Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Yaktrax Pro Owner Reviews > Owner Review by Jo Ann Moffi

Yaktrax Pro
Owner Review
November 8th, 2006

Name: Jo Ann Moffi
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
Shoe Size: US 8 women's
Email address: jomoffi AT gmail DOT com
City, State, Country: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Backpacking Background:

I was introduced to backpacking about 15 years ago when I met my husband. We have been backpacking, canoe camping, car camping, hiking, and participating in all sorts of outdoor activities ever since. We live in a border town (US & Canada), so we spend lots of time in both countries for our outdoor excursions. My most recent foray has been into Adventure Racing. When making a decision on gear, I like to go lightweight and practical. I don't like to carry around extraneous bits and pieces.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Yaktrax, Inc.
Manufacture Date: 2005
URL: http://yaktrax.com/
Style: Yaktrax Pro
MSRP: $29.95
Size: Small (Available in unisex sizing Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large)
Color: Black
Weight: 154 to 156 g (5.1 to 5.5 oz) depending on size
Warranty: Full 90 day warranty should anything happen to the Yaktrax or if satisfaction is not complete.

The Yaktrax Pro are made with rubber webbing covered with metal coils. The coils are made from 1.4 mm (0.06 in) steel and the rubber is touted to be heavy duty, natural rubber.  The rubber webbing forms two large 'X' patterns on the bottom of the shoe and one smaller 'X' at the toe that are covered in the steel coils. Yaktrax, Inc. calls this system the SkidLock coiled design that provides 360 degrees of traction. The remainder of the rubber webbing around the edge of the Yaktrax Pro is not covered in coils. The Yaktrax Pro has a Velcro strap that goes across the top of the shoe.  This is one of the differences between the Yaktrax Walker and the Yaktrax Pro, the other being a more durable rubber blend. 

Yaktrax, Inc. claims the Yaktrax Pro gives instant traction, confidence and safety on ice and packed snow, enabling the user to walk and run as if ice and packed snow were dry surfaces.  Yaktrax, Inc. indicates the Yaktrax Pro can be worn in temperatures as low as -40.55 C (-41 F).  

Yaktrax Pro Features (according to the Yaktrax, Inc. website):
• Easy On/Off
• Walk Naturally
• Spikeless/Ultralight
• Helps Reduce the Risk of Falls & Injuries

Putting on the Yaktrax Pro:

To get the Yaktrax Pro on, put the toe of the shoe under the Velcro strap and into the toe end of the rubber 'frame'.  Then, while grasping the thickened portion at the back if the Yaktrax Pro, push the toe of the shoe into the rubber frame at the same time as stretching the Yaktrax Pro over the heel of the shoe. This is easily accomplished when wearing the shoe.  Getting the force to push the shoe and stretch the Yaktrax Pro at the same time when not wearing the shoe is a challenge I have yet to master.  Once the Yaktrax Pro is on the shoe, go around the edge of the shoe and pull up on the outer edges of the rubber webbing so that it is around the entire outside perimeter of the shoe. The toe end of the Yaktrax Pro has a distinct mesh pattern that allows for easy centering at the toe of the shoe and the heel end of the Yaktrax has a thickened tab for ease of pulling on and off and centering at the heel of the shoe. Once the Yaktrax Pro is satisfactorily situated, tighten the Velcro strap across the top of the shoe.

I have worn the Yaktrax Pro on my running shoes and hiking boots.  My normal shoe size is 7.5 to 8.5.  I chose a size small based on the manufacturer's size guide.  The sizing was accurate for my shoes.

Field Information

Location or locations where the shoes were worn:
In and around Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and surrounding Algoma region.

Description of Location(s):
Around town on ice and snow covered sidewalks and streets, snow and ice covered trails, some muddy trails.  Local trails included:

• 5 km (3.11 mi) trail along the Sault Ste. Marie Canal system, including St. mary's Island and Whitefish Island.  Trails are reasonably well marked, some are only there because they are well frequented.  These trails are not maintained in the winter and travel on them is at your own risk.  Many feet traverse these trails so they are easy to find.  The trails here are flat, with the occasional water crossing (ice crossing in winter).
• Hiawatha Highlands trails including the Crystal Creek Trail system, Lookout Trail system, and Red Pine Trail system.  Approximately 40 km (24.84 mi) of trail through Boreal Forest.  Trails are well marked and regularly maintained.  In the winter, they are groomed for use as cross country ski trails, both skate skiing and classic skiing.  Walking on the trails is prohibited from late November to late March/early April.  The trails are somewhat hilly on the Red Pine Trail and the Crystal Creek Trail systems.  
• Fort Creek Conservation area is approximately 77 hectares (191 acres) with trails snaking randomly throughout.  This area gets a fair amount of use in winter, but the trails are not maintained. 

From about January until March, I primarily used the Yaktrax on snow covered sidewalks and streets.  I wore them on the trails at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and the Fort Creek Conservation area  periodically from January until March.  Once the trails were no longer ski-able at Hiawatha Highlands, I also started heading out there for weekly outings.  

Weather Conditions:
Bitter cold January and February averaging -10 C (18 F), March averaging -4 C (7.2 F).  Snowfall coverage in January and February averages 50 cm (19.69 in).  Active weather included snow flurries, blowing snow, overcast, and sunny days.  

Product Review

My original reason for purchase of the Yaktrax Pro was for running on ice and snow around town. After several near wipe outs in slippery conditions, I ordered the Yaktrax Pro from an online retailer, sight-unseen. The Yaktrax Pro arrived in a plastic wrapped package with instructions. The instructions gave a brief outline on how to put on the Yaktrax Pro, care, and use guidelines.

The Yaktrax Pro are fairly easy to get on and off while indoors. However, once outside, getting the Yaktrax Pro on and off with cold fingers and (usually) wet/snowy shoes or boots is not a pleasant experience.  Removing the Yaktrax Pro with gloves and/or mittens is possible it is easy enough to just rip open the Velcro strap and pull on the tab at the back of the Yaktrax Pro in a downward direction.  The rubber just springs off the shoe.  Putting them on is not easily accomplished without removing gloves, and is impossible without removing mittens.  If the gloves are not bulky, putting on the Yaktrax Pro is just like doing it with ungloved hands.  Too much dexterity is required of the fingers to make it possible to stretch the rubber over the shoe with mittens on.  This is the nature of winter though, and I certainly don't expect any different. The design of the Yaktrax Pro is intentionally tight to ensure the Yaktrax Pro do not come off during walking and running. It would be extremely difficult to design a removable traction device without this issue.  

I used the Yaktrax Pro while hiking on snow packed trails.  Most days I wore a small waist pack for water carrying, a couple of times on longer walks with my nephews, I would carry a backpack for water and extra 'kid' paraphernalia like mitts, hats, snacks, etc.  The Yaktrax Pro performed similarly to how they did on ice and snow packed roads.  When hiking up snow packed and ice covered hills, the Yaktrax Pro performed just as well as on flat land.  I would hike between 5 km (3.11 mi) and 10 km (6.21 mi), depending on my time availability for the day.  

When used on muddy trails, the Yaktrax Pro do slip a bit until they hit a more solid surface to bite into. The Yaktrax Pro still perform better than a naked shoe in muddy conditions.  Yaktrax, Inc. does not advocate using their product in these conditions.

I also used the Yaktrax Pro for most of my winter runs last year. I ran mostly in town on snow and ice covered sidewalks and streets. The Yaktrax Pro performed exceptionally well. Not once can I recall slipping, even when running on glare ice. It takes a bit to have the confidence to run/walk on such surfaces without instinct kicking in and changing your stride. Once I was sure I wasn't going to be slipping, I actually came to enjoy those slippery patches just for the chance to 'test' the Yaktrax Pro!

As the winter progressed and the weather started turning warmer, it was a bit more of a challenge running in the Yaktrax Pro on sidewalks and roads. Yaktrax, Inc. does not recommend wearing the Yaktrax Pro on any hard surface like pavement, concrete, gravel, tile, linoleum, etc. There were times when I was running partially in the snowbank to avoid the melted spots on the sidewalks. On longer portions of trail and sidewalk that we clear of ice and snow I would remove the Yaktrax Pro and put them back on later if necessary.  

The Yaktrax Pro saw about 12-15 km (7.45-9.32 mi) of running per week, plus 5-10 km (3.11-6.21 mi) of hiking per week over the course of four months. There was no evidence of wear on the rubber, and some mild wear on the metal coils.  The coils were shiny when I purchased the Yaktrax Pro and they are dull now.  
As a final note, when I was pulling these out for the first time this year, the steel coils had some rust on them.  After wearing them on one outing, the rust is now gone.  

Most desirable features:
- Exceptional traction on ice and packed snow.
- Stay on both my hiking boots and running shoes without slipping.

Least desirable features:
- Not easy to get on with cold fingers.

Summary
The Yaktrax Pro provide exceptional traction on ice and snow while hiking, running, walking, etc.  They will be my traction device of choice for many years to come.  An excellent product!

Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Yaktrax Pro Owner Reviews > Owner Review by Jo Ann Moffi