I love to hike. I live near enough to great hiking trails that I can hike pretty much anytime of year round. In the winter I don the hiking pants and waterproof shoes, and if the snow is deep, I even put on my gaiters and hit what ever trail calls to me that day. Snow never stopped me, but it did slow me down a lot! Then I tried using Yaktrax. These aren’t fully spiked glacier climbing crampons. They are lightweight, easy to put on, and perfect for winter hiking. I can hike at my regular pace without worrying about losing my footing or slipping on a patch of ice. What’s really amazing is that they come big enough to fit my size 16 shoe!
Recently I had the opportunity to hike on a glacier in Alaska. The tour groups were using crampons but there were none available in my size so I went on my own tour with my Yaktrax. If I hadn’t brought those along I would have missed the rare opportunity to witness the breathtaking views atop one of Alaska’s most scenic glaciers. I now keep them in my car and take them with me when I travel. (They are also handy when crossing an icy parking lot.)
Yaktrax are definitely a “must have” in the winter and have made great gifts for all of my hiking friends. They are discounted during our Winter Gear Sale so check them out and hit the trails long before the snow melts.
