How to Give Boots More Grip on Slippery Surfaces (4k UHD)

[@GeezerBoy65]

I do my shoes the same way. I have almost every slip-over cleats made except YakTrax. All the Stabilicers and Katoola microspikes. I haven't used any of those in a long time. The method Aaron shows here is my go-to favorite and will not break or come loose or slip off. I first mark the spots on the soles with a sharpie. Then use a Pushpin (for cork boards) and put in an almost invisible pilot hole on each mark. Then put in the screws with the drill and nutdriver bit like Aaron does. But I do not screw them in all the way. I want to be certain of not stripping the hole. I finish the torquing in to seat each one just enough, by hand with a nutdriver on a handle or phillips screwdriver. I use screws from Home Depot but available most places. Same size as Aaron. Everbilt #8 x 3/8 inch gutter screws, STAINLESS STEEL. SIx bucks for a pack of 25. They last longer than the non-stainless ones. They come in shiny or brown or white. I also for insurance put a drop of cyanoacrylate glue (not the gel) on the screw just before that final seating in tight. I've never had one come loose yet. I live in upstate NY rural, with 200 inches of snow a year, and I still try to do my daily 30 minutes of rapid walking on my lonely road with trekking poles, Nordic speedwalking to jack up heart rate. That and good real food, mostly vegetarian, sleeping outside on screened porch in winter in 30-below bag and XXL Mondo King mattress keep me comfy and healthy, no medicines needed yet, and am almost 80. These screws are the answer to not falling, and another geezer, famous runner nationally, here in the area does six miles each morning, sometimes alone sometimes with a partner, use the same screws. Hope this helps. BTW, I've seen every video Aaron has on KZbin. He is the real deal and knows what he is talking about. From experience. For those who haven't seen it, watch his Antarctic Tears film. Solo across Antarctica. Nothing faked. Dangerous in the extreme and he pulled it off with many obstacles and no pickup helicopter available.

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you very much, Yoo Hooo. Stay warm out there! The Antarctic Tears Documentary on Amazon Prime video: amzn.to/3a4lQwy

[@MurrayCallaghan]

I'm not sure Aaron will ever win an award for best KZbin Videos but those of us that know more than a bit know he's the real deal. Ultimately, I look at shoes boots like I look at extreme 4 season vehicle travel. There is a proper tire for conditions. Thanks for another thought provoking video!

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you.

[@rstar88105]

Thank you very much for the video reply! Also I wanted to give an update with the solution for the type of wear on my boots. Upon further inspection by a shoe cobbler he noted that the tread was “glazed over” so when holding the tread to the light the rubber was shiny due to many years of walking on polished concrete (sometimes oily). After throughly scrubbing the tread with dish soap and lightly sanding with 220p sandpaper just enough to get rid of any shiny areas that contact the ground, they stop like new now on wet or dry polished concrete. After building up the worn heels with Shoe Goo the boots back in business.

[@rstar88105]

Also made sure to get some of the Kahtoola micro spikes you show for the upcoming hike into the Grand Canyon in a few days.

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you for the update and wonderful to note on the glazed over fix. Stay safe and enjoy the hike!

[@rstar88105]

@@ALinsdau Thank you very much! By the way the Grand Canyon was awesome to Backpack and camp in! In the research I did for the hike the one thing that I did not anticipate was bringing enough food. The Ranger there I talked to at Indian Gardens mentioned that about 1000 Calories per mile is a good rule of thumb for Canyon hiking there for an adult male. What basis do you go by for planning out the amount of food to take on multi day hikes?

[@worldlyconcerns]

This is a fantastically informative video with just the kind of ideas I was looking for, simply explained. Many thanks, and safe adventuring!

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful!

[@azclaimjumper]

Yes, I also like & wear Kahtoola MicroSpikes when needed. Yes, they are easy on, easy off. I'd never heard of Freesole until I watched/listened to this video. I just ordered a tube from WalMart. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada U.S.A.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Pointlessasusual]

this is exactly the info I've been looking for! I need more traction on hard smooth surfaces and I know from experience that microspikes aren't the solution for that. I'll give silnet a try

[@ALinsdau]

Be safe out there.

[@JEFFERYSTEWART-o2e]

Thanks, had a couple of falls on slippery rocks, will try these screws!

[@ALinsdau]

Be safe out there. Watch out on tile surface - the screws will become super slippery. They're only for outside.

[@jedsmith4988]

Great tips. I always use microspikes when snow and ice are present. Large amounts of either requires snowshoes or crampons. Don't know of much that will work on wet logs! The biggest issue is having an otherwise great boot but has the harder rubber sole. Softer rubber wears faster but much better grip on slick rock. Hard rubber + deep lugs is great for scree and mud. Not so much on wet rock. Most backpacks and even hikes encounter both. So these tips may help. I tried Seam Grip on Salomon Quests, but it wore off in one use, as Aaron indicated it might. May try again on a new pair of Salewa's that also have a reputation for less than great traction on wet rock. The other 2 techniques I've seen are (1) Siping and (2) 2:1 Isopropanol:Wintergreen soak. The former involves scoring the lugs with a razor, possibly weakening them. The latter softens the rubber but may also damage the boot and/or glue to the midsole. (1) appears to be used more often than (2). Tough when an otherwise great boot can't do it all!

[@ALinsdau]

Great pointers!

[@brashachilles9725]

Wow, that’s some seriously good advice found nowhere but here!

[@ALinsdau]

Glad to hear it!

[@sikandarrana6377]

Thank you, Excellent advice.

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevenroche9874]

Thank you, Aaron. Some really useful tips I had not heard about.

[@ALinsdau]

No worries!

[@brushbum7508]

Morning Aaron ! Have a great weekend. TAKE CARE..

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks, you too!

[@mikeavison5383]

Where I live there is a lot of well polished limestone, very slippery. I can't imagine the screws working I think it would be like Aaaron says they are on concrete (not good). My wife has some spray on stuff for tyres (Supergrip), it is meant for snow/ice. Has anyone tried that? It might work on boots. I am going to give it a shot.

[@ALinsdau]

Did it work?

[@derrickwillie4449]

I’m not sure if I agree with micro spikes especially on any type of elevation.

[@ALinsdau]

They're great for low elevation and inclines.

[@joepublic573]

love the $5 tip aaron .... lol ... now gotta go looking for some wet logs ;)

[@ALinsdau]

Stay safe out there!

[@andymsmith]

Also add shoe cushions to.

[@ALinsdau]

Nice idea.

[@Splash-Maps]

Really helpful. I’m concerned about a slippery steep grassy section in the Pyrenees. Glue could be the answer! But would you put it on hours before the trek, or keep it in the bag until the occasion arises?

[@danadess]

I have also seen nano spikes at REI if microspikes are more than you need

[@ALinsdau]

Those are pretty nice tools.

[@suecox8355]

Thanks,great information! 🦋❤

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamieletarte7713]

I just found you on KZbin a few months ago. Love you work. I live in New Hampshire and I'm very interested in tarp tenting in the summer to save on weight. The bugs are ferocious any suggestions on dealing with those in a tarp.

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Nets if you do not want chemicals (some good head nets and clothing are out there) otherwise apply Permetherin to clothing, DEET based repellents to exposed skin. Wear trousers and long sleeve shirts and if staying static look into thermacell.

[@GeezerBoy65]

Stansport Single Mosquito Net. Less than twenty bucks. If no limb overhead, suspend the pyramidal net at its single point with a taut ridgeline held up with 2 trekking poles (or cut/dead limbs) on each side of sleeping bag with ridgeline and the poles' guylines pparallel to long sides of sleeping bag. Tarp goes right over the ridgeline and tarp's 4 guyouts to the sides of the bag and net. No chemicals and sleep easy. For even more protection, spray the net with permethrin. Bugs get near the net and back off. No smell at all. For a head net the permethrin factory treated Sea to Summit headnet is hard to beat.

[@danadess]

By the way, this video is much better without the sound effects. I can tell you listen to your viewers and I appreciate it!

[@ALinsdau]

I appreciate that!

[@debasishchatterjee5485]

I try it .but it's very uncomfortable in normal Scarface and very slippery

[@ALinsdau]

Screws are definitely only good on the ice and ground outdoors.

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Great video

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks!

[@indycharlie]

Great video , with great ideas . As usual . T.Y. .... Gubs

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks 👍

[@derrickwillie4449]

Why would I put screws into my soul. I will flood my shoes if they ever get wet

[@ALinsdau]

The #6 3/8 screws don't penetrate through the base of the shoes. Stay safe out there.

[@ALinsdau]

My new book, The Most Crucial Knots to Know, is now available: amzn.to/3e21OF7