Yeah, I don't know, I do a bit of ice boating, a good amount of duck hunting and skiing, so I do spend some time in icey conditions, and while crampons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crampons) certainly provide 100% traction, I find whatever is on my feet works fine as long as I keep my wits about me. I remember running between dorm buildings in college (University of Vermont) in snow storms wearing flip flops, shorts, and a tshirt, I'd slip and slide all over, but I never landed on my rear!

Then again, I have landed on my rear ice boating! Not such a big deal, fall gracefully