Ice cleats or ice grippers as some call them are an essential part of ice fishing. They prevent accidental slips and leaving you to focus on going deeper into the ice so you can make the most of the moment. But which removable ice cleat is best to invest in?
The following few paragraphs focus on some of the best-rated crampons. And toward the end, we’ll disclose which choice is, in our view, the best to go for and why.
Best Ice Fishing Cleats Reviews – How to Choose
Before we start to list down some of the top choices available, it’s important that you’re aware of what to look for. That way, you can easily make an independent choice.
Fit
Good traction cleats are ones that comfortably fit over your shoes.
Durability
They should be made of high-strength material e.g. stainless-steel coils, aircraft-grade cables, etc.
Practicality
Top cleats are ones made in such a manner that they’re self-clearing to prevent a buildup of snow.
Stability
It’s important that the grippers you settle for provide you with all-direction stability for a comfortable walking experience.
Affordability
Of course, you don’t want to break the bank for trekkers. Good ones typically go for between 20 and 50 bucks.
Now that you have a rough idea of what the best ice fishing cleats look like, it’s time to focus on some top picks.
Which One Is the Best?
Each one of the cleats that made it to this list did so on merit. However, if we were to settle for just one of them, it’d have to be either the STABILicers Traction Cleats or Yaktrax Traction Cleats.
The STABILicers Traction Cleats are great if durability is what you’re after and can afford to spend a few more dollars in exchange for heavy-duty stuff.
On their part, the Yaktrax Traction Cleats are just good enough if you’re on a tight budget or this is your first-time buying ice grippers and just want to test the waters.
Final Thoughts
Ice fishing doesn’t have to be a slippery and dangerous affair. As long as you arm yourself with the best ice fishing cleats, you can have an easy time fighting feisty fish and operating your gadgets. It’s our hope that the buying guide, reviews, and recommendations above will help you make the right find.