Ice Cleats for Fishing Compared

Reasons to Wear Cleats While Ice Fishing

Choosing Quality Ice Fishing Cleats

Gripping Power

What good are your ice cleats if they don't provide grip on the slick, icy surface? Some grip is better than none, but make sure that you buy the right spikes for the conditions in which you plan to use them. The more cleats attached to the bottom, the better they will grip the ice and prevent falling.

Tread Style

This will determine much of the gripping power of your cleats. Most ice fishing spikes are made of metal, rubber, plastic, or a combination of all three. Metal cleats are generally designed for extreme grip and can even be used for mountaineering, but they are much heavier. Plastic and rubber spikes provide less traction but are cheaper by comparison. Decide where you will be using your ice cleats, and make a decision based on that.

Usage

You should determine in what conditions you will be using your new ice fishing treads. If you plan to use them in extremely icy and snowy weather, then your best option is a pair of metal cleats or boots.

This also applies if you plan to fish on a lake that is difficult to reach on foot. If the lake that you are fishing on is easily accessible, then some ice fishing shoes should do that trick.

They are more comfortable to walk in. Some ice fishing boots are also made for mountaineering, so if you plan to hike, then invest in boots.

Flexibility and Ease of Use

Most ice fishing spikes are easy to use once you get them on your feet. Some of them may be slipped on over your shoes, while others may be built into the shoe itself.

It may take a minute to get used to the extra traction, so be careful on your first time out. Keep in mind that the cleats should be flexible enough for you to walk comfortably.

Safety Features

Fit and Adjustability

Most of the ice fishing cleats we cover below come with multiple adjustability points. There is usually a strap on the toe and heel, which allow you to make them perfectly adjusted over your shoes. The best way to get a perfect fit is to measure your foot and follow the sizing guide listed for the brand of cleats you want.

Price

Everyone has a budget when they are shopping for something new. We have included a wide range of ice fishing cleats to suit every budget. The good news is that most over-the-shoe style cleats are relatively inexpensive. I recommend sticking within your budget to find the best value to suit you.

1. Stabilicers

If you’re reading this buyer’s guide to find the best option, then this is the product for you. We named the Stabilicers model as our top pick for ice fishing cleats. They are simply the best for safety and traction in icy conditions.

Stabilicers has incorporated the best technology in a simple slip-on ice cleat. They have 34 replaceable hardened steel cleats. They are laid out in a simple outer ring to inner ring design with extra support on the heel. They come with velcro attachments so that they can easily slip over your fishing boots or shoes. The hardened plastic sole is flexible yet durable to last you for many winter seasons.

2. Hillsound Trail Crampon

One of the first things that people do while shopping is look at the customer ratings of a product. The Hillsound Trail Crampon is the best-rated ice fishing cleat in this roundup. It is designed for densely packed snow and ice to keep ice anglers on their feet.

The Hillsound Trail model is designed with 11 crampon spikes. There are seven placed strategically in the front, which is where most of the pressure lies when you walk. The other four spikes are on the heel. They come with an elastomer harness and stainless steel chains that keep the cleats in place. Since there is not a hard plated sole, these crampons are flexible and easy to walk in.

3. ICETRAX Pro

Some cleats are designed for heavy packed snow and hiking. If you’re just going out on the lake to fish, then you won’t need the big crampon spikes. You should opt for some creepers instead. We named the Icetrax Pro as the best ice fishing creepers without spikes.

These Icetrax Pro creepers are designed to be low profile and easy to walk in. They feature small tungsten carbide notches that grip the ice in light snow conditions. Icetrax’s StayON toe cap ensures that these creepers won’t get lost in the snow. As an added safety feature, they have reflective strips on heels. It ensures that you'll be visible in low light conditions.

I thought that these creepers were lightweight and comfortable. I was surprised at how low profile they were. I almost forgot I was even wearing them. The small rubberized cleats work great for ice fishing, but I don’t recommend taking them out in heavily packed snow or on a hike.

4. Stabilicers Walk Traction

The main reason every angler should invest in cleats is to increase traction while on the ice. So, why not choose the best ice fishing spikes for traction? We chose the Stabilicers Walk Traction cleats for this category. They feature unmatched traction spikes for walking around your ice fishing shanty.

Another Stabilicers product that shines above the competition; this model features 24 micro spikes designed to increase surface area and keep you upright. The spikes are made of hardened steel that is durable and corrosion-resistant.

The elastomer toe cap will ensure that the cleats stay on your shoes. This is one of the only products that features full sole coverage. The best feature of this product is the full coverage, multidirectional microspikes. They are perfect for walking on frozen lakes. I liked that they were lightweight and easy to store.

5. Yaktrax Pro

If you’re a bargain hunter and avid ice angler, then look no further than this pair of cleats. The Yaktrax Pro are the best cheap ice fishing cleats on the market. They are designed differently than the other products in this review. They don’t have the hard spikes but instead have coil wrapped threads.

These cleats are perfect for light snow and walking on frozen lakes. They feature abrasion-resistant stainless steel coils that offer full sole coverage. The coil-wrapped rubber allows you to grip onto the snow by creating small lesions in the snow. They provide 360 degrees of cover with all-direction stability.

6. ICETrekkers Diamond Grip

All ice fishermen need simply designed gear that will allow them to get in and out of it quickly. The IceTrekkers Pro Dimond Grip is the best removable ice grips on the market. They can be taken off and put back on in seconds.

IceTrekkers has designed a superb pair of ice grips that will keep you on your feet when you’re reeling in your next big catch. They come with hardened steel beads that offer full coverage in packed snow conditions. They have a self-clearing design that keeps the snow from getting stuck in the rivets. The steel rivets are strung on tremendously durable aircraft cable.

7. OuterStar Ice & Snow Grips

How to Properly Use Ice Fishing Cleats

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect pair from our list of top-rated products above, I’m sure you are wondering how to use them.

Ice fishing cleats are relatively easy to use and put on. For the cleats above that come with an elastomer harness, you simply place the toe cap of your boot into the harness and stretch it over towards the heel.

For ice fishing spikes that have velcro straps or chains, you need to place the toe of your shoe in first and tighten the strap until it’s comfortable. Pull the remaining chains or straps over the sole of your shoe to the heel. Adjust all the straps to make sure they are snug.

Most low profile cleats are easy to walk in, but crampon style spikes are more difficult. When wearing your ice cleats, I recommend walking on solid ground first before attempting to walk on ice. That way, you can get a feel for how the cleats will affect your gait. Always step lightly on ice and snow so that you can see how thick the snowfall is.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How can I care for my ice cleats after using them?

You should always store your ice fishing cleats in a dry place after each use. Make sure that you dry them thoroughly before you put them away. Most of the products above are made of steel, so if they aren’t dried properly, they can rust. I recommend spraying them with WD40 to prevent rusting.

What’s the difference between ice cleats and ice grippers?

Ice cleats normally have some nano spikes, crampons, or beads that will dig into the ice. Ice grippers have small chains, coils, or rubber that help you grip the ice.

Is it possible to find boots with built-in ice cleats?

Yes. The products we have suggested above are all removable ice cleats, but there are options for boots that have built-in rubber or metal studs.

Are boot ice creepers the same thing as ice cleats?

They are similar; however, ice creepers generally have smaller cleats. Ice cleats are usually bigger and similar to spikes.

Conclusion