I was recently sent a trial pair of YakTrax Pro’s a few weeks ago to review here on Runblogger (full disclosure – I received no payment in return for this review – just a free sample of the product), and given the lack of snow here in New Hampshire this winter, I only just recently had the chance to put them to use. If you’re not familiar with YakTrax, here’s a description of the product from the YakTrax website:
“Yaktrax have a unique, spikeless, patented coil design, unlike other products on the market.
The Yaktrax Pro will instantly give you better traction, confidence and safety on packed snow or ice. Move about naturally with the same solid grip that you are accustomed to on dry surfaces. Walk or run as you normally would and experience stability on ice and snow like you have never felt before.
Made with high strength, abrasion resistant 1.4 mm steel coils and heavy duty natural rubber material, the Yaktrax Pro easily conforms to the shape of your boot or shoe. With its patented SkidLock coil design, the Yaktrax Pro provides 360 degrees of traction on packed snow and ice and can be worn in temperatures as low as -41° Fahrenheit”
On Tuesday, we had our first decent snow in quite awhile, with ultimate accumulations of about 6 inches. It wasn’t much by typical NH winter standards, but this winter it was about as close to a snowstorm as we’ve had. With about an inch of snow accumulated on the ground, I figured it would be an ideal time to give the YakTrax a trial run. A fresh snow covering can be a challenge for most running shoes, espcially if they lack an aggressive tread. Thus, I laced up my Brooks Launch (which have an essentially flat tread), strapped on the Yaks, and headed out for a 3 mile run with my dog Jack. Below is a video compilation from this run, with my review of the YakTrax, as well as some more general thoughts on running in conditions that keep most others at home, warm on the couch.
Runblogger Runcast #10 – Review of YakTrax Pro from Pete Larson on Vimeo.
Living in New Hampshire, snow is a constant in most years, and finding ways to stay active despite the snow is sometimes a challenge. In this Runcast I take a pair of YakTrax Pro foot-coverings for a spin during a snowstorm. My initial impressions – they’re very comfortable, and provide great traction on both ice and powdery snow. I’d highly recommend the YakTrax Pro if you’re looking for a way to get out for a run when there’s snow on the ground.
Purchasing Options
Yaktrax comes in two models – the Pro and the Walker. Both are reasonably priced – the Pro can be had for around $20.00 or less on Amazon.com. Below are links to both.
Links Related to this Episode
-For more information about the YakTrax, you can visit their website here: http://www.yaktrax.com.
-You can also read my review of the Brooks Launch shoes that I wore in this video.
-I’ve posted several other Runcasts related to winter running – you can view a list of all previous Runblogger Runcasts here.
You might also like:
Elements of a Sustainable Runner: Panel Discussion on Injuries, Training, Form, and Footwear from the Newton Running Retail Summit (Audio and Video)
Runblogger Runcast #6 – 2010 Disney Marathon Video Compilation
Runblogger Runcast #3 – Running on Snow and Ice with La Sportiva Hobnails
Runblogger Runcast #2 – Winter Running in Vibram Fivefingers
Runblogger Runcast #1 – Winter Running With Jack
About Peter Larson
Peter….I love my Yaktrax. I live in Jaffrey, NH and train on trails that have been packed down by snowshoes, that as you know turns to ice rather quickly around here and with these I’m able to “almost ” run as I can in the summer. Almost because you still have to be careful on the turns on a downhill, but they never let me down. I used screws in my shoes for many years, but once I got a pair of these I haven’t screwed a shoe since. Oh and as far as durability, I’m on my 2nd season with them and they are still not showing any signs of wear. I do remove them when I hit a road stretch, but do most of my running on hard ice, which has ot be hard on them.
Best of luck with the rest of winter,
Steve
Steve,
Good to know about the durability. I have a pair of shoes with hobnails
inserted, which also work well on ice, but I suspect not as well as the Yaks
in powdery snow. The Yaks are also less than half the price, so you really
cant go wrong. If I can even get just one full season from a pair I’d be
content. It’s amazing what a difference they make for my ability to get out
in conditions that would have left me on the treadmill in previous years!
Pete
How to these compare to the Yaktrax Run version? Are they worth the $40 price tag?
Haven’t tried the YakTrax Run yet. The biggest issue I have heard of with the shoes here is durability, they tend to break if you run on bare roads. The Run may be more durable, not sure.
Thanks for the Yaktrax Pro review. I just picked up a pair today here in Windsor, Ontario. We got our first heavy snowfall and I’m a relatively new runner and have lost 140 lbs. in the past year, primarily through running. Given that, and the fact that I’m Canadian, I’ll be damned if I let some snow and ice stop me from from getting out on my run. Last night, though, when the snow started falling, I decided to go to the gym with my wife and run on the indoor track rather than risk a slip and fall accident. The first two laps were OK. The next 30 laps (equalling 5K) were about as boring as I ever care to experience again. I decided right then and there that there’s a reason I’ve spent the past year running out-of-doors, and I’m going to do it that way from now on. So I went out and picked up my Yaktrax at the my friendly neighbourhood running store. I figure even if I go through five pair a season (I don’t expect to, but even if I did), it would still be cheaper than a gym membership that I would certainly almost never use. And I agree–running in the winter is amazingly beuatiful and peaceful.
Agree completely. I hate running on the treadmill, and don’t have access to an indoor track. Running in falling snow is one of my favorite things to do in winter!