Spike it! Ice is no longer a reason not to walk the dog
By Phyllis DeGioia
February 5, 2009
Thanks to a helpful comment from a PetConnection reader (thanks Mikken!), I tried out the Kahtoola MICROspikes and have to say THESE ROCK! These far surpass any other shoe attachment I have tried that assists you to walk safely on ice. The MICROspikes never fell off my shoes, which was my main complaint about other brands. I felt steady and safe walking on ice, not just steadier and safer. I cruised around my sidewalkless neighborhood. It has treacherous stretches of uneven ice, slick ice and ice mixed with snow, sand or both. Against every instinct I have, I walked on ice even when I could walk on an iceless surface. The grip is so good that it actually feels better walking on the ice than on plain cement. Also, they were easier to get off and on than the two other brands I have.
Yes, at $60 they’re more than most others. However, not only will you not lose them and thus need to replace them, but $60 is less than I pay for one visit at the physical therapist, and certainly less than a couple of chiro appointments.
Safety tip: do not wear these inside. You’d definitely mar the hardwood flooring or pull carpeting. They’re small and flexible enough to put in your pocket until you’re outside.
I still think it’s best not to walk your dog when the ice is new and covers everything – I think that’s taking an unnecessary risk, given my context of having a dog-related history at the physical therapist, not to mention a lot of bruises and nasty hip bursitis from falling. In my experience, it’s far more likely that you will get hurt than your dog will, but if you get hurt your dog isn’t going to get as much exercise anyway. So when the ice isn’t a total hazard anymore, get outside and walk and beat the winter blues or rejoice in the season!
Phyl, McKenzie wants to know if they make these for dogs, since she’s getting on a plane for Minnesnowta tonight. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 5, 2009 @ 7:35 am
oooh, it’s time then?
Comment by Lori — February 5, 2009 @ 7:51 am
These look very heavy duty! I have Yak Trax. Not sure I want to venture out on ice that requires these deluxe things!
Comment by Janet Boss — February 5, 2009 @ 7:56 am
yep. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 5, 2009 @ 7:56 am
So excited for you! Go Mommy(to be) McKutie!
I think I might need those spikes just for our deck.
Comment by Lori — February 5, 2009 @ 8:03 am
Glad you liked them, Phyllis! I fell in love with them the first time I used them, too. Easy on, easy off, but they won’t fall off on their own, it’s great. I look forward to seeing how many winters I get out of these suckers.
I have one dog who *loves* to slide on ice (seriously, he gets a bit of a running start and puts three feet on the slippery bits (one off for stability?) and slides around - you can see him *laughing* at the fun of it. The others, not so thrilled with icy conditions, but I have yet to find dog boots with spikes on the bottom!
Comment by mikken — February 5, 2009 @ 9:03 am
I would have chimed in with a rousing endorsement of Yak Traks a week ago. Got them for Christmas and they were working GREAT, much better than other products I’d tried. And I can wear them inside, which makes it a lot easier to do chores.
But one broke, after only a week of use. Called the company, and they won’t ship out a replacement until I send them BOTH — so I can’t even continue to use one for traction. (Which works pretty well, actually.)
It’s icy now, beyotch.
Do be careful with these spiky things around dog feet.
I do not use my real crampons around my dogs for this very reason. At mountain rescue training, dogs go into the car before crampons go on. I don’t even want to contemplate what kind of injury would come from my full weight driving a crampon spike through a dog foot.
That’s what I still like best about the Yak Traks — much safer for the animals.
Comment by H. Houlahan — February 5, 2009 @ 9:30 am
I tried to post this link before, but I got flagged as spam I guess. Runners put screws in their shoes. Here is a dirt cheap DIY from runner John Rogerson.
http://www.mainetoday.com/blog.....37100.html
Comment by nancy freedman-smith — February 5, 2009 @ 9:52 am
Minnesota! If you’re near Red Wing (on The River SE of the Twin Cities) - give us a buzz. We’re around all weekend and have a great place for 2 and 4 legged visitors. (Indoor doggy playland)
Heather will vouch that I’m not an axe murderer.
Comment by SmartDogs — February 5, 2009 @ 10:16 am
Sorry, McKenzie, these are for people. You’ll have better luck with booties in Minnesnowta (and good luck, nudge nudge wink wink).
I agree, these are hard core. I felt more secure in MICROspikes than in Yak Trax, although I never felt very unsecure in the Yak Trax. It’s just a different level of safety. H. has a point about dog feet, although when it’s icy I take such teeny tiny steps that I basically don’t lift my feet.
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — February 5, 2009 @ 10:25 am
Alas, McK is traveling on her own. My father’s back in the hospital, situation very grim, and so I can’t go with her. But time waits for no hormones. Fortunately, the owner of the sire is my “dog-in-law” — she owned my darling Heather’s late and great sister Cali — so I have no doubt that McKutie will be treated like visiting royalty.
But I plan to be back in MN/IA later in the spring … maybe we can hook up then.
And Phyllis … Katie has booties and a jacket ready for the visit of the California Girl.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 5, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Nancy, your comment was indeed in the spam filter. I’m guessing the word “screw” was the culprit. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 5, 2009 @ 10:47 am
LOL Gina!
Comment by nancy freedman-smith — February 5, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Heather will vouch that I’m not an axe murderer.
Comment by SmartDogs — February 5, 2009 @ 10:16 am
’s true. Minnesotans use wood chippers.
Ground is too froze to hide the bodies.
This is the real reason puppies eat mulch.
Comment by H. Houlahan — February 5, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
Dang you H.
Now how am I going to lure her here to “help me” make dog food?
Do you really want that brown puppy to starve?
Comment by SmartDogs — February 5, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
I’ve seen “Fargo.” I’m not going near ya.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 5, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Phyllis-thanks so much for the tip! I ordered a pair last night-not easy as they are almost sold out everywhere! I live in St. Paul with 3 JRTs, and work as a professional dog walker in Minneapolis. I grew up here, and the streets and sidewalks are worse than they’ve ever been. These will be a lifesaver!
Comment by Kristen — February 6, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Ooh, they don’t look too bad. But, I must say I’d be rather scared to walk around with them while walking the dog. The main reason being that: I never end up just walking… gotta play!! So that means me and the pooch will probably be all over each other, etc. which might just mean I step on one of his paws with that. Mind, that being said, I actually found a really cool Dog Boot should something like that happen. Though let’s hope not.
Comment by Leo — February 6, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
Kristen, let me know how you like them. I think they rock! Turns out my sister, who lives in Flagstaff where Kahtoola is based, used them to walk down the Grand Canyon. Said she practically “scampered.”
I’ll need them again soon. We had 44F today and the dog park is basically a mud puddle, which will then freeze into an ice slick.
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — February 7, 2009 @ 3:46 pm