Yaktrax
Yaktrax is an American brand of footwear traction devices based in Durham, North Carolina, working on outdoor movement products since 1985. It makes slip-on traction aids for walking and running on ice and snow, plus warmers.
| Headquarters | Durham, North Carolina, United States |
|---|---|
| Active since | 1985 |
| Key technology | Patented coil traction |
| Product families | Multi-Edge, Toothed, Spiked, Warmers |
| Website | yaktrax.com |
What is Yaktrax?
Yaktrax makes traction enhancers that slip over shoes and boots to give grip on ice and packed snow. The company is based in Durham, North Carolina, and says it has worked on outdoor movement solutions since 1985. Its origin story credits a mountaineering guide on Mount Everest as the inspiration for the first product.
Products and positioning
The brand's key innovation is a patented coil technology, which it describes as the first commercially available footwear traction product not based on spikes. Today the range is organised into three traction families plus accessories:
- Multi-Edge traction
- Toothed traction, such as the Ascent Traction Device
- Spiked traction, such as the Summit Traction Device
- Warmers
The products serve everyday walkers, runners, hikers and workers who need safe footing in winter conditions, sitting between outdoor equipment and footwear accessories.
Distribution
Yaktrax sells through its own website and through outdoor, sporting goods and safety retailers in North America and Europe.
Why it matters
Yaktrax effectively created the consumer category of slip-on ice traction, a winter accessory that footwear and outdoor retailers now stock alongside boots.
Frequently asked questions
What is Yaktrax?
Yaktrax is an American brand of slip-on traction devices that give shoes and boots grip on ice and snow.
Where is Yaktrax based?
Yaktrax is based in Durham, North Carolina, in the United States.