jaunthie | I love my YakTrax

I admit I was a little dubious when I found a pair of YakTrax Walkers in my Christmas stocking this year. For one thing, I couldn't figure out what the heck they were supposed to be; they were these odd, florescent-yellow gadgets folded over on themselves, and some bits had metal wire wrapped around the rubbery bits. I thought it was some kind of brainteaser puzzle. Even when

fisherbear explained what they were, I was still doubtful. When would I need them, outside of Methow - and even at Methow, I'd walked around perfectly well without slipping. What use were they?

Boy, was I wrong. For walking around in ice and snow like we've had today, I can't think of anything better. And they're so easy. You just put them on over your shoes (any shoes, and it takes less time than it took to type this) and off you go with the equivalent of heavy-duty chains on your feet, no slips, no fuss, no muss. Get to the store, slip them off before going inside (they'll chew up the flooring), do the shopping, put them back on, walk home. Over ice, on hills.

The link says they retail for $20, but you can find them for a lot less on sale. Well worth having a pair, particularly if this becomes a more regular weather pattern for our winters.