Walking in the snow
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seeformiles
Posts: 269
Joined: Apr 2005
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23-11-2011 01:30 PM
I live on one of the steeper roads in Forest Hill and I'm not particularly looking forward to another winter spent slipping and sliding down the hill to the station. I saw some over the boot snow shoe things advertised recently - they claim to provide excellent traction on compacted snow and ice.
I'm just wondering - do they actually work? And are they any good for walking downhill?
I'd appreciate any advice or tips before I part with my money.
Thanks in advance.
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rshdunlop
Posts: 1,111
Joined: Jun 2008
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23-11-2011 01:46 PM
Yes, they are good and provide good traction. You will still need to take care walking down hill, but it should at least make it a little less hairy.
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seeformiles
Posts: 269
Joined: Apr 2005
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23-11-2011 02:07 PM
Thanks, I'll give them a go.
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roz
Posts: 1,796
Joined: Mar 2005
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23-11-2011 09:02 PM
I know the feeling. This year we are trying to get prepared early in anticipation. I bought a pair of these crampons from Finches but you can get them a lot cheaper on line. I have twins and needed extra grip to push a double buggy around. I have to say that with these on I really enjoyed getting out and about compared to previous times and never slipped at all. The studs do wear down though so I'm buying another pair as a back up.
The Guardian were advertising them recently too. I can recommend them on the hills but the only time they won't work is when water is melting over ice- but I think nothing will work then so you just have to watch out. I have also a pair of mountain walking sticks which I carry with me which also helps- these are retractable and fit nicely into a rucksack. Probably looks silly but I didnt notice anyone laughing last year.
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seeformiles
Posts: 269
Joined: Apr 2005
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23-11-2011 09:18 PM
Hi Roz - I think I had crampons originally in mind, but I ordered what looks like a pair of strappy things with a moulded plastic toe and heel and spiral metal bits underneath.
I read some reviews and they seem to be highly thought of, but some also said they wear out fairly quickly.
Will let you know how I get on.
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rshdunlop
Posts: 1,111
Joined: Jun 2008
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23-11-2011 09:19 PM
I'm pretty sure that all this readiness means there will be no snow this year. We even got rid of our lovely, low-slung sporty rear-wheel drive car that couldn't move in more than an inch of snow. I am now driving something very boring but snow worthy. There will be not a flake.
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seeformiles
Posts: 269
Joined: Apr 2005
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23-11-2011 09:34 PM
I've been relying on my walking boots up until now but I don't find they can cope with my road - in fact their weight seems to make me slide down even faster!
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rshdunlop
Posts: 1,111
Joined: Jun 2008
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23-11-2011 09:40 PM
There's your answer, seeformiles. Just bring a tin tray and slide down. Getting back up might be more difficult, though.
But did I mention there will be no snow?
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seeformiles
Posts: 269
Joined: Apr 2005
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23-11-2011 10:00 PM
Ah well, we'll see. I divide my time between here and a village which is in a bit of a dip in Oxfordshire, and I guarantee I'll need these over shoe things there. It seems to get cut off by snow every year.
A light scattering of snow would be nice though. :-)
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