When you're walking on ice, you need a pair of shoes that will support you and help you prevent injury. If you are searching for the best shoes for walking on ice, consider the bottom of the shoe first. For walking on ice, you want a shoe with large treads, or raised patterns, to help your feet keep their grip on the ground. In addition, rubber soles will prevent you from slipping and help you keep your balance. The best shoes have completely waterproof soles. Inside the shoe, look for good insulation: the best shoes for walking on ice will have linings made of Thinsulate or other materials created to keep warmth locked in. Finally, make sure the shoe has stability features, like a well-cushioned heel cup and insole, to help support your body weight. Although materials and construction play the biggest role in creating the best shoes for walking on ice, shoppers commonly overlook other important factors. Make sure your shoe fits snugly; if it doesn't, no amount of technology will keep you from slipping on ice.

In addition, don't automatically discount lightweight shoes. While in the past, the best winter shoes were made out of heavier materials, today's technology allows manufacturers to create high-quality winter shoes that are far less heavy than they once were. Examine the construction of the shoe and try it on before you discount it. While most shoe stores carry shoes for regular walking, they won't necessarily carry the best shoes for walking on ice. To find these shoes, search stores geared toward outdoor athletes, such as REI or Sierra Trading Post. These stores often have hiking boots and other types of shoes specifically created for harsh conditions and help let you find the perfect shoe for you. While these retailers do have websites, buy your first pair of shoes for walking on ice in person so you can examine their construction up-close and make sure they fit your foot snugly. After you have worn them for a while and seen if they work for you, feel free to purchase your second pair online.

Normal walking shoes cost between $40 and $100. However, shoes for walking on ice will cost significantly more, as they use high-tech materials and more complex engineering. Expect to pay about as much as you would for a running shoe: between $80 and $120 is a good range to keep in mind. While this may seem steep, the best shoes for walking on ice will keep you from slipping and falling, preventing injury. Therefore, they're worth the extra money you will spend. The Best Walking Shoes That Are Appropriate for Work What Are the Top Rated Walking Shoes for Men? The Best Shoes for Walking or Standing The Best Walking Shoes to Prevent Stress Fractures of the Foot The Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete All Day The Best Shoes for Walking on a Beach The Best Boots for Walking on Ice The Best Walking Shoes for Ankle Support The Best Reviewed Walking Shoes for Seniors The Best Cushioned Walking Shoes The Best Badminton Shoes The Best Women's Hiking Shoes for Wide Feet

The Best Walking Shoes for Women With a Wide Toe Box The Best Sneakers for Long-Distance Walking The Best Walking Shoes for Winter The Best Walking Shoes for Bunionsrunning shoe store white rockWith the motorways jammed, you’ve abandoned any hope of driving… but navigating the streets on foot can be just as treacherous. running shoe store white rockSo what’s the best way to avoid a slip-up? nike outdoor shoes saleHere Julia Lawrence presents our experts’ guide to getting a grip in the snow and ice…running shoes buy one size bigger 1. WALK LIKE A PENGUINgolf shoe bag clearance

British adventurer and explorer David Hempleman-Adams has spent an awful lot of time walking on snow: he was the first person to reach the North and South Poles as well as the first to climb the highest peaks in all seven continents — known as the Adventurers’ Grand Slam.the best type of running shoe for flat feetIt's possible to enjoy the snow and not take a tumble if you dress appropriately for the weather He says we should always look at nature, and see how the animal world has adapted to adverse conditions. ‘Take your lead from the penguin. On slippery, compact snow and ice, take short, careful, flat-footed little steps, spreading your body weight as evenly as possible across the entire surface of your feet. ‘In fresh snow, try to walk in someone else’s footsteps. Not only will you use up less energy, but their shoes will have left a tread mark which will be easier for your feet to grip.

‘And on deeper snow, always walk heel to toe. Applying your heel first will create a hole, which helps prevent your foot slipping forward.’ 2. KNOW YOUR SNOW Doctors see far more admissions to accident and emergency wards in the days and weeks following a ­snowfall than on the day itself, according to A&E specialist registrar Dr Rob Galloway. ‘It’s when the snow begins to thaw, then ices over at night when the real ­problems begin,’ he says. ‘Sometimes people will have become practised and confident at walking on snow, and head out after another snowfall, only to find there is ­compacted sheet ice underneath, which is lethal. ‘At the moment, there are all types of snow on the pavements: compact ice, fresh snow and slush. Always take care, even when the ice is thawing.’ 3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOES ‘I’m amazed there are still ­people out walking in trainers in this weather,’ says Gary Mason, a store manager at Millets, the outdoor specialists.

‘Just because they give you good grip on a squash court or pavement, they are not going to do the same on snow and ice.’ Depending on your budget, you need wellies or walking boots, which, with a deep, strong, rubber tread, are good for all types of snow, ice and slush. ‘Wellington boots will give you depth of tread and grip but will not stop you twisting your ankle,’ Mason says. ‘You should be prepared to spend between £70 and £100 on a good pair of walking boots, which, if looked after properly will last you many winters. Snowboots and a fleece-lined wellington boot are also good, cheaper alternatives in this weather.’ 4. PICK UP STICKS There is absolutely no shame in using walking sticks in the street, or Nordic poles to give them their proper name. Hempleman-Adams says: ‘The most macho explorers, really fit guys in their 20s, would not venture out walking in snow without their poles, so nor should you. ‘They give you an extra leg, or an extra two if you double up.

‘For maximum stability, buy a rucksack for your personal possessions and use two poles, which also relieves strain on the knees.’ Eurohike does a telescopic compact pole, which can slide to fit in a shopping bag for £19.99, which is available at millets.co.uk, though alternatives are available from as little as £14.99. Whether any of them can arrive through the post in time is another matter 5. BUY SOME CITY CRAMPONS A pair of ice grips can slip over your existing shoes as an easy way to give you some extra grip in icy conditions. for slipping into your handbag or car glovebox. Ice grips start at £9.19, with the even hardier Yaktrax (with carbon steel ‘prongs’) fromAvailable from icegrips.co.uk and ­yaktrax.co.uk. Safe in the city: Ice grips, like these from Yaktrax are ideal for slipping into your handbag or car glovebox for weather emergencies 6. TRY SPRAY-ON SNOW GRIP Only the Americans could think of this: a rubbery resin coating, in a can, which you literally spray on to the soles of your shoes to give you extra grip.

At the moment, it’s only available over there, but if the UK harsh ­winters continue, someone is bound to spot a hole in the British market. PS: AND IF YOU DO TAKE A TUMBLE, HERE'S HOW TO FALL... ‘Be aware of your body’s age and weaknesses, and try to train yourself to ignore your instincts and fall accordingly,’ says Dr Galloway. ‘The elderly should avoid falling on their hip and fracturing the neck of the femur — the bone running from your knee to your hip — which is their weak point, and precipitates many fatalities. ‘Instead, they should try to prevent the fall by protecting themselves with their hands. Although this may put them at risk of a wrist fracture, this injury is far easier to treat. ‘The under-55s should look out for their heads and neck, again by cushioning their fall as much as possible, using their non-dominant hand if they can. ‘In an ideal world everyone should wear protective headgear, but for reasons of vanity most people are unlikely to do so.