---
title: Which Ice Cleats Should Colleges Buy for Grounds Teams?
description: Which ice cleats should colleges buy for grounds teams? Compare traction for snow removal, campus maintenance, and indoor/outdoor work.
---

[Ice Cleat Blog](https://blog.winterwalking.com)

# [Which Ice Cleats Should Colleges Buy for Grounds Teams?](https://blog.winterwalking.com/which-industrial-ice-cleats-should-colleges-buy-for-grounds-teams)

 Written by [Bill Coyne](https://blog.winterwalking.com/author/bill-coyne) | 11/10/26, 2:11 PM

Colleges should choose industrial ice cleats based on each grounds employee’s winter exposure and daily tasks. Winter Walking’s [Working Traction®](https://www.winterwalking.com/working-traction/) is designed for extended outdoor work, such as snow removal and salting. [Transitional Traction®](https://www.winterwalking.com/transitional-traction/) supports frequent indoor/outdoor transitions and driving. [Walking Traction®](https://www.winterwalking.com/walking-traction/) serves employees with limited outdoor exposure. A campus may need more than one category to outfit its team appropriately.

For facilities directors, grounds supervisors, EHS managers, and purchasing teams, the buying process starts with a practical question: What will employees be doing while wearing their ice cleats?

An employee clearing sidewalks for several hours has different needs from a maintenance technician moving between residence halls, mechanical rooms, and a service vehicle.

## Which type of ice cleat fits each campus job?

Use this table to build an initial shortlist, then evaluate the options with employees wearing their actual work footwear.

| Campus work pattern | Traction category | Ice Cleat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extended outdoor snow removal, salting, and grounds maintenance | **Working Traction®** | E-CLEAT™ Working Traction ICE BEAST™ |
| Frequent trips between buildings and outdoor work areas, including driving between assignments | **Transitional Traction®** | ICE-BREAKER™ Transitional LOW-PRO® |
| Brief outdoor trips, such as crossing parking lots or walking to another building | **Walking Traction®** | E-CLEAT™ Walking Traction |

These categories distinguish extended outdoor work, frequent transitions, and limited winter exposure. The product names matter: E-CLEAT™ and ICE-BREAKER™ are available in different traction categories, so purchasing specifications should identify the exact version.

## Which ice cleats should colleges consider for snow-removal crews?

Start with [Working Traction®](https://www.winterwalking.com/working-traction/) for grounds employees who spend extended periods outdoors on ice and snow. This category offers aggressive traction for sustained winter exposure.

Campus tasks to assess include clearing pedestrian routes, treating building approaches, and maintaining outdoor access around residence halls, academic buildings, and athletic facilities.

Two options to evaluate are:

1. [E-CLEAT™ Working Traction](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/e-cleat-working-traction/) features 26 molded-in tungsten carbide studs, an aggressive tread, and dual rear pull-tabs for putting the device on and removing it. It is designed to fit over a range of work shoes and boots.
   
   Include this model in a trial when employees need aggressive outdoor traction and a straightforward fitting process.
2. [ICE BEAST™](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/ice-beast/) features 28 permanent tungsten carbide studs and a design that preserves access to the work boot’s defined heel. It is available in multiple sizes. The manufacturer specifies that ICE BEAST™ should be removed before entering indoor areas or driving.

For a campus crew, that makes the transition procedure part of the evaluation. Consider where employees will remove, store, and reinstall their cleats during a shift.

<https://www.winterwalking.com/working-traction/>

## What should colleges buy for employees who move indoors and outdoors?

Evaluate Transitional Traction® for employees who repeatedly enter buildings or drive between campus assignments. Winter Walking designs this category for workdays that involve changing environments.

For example, a facilities employee’s route might include an outdoor equipment area, an indoor maintenance shop, and several building entrances. That pattern calls for a different assessment from an outdoor snow-clearing assignment.

<https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/ice-breaker-transitional-traction/><https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/ice-breaker-transitional-traction/>[ICE-BREAKER™ Transitional](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/ice-breaker-transitional-traction/)is a one-size-fits-all option with adjustable toe and heel straps. Its high-visibility orange straps also make the device easy to identify during visual checks.

For purchasing teams, an adjustable option can simplify distribution. Employees should still check the fit on the footwear they actually use.

Other options in the category include [LOW-PRO®](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/low-pro-ice-cleat/) and [ICE BEAST™ LOW-PRO](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/ice-beast-low-pro/). Compare their fit and features against the employee’s route, footwear, and work requirements.

Before approving a model for indoor use or driving, review its specific instructions and evaluate the relevant campus flooring, vehicles, and tasks.

<https://www.winterwalking.com/transitional-traction/>

## Is Walking Traction® appropriate for college employees?

Walking Traction® is appropriate to evaluate when employees have limited exposure to outdoor ice and snow. Examples include walking through a parking lot or making occasional trips between buildings. Winter Walking offers [E-CLEAT™ Walking Traction](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/e-cleat-walking-traction/) and [ICE-BREAKER™ Walking Traction](https://www.winterwalking.com/ice-cleats/ice-breaker-walking-traction/) within this category.

Keep the assessment tied to the assignment. A short walk from a maintenance office to another building differs from several hours spent clearing campus sidewalks.

<https://www.winterwalking.com/walking-traction/>

## What should college purchasing teams check before ordering?

A useful purchasing specification should cover more than the product name and quantity.

- **Work exposure:** Record how long each employee works outdoors and how often they enter buildings.
- **Footwear fit:** Evaluate the cleats on the actual winter boots and work shoes employees wear.
- **Task compatibility:** Review requirements for driving, stairs, equipment access, and other assigned tasks.
- **Ease of use:** Have employees demonstrate fitting, adjustment, removal, and storage.
- **Inspection and replacement:** Establish who checks condition and how employees obtain replacements.
- **Training:** Identify the instructions employees need for their assigned model.

Ask suppliers to quote the exact model, traction category, sizes, quantities, and available training resources. This helps purchasing teams compare proposals against the same requirements.

## How should a college test ice cleats before a campus-wide purchase?

Run a supervised trial with employees representing the campus’s main winter work patterns.

Include grounds employees with sustained outdoor exposure, facilities employees who frequently transition indoors, and staff with occasional outdoor walking.

Have participants evaluate:

1. Fit and stability on their work footwear.
2. Comfort during representative tasks.
3. Ease of putting the cleats on and removing them.
4. Compatibility with their approved routes and assignments.
5. Whether the model’s use instructions are practical during the workday.

For larger workforces, Winter Walking’s [Ice Cleat Survey tool](https://survey.winterwalking.com/) helps safety managers organize employee feedback during product testing. Participants can rate the ice cleats they try and rank their preferences, helping colleges compare options before a campus-wide purchase.

Record feedback by role and product. If one model works well for outdoor grounds crews but is inconvenient for employees entering buildings repeatedly, consider assigning different categories to those groups.

## Where do ice cleats fit into a campus winter safety program?

Ice cleats are one part of managing winter walking hazards. [OSHA recommends](https://www.osha.gov/winter-weather) clearing snow and ice from walking surfaces and spreading deicer as quickly as possible after a winter storm.

Build traction selection into the campus’s wider process for route inspections, snow removal, deicing, hazard reporting, and employee training. Grounds employees need clear instructions about both the equipment they wear and the conditions they should report.

## Frequently asked questions

### Should every grounds employee receive the same ice cleat?

Assign ice cleats according to work exposure, footwear, and tasks. A college may choose one model for extended outdoor work and another for employees who frequently enter buildings or drive between assignments.

### Are one-size-fits-all ice cleats an option for campus teams?

Yes. ICE-BREAKER™ Transitional uses adjustable toe and heel straps and is offered as a one-size-fits-all model. Verify the fit on each employee’s work footwear before issuing it for use.

### Can employees drive campus vehicles while wearing ice cleats?

Check the exact model’s instructions. Transitional Traction® is designed for employees whose work includes driving, while ICE BEAST™ Working Traction is specifically not recommended for driving. Confirm suitability for the employee’s vehicle and tasks before use.

### What information should a college provide when requesting a quote?

Provide employee counts by work pattern, typical outdoor exposure, footwear types and sizes, indoor transitions, driving requirements, and the expected rollout date. Ask for recommendations and a trial plan based on those details.

## Find the right ice cleats for your campus team

Start with the work your employees perform. Separate extended outdoor assignments from frequent indoor/outdoor transitions and brief outdoor trips, then evaluate the appropriate traction category.

Winter Walking’s [Traction Assessment](https://traction.winterwalking.com/) can help your team begin that selection process. Use the recommendation as a starting point for discussing products, fit, and a campus trial.

<https://traction.winterwalking.com/>

[View full post](https://blog.winterwalking.com/which-industrial-ice-cleats-should-colleges-buy-for-grounds-teams)

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