«Previous    Next»
Rubber Boots Fitted With Metal Ice Gripper Cleats
When weather conditions become icy and walking treacherous, I pull on a pair of used rubber boots fitted with metal ice gripper cleats that I added to the soles. It lets me walk with more confidence on ice.
    I pounded 1 1/2-in. roofing nails in 3 rows into the boot heel from the inside, and 18 to 20 roofing nails in 6 or 7 rows into the front part of the boot, spacing the nails about 1 1/2 in. apart. A staple puller was used to cut off the excess length. I make sure to wear shoes with smooth soles inside the boots so they don’t catch on the protruding nail heads.
    As the nails wear down I replace them with new ones. The boots shown in the photo are on their third set of cleats, and I avoid walking on cement to help keep them from wearing down. I got the idea from my growing up years in the 1950’s and 60’s, when it was still legal for Minnesotans to put studs on car tires. (John Lubinski, Plainview, Minn.; jjlubinski@yahoo.com)



  Click here to download page story appeared in.



  Click here to read entire issue




Order the Issue Containing This Story
2019 - Volume #43, Issue #1