Screw Shoes – It’s the Cat’s Meow!

There is a solution to running on icy sidewalks and trails. There’s what normal people do (buy something to put on the bottom of your shoes), or what I’ve done (modify my shoes).

Too cheap for Yak Trax? Assuming the winter season is too short to splurge on a pair?

Why not try screws in your shoes. Yeah. That’s right. Get an old pair of shoes and screw in some sheet metal screws in from the bottom. It’s amazing how well this works on ice. I’ve used this pair of screwed shoes for my winter cross country races for the last several years.

I did get a pair of Yak Trax for Christmas, but they were prompty stolen by my daughter for her winter races. Then we found another pair at a garage sale. But alas, I have two daughters, so the other daughter claimed them for her race. So I’m back to the trusty screw shoes.

Supplies: 20 x #8 – 3/8″ or 1/2″ sheet metal screws (10 per shoe). Take the biggest diameter you can find. Number 8 works great for me.

Tools: 1 screwdriver

Let them stick out just a bit (maybe the thickness of the head)

AND DON’T WALK ON THE HARDWOOD FLOOR!!

Screws – the poor man’s yak tracks

Yak Trax work great, but only when you can find them in with all your other running stuff (and no one else is using them)

Seen on my run – Epitaph

Memorial to someone who loved to explore Jasper National Park. I’m envious that I don’t get to explore there more often.