Slippery streets: When do spikes on your shoes help?

Tips for moving safely when there's ice on the pavement range from walk like a pavement to special shoe covers. We took a closer look at what works best to keep you safe in the cold weather. Berlin (dpa) – Walking on pavements these days is not only a slippery business in many places, it can be a dangerous one at that. Lose your footing and fall and you could end up with broken bones in the worst case. To help you get around more safely, there is a device you can put over your shoes, but it's not without its pitfalls: spikes. They provide more grip on ice and snow and, in the best case, prevent you from slipping and falling badly. What do you need to know about spikes? First, the fastening, which is usually made of rubber or plastic, must fit the shoe. The covers are often designed to fit several shoe sizes – for example, from 41 to 43. Ideally, you should have the opportunity to test the fit in the shop. Spikes should be made of stainless steel, says Boris Gnielka from the trade journal‘Outdoor. And, he says, "I would also make sure that they are spikes and not just small pins." Spikes that are 1 to 2 millimetres long are better than nothing on slippery surfaces, but when the ice has shifted and is mixed with snow, longer, jagged shapes up to 1 centimetre in length are better. Anything longer than this would be more suitable for alpine use and are known as crampons or light ice axes. They are not really suitable for walking from your home to the bus stop. Should the covers cover the entire sole? Spikes that only cover part of the shoe are also available in shops, but expert Gnielka is not a fan of these. Often, your heel slips away and then spikes are of little use except on the ball of the foot. "If anything, I would go for models that offer traction across the entire sole." Can I leave them on when walking on cleared paths? Better not. This can make them slippery when the metal slides over paving slabs. What's more, the spikes wear down on stone and asphalt. If you're no longer walking on ice or snow, you should take the spikes off. This is even more important indoors, where the spikes can cause unsightly scratches and holes in the floor. A tip: If you are no longer very mobile, don't underestimate "the fiddling around with taking them off and putting them on," as Gnielka calls it. For example, before getting on a bus or train. If there are no seats available, taking them off can be difficult. Where do the covers go when you don't need them? Depending on how flexible the material is and how big they are, the spike attachments can fit in your jacket pocket. However, especially after use, when they are wet and full of dirt and road salt and will likely leave unsightly stains. It's best to have a bag with you to put them in. What about shoes with fixed spikes in the soles? Gnielka talks about running shoes with integrated spikes that he once had. "They were great for jogging in winter," he says, but when running on paths without ice and snow, they were very uncomfortable. "It's like running with a bunch of stones under your soles. It crunches and cracks" and the soles wear out. This is something to consider when choosing shoes with integrated spikes. What shoes to wear with spikes? In winter conditions, shoes should be comfortable, fit snugly and have a soft, sufficiently slip-resistant professional sole. This was recommended by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health several years ago. Not advisable are hard, rigid soles or shoes with high heels or leather soles. Conclusion: if there is thick ice or snow on paths and roads, spikes improve "slip resistance" and offer safety. But only there: "It should be noted that it can become even more slippery when walking with spikes on cleared surfaces." In that case, you would have to take off your spikes, according to a report, which is still relevant today. How should you walk on slippery surfaces in general? In response to the slippery conditions in the country, the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery recently reiterated the best walking style for slippery paths: the "penguin walk." In other words: take small, slow steps, place your foot down with the entire sole and always keep your centre of gravity over your front leg. If there are handrails within reach, you should use them to hold on to. If you follow this advice, you will usually be able to walk safely even without spikes. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn neb xxde mew arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)