Do You Need Ice Spikes in Tromsø? (Where to Buy & Etiquette)

I used to live in Oslo for three years and the city center’s sidewalks were heated and pretty void of ice and snow in the winter months. But I didn’t live in the city center and my neighborhood’s sidewalks were a mess.

Come March, I would suffer from back pain from poor posture while trying to navigate the slippery ice. It happened every year. And every year, I refused to wear ice spikes (‘brodder’ in Norwegian).

I was in Tromsø at the end of October and I was certain I would not encounter ice when there. I packed a pair of bulky winter boots and had no alternative. And, naturally, I arrived to the most insane of ice in Tromsø.

I consider myself relatively good at walking on ice after all these years in the Nordics. But after seeing a local slip outside of Vervet Bakeri, I made my way directly to a shop to purchase some ice spikes in Tromsø. So, I have decided to put together a quick guide about buying winter ice cleats in Tromsø and why I think you SHOULD get some for your trip.

This guide will never be a complete one because you can purchase spikes at several places around the city center! I have decided to list a handful of places you can, for a fact, purchase them. If you stumble upon them somewhere else, fantastic!

Please leave the spot below in the comments for other travelers. I have also included a map in this guide so you can find the place closest to you.

What Exactly are Spikes (and What Do They Do?)

Spikes are a winter traction device that you wear over the top of your shoes to help you from slipping on the snow and ice. That’s it. You will find them listed as several words and phrases like:

• Spikes
• Crampons
• Ice cleats
• Grips
• Winter traction devices
• Brodder (Norwegian word)
• Piggsko (Norwegian word)

It’s (mostly) all the same thing. They are detachables for your shoes, often made of rubber, that you’ll throw on your shoes before walking outside. Proper crampons are actually something you use in mountaineering but the word is often used in reference to spikes. I tend to use this word even when speaking about these spikes.

If you are ordering some for your trip, you will want to purchase the ones in the right picture (unless you’re hiking or doing something that will require the microspikes on the left). The city crampons on the far right are cheaper than microspikes.

There are also these small ones that snap over the arch of your shoes in the middle photo. They don’t cover enough space and honestly, never work on me, so I would avoid them.

Should You Purchase Spikes Before Your Trip?

If you are visiting Tromsø in October/November or March/April, I would probably bring some with you, especially if you get anxious walking on ice or have a bad gait. Otherwise, you can purchase them in Tromsø if you feel comfortable waiting and checking out the conditions upon arrival.

Some places you can purchase online are Amazon, REI, and Decathlon.

Where to Buy Crampons in Tromsø

I wandered about the city center to find a few places where you can purchase spikes for your shoes. Here are the locations that had them:

• Intersport Tromsø Torgsenteret (Storgata 79)
• Skotreff (Storgata 81B)
• Skoringen (Storgata 68)
• Tromsø Gift & Souvenir Shop (Strandgata 36)
• Tourist Shop Tromsø Harbor (Kirkegata 2)

In addition, I also saw them being sold at the Visit Tromsø office in Prostneset cruise terminal (Samuel Arnesens gata 5 on the second floor) as seen above.

Prices range depending on the brand and type but I found them from as cheap as 149 NOK (about $15) to as expensive as 350 NOK (about $35).

Crampon Etiquette & Tips in Tromsø

✅ Bring a small plastic bag to put them in when not wearing them. They will get really gross and wet and throwing them in your purse/bag while you pop indoors will result in a mess! Some of them come with cases or containers, but the cheaper ones don’t.

✅ Do not wear these inside. Like ever. They can really damage floors and they also make a loud clicking noise that people will immediately see and know you have them on.

✅ Buy a pair that fits your boot and not your foot. Snowboots are bulky and can make a small foot measure as a medium (and so on) so it is smart to buy a size up. While I encourage purchasing before you arrive if you know you’ll need them, it may be easier to grab them in Tromsø if you’re concerned about sizing.

✅ They can be a pain to take off and on. Some shops, restaurants, and hotels have a bench for you to use to remove them before going inside. They may also be a challenge for those with limited hand mobility.

Do They Make Shoes with Spikes Already on Them?

Yes! A popular Swedish brand called Icebug has boots and sneakers with studs in them. I actually have a pair and love them… but I can’t wear them indoors, so I only wear them when I go on walks in the springtime and the snow is melting. They do make something to put over the spikes when you go indoors, but it is awful and never stays on.

Pajar, a Canadian shoe brand, also makes a few boots that have ice grippers on the bottom. I find these so brilliant but I don’t own a pair. I did see a pair of ice gripper shoes (with the same soles) from a different brand in Eurosko in Tromsø (inside Alti Nestranda). I marked the location on the map if you’re interested in checking these boots out.

Do you have any questions about buying crampons in Tromsø? Let me know in the comments!

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