Have you looked at microspikes? They go over any shoe and give you way more traction on snow/ice. Hiking boots will still slip on ice.
this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2024
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Hiking
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That's what I would recommend too. Basic Yaktrax run for $20-30 in the US, beefier spikes up around $50-100. Take the leather boots that are already broken in and comfy and just add temporary traction to them at a much lower cost than even the cheapest new boots.
I specifically came to mention the hydrolysis issue. Most plastics/rubbers will have similar issues, and will break down faster if not used/flexed. Overall I agree with the other person that said you don't need good hiking boots. The traction you'd gain isn't huge, and you can easily do better adding Yaktrax/MicroSpikes/a cheap knockoff to regular waterproof boots. Hiking boots would be overkill for little benefit.