Quick answer: The best all-round ice spikes for most people are Yatta Life Ice Spikes (from $36). They have 0.6 in (15 mm) stainless steel teeth and a harness tested to –40 °F (–40 °C). They work on everything from icy sidewalks to winter trails. If you mostly walk in town, City Spikes ($19) are the best value. For kids, SureStep Kids Ice Cleats ($30) fit US toddler size 9 up to kids' size 7.
Below are our picks by use, with who each one is for and how to choose a size. Yatta Life ships to the US, and all prices here are in US dollars. If you're still deciding between cleats, spikes and crampons, start with our complete guide to ice cleats for shoes and boots.
Best ice cleats and ice spikes at a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Ice Spikes | 0.6 in (15 mm) stainless steel spikes on welded chains, –40 °F harness, light at 10.5–12 oz (300–340 g) a pair | from $36 |
| Best budget / city walking | City Spikes | 10 steel spikes, slip-on TPR harness, built for sidewalks and errands | $19 |
| Best for winter running | Trail Spikes | Flexible stainless chain moves with your stride on packed snow and ice | $41 |
| Best for commuting | Urban Spikes | Low profile, so you walk naturally on mixed pavement and ice; comes with a carry case | $25 |
| Best secure fit | Mount Tracks + Ice Grips | 13 stainless spikes, Velcro top strap and a hinged front plate for uneven ground | $36 |
| Best for kids | SureStep Kids | 13 short 0.3 in (7 mm) stainless spikes, only about 6 oz (170–180 g), US toddler 9 to kids 7 | $30 |
1. Best overall: Yatta Life Ice Spikes
Who it's for: Anyone who wants one pair for icy sidewalks, winter hikes, dog walks and ice fishing.
Yatta Life Ice Spikes use 0.6 in (15 mm) stainless steel spikes on welded stainless chains. That's long enough to bite into hard, polished ice on an Adirondack trail or a frozen Minnesota lake. The TPR elastomer harness is tested down to –40 °F (–40 °C). So it stays stretchy on the coldest mornings instead of stiffening and snapping. A pair weighs 10.5–12 oz (300–340 g) depending on size. They stretch over hiking boots, winter boots and running shoes in a few seconds.
- Spikes: stainless steel, 0.6 in (15 mm), on welded stainless chains
- Harness: TPR elastomer, tested to –40 °F (–40 °C)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL (unisex)
- Colors: black, blue and pink, all on the same product page
Keep in mind: They aren't designed for technical mountaineering or vertical ice. For that, use rated crampons.
2. Best budget and best for city walking: City Spikes
Who it's for: Commuters, students, older walkers and anyone who just wants to stop slipping between the front door, the bus stop and the parking lot.
City Spikes are our most affordable traction at $19. Ten heavy-duty steel spikes sit under a flexible TPR harness that pulls over shoes, boots and sneakers. They're small enough for a coat pocket. Take them off when you reach dry pavement or step indoors. They're a good fit for the icy sidewalks of Chicago, Boston or NYC.
Keep in mind: For long winter hikes and steep icy trails, choose a chain spike like Ice Spikes or Trail Spikes.
3. Best for winter running: Trail Spikes
Who it's for: Trail runners, winter hikers who move fast, and anyone covering long distances on packed snow.
Trail Spikes put stainless steel spikes on a dynamic flex-chain. The traction bends with your foot instead of fighting your stride. A high-density elastomer harness holds tight in the cold. When the trail clears, they pack into a small pouch. Think Front Range trail runs out of Boulder or packed-snow loops in the Pacific Northwest.
Running tip: On ice, shorten your stride and land under your hips.
4. Best for commuting and road running: Urban Spikes
Who it's for: People who walk or run on cleared city streets that still have patches of ice and refrozen slush.
Urban Spikes are low profile. You can walk and jog naturally on mixed pavement without feeling like you're on stilts. They come with a compact carry case for your bag or desk drawer. They suit a lakefront run in Chicago or a walk to the train in Minneapolis.
5. Best secure fit: Mount Tracks + Ice Grips
Who it's for: Hikers on rough or uneven ground, people shoveling or working outside, and dog owners whose dog pulls sideways.
Mount Tracks have 13 stainless steel spikes, 0.6 in (15 mm) long, and add a Velcro strap over the top of the foot. A hinged front plate flexes with your sole. The strap keeps everything locked in place when you twist, pivot or step on wet rock, like on rocky White Mountains trails.
6. Best ice cleats for kids: SureStep Kids
Who it's for: Kids from toddlers to about age 12 who walk to school, play on icy playgrounds or come along on family winter hikes.
Kids fall on ice constantly, and most adult traction is too big and too aggressive for small boots. SureStep Kids Ice Cleats are built for them. They have 13 short stainless steel spikes, about 0.3 in (7 mm) long. These grip ice and packed snow without being sharp and bulky. The twist stainless chain is built to last, and the TPR harness is tested to –40 °F (–40 °C). At about 6 oz (170–180 g) a pair, kids barely notice them. Most kids can pull them on by themselves.
| Kids size | US kids shoe size | EU shoe size |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 9–11.5 (toddler) | 26–28 |
| S | 12–3 | 30–34 |
| M | 3.5–7 | 35–38 |
Sizing tip: If your child is between sizes, or wears thick winter boots, choose the larger size.
Parent tips: Show kids how to take them off before going inside, because metal is slippery on school floors. Rinse and dry the cleats after slushy days. Keep them in their backpack for the walk home.
Best ice cleats for seniors
For older walkers, choose a pair that's easy to put on and doesn't change how you walk. City Spikes are light and simple. Mount Tracks add a strap for a more secure feel. A few habits make a big difference:
- Put them on while sitting down, on a bench or chair by the door.
- Take them off before going indoors. Metal slides on tile, store floors and polished lobbies.
- Size up for winter boots so the harness is easy to stretch with cold hands.
- Keep a pair in the car for icy parking lots at the grocery store, church or the doctor's office.
Ice cleats vs ice spikes: which type do you need?
Ice cleats have short studs or low spikes. They're best on sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, and they're easy to walk in on mixed pavement. Ice spikes, often called microspikes, have longer stainless steel spikes on chains. They're best for winter hiking, trail running and ice fishing. If you walk in town most days, start with City Spikes or Urban Spikes. If you head for the trails on weekends, start with Ice Spikes or Trail Spikes.
Useful add-ons for winter walks and hikes
Traction stops slips. These keep the rest of you comfortable:
| Add-on | What it does | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Gaiters | Keep snow and slush out of your boots on deep or slushy trails | $44 |
| Waterproof Socks | A waterproof layer for wet, slushy days | $19 |
How we chose these picks
We matched each pick to the conditions Americans actually walk in. Think refrozen city sidewalks, packed-snow trails, polished lake ice and the walk to school. We looked at:
- Spike material and length: stainless steel resists rust from road salt and slush.
- Cold rating: the harness has to stay stretchy well below freezing.
- Fit and security: the traction should stay centered under your foot when you turn.
- Weight and packability: light enough to carry when the path clears.
- Price: a good option at every budget, from $19 up.
How to choose the right size
Size by the footwear you'll wear them on, not just your shoe size. Adult sizes run S to XL. Here's the chart for our Ice Spikes:
| Size | US Men | US Women | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 3–5 | 4.5–6.5 | 33–36 |
| M | 5–7 | 6.5–8.5 | 36–40 |
| L | 7–10 | 8.5–11.5 | 40–44 |
| XL | 10–12 | 11.5–13.5 | 44–48 |
For bulky insulated winter boots, or if you're between sizes, size up. Every product page has its own size chart. For fitting steps, see our guide to ice cleats for shoes and boots.
Ice cleats make a great winter gift
Ice cleats are useful, inexpensive and come in sizes for the whole family. That makes them an easy stocking stuffer for hikers, runners, commuters, grandparents and kids. Every pick on this list is $41 or less.
Best ice cleats: frequently asked questions
What are the best ice cleats for walking on sidewalks?
Low-profile cleats like City Spikes or Urban Spikes are best for sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. They're quick to put on and easy to carry when you reach dry pavement.
What are the best ice spikes for hiking?
Choose stainless steel chain spikes with spikes about 0.6 in (15 mm) long, like Yatta Life Ice Spikes or Mount Tracks. They grip hard-packed snow and trail ice that short cleats can't.
What are the best ice cleats for running?
For trails and packed snow, choose Trail Spikes, which use a flexible stainless chain that moves with your stride. For cleared roads with icy patches, choose low-profile Urban Spikes.
Are there ice cleats for kids?
Yes. Yatta Life SureStep Kids Ice Cleats come in XS, S and M, fitting US kids' shoe sizes from toddler 9 to kids' 7. They have 13 short stainless steel spikes, about 0.3 in (7 mm) long, and weigh only about 6 oz (170–180 g) a pair.
What age can kids wear ice cleats?
Once a child is walking confidently and wears at least a US toddler size 9 shoe, they can use the XS size of SureStep Kids. Teach them to take the cleats off before going indoors.
What are the best ice cleats for seniors?
Seniors usually do best with light, easy-on cleats like City Spikes, or a strapped pair like Mount Tracks for extra security. Put them on while seated and remove them before going inside.
Are cheap ice cleats worth it?
For everyday walking on icy sidewalks, a budget pair like City Spikes ($19) is a big safety upgrade over boots alone. For hiking, running and thick ice, stainless steel chain spikes last longer and grip better.
Does Yatta Life ship to the US?
Yes. Yatta Life ships to the US, and prices on yattalife.com are in US dollars.
Find the right pair for everyone in the house
One fall on the ice can ruin a winter. Pick Ice Spikes for all-round use, City Spikes for town, Trail Spikes for running, and SureStep for the kids. Shop the full Yatta Life winter traction collection.
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