With a harsh winter gripping parts of Europe, and with snow having lain for three weeks or more for the second year running in some parts of the United Kingdom, many people are struggling to cope with icy streets and pavements. Repeated cycles of thawing and refreezing make surfaces treacherous for walkers and, with normal footwear unable to cope, choosing ice traction soles for shoes is one solution.
The Dangers of Icy Pavements
Falling on ice can be painful: and it can be fatal. Every time there is a prolonged period of cold and wintry weather, newspapers carry reports of casualties – for example, in December 2009, the BBC reported the death of a man who had sustained head injuries after falling on ice, while a three-day period in December 2010 saw almost 450 people treated for injuries related to falling on ice in just three hospitals in the North East of England.
Even though icy periods may be rare, such injuries are far from uncommon when they occur. A study in Sweden showed that such injuries occur at a rate of 3.5 people per thousand. Half of the injuries were fractures and it was estimated that the cost of treating them was the same as the cost of treating those injured in traffic accidents during the same period of time.
Preventing Ice-Related Accidents
In some areas, fear of litigation is a deterrent for householders or commercial operators to clear snow and ice from the pavements in front of their premises, meaning that ice in many cases persists for longer. Although some precautions can be taken by individuals, both in terms of the type of footwear selected (those with a ridged or non-slip sole are preferable, giving grip) and in terms of taking extra care, the problem persists.
Shoe Grips to Minimise Slipping
Shoe grips are lattices usually made of rubber and metal which are designed to slip over normal footwear and provide extra grip on ice and snow. In this way, people who don’t have any other reason for purchasing specialist hiking gear can effectively "winterize" their ordinary shoe without having to purchase new footwear which they will rarely wear.
There are a number of different types of ice grip: some are studded, some spiked, while others have metal rings, coils or mesh. The grips are removable and most are capable of fitting many different types of shoes so that only one pair is required per person. It is also possible to purchase grips for high heels, which fit on the front part of the sole only (available from companies including Betterware and Mighty Ice Grips).
Shoe grippers are compact and easily carried in a pocket, handbag or glove box. They provide an effective aid to walking in both snowy and icy conditions – some, such as Yaktrax, are designed to be worn by runners as well as walkers. Manufacturers don’t, however, guarantee that their products will prevent all slippages on ice. A disadvantage is that many grips, especially those with spikes, are unsuitable for indoor wear.
Ice grips are widely available from outdoor shops or directly from manufacturers, such as Icegrips or Yaktrax: many companies also make their products available through newspaper and catalogue special offers. Prices start at around £10 for versions which cover only part of the sole, such as those designed for heels. Full-sole versions cost upwards of £12, while the highest-specification grips cost up to £20.
References:
Björnstig U, Björnstig J, Dahlgren A. "Slipping on Ice and Snow – Elderly Women and Young Men are Typical Victims." University of Umea, 1997.
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