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New hike/run deep snow setup
After a few ascents up The Incline this year, I realized that my 'gear set up' was less than ideal. I had my usual Salomon running shoes, smart wool socks, Yak Tracks, and nylon running gaiters.
Though my feet never really got wet, per se; they did get cold. I felt there must be a better way, without having to replace the shoes I'm devoted to. I was in my "Candy Store" yesterday (those great guys can talk me into buying anything!!) hoping to avoid buying a GoreTex pair of running shoes; I love my shoes, they are perfectly adequate. The Goretex are a tad heavier. I opted for Seirus Stormsocks Lite; they are waterproof and I can keep my shoes!
Option # 3 - I have tried two different kinds of "Traks"; the Yak Trak Sport, and the cheapies they sell, two for one ($ 13.00), at Costco. With the Yak Traks, I always had a hard time stretching the bands onto my shoes (arthritis in fingers), especially if it was at the base of Ute Pass Trail. Not only were my fingers stressed to stretch them, but the cold exacerbated it. Always difficult for me! I then tried the cheapies, which were very easy, too easy, to get on.
I just tried the 'cheapies' last week; while they stayed on throughout both The Incline and the run down Barr Trail, they practically fell off when I went to remove them. I think I just got VERY lucky!!
We then moved on to the "Traks". I was under the impression that the pink Microspikes were very heavy, thought they were 'overkill, much less very difficult to put on. Since the elastic bands are wider than the other "Traks", I didn't give them a 2nd thought. At their urging, I sat down and tried them on! They are FANTASTIC! They are VERY easy to get on, and provide an absolute guarantee there will be no slipping and sliding.
And one last change; I finally found a pair of fitted gaiters in my size; the 'ski guy' even made me a little tube to fit over each string to preserve the life of the under-shoe string.
Be safe on those wonderful mountains we have!! Lynne
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christi Keiser on
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Great post! Thanks for sharing.
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Permalink Reply by Brian McCarrie on
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That looks like a pretty sweet set up. One thing I've noticed with Yak Traks is, powdery snow starts to build up on the bottom of my shoe and I end up with a very think layer that distorts the way my shoes come into contact with the ground and very little traction. I may give your set up a try. The gator with the strapping on the bottom is a nice touch. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Lynne Fonda on
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Brian, I DID begin to experience that in the dense snow with the Yaks! That could be very dangerous with regard to a possible sprain! Also, they told me, at REI, that they have had so very many returns of the Yak Traks, due to breakage; hitting a rock, and whatever else may be under that snow, that they won't recommend them anymore. REI is great that way; accepting returns. I think they've tired of all the returns, and waiting to receive compensation from the manufacturer. What surprised me was how light these spikes are; I thought they'd be really heavy, and hard to stretch on; NOT! Yes, love that nice touch of the tube over the string; just go to the ski dept., show him your gaiters and he'll make you a pair. $ .28 (cents). Have fun out there!
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Permalink Reply by Tim Bergsten on
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I was a Yak guy, I'm looking for something else. Screw shoes, Ice Spikes or Microspikes.
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