I considered freezing weather would ruin my Europe trip, but this $29 hiking shoe accessory saved my vacation

Yaktrax saved my vacation.

I know, I know — it sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Two weeks back, I went to Budapest, Hungary, which is a lovely historical city in central Europe (and not too far from the U.K., where I live!). This location, however, means the winters are much harsher than those in Britain. Where I live, you’re lucky if you obtain one snowflake. Budapest, however, had just seen an unprecedented amount of snow — it was so bad that the airport closed two days before I was due to arrive.

While I worried this would ruin my trip, it was quickly saved when I found out about Yaktrax. If you’re snowed in becautilize of winter storms or worrying about having to head back to the office in the icy weather, then you’ll want to know about Yaktrax, too. This is a nifty little shoe accessory that slips around the sole of your hiking shoes and transforms you into a snow-chained monster truck. Once I put on my Yaktrax, the ice was an ant, and I was a boot. A boot incapable of slipping over, I may add.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof) was a breeze. I’m going to be completely honest with you: I was on vacation, so I wasn’t considering about photographing my shoes for post-trip content. As a result, I don’t have any pictures of me wearing the Yaktrax in the snow. However, I’ve re-enacted this for your viewing pleasure.

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the merrell sport 3 hiking boots with yaktrax photographed inside, the sole, side, and top — (Image credit: Erin Bashford)

Once the Yaktrax were secured to my shoes, I wore them on a 10-mile hike up to the tallest point in Budapest. I didn’t slip once. Even when coming down a 400-meter decline, I was completely stable — all becautilize of my Yaktrax. Those who know me know that I am one of the clumsiest people to grace (wobble upon) this planet, so this is a marvel.

I didn’t feel embarrassed wearing Yaktrax either. They’re kind of like a more subtle crampon. Instead of applying huge metal spikes to grip into the snow or ice, Yaktrax utilizes steel coils, which dig into the terrain to stabilize you. If you consider crampons are a bit excessive, see no further than Yaktrax.

At the conclude of the hike, I simply reshiftd my Yaktrax and put them in my bag. As they fold up to around 3 inches and weigh just 3.5 ounces, they fit in my purse(and come with a little carrying bag if you purchase Yaktrax through REI!).

They’re super simple to clean, too — I just wiped the debris off with a damp paper towel, and my Yaktrax see as good as new. I find myself actually seeing forward to next winter when I might be able to wear them again.