First storm watch · 25 winter products rated · prices re-checked weekly through January

Ice melt and traction

Rock salt, pet-safe melt, cleats and spreaders for the walk the shovel cannot make safe.

Our ice melt and traction picks

2 picked, not scored

Picked for the job, the price and what owners report after a winter. These are not put through the five-factor rubric the machines get; every pick still says when to walk past.

Best traction cleats

Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats

Steel coils on a rubber harness that slip over any boot and grip packed snow and glare ice; count on a season of use before the rubber goes.

1.4 MM · 90 DAYS $29.99 MSRP · Amazon price not shown Check price on Amazon →
Pet-safe pick, mild winters

Safe Paw Ice Melt, 8 lb jug

The salt-free, chloride-free melter for homes with dogs: slow, mild-winter only, and the one jug that will not burn paws or pit a new driveway.

8 LB $24.95 MSRP · Amazon price not shown Check price on Amazon →