and Meindl walking shoes last year and have been wearing them for daily walks during the recent cold spell. I was very pleased with both until the ice arrived. Both are absolutely hopeless on ice and wet leaves and I was skidding around dangerously especially as I am still recovering from a previous fall.
I searched the internet and bought a pair of Merrell walking shoes with Vibram Arctic soles; I had not heard of these soles before. Tried them for the first time this morning on wet and slippery stones and the improvement in grip was massive. Bring on the next heavy frost 

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[Laxdale]

Get yourself a pair of Nora Dolomite wellies. A size too big so you can wear plenty socks.
You are unlikely to go on your arse wearing them.

[ianmck]

Didn't know they did boots with special grips.
I bought a pair of these recently and was shocked how poor quality they are compared to merrell boots from previous years. It feels like I just wrapped my feet in cardboard.

https://www.sportsdirect.com/merrell-outmost-ventilator-gtx-mens-walking-boots-182059#colcode=18205905

They are truly awful in the wet, never mind the ice. Of course I've long suspected that sports direct acquire fake/reject goods so it could be that.

[Fishtales]

I got these a number of years ago.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004F8HBZ0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I see they are no longer available but there are plenty more. Useful for over wading boots too

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ice+grippers+for+shoes&crid=220RZ44WPDI8W&sprefix=ice+gripp%2Caps%2C162&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_1_9

[arawa]

Didn't know they did boots with special grips.
I bought a pair of these recently and was shocked how poor quality they are compared to merrell boots from previous years. It feels like I just wrapped my feet in cardboard.

https://www.sportsdirect.com/merrell-outmost-ventilator-gtx-mens-walking-boots-182059#colcode=18205905

They are truly awful in the wet, never mind the ice. Of course I've long suspected that sports direct acquire fake/reject goods so it could be that.

The Merrells I have just bought (not from SD) seem adequately well made. Not Meindl quality but they are less than half the price. The sole, which is what I was really interested in, seems very excellent.

[Noddy]

I totally agree that the Scarpa are a nightmare when its the least bit dodgy underfoot.  I've got a plate in my wrist tp prove that, fell on the ice last year.   I will be interested to see how you get on with the Merrells.

Jim

[Bobfly]

Very icy underfoot here and my wife, having had a knee replacement quite recently, is very nervous of crashing with a bad twist. Now highly pleased by my having put in 10 wader studs on each of her general purpose walking boots. Seems to be giving a very good grip on what are now the winter boots. Her good Meindle hill boots are now the general boots.
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[arawa]

Very icy underfoot here and my wife, having had a knee replacement quite recently, is very nervous of crashing with a bad twist. Now highly pleased by my having put in 10 wader studs on each of her general purpose walking boots. Seems to be giving a very good grip on what are now the winter boots. Her good Meindle hill boots are now the general boots.

That's a good idea. I have just been trying to persuade my wife to get a pair of the Arctic Vibram soled walking shoes but if I fail I might try this plan.
Two years ago I bought her a set of grippers like Fishtales suggested above but she could not get on with them.

[arawa]

I totally agree that the Scarpa are a nightmare when its the least bit dodgy underfoot.  I've got a plate in my wrist tp prove that, fell on the ice last year.   I will be interested to see how you get on with the Merrells.

Jim

OK, test results.
Yesterday, frosty and icy; today frosty and very icy with lots of black ice.
Scarpa were lethal. With crampons no problem at all but a bit much for walking through the village!
Merrell with the Vibram Arctic sole were much better and quite usable but still some (perhaps understandable) slipping on the black ice.
Surprisingly good were an old pair of Dubarry sailing boots.
A bit puzzling was that my wife accompanied me wearing an oldish pair of fabric Scarpa boots with orange Vibram soles and she had hardly any difficulty with the ice!

[Fishtales]

OK, test results.
Yesterday, frosty and icy; today frosty and very icy with lots of black ice.
Scarpa were lethal. With crampons no problem at all but a bit much for walking through the village!
Merrell with the Vibram Arctic sole were much better and quite usable but still some (perhaps understandable) slipping on the black ice.
Surprisingly good were an old pair of Dubarry sailing boots.
A bit puzzling was that my wife accompanied me wearing an oldish pair of fabric Scarpa boots with orange Vibram soles and she had hardly any difficulty with the ice!

There are a lot of different Vibram sole types around, some are harder than others. The best is a soft rubber sole much like the shoes curlers use.