Ice fishing cleats – Buying guide, Reviews, and Comparison
We’ve all been faced with a decision we had to make without being entirely sure about the accuracy of our knowledge on the subject. When it comes to your hobby, you should definitely check facts before making a purpose, since the money you invest in gear should be well spent. Fortunately for you, we’ve been doing research on this subject, we’ve read dozens of ice fishing cleats reviews and we bring forward this comprehensive buying guide to give you more information on ice fishing. If you want to know where to find the best ice fishing cleat, stick to our advice! Our findings show that the first product to take into consideration is the ICEtrekkers YAKTRAX STREAMtrekkers, mostly because of its abrasive steel beads that offer you a firm grip on slippery surfaces. Other features that make this item a good choice are the good fit, meaning they can be worn with a variety of footwear, and their small weight, which makes movement a lot easier. Should these be unavailable, we recommend you to try the South Bend Celsius Foot as an excellent second choice.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
A model that offers great resistance and an aggressive grip, the STREAMtrekkers work very well for slippery terrains and include abrasion resistant steel beads in their construction. Given that they only weigh between 8 and 12 ounces by the pair, they are easy to wear around for extended periods.
According to some reviews, this model could use a bit more suppleness for rocky surfaces so that it something you might want to consider if you need them for this particular terrain.
The design makes these cleats easy to attach over almost any type of boot, therefore suitable for a wide range of situations, so don’t hesitate to try them.
2nd Best
Featuring the rugged, non-slip rubberized texture that ensures a firm grip against horizontal surfaces this brand is known for, this model is also easy to put on and take off. Moreover, the special design ensures that these won’t accidentally come off, and their design makes them great for icy terrains.
The special construction makes these work well in an icy environment, but you should be aware that these are not suitable for any other outdoor activities given their design.
Featuring a design that makes them suitable to be worn over almost any type of footwear, these cleats will prove to be a reliable partner in your icy adventures.
Also To Consider
The combination of materials is what sets this model apart from other similar ones. Rubber is the one responsible for keeping the cleats safely attached to your footwear without them accidentally coming off, while the steel elements allow you to move around an icy terrain at a normal pace.
Depending on how they are being used, some users have noted that the rubber might not hold up against the steel, so you should always use them as the manufacturer says.
For secure traction, this model that also features two flexible back plates to prevent snow from building up is one to be taken into consideration.
3 Best Ice Fishing Cleats (Reviews) in 2023
Just in case you can’t make a decision based on the information you have so far, we’ll showcase a few of our favorite products to give you an idea of what you should look for.
1. Streamtrekkers Traction Cleats
Having received mostly positive reviews from customers, the STREAMtrekkers are a good alternative if you’re looking for a model that has great resistance and offers an aggressive grip.
Fit for being used in slippery environments such as slick, mossy rock or a frozen surface, these cleats are made of abrasion resistant steel beads. The hardness of the material used guarantees this item’s efficiency and its longevity all the same.
They only weigh between 8 to 12 ounces a pair, so despite common misconception, they don’t add that much to the weight of your fit, and don’t make moving around much harder. Actually, they do the exact opposite, offering you greater mobility in an environment that restricts your actions.
The design makes it easy to attach these cleats over any type of boots, including those insulated for extremely low temperatures, so you don’t need to worry about sizes. However, we do recommend you to try them on your ice fishing boots before buying, or at least get a few different sizes to fit with all the footwear you use when going fishing.
STREAMtrekkers are comfortable enough to wear on a daily basis, and they can be worn all day long without causing fatigue or damaging the materials.
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2. SouthBend Foot Foot Ice Cleat
The secret that makes these crampons so appreciated by a large number of customers is the high quality of the materials used to manufacture them. For example, it’s the rugged, non-slip rubberized texture that provides the firm grip against the horizontal surface that the Celsius Foot is known for.
They’re easy to put on and comfortable to wear, not to mention they won’t accidentally slip off due to their special design. Despite not having spikes, the texture used is extremely efficient in icy environments.
However, we wouldn’t recommend them for any other type of outdoor activity, so if you think you might solve more than one problem by buying this product you should reconsider.
These cleats can stretch up to the point where they can be worn over almost any type of footwear, so you needn’t worry about that. We would like to remind you to get an appropriate size and make sure they fit nicely over the boots you generally use when going ice fishing.
If you’re looking for a pair of good ice fishing cleats, then the Celsius Foot will offer you the ability to walk at normal speed over frozen surfaces, with a high level of security.
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3. Yaktrax XTR Extreme Outdoor Traction Cleats for Snow and Ice
Yaktrax offers another alternative certainly worth taking into consideration in the form of the XTR Extreme model, a product that can be a little too expensive for some customers but makes up for it by offering many useful features.
One of them would be the combination of materials used to manufacture these cleats. Rubber is mixed with steel in order to obtain the final product that can both perfectly adhere to the boot without accidentally coming off in an unexpected moment and allow you to move at a normal pace on an icy surface.
The durability of this item is guaranteed by the high quality of the materials. Particularly the rubber makes them adjust nicely over many types of fishing boots. All you need to do is choose the right size, and you’re all set for the next season.
If you’re looking for a pair that will offer you secure traction than you’ve found it in the form of the XTR Extreme. They feature two flexible pack plates each in order to prevent snow from building up on the sole of your boots and this way they manage to increase movement safety.
Buy from Amazon.com
Buying guide
Everyone knows how hard it is to find the best cleats for ice fishing, especially in a market overflowing with options. Even though you have to analyze your personal preferences and requirements before heading on to shop for gear, what we can do to help is recommend a few basic rules of determining a product’s quality.
Once you know how to compare between the various models available for sale, you most certainly will have no difficulty picking out the best one for you.
Materials
When it comes to ice fishing cleats, the combination of materials used in the manufacturing process is crucial to the quality of the final outcome. There are many alternatives available, so it falls upon you to know how to choose the one that works best in your case.
For example, many brands sell crampons made of steel on a rubber frame, and this combination is generally acknowledged to work just fine in many circumstances, including other types of outdoor activities.
If you’d like to try something different, you can always go for a pair of cleats made entirely out of rubber, the rugged texture being the element that keeps you from slipping over the icy surface. They might not be multifunctional, but they certainly are a lot more comfortable.
Weight
The weight of such an item influences whether it can offer you the ability to walk at a natural pace over a slippery surface or not. After all, what’s the point in buying cleats if they slow you down just as not having them would?
You should certainly look for lightweight items, as many brands do offer such alternatives. Finally, the best way of telling whether a pair of crampons is light enough to walk in or not is to try them on and see for yourself.
Flexibility
One of the most important aspects to take into consideration when shopping for this type of item is whether it would be easy to use in more circumstances. Ice fishing cleats should be able to deliver their best performance in extreme situation; therefore they need to be easy to put on and secure enough not to accidentally fall off.
However, many customers agree that such a product can be used for more than just one outdoor activity, so it’s worth thinking about this. If you want to save a few pennies and you have more than one hobby, look for a pair that is suitable for both cold environments and mountain trips.
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