- How long can I expect my Yaktrax to last?
The answer totally depends upon the surfaces your walking on. If you walk primarily on ice and packed snow you can expect them to last for years. If you walk on patches of dry sidewalk and patches of ice you can obviously expect them to wear out sooner since the dry patches will cause the steel coils to wear out faster. If you walk on sharp objects you can expect the straps to wear out faster.
If you know you're going to be walking in harsher conditions or if you know you're going to be walking longer distances you're better off buying the Yaktrax Pro because the straps are made from a thicker, tougher real rubber compound and the stainless steel coils are heavier duty.
Yaktrax does mention that your Yaktrax will last longer if you periodically straighten the coils with a pliers. I don't know of anyone who actually does that...I know I don't. They're just not that expensive to go to a lot of trouble. When they start to wear out you replace them...they're inexpensive.
Regardless of your walking conditions or how you treat your Yaktrax, they're guaranteed for 90 days from the date of purchase.
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- Why don't you offer a free carrying case?
I had one customer ask me this but I'm sure it crosses other people's minds. I'm always looking for ways to give my customers more for their money so I looked into it. The cases I found that I could afford to give away were not waterproof and not watertight. Most people carry Yaktrax in their pockets...purses...brief cases...etc. But one of the things you'd look for is that the case be waterproof and watertight.
Another problem I had with the samples was that they didn't open wide at the top and putting the Yaktrax in the bag was a hassle. If it's a hassle you probably won't use it...at least I wouldn't.
The sample bags added bulk. One of the really great things about Yaktrax is that they're flexible so you can fold them up and stick them in your pocket. That got more difficult with the carrying bag and again I don't think people will use it.
So instead of investing the few cents these bags actually cost I decided instead to continue to give you free, fast, upgraded 2-day shipping. I'm not citicizing my competitors who do offer a carrying bag because maybe they had better luck finding something worthwhile.
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If you really want the world's best Yaktrax carrying case, use a common, large plastic freezer bag with the tab that seals it across the top. It's waterproof...watertight...opens wide at the top so it's easy to get your Yaktrax in and out...and it's not bulky!
Not that I think it matters if they did, but nobody sees you use it anyway if you're using your Yaktrax safely and taking them off before you go indoors. If you loose it...so what...you have five or more in the kithchen droor. If it starts to look ratty, throw it out and pull out a new one.
The only thing you want to remember is to open up the bag when you get home so it can dry out.
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- I've heard that some competing products last longer than Yaktrax. Is that true?
Yes, it's true. Some quality competing products have replaceable spikes which is a great feature. But the competing products have some drawbacks to consider. For example, they're rigid...not flexible. You can't just fold them up and stick them in your pocket or purse. Even if you could you wouldn't because they have sharp spikes. So there are many situations when you won't have them when you need them. Competing products require that you walk a certain way...a different way than you normally do...for them to be most effective. When you use Yaktrax you just put them over your shoes and walk normally. And customers have told me that Yaktrax are easier to put on and work better than competing products and fit over more types and sizes of shoes. Finally...most importantly...regardless of how you walk or how easy they are to put on, Yaktrax give you the best traction on the ice...period.
The bottom line is that for most people having the most effective product on the market, when and where you need it, far outweighs how long a competing product might last if you don't have it when you need it. I've had my original pair for over three years and I'm still using them. But, even if you had to replace them every year, doesn't make more sense to use the device that gives you the best chance for avoiding a fall? Would you pay $17.97 a year, twenty cents or less per day, to minimize the chance for a broken hip or worse? Yaktrax claims they have 100 times more biting edges than spiked devices. But to me even if Yaktrax were just 10% more effective I would use them because the potential consequences of a fall are just too huge.
This online store is here to serve you. I sell Yaktrax because I think it's the absolute best product to keep you from slipping on the ice. If you disagree and feel I should be offering the spiked products in addition to Yaktrax, Click here to let me know and I will happy to carry them for you. And I promise I'll give you the best price and service on the Internet.
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- Will Yaktrax work in deep snow?
No. Yaktrax are made for walking on ice or packed snow. That's because there is no surface for the coils to grip in deeper snow.
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- Can I use one pair of Yaktrax for all my shoes?
For the vast majority of us the answer is yes. But you have to use common sense. For example, if a man wears a size 10½ shoe Yaktrax recommends a Medium. If this man has a normal size boot there should be no problem using a Medium Yaktrax. But if the boot is extremely heavy duty and oversized the same man may need a Large Yaktrax. I think the best idea for a case like this is to get the Medium Yaktrax and immediately try it on your boots. It should go on easily without having to stretch it excessively. If excessive force is required you need the larger size for the boots...it's as simple as that. For most of us one Yaktrax will be sufficient for regular shoes and boots.
On the same note, don't automatically buy the larger size to fit the boot and the regular shoe because come off your shoe. You want the Yaktrax to fit snugly.
One other point about Yaktrax sizes. Yaktrax tend to run small in my opinion. If your shoe size is at the top of a size range, get the next larger size. If you're not sure what size to buy, call me or email me with your shoe size(s) and I will help you decide which size Yaktrax is best for you.
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- Can you absolutely guarantee 2-Day Delivery?
No. I can guarantee I will get them shipped either the same day the order is received or, at the latest, the next mail day. From then on it's in the hands of the post office. To date their performance has been outstanding which is enhanced by the fact that I am located close to a major hub. But weather conditions in other parts of the country may also cause delays in delivery. I have had very few problems using USPS Priority Mail.
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- Will the Yaktrax Pro give me better traction than a Yaktrax Walker?
For regular winter activities the answer is no. The Pro is heavier duty and will withstand more punishment and last longer. However, for outdoor work and winter sports the Pro will give you better traction simply because it has a Velcro support strap to help keep it in place.
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- Do Yaktrax actually work?
Yes, Yaktrax will far exceed your expectations. I can tell you this from personal experience. I have used Yaktrax, primarily the Yaktrax Walker, in some of the worst icy conditions you can imagine and they have performed flawlessly for me. Do I absolutely guarantee you can't fall? No, I can't do that because it is impossible to make that guarantee. I can tell you I have not had a single slip of close call since I own them. I do guarantee that you'll love your Yaktrax because I give you a full cash back satisfaction guarantee. If they didn't work I couldn't do that.
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- Are Yaktrax good for women who are pregnant?
Yes. Because a fall on the ice could injure both Mom and baby. But you do have to be able to take them off before you go indoors because Yaktrax can be extremely slippery on dry, smooth surfaces. If you have a problem putting them on and off because of the bending required I still recommend them highly but you'll need someone to help you put them on and take them off.
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- What are WinterTrax?
WinterTrax are an extremely low cost alternative to the Yaktrax Walker. It's basically a one size fits all approach. Like most one size fits all products they do not stay on your shoes very well and are designed for very limited, light use. I don't carry them. They are in no way a substitute for the original Yaktrax Walker or new Yaktrax Pro.
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- Somebody told me that Yaktrax will harm your hiking boots. Is that true?
This is not a frequently asked question and the person who asked it could not tell me how it was suggested that Yaktrax could possibly harm hiking boots. But I included it anyway because it surprised me it was asked even once.
Yaktrax will not harm your dress shoes and especially not harm your hiking boots. Only the elastomer strap (or rubber strap on the Yaktrax Pro) comes in contact with the upper surface of your shoes. No metal comes in contact with any part of your shoe. Noting sharp comes in contact with your shoe because there's nothing sharp on Yaktrax. I have never heard of Yaktrax harming any type of shoe.
If anyone reading this knows of any case where Yaktrax damaged any sort of shoe I would ask you to please email me and let me know how that occurred. I will put that warning on the website. But until I actually receive that email with a convincing case I will continue to tell you that Yaktrax will not harm any shoe or boot because I've used them for years and have experienced absolutely no damage.
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Click here to find more Frequently Asked Questions about Yaktrax...
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