Every Canadian winter, black ice and packed snow turn parking lots, sidewalks and outdoor job sites into hazardous surfaces. According to workplace safety data, slips and falls on ice are among the leading causes of winter workplace injuries, a risk that affects construction workers just as much as delivery or outdoor maintenance staff. Ice cleats and traction devices concretely reduce this risk by adding extra grip on slippery surfaces. This guide compares six models sold at Équipement Polar, from the budget pick for everyday walking to insulated overshoes built for long days on a winter job site.
Our quick picks
- Best budget pick → NAT'S G300 Snow Gripper Crampons: $19.95
- Best all-around pick → Traction Aid Large All Purpose Due North: $44.10
- Best for indoor-outdoor trips → Cleatless Traction System Due North: $52.10
- Best targeted traction → Due North Mid-Sole Cleats: $38.86
- Best insulated pick for job sites → Neos Insulated Overshoe Glacier Trek: $169
- Best pick for equipping a crew → Neos Navigator 5 Winter with Crampons: $169
Comparison table
| Model | Brand | Type | Sizes | Main use | Price CAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Gripper G300 | Nat's | Short spikes | One size, adjustable | Everyday walking | $19.95 |
| Traction Aid Large | Due North | 8 carbide spikes | Large | All-around professional use | $44.10 |
| Cleatless Traction System | Due North | No metal spikes | L/XL | Frequent indoor-outdoor | $52.10 |
| Mid-Sole Cleats | Due North | 8 carbide spikes | One size | Targeted heel traction | $38.86 |
| Neos Glacier Trek | Neos | 16 removable studs | XL, 3XL | Insulated outdoor job site | $169.00 |
| Neos Navigator 5 | Neos | Integrated cleats | 2XL, 4XL | Work crew | $169.00 |
See the full selection in our Ice Cleats and Traction collection. Shipping across Canada.
1. NAT'S G300 Snow Gripper Crampons
Best budget pick for everyday walking
Nat's
One size, adjustable
Portable
Shoes and boots
$19.95
17 in stock
The Nat's G300 snow gripper slips directly over a shoe or city boot thanks to its adjustable elastic strap. Its compact size makes it easy to carry in a bag or briefcase for occasional use between home, the parking lot and the office.
It's the logical choice for anyone who just needs to walk a few minutes across an icy sidewalk or parking lot, without needing rugged job-site gear.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Easy to carry and put on
- One size fits most
Things to consider
- Less durable than an industrial model like the Traction Aid Due North
- Shorter spikes, less effective on glare ice
Best for: occasional urban walking on snowy sidewalks and parking lots.
Not ideal for: extended daily professional use, see the Traction Aid Due North instead.
Price: $19.95
See NAT'S Snow Gripper at Équipement Polar →2. Traction Aid Large All Purpose Due North
Best all-around pick for professional use
Due North
8 replaceable tungsten carbide spikes
100% natural rubber
Large
$44.10
1 in stock
The Due North Traction Aid uses 8 industrial-grade tungsten carbide spikes, individually replaceable as they wear down. The 100% natural rubber keeps its flexibility even in extreme cold, unlike rigid plastic straps that become brittle below -20°C.
It's the most balanced model in this lineup between price, durability and versatility, suited for delivery workers and anyone who spends most of their day outdoors.
Pros
- Individually replaceable spikes
- Natural rubber resists extreme cold
- Superior traction on glare ice
Things to consider
- Not recommended indoors, see the Cleatless Traction System for frequent indoor-outdoor trips
- Limited stock currently, check availability
Best for: outdoor workers who need reliable traction all day long.
Not ideal for: frequent trips between indoors and outdoors, see the Cleatless Traction System Due North.
Price: $44.10
See Traction Aid Due North at Équipement Polar →3. Cleatless Traction System Due North
Best pick for frequent indoor-outdoor trips
Due North
No metal spikes
L/XL
Indoor and outdoor
$52.10
3 in stock
Unlike traditional cleats, this system uses a textured sole with no metal spikes, designed specifically for professionals who enter and exit a building frequently during their shift, such as delivery or maintenance staff.
Traction stays effective on ice and packed snow outdoors, while remaining safe on smooth indoor floors, tile or ceramic, with no risk of slipping or damaging the surface.
Pros
- Safe indoors and outdoors
- Won't damage floors
- Ideal for frequent indoor-outdoor trips
Things to consider
- Slightly lower traction on glare ice compared to the spiked Traction Aid
Best for: delivery, retail or maintenance staff who alternate between indoors and outdoors.
Not ideal for: exclusively outdoor use on glare ice, see the Traction Aid Due North.
Price: $52.10
See the Cleatless Traction System at Équipement Polar →4. Due North Mid-Sole Cleats
Best targeted traction under the heel and forefoot
Due North
8 tungsten carbide spikes
Defined heel
One size
$38.86
This model concentrates the tungsten carbide spikes under the heel and forefoot, the two contact zones that take the most pressure while walking. This targeted design reduces material while keeping traction effective where it matters most.
The defined heel also stabilizes the foot inside the cleat, an advantage on slopes or uneven surfaces.
Pros
- Targeted heel and forefoot design
- Good traction-to-price ratio
- Better stability on slopes
Things to consider
- One size only, unlike the Traction Aid Due North which comes in multiple sizes
Best for: slopes or uneven surfaces where heel support matters.
Not ideal for: anyone who needs an adjustable size, see the Traction Aid Due North.
Price: $38.86
See Mid-Sole Cleats at Équipement Polar →Need to equip several employees for winter?
Our team can advise you on the right model based on your work surfaces and prepare a group quote to equip your entire crew at the same price.
See all ice cleats Contact our experts5. Neos Insulated Overshoe with Crampons Navigator Glacier Trek
Best insulated pick for extended outdoor job sites
Neos
16 removable per pair
Yes
XL, 3XL
$169.00
8 in stock (XL), 11 in stock (3XL)
The Neos Glacier Trek is a full overshoe, not just an accessory added to an existing boot. It slips over your everyday work shoes or boots and adds a complete insulating layer plus 16 removable crampons per pair for maximum traction on ice and packed snow.
It's the choice for workers who spend long hours outdoors in cold weather, on a construction site, a roof or an outdoor industrial site, and who need both warmth and traction.
Pros
- 16 removable, replaceable crampons
- Full insulation for long days in the cold
- Worn over existing footwear
Things to consider
- Higher price than simple cleats
- Do not use on indoor floors, the crampons will damage surfaces
Best for: long outdoor workdays in extreme cold, construction or roofing.
Not ideal for: occasional use or a tight budget, see the Nat's model instead.
Price: $169.00
See the Neos Glacier Trek at Équipement Polar →How to choose ice cleats or traction devices
The type of surface you'll cover
Glare ice and polished surfaces call for tungsten carbide spikes that can bite firmly, like those on the Traction Aid or the Due North Mid-Sole Cleats. Packed snow or light glaze ice works very well with a simpler snow gripper like the Nat's model.
A worker who moves across several surfaces in the same day, an icy parking lot followed by an indoor floor, should instead consider a spikeless system to avoid damaging indoor surfaces.
Frequency and duration of use
For occasional use of a few minutes a day, a budget model like the $19.95 snow gripper is more than enough. For professional use of several hours a day throughout the winter season, an industrial model with replaceable spikes like the Traction Aid Due North offers better long-term durability.
Insulated Neos overshoes become worthwhile as soon as cold exposure runs past a few consecutive hours, a common reality on construction sites in November and December.
Equipping a full work crew
For an employer, the key is choosing a model available in multiple sizes to standardize equipment, such as the Neos Navigator 5 or Glacier Trek. This simplifies reordering and guarantees a uniform level of protection across the whole job site.
A group quote often gets a better per-unit price when ordering several pairs at once, an option to discuss directly with the Équipement Polar team.
Budget by price range
- Under $25: NAT'S G300 Snow Gripper, ideal for occasional use
- $25 to $55: Traction Aid, Cleatless Traction System and Mid-Sole Cleats from Due North, for regular professional use
- $150 and up: insulated overshoes Neos Glacier Trek and Navigator 5, for long outdoor days or equipping a crew
Ready to walk safely this winter?
Discover our full selection of ice cleats and traction devices, in stock and ready to ship across Canada.
See the Ice Cleats collection Contact our experts