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Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Yaktrax Pro > James Triplett > Initial ReportInitial Test Report: YAKTRAX PRO 
Ice Traction Device February 27, 2006 Personal Biographical Information: Name: James E. Triplett Age: 46 Gender: Male Height: 6' 2" (188 cm) Weight: 195 lb (88.5 kg) Foot size: 12 (US) Email address: james_triplett@hotmail.com City, state: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Date: February 27, 2006 Backpacking Background: I'm a veteran camper with most childhood trips taken in the Midwest and throughout Canada. My backpacking experience is that of a well informed hiker, and I am generally out for weekends, or a week at a time these days. This is significantly less than the 44 days I spent on the Appalachian Trail back in the early 80s. Currently, I would classify myself as a three-season backpacker, although I am gaining more experience in winter camping. I am a four-season hiker though, and am out daily - rain, sleet, or snow. As for my style, I use the lightest gear I can find and afford, but I take along everything I might need. This translates to mostly lightweight gear... and lots of it. I prefer to spend my nights in a tent, and use a variety of internal frame packs, although I do still own an old Kelty Tioga (external frame) pack. Manufacturer Information: Manufacturer: Yaktrax Location: Yaktrax, Inc. is located in the State of Washington in the United States of America Telephone: 1-866-YAKTRAX URL: www.yaktrax.com Product information: Year of Manufacture: 2006 Date Item Received: February 21, 2006 Product Name: YAKTRAX PRO Model Number: PB-L (for size large) Size: Large Color: Black (only color available) MSRP: $27.95 US
Specs and Features: From the Yaktrax website, and the product literature which came with the Yaktrax
Review Upon Arrival:
Initial Inspection:
 Initial Fit: The Yaktrax Pro fit onto my US size 12 Merrill trail runners without much difficulty. Once the Yaktrax were stretched onto the shoe enough to stay in place, I was able to fine tune the alignment by pulling here and there on the outer most band of rubber. I could also adjust the coils so that the toe and heel coils nestled in between the treads of the shoes. My US size 12 Dunham boots were a little more of a challenge, but the process was much the same as with the shoes, and I never got the feeling that I was stretching the Yaktrax near their limits.  Precautions, Warnings and Warranty: From the information inside the Yaktrax package, it is indicated that Yaktrax Pros are not to be used on hard surfaces such as gravel or concrete, and they go on to say that any non-icy, non-snowy surfaces should be avoided. This is useful information as I generally walk a ways on paved roads before entering the snowy trail. Elsewhere they say "not for indoor use", which seems a bit redundant, and yet in another section they say that Yaktrax will not damage carpets or most flooring materials. The wording is confusing and somewhat contradictory, however, looking at the Yaktrax, I can use some common sense and tell that they would probably damage my hardwood floors, probably wouldn't hurt the carpet on the porch, and might be slippery on the kitchen tile. What I cannot tell simply by looking at them, is whether the Yaktrax would incur damage to themselves if subjected to hard surfaces, such as the gravel portion of my driveway, or the pavement on the road. Thus the instructions not to use Yaktrax on such surfaces are helpful. The warranty information is rather long-winded, but the crux of it is that Yaktrax only has liability for the product itself, and that they will repair or replace the product for 90-days, if the Yaktrax are returned to them postage paid, with proof of purchase. The small print also indicates that Yaktrax will not eliminate the inherent risks of walking on ice and packed snow, and that the user should always exercise caution and reasonable care.  Test Plan: I will be using the Yaktrax Pro Traction device as much as possible in the coming weeks, as unfortunately we are getting to the end of the winter season here in the midwest. I will definitely have opportunities to use the Yaktrax on snow, as there is currently snow on the ground, and with a little luck, on ice as well. This snow and ice will be on dirt trails, pavement, gravel pathways, and ungroomed areas of the woods. At a minimum I will wear the Yaktrax on the boots and shoes shown in this report, and may venture to try other footwear as time and conditions permit. My location in Eastern Iowa is at an elevation of around 800 feet (245 meters). Temperatures in the coming months should see average highs of 28 to 46 F (-2 to 8 C) and average lows of 15 to 27 (-9 to -3 C).  Summary: The Yaktrax Pros are light and fold up to a very compressed size. They are well made and exhibit no signs of any defects in material or workmanship. In the limited number of steps I have taken with them, I have found that they do aid in traction and appear to be as advertised. The only concern I have at this point is the recommendation that they shouldn't be worn on hard surfaces, so I will need to wait to install them until I am at the start of a snowy or icy area, rather than putting them on earlier, in anticipation of slippery surfaces down the trail. Respectfully submitted, -James T. Read more reviews of Yaktrax gear Read more gear reviews by James E. Triplett Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Yaktrax Pro > James Triplett > Initial Report | |||||||||
