 Poster: A snowHead
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Been wondering how the Europeans coping with walking on icy surface and hard packed snow. One of the tools is snow chains and another is a rubber under-shoe attachment with metal rivets.
In my last skiing trip to Salzburg I bought several versions of them as gifts to friends. Each is about 15 Euro. The more upmarket ones are by famous snowchain company like Rud. All the chains comes with a small box for carrying around. They are widely available in shoe shops in many European countries.
This week I carried one set just to show them to colleagues in the office. The standard fitment is just two rubber bands linked by steel chains. One rubber band loops through the head of the shoe while the other loops round the heel. This exposes the chains in direct contact with the walking surface.
When I took my usual walk at lunch time I sudden found myself on a sheet of black ice and tried immediately to retreat. Thinking of cutting short of my walk I sudden realised that I had the equipment with me. So I slip the snow chains on the shoes and the result was very impressive.
The metal chains become the high points so they can easily cut or break into the top of the ice due to having a higher contacting pressure from a smaller area of contact. Instead of sliding on the black ice my shoes was as firm as I could plant them. What is more there is no discomfort at all. Although I could feel there is something at the bottom of the shoes similar to stepping on gravel. I proceeded to walk into a car dealer show room. The snow chains made only noise on timber floor and none of floor tile or carpet.
The snow chains for shoes can be regarded as a safety equipment and something worthy to getting hold of in your next skiing trip.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 10-02-10 22:28; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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saikee, Bought my elderly MIL some Rud ones for her Christmas present. She loves them and even slips them on to walk on wet leaf strewn pavements 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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They're really good - and I know as many people who've injured themselves falling on icy pavements than have done so on the piste. Broken wrists, in several cases.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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saikee, if you need any more the Roofbox company stock them.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you drive wearing them do you still need chains on your tyres?
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All well and good, I've been using the rubber with rivet ones since living out here... word of caution though... if used when not snowy or icing they are lethal!!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Samerberg Sue, if it doesn't tell you on the box that you need winter tyres, chains and a helmet, you'd definitely have grounds. You still can't beat stillettos for grip.
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Bode Swiller, needs to be in the appropriate language as well 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Helen Beaumont,
Yes I should have thought of that!
Samerberg Sue,
If the chain catches the accelerator pedal I don't think I would be in a position to sue. More likely it will be the wife's job.
Mind you using it on a Toyota may have a double negative effects cancelling out each other. If this is the case then Toyota can just hand the shoe snow chains out for every recall to save billions.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Good grief, people are walking around Newcastle wearing crampons. 
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Lizzard,
Only poor man's crampons!
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You know it makes sense.
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You used to see them in the small adds at the back of the paper along with systems for doing the pools and devices for cutting your own hair. Inmy local paper, someone wrote a letter about how it would be grat if there were a device with metal spikes that attaches to your shoes in case of inclement weather, how soon we forget.
You have reminded me of advice form the Scout handbook, that you could put large wool socks on over your shoes to obtain grip on snow and ice (this from the days of leather soles).
My good lady bought a pair of snow boots in Morzine bearing the legends 'Alpi; and 'OC system'. You reach down to the sole, fold over the plastic frame that is hinged there and reveal a set of titanium spikes for sole and heel.Basically, built in crampons. She has finally admitted that they cost about a hundred quid more than she told me at the time, but probably worth the money.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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kevindonkleywood
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Surely it is illegal to use shoes with metal inserts on pavements in the UK
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Hmmm... where does that leave Blakeys ?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Decathlon sell the chains. One of my colleagues wore the wooly socks last week!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Our postie was wearing them during the recent snowy spell. Post Office standard issue. There's a thread somewhere with links to pics.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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where does that leave Blakeys
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Im sure its a full 'four stretch' if your caught
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FAQ
They are in my jacket pocket right now though as I'm working from home this week and not using the car.
