Shoe spikes
Shoe spikes or spikes (English for thorn, nail, point ) are holders made of rubber or plastic, on the underside of which metal pins, points or chains are incorporated. They are pulled over the shoes in such a way that the spikes are fixed to the sole of the shoe. This reduces the risk of slipping when walking on a smooth surface. As personal protective equipment, shoe spikes must have the CE mark .
A distinction is made between models with spikes and models with metal pins. Anti-skid models with spikes increase safety and grip on ice , snow or slippery surfaces such as muddy trails or wet forest floors. The individual spikes can vary in length and thickness depending on the model. They are several millimeters long and are stepped into the ground when walking, which means that highly efficient anti-slip protection can be achieved even on steep slopes. Models with metal pins are suitable for black ice.
Shoe spikes usually have four to eight spikes under the forefoot and two to four spikes under the heel, which enables a safe gait with natural rolling of the foot . There are models for shoes with a narrow heel (e.g. pumps ) that only have spikes under the forefoot. Their use requires a conscious step with the forefoot. There are also models that only fit in the heel area and winter boots with ice claws that can be retracted into the soles by folding them down. Walking with shoe spikes on areas of bare asphalt or stones can damage the steel pins and their mounts, as can a shuffling gait. Spike shoes are problematic on sensitive floor coverings, which can be easily damaged, which is why their use is prohibited on certain surfaces (e.g. on parquet floors ); On smooth marble or parquet floors, the risk of slipping is higher with spikes than without.
The individual spikes are loaded more evenly when stepping on and are stepped vertically if the shoe used has no or only a slightly profiled sole. If the sole profile is deep, the spikes are partly inclined, which can impair their effectiveness and damage the plastic mountings.
In addition to shoe spikes, there are snow chains for shoes that offer better grip, especially on snow, but have little effect on ice.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Christian Heinrich: From walking on ice. The Time No. 2, 2010 ,; accessed on January 5, 2018