2010General Discussion forum
Traction devices for icy terrain and their safety considerations during camera work
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Strap-on traction devices with crampons can provide reliable footing on ice for dynamic camera movements like running shots when worn over boots.
- These traction devices function adequately on ice ramps and outperform alternative options for standing work in winter conditions.
- Pivoting movements while wearing crampons risk serious knee injuries due to the spikes gripping the ground while the body rotates.
- Cleats can catch and dig into ground during rapid body movements like whip pans or body rotations, causing the lower body to anchor while the torso continues moving, which has led to severe knee injuries requiring multiple surgeries.
Depends on
- Specific product durability after extended wear is untested in this discussion.
- The knee injury incident involves cleats rather than the crampons specifically.
- Recommendations against pivoting are based on injury risk theory rather than documented incidents with these devices.