Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I've wanted to try this, so finally got around to it. gonna be a little while until I can test them, still nursing a sore back from intervals on my treadmill at 9mph...yes that was dumb

or you could just jam more little rocks in there : )

You'll be amazed at the traction. I've been doing that for years.

While it's pretty condition-specific, they work incredibly well on the slick parts and really give peace of mind. I have found that flatter, road soles (rather than lugged soles) hold the screws longer.

I didn't know it was thing until I was the start line of a trail half marathon in November. people were chatting about putting screws in their shoes. previously, I had only been aware of track spikes that require shoes with threaded inserts. I have no idea if my screws will stay in place, but worth a shot

Cool project! Are off the shelf studded running shoes not available in USA? And will you remove the screws when the ice disappears?

Studded running shoes are common here and almost a must have for running at any elevation from November to May.

I use a pair of VJ Sarva D'vil
https://www.vjsport.fi/devil.html
These work ok but I notice that my legs hurt more after running on ice than normal.

Other more known brands such as Salomon make them as well.

Screwies!

I've done this for a few seasons. The soles survive just fine when you take the screws out for the summer. You can reuse the spikes for a couple of winters and use the same shoes in the summer (something you can’t do with Inov-8 Arctic Claws, or whatever your choice of snow trail shoe is). This winter I’ve been running in rubber strap-on spikes because we simply haven’t had enough ice.

These ones are good, but they're just screws really

https://www.goatheadgear.com/pages/sole-spikes

Works on wading (fishing) boots. Great for moss covered rocks.

In Alaska, we just use Kahtoola Microspikes over your shoe of choice. do steep winter hikes all season long on snow and use them also when muddy or on wet icy boulders. I'm on my 3rd pair in 12 yrs.

Any advantage of the shoes you are using?

This was a multiday traverse in Sept 2018:

I just bought 1/2" sheet metal screws from the local home improvement store. you want the fine point screws, not the "self tapping" screws that have more of spade bit tip. I saw no reason to buy special shoes or special "ice spikes". we will see what the result is when I get a chance to use them. its TBD if the screws stay in place over lots of miles. I do expect some attrition.

You can do that with your ski boots too. It is great for sections that are too bumpy/icy to ski. They're also good for slippery parking lots on the way to the trail. I have hundreds of miles with these and no damage to the bindings or ski deck.