Yaktrax Frequently Asked Questions Page 2

What should I do if I have ordered my Yaktrax according to the sizing chart and they do not fit properly?

What if my Yaktrax break?

We don't get a lot of ice and snow where I live.
Do I really need Yaktrax?
 
If Yaktrax are so good why haven't I heard about them before?

Why don't you give free return shipping for size exchanges?

I've seen less expensive ice traction devices that don't have spikes or any traction on the heel.
Are Yaktrax better?

Why are they called Yaktrax?

I heard Yaktrax break if you wear them hiking over rough terrain. Is that true?

Someone told me that they had trouble with Yaktrax slipping off their shoes. Is this a common problem?

Will Yaktrax work on NEOS boots (and other overshoe type boots in general)?

I heard Yaktrax can pinch your toes when they're on sneakers or running shoes.
Is this true?

• What should I do if I have ordered my Yaktrax according to the sizing chart and they do not fit properly?
   
  Simply call me at 888-205-4477 and I will make sure that you get a pair of Yaktrax that fits properly.
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• What if my Yaktrax break?
   
  Yaktrax are guaranteed for 90 Days from the date of purchase by the manufacturer. While Yaktrax have been extremely reliable one will occasionally fail within that period from time to time. I handle my own warranty replacements and do it a lot faster than the manufacturer. Simply call me at 888-205-4477.
   
  Of course I encourage people to buy Yaktrax before the bad weather arrives so they're ready for it. If you feel that your Yaktrax failed in an unreasonably short period of time from the time you first started using them call Implus Footcare LLC at 1-800-446-7587 and explain the situation to them. Implus is an incredibly good company that stands behind their products. But if you would experience a problem you can call me at 888-205-4477.
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• We don't get a lot of ice and snow where I live. Do I really need Yaktrax?
   
  Yes. If you get one icy day every couple of years...you need Yaktrax...because it only takes one fall to seriously injure yourself. It's the same as asking whether you need fire insurance for your home because your house will probably never burn down. Do you not have health insurance because you don't have a serious illness often? For just $17.95 you can assure yourself that...if it's icy...even once...you minimize the chances of slipping and seriously injuring yourself. Is there a better way to spend $17.95 ?
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• If Yaktrax are so good why haven't I heard about them before?
    
  Yaktrax are relatively new and have only been out for a few years. Still it absolutely astounds me that more people don't know about them. I'm doing my best to correct that situation.
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• Why are they called Yaktrax?
   
  They are named after the surefooted Tibetan Yak. But the concept really has nothing to do with the Yak. The idea originated by observing how Sherpas would tie strips of leather around their shoes to get traction on ice.
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• I heard Yaktrax break if you wear them hiking over rough terrain. Is that true?
  
  Yes, it's true. That's not what they're for. The Yaktrax Walker uses an elastomer compound that's tough but that could get cut if you're walking of sharp or jagged rocks. The Yaktrax Pro uses a stronger rubber compound but again if you're walking or hiking in rough terrain with sharp edges they probably will get sliced. It doesn't make Yaktrax a bad product. It simply means someone is picking the wrong tool for the job.
  
  There are products that will definitely last longer walking on sharp or jagged rocks. But those products won't stretch over most your shoes. You won't be able to fold them up and carry them in your pocket. You won't get the amazing traction Yaktrax give you on ice and packed snow on the surfaces the overwhelming majority of people who need Yaktrax actually walk on in the winter. Examples would include walking to the mailbox...across icy parking lots...or jogging on a icy sidewalk, street or jogging path. That's what yaktrax are designed to do and they do an absolutely fantastic job and they hold up well.
   
  New! Click here to find out about Yaktrax XTR Extreme which are specifically designed for off road, rough terrain applications.
   
  If you need ice cleats for rough terrain check out ICEGRIPS© Ice Cleats or GRIP-X© Ice Cleats. You won't find tougher, better designed industrial grade ice cleats designed for rough terrain.
  
  If you're not sure whether Yaktrax are the right choice for you, you can take comfort in knowing that Yaktrax are guaranteed for 90 days no matter how you use (or misuse) them.
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• Someone told me that they had trouble with Yaktrax slipping off their shoes. Is this a common problem?
   
  No. When this happens the most common reason is that the Yaktrax are too large. Yaktrax also work best on shoes that have a lip. If a particular shoe has no lip Yaktrax might be more prone to slip off. Lastly many people confuse Wintertrax with Yaktrax. Wintertrax are a one-size-fits-all, low cost, extremely limited use alternative to Yaktrax and look similar to Yaktrax. Since the names sound alike they're often confused. Wintertrax don't stay on your shoes nearly as well as true Yaktrax.
   
  If you occasionally walk through deeper snow you always pick the Yaktrax Pro because the Velcro Support Strap helps to keep the Yaktrax from getting pulled off your shoes of boots. If you routinely walk through deeper snow as well a s packed snow you should consider Spare Spike Ice Cleats or
  Altragrips-Lite Low Profile Ice Cleats since they are designed to work in ice, packed snow, deep snow, and slush.
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• Will Yaktrax work on NEOS boots (and other overshoe type boots in general)?
   
  For those of you not familiar with them, NEOS are innovative boots that actually fit over your shoes. I've only had one experience with getting Yaktrax to work with them. Because they are well insulated and very large in comparison to the regular shoe size a person wears you must order Yaktrax two sizes larger than the sizing charts suggest. So someone with a shoe size falling into the small range would require a large. A person with a shoe size falling into the medium size range would be forced to buy the Pro XL. Yaktrax will not work on NEOS if your regular shoe size falls in the large range or the Pro XL range.
  
  Keep in mind that if you want Yaktrax for your regular shoes and your NEOS (overshoes) you will have to order two pairs.
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• Why don't you give free shipping for size exchanges or replacements?
   
  I have free shipping for orders totaling $30 or more and just $4 for smaller orders. The stores granting free shipping "both ways" for size exchanges are charging from $5 to $10 more than I do for every pair of Yaktrax they sell. So you're essentially paying for shipping and people buying more than one pair are paying the shipping for other people's size exchanges. I go out of my way to make sure you get the right size in the first place by giving you more information on the website and better personal knowledge over the phone. So the vast majority of you do get the right size with their initial order. It doesn't make sense to charge everyone so much more for Yaktrax when the problem impacts so few people.
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• I heard Yaktrax can pinch your toes when they're on sneakers or running shoes.
  Is this true?
   
  

  Yaktrax on a sneaker with a soft toe. You can see how it deforms the front of the sneaker. But if the Yaktrax is centered and put on properly this isn't usually a problem.

  You can experience pinching with Yaktrax on soft running shoes if the Yaktrax are too small or not centered on the front of the sneaker. The picture on the right shows how they should be positioned.
  You don't want any part of the coils above the sole and you want it centered so the stretch coil is not pressing against your big toe. Positioning need not be as precise on a cross-training shoe or any sneaker or running shoe with thicker material across the toe.
  If you just can't position it so you're comfortable you should consider the Jordan David Spare Spike Ice Cleats where you shoe slips into a sleeve and the pressure is evenly distributed over the entire front of your sneaker. They also stay on better in deep snow.
  
  

  Picture showing how Spare Spike Ice Cleats fit over your sneaker. This makes them slightly harder to put on but it's easy to see why it would be more comfortable and they won't come off if you walk through deeper snow. And using this method you really can't put them on improperly.

  
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• I have seen less expensive ice traction devices that don't have spikes or any traction on the heel. Are Yaktrax better?
   
  I'll let you answer the question by asking you a question. When you take a normal step, what part of your shoe makes contact with the ground first? Your heel, right? So what happens if there is no traction on the heel? I would think you're going to slip and once you lose traction... just like with a car... it's tough to re establish that traction. I think heel traction is critical. And the people who make that traction device must have instructions about some special way you have to walk for them to work. I wouldn't recommend them.
  
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