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Dainite soles' traction in winter

SuitMyself

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I have several pairs of chukka boots with Dainite soles that I purcahsed exclusively with the intention of using them for wintertime wear since it snows heavily where I live.

I was hoping the Dainite soles would provide reliable and secure traction while walking on snow--both fresh powder and firmly packed snow--but, alas, it is not to be.

I find Dainites do not provide secure traction in winter conditions. Sure, I haven't fallen while walking on a snow-covered sidewalk YET . . . but i find that I just can't walk at my usual pace for fear of slipping and falling.

Does anyone else have any similar experiences with Dainites in winter/icy conditions?
 

Fraiche

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No but thanks for the insight, was planning to get a pair for that reason.
 

academe

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I have a similar experience. Dainite is good for the wet, but not so great for icey pavements and streets... Commando soles are probably the way to go for traction.
 

SuitMyself

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Originally Posted by academe

I have a similar experience. Dainite is good for the wet, but not so great for icey pavements and streets... Commando soles are probably the way to go for traction.




I never knew that. Thanks!

Commando soles:

Picture995.jpg



Dainite soles:

DSC_0431a.jpg
 

Dewey

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I have never had a problem with dainite in the winter, and I have never noticed any difference between dainite, commando, lug, or vibram soles in wintry conditions. They are all good.
 

academe

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Originally Posted by Dewey
I have never had a problem with dainite in the winter, and I have never noticed any difference between dainite, commando, lug, or vibram soles in wintry conditions. They are all good.

I think it is contingent on the winter conditions themselves and how well your local government has kept the streets cleared. If you're living in North America, where they actually put effort into clearing the streets and pavements after snow, then dainite probably wouldn't provide any particular advantage over commando soles. However, in the UK and parts of Europe, where we're really spectacularly unprepared for snow and ice, dainite doesn't seem to provide enough traction... This is mostly because local authorities can't seem to get it together to clear paths... We have over 2" of sheet ice of the roads and pavements in my neighbourhood, which haven't been cleared since the snows began 2 weeks ago... When the air temperature dipped slightly above zero C this week, a nice slick layer of water developed on top of the sheet ice, which made walking especially difficult. In those conditions, my dainite soles were great as ice skates but not so great for walking...
 

George

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I think if the pavements are icy you are going to struggle with most soles.
 

Infrasonic

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I wear boots with a good chunky commando sole in icy/snowy conditions, very secure underfoot.
 

makewayhomer

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I recently bought some dainite soled boots (partly) b/c of winter utility as well. I just can't bring myself to putting a commando sole on any nice pair of shoes.
 

patrickBOOTH

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Yeah, dianite on ice and snow; you might as well be wearing leather. I have a pair of Riders on their way with Vibram soles.
 

Loudly

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Those Barker Blacks rock, from the commando soles all the way up.



SuitMyself;3902173 said:
I never knew that. Thanks!

Commando soles:

Picture995.jpg
 

academe

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Originally Posted by makewayhomer
I recently bought some dainite soled boots (partly) b/c of winter utility as well. I just can't bring myself to putting a commando sole on any nice pair of shoes.

It depends on what you're wearing. With tweed odd jacket and flannel trousers, commando soled brogues don't seem too far off the mark. More refined fabrics probably require more refined shoes - although in which case ice skating practice seems in order...
 

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