That was last winter and so far the Yaktrax Pro has served me well. I have used them winter hiking, getting around town and shoveling the drive. The coiled springs really do help provide the traction you need. They are fairly easy to put on though I would recommend sitting down to do so. Pulling them on standing up is fine but may require practice and is best suited for those with confident balance and flexibility.

For indoors you must be very careful or remove them altogether particularly for hard surfaces as the coils don't provide the designed traction and can potentially scuff up a nice finish. I have a beat up wood floor in my place and the Yaktrax don't seem to cause any extra damage but I just can't recommend these for any surface you are concerned about scratching.

There are two models currently available - the Yaktrax Walker and the Yaktrax Pro - the only difference being a velcro strap on the Pro that goes over the top of your boot or shoe. This is marketed for more active winter users - winter running etc. If you are going to be moving fast, coming down hills or through mixed terrain I recommend going with the Pro, otherwise the Walker should be fine and a good choice for general winter use and good for older folks as well.

Winter is just now really settling in here in the mountains so I will probably be putting these to a lot more use. Check back later for my further impressions and review for the Yaktrax Pro.

Shop for deals on Yaktrax at eBay:

YAKTRAX WALKER ICE SNOW TRACTION CLEAT SPIKE SHOE MED.    US $15.15

NIB YAKTRAX WALKER SIZE M SPIKELESS TREADS FOR ICE SNOW    US $3.99

Shop for deals on Yaktrax at Amazon:

	Yaktrax List Price: $19.95

	YakTrax Set of 2 Ultra Light WinterTrax Snow and Ice Set

I use a pair of Outdoor Research Flex-Tex gaiters and have owned a couple pairs. The stretchy fabric fits to your footwear easily and they close up with Velcro, have a front hook and nylon lace that runs underneath to hold them down. If you cover a lot of ground the lace will start to wear out but is replaceable and there is a good trick to extend it's life which we will touch on in a later post.

Outdoor Research also makes their Rocky Mountain Low gaiter which seem to be about the same size but not made out of stretchable fabric.

Outdoor Research Flex-Tex Low Gaiter Excellent for day hikes on damp days and cross-country ski shoes during snowy dumps, these Outdoor Research Flex-Tex Low Gaiters feature a Spandura fabric that stretches to mold over your boot and shoe contours. A 1-in. wide Velcro closure in front helps keep everything attached although you can use the boot lace hook to minimize tight-fit tension. The included nylon instep laces withstand plenty of wear through several seasons.

	Rocky Mountain Low Gaiter by Outdoor Research List Price: $24.95 Average Rating: