1. STABILicers Traction Cleats

One thing we like about these cleats is that they’re easy to wear and remove. You need less than 20 seconds to have them on and even less to remove them.

On top of that, the grippers are designed to provide you with multi-directional stability. This makes it easier for you to walk, run, and brake on ice.

What’s more? The Stabilicers are designed to easily fit on shoes comfortably. But for that to happen, you need to ensure that you pick the right size.

In particular, the “small” fit is meant for men shoes of sizes 4 to 7. But if you’re a woman, the “small” fit would work best for sizes 5 to 8.

The medium size would work best for women shoes of 5 to 12 and men shoes of 6 to 10.

Fortunately, the manufacturer provides you with the details you need to make the right choice as far as size is concerned. Hint: Go for a size larger if buying them for use on double boots.

And what’s more? Each purchase is backed by a 90-day warranty.

Pros

• Made in USA
• 90-Day Warranty
• Offer multi-directional traction
• Easy to put on and remove

Cons

• Difficult to put with the shoes on (remove shoes to get them on)

2. Yaktrax Traction Cleats

The reason these grippers from Yaktrax are so popular is that they’re quite affordable. In fact, they cost almost 50% cheaper than the Stabilicer’s we reviewed earlier.

So, what’s the catch? Well, judging from the different reviews posted about them on Amazon, the manufacturer seems to have infrequent quality control issues.

We came across isolated complaints from users who said that their Yaktrax cleats snapped upon the first use.

Fortunately, the manufacturer provides a 90-day warranty so you can always get any such issues solved if you face them.

We’d also like to say that a majority of those who use these grippers seem to like them. And that’s probably because they provide all-direction stability and are easy to slip on shoes.

Pros

• Light in weight
• Reasonably priced
• Zinc coated steel coils
• Elastic outer band for easy use

Cons

• Manufacturer seems to have quality control issues

3. ICETrekkers Diamond Grip Cleats

One thing we like about these cleats is that they come with diamond-shaped stainless-steel beads. These are held together through what seems like a powerful stainless-steel cable.

We love them because they provide great grip on ice and snow. Besides that, they’re highly durable and can withstand almost any kind of abuse.

So, if you’re looking for something that can last you for a few more winter seasons to come, you might want to give these a shot.

The only issue with them is that they rust pretty easily. So, you may need to spray them with a bit of WD-40 after use.

Also, they don’t come cheap. But given that they last longer than the average ones out there, we think that they provide good value for money in the long-haul.

Pros

• Tough and long-lasting
• Easy to put on and remove
• High-quality sling which remains grippy even in subzero temperatures
• No ice buildup

Cons

• Rust easily

4. Kahtoola Microspikes Traction

Number 4 on our list is this great pair from Micro Spikes. We like the fact that it’s designed to work pretty well both on wet and muddy surfaces.

The pair has a good design and generally seems well made.

For instance, they’re made from heat-treated 400 series stainless steel. That’s a special kind of steel that contains chromium, manganese, and high carbon content.

This gives the material a crystalline-like structure that makes it highly resistant to wear and tear. In fact, this is the same material used in motor-shafts and gas turbine exhaust silencers. So, you can imagine just how tough it is.

That said, the material is still susceptible to rust and corrosion. Fortunately, it is heat-treated which hardens it for many more years of use.

You only need to apply grease on it every so often.

Pros

• Good grip
• 2-year warranty
• Easy to get on and off
• Seem durable

Cons

• Proper maintenance needed to prevent rusting

5. Unigear 18-Spike Ice & Snow Grips

If you’re looking for some badass cleats that are also reasonably priced, these ones from Unigear might be worth a try. The first thing we like about them is that they come with 18 spikes.

12 of these spikes are meant to provide forefoot support and the remaining 6 are for the heels. The spikes seem quite well-made and the gauge of the stainless-steel material used to make them seems just perfect.

Looking at the design of these grippers, we’d say they’re perfectly suited for ice fishing missions especially when those involve carrying heavy luggage.

On the flip side, though, they don’t seem like the best bet for 360-degree grip judging from the distribution of the 18 spikes.

Fortunately, that doesn’t seem like a major issue to hundreds of its reviewers who seem to agree on the fact that this pair has good traction.

And on top of that, you’ve got to love the fact that this set from Unigear comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. So, it’s either the shoes work for you or you return them for a replacement or refund.

How cool is that?

Pros

• Very sturdy
• Remain snug on boots
• Good traction on ice
• Can be used for running on ice

Cons

• Wobbly on slushy snow

6. Hillsound Trail Crampon

One thing we really like about the Hillsound Trail Crampons is that their spikes are intelligently distributed for a good feel and grip.

The spikes at the forefoot position of the sole are designed to penetrate deeper into the ice thereby providing you with an easy time walking on such surfaces.

That said, such spikes would not be ideal for indoor use. They’d damage almost anything they come into contact with.

Other than that, these seem like well-made cleats for fishing with on icy conditions. They’re equipped with flexible plates that provide comfortable support.

What’s more? The body of these crampons is made from high-quality thermoplastic combined with top-quality Velcro top strap.

Pros

• Good grip
• Comfortable for long hour walks
• Well-distributed spikes
• Comes with a convenient pouch

Cons

• Rust easily but that can be prevented by greasing
• Some orders arrive with missing pouches

7. Climkiz Ice Cleats with 18 Stainless-Steel Spikes

If you’re looking for grippers that are easy to put on and remove, these ones from Climkiz would be a good option. On top of that, their spikes are evenly distributed to provide all-direction traction.

So, we happen to think that these would be great options for walking, running and even making fast turns on the ice.

Besides that, the studs are embedded in thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is durable and stretchy. That’s precisely the reason why they provide such a great fit over different shoes.

To top it all up, each one of them comes with a chain system meant to keep the crampons firmly in place. This provides great traction while keeping all the spikes intact even when you walk on tough and challenging surfaces.

Small qualms with the otherwise perfect pair would be that their spikes are quite big and may not do well in conditions that demand microspikes.

You may use them for extreme hiking and climbing but they are not ideal for walking across icy surfaces.

So, if you’re looking for simple grippers for casual outdoor use, you might want to look elsewhere. These are for climbing and navigating through extreme conditions.

Pros

• Ideal for working on hillsides
• Affordably priced
• Seem well made
• Provide a great fit over shoes

Cons

• Not ideal for casual strolls on ice
• Uncomfortable on concrete surfaces

8. Willceal Steel Stud Cleats

For the budget shoppers in the house, these cool kids might be worth a shot – but only if you’re prepared to stomach their downsides.

The first thing we like about them is that they are soft and pliable. And for that reason, they are easy to put on and remove.

They are not as thick as the crampons reviewed earlier but certainly make for a great choice for casual strolls on ice.

The set would also be ideal for ice fishing ventures provided the trip doesn’t involve climbing icy hills or something of that fort.

Other than that, these seem like great quality, must-have tools for everyday use. They are partly made from TPE which provides them with a great fit over shoes of different sizes.

Talking about shoes, these can work with almost all kinds of shoes be they double boots, climbing boots, and sports shoes. And that’s really a good thing if versatility is your craving.

Pros

• Easy to put on and remove
• Ideal for daily, casual use
• Affordably priced
• Great fit over different kinds of shoes
• Evenly distributed spikes

Cons

• Feel cheaply made
• Not ideal for extreme tasks e.g. climbing icy hills

9. Quik Solve Walking Grip Spikes

Unless you’re planning to go fish in the extreme corners of Alaska, these cleats from Quik Solve should be enough for most tasks that involve walking on ice. And as a bonus, they come with reflective heel strips for added safety when walking in dark or poorly lit conditions.

On top of that, their clasps and cords are designed to provide them with a great and snug fit. And for that reason, you can easily run in them without worrying that they might come off of your shoes.

A closer look at these pups reveals that they come with 5-point spikes. That is 5-point heels and 5-point ball-of-foot arrangement.

Of course, the idea behind that is to provide a good grip and even distribution of pressure as you walk on different surfaces. This also minimizes the risk of falls and injury.

Another we like about the Quik Solve design of these grippers is that they hardly accumulate ice as you walk in them.

So, your shoes remain light and grippy.

The only gripe with them is that their spikes are quite tiny. As such, they’re meant for use in conditions favorable to microspikes.

Fortunately, most forms of ice fishing adventures fall in that category.

But if you combine fishing with a bit of hiking and climbing, these aren’t the right kinds of cleats to get. For such tasks, we’d highly recommend going for pairs with longer spikes to allow for deeper penetration into the ice and better traction.

Other than that, this is a fantastic pair. Plus, they’re so light, you probably won’t even notice you’re wearing them.

Pros

• Good grip even for heavy people
• Light and ergonomic
• Reasonably priced
• Reflective heel strips for extra safety

Cons

• The studs wear out easily
• Buy a size large if buying them for boots