Hi,
Me poor old mum has had a fall (nothing injured) but it's shaken her confidence a bit going outside, which can only get worse when we (hopefully for me anyway!) get some snow and ice soon.
Can anyone recommend something like Yaktrax, or HiGear Grippers etc. that would be best suited to more normal footwear and very easy to put on?
Thanks,
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 Hi Beaker,
I used a pair of Yaktrax Pro last winter for walking on snowy/icy pavements, and they did a good job for me. They're easy enough to put on and get off.
The one major thing to be aware of though, as with all the other similar alternatives, you don't want to be walking on 'normal' pavements with them, nor on hard interior surfaces or you'll be just as likely to go A over T as on sheet ice without them.
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Here's a link to a provious thread from last winter. Most posters seemed to prefer the Micro-spikes option and there's a few comments about the basic Yaktrax not being very durable. However, your mother might find the Microspikes a bit too menacing. No doubt you'll get a few more responses to help you reach an informed opinion.
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 I picked up a very good pair from B&M stores for 3.99. Used them cross country running earlier in the week, fantastic. 
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 Might also be worth looking at ICEtrekkers I was looking to kit out a couple of elderly relatives (in their 80s) with something similar after they had problems getting out and about last winter. I decided against it in the end as both lived some distance away I didn't think it was something I could just buy and send through the post. My reasons were - - not knowing what size to plump for, I thought something ill fitting could be even more risky. - and not feeling confident that they would be able to fit them - one having arthritis in their hands and the other being partially sighted. Ideally if I was kitting out someone like one of my two relatives, I'd take a pair of their winter footwear to the shop and choose the best fitting devices, then either make sure they could take them off and on themselves or (assuming they had sufficient footwear) suggest they keep them fitted and ready for icy conditions. Don't know if those thoughts are at all relevant, Beaker, but hope you find a solution for your Mum. Would poles help?
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I am not yet in my 80s but would agree that any of the above suggestions is FAR better than nothing at all. Putting Yaktraks or whatever on needs to be possible for a person or they won't use them at all. Can you (Beaker) take your mum to a shop with different varieties of studs / spikes to see what she is willing to use?
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 I'd recommend against poles in this scenario - unless you cut the wrist straps off. Torn tricep muscles or fractures could result trying to stop a fall using poles with the straps around the wrist. Regular walking sticks may be better but the shoe grips are an excellent idea. The cheap ones mostly look to have shorter spikes or studs - maybe better for an older person with fragile ankles/bones as they may go over on those designed for hill use even if they are short compared to crampons
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Thanks all for the suggestions.
I think after a bit of thought we think the first thing is to get her wearing something with a bit of grip on the sole for a change, and like John says, see what she is willing to wear on top of that.
I've never tried any on meself before, but I could see something like these might look easier to put on.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-gripper-ice-grips-p194550
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 Aldi still have their version of the above priced at 7.99 in their snow wear section - I've just bought some for my 80 yo Gran after she also decided to do acrobatics on a piece of ice (I bought the Medium to fit size 5 feet)She tested them out on a slippy piece of ground and the difference was amazing.
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Thanks all for the suggestions. I think after a bit of thought we think the first thing is to get her wearing something with a bit of grip on the sole for a change, and like John says, see what she is willing to wear on top of that. I've never tried any on meself before, but I could see something like these might look easier to put on. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-gripper-ice-grips-p194550 Those are the same ones B&M do for 3.99. By all means go to GO or Tiso and pay more.
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 See the recent article and accompanying thread: http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/50042/last/1/V/8/SP/ YakTrax are fine on 'naked' tarmac and pavment, not sure why the poster above suggests otherwise. In fact they grip too well without any snow covering! Unless he means to say that will impact on durability, but then why not just say so?
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