Mustad Grip Ice Studs
Mustad Grip Ice Studs earn a best-in-class spot for delivering a reliable, affordable traction solution that is widely available for footwear and light-equipment use; their balance of grip, corrosion resistance, and price makes them a go-to for everyday winter traction compared with more specialized options. While less exotic than borium- or tungsten-based tips, Mustad's studs offer strong value for users who need broad utility rather than the extreme wear life or specialty mounting of EquiStuds, Borium Blue, or DrillTek products.
Instant traction
Low-profile fit
Instant traction
Low-profile fit
Review Summary
"Most riders praise Mustad Grip Ice Studs for reliable bite on ice, consistent performance and easy installation, though some report faster wear when used frequently on hard pavement."
Nordic bite
Compact, low-profile studs designed specifically for ice grip on horse shoes.
Nordic bite
Compact, low-profile studs designed specifically for ice grip on horse shoes.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Mustad Grip Ice Studs earn a best-in-class spot for delivering a reliable, affordable traction solution that is widely available for footwear and light-equipment use; their balance of grip, corrosion resistance, and price makes them a go-to for everyday winter traction compared with more specialized options. While less exotic than borium- or tungsten-based tips, Mustad's studs offer strong value for users who need broad utility rather than the extreme wear life or specialty mounting of EquiStuds, Borium Blue, or DrillTek products.
Instant traction
Low-profile fit
Nordic bite
Compact, low-profile studs designed specifically for ice grip on horse shoes.
Made from hardened steel with corrosion-resistant coating for seasonal use.
Instant traction
Low-profile fit
Nordic bite
Compact, low-profile studs designed specifically for ice grip on horse shoes.
Made from hardened steel with corrosion-resistant coating for seasonal use.
$30-80 CAD
EquiStuds Original Screw-In Studs
EquiStuds Original Screw-In Studs are a market leader in equine traction thanks to precision threading, modular sizing, and a reputation for secure fitment under dynamic loads; they are often chosen by professionals who prioritize consistent performance over lower upfront cost. Compared with the consumer-focused Mustad studs and the ultra-hard Borium Blue tips, EquiStuds sit in the middle financially but offer the technical advantage of easy installation and replacement for hooves and specialized tack.
Screw-in durability
Simple installation
Screw-in durability
Simple installation
Review Summary
"Users report EquiStuds Original Screw-In Studs are robust, hold well in varied ground conditions and are simple to swap; a few find them pricier but say the durability justifies the cost."
Paddock-proven
Original screw-in design offers secure retention in a variety of shoe materials.
Paddock-proven
Original screw-in design offers secure retention in a variety of shoe materials.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
EquiStuds Original Screw-In Studs are a market leader in equine traction thanks to precision threading, modular sizing, and a reputation for secure fitment under dynamic loads; they are often chosen by professionals who prioritize consistent performance over lower upfront cost. Compared with the consumer-focused Mustad studs and the ultra-hard Borium Blue tips, EquiStuds sit in the middle financially but offer the technical advantage of easy installation and replacement for hooves and specialized tack.
Screw-in durability
Simple installation
Paddock-proven
Original screw-in design offers secure retention in a variety of shoe materials.
Precision-machined threads minimize loosening and make repeated installs reliable.
Screw-in durability
Simple installation
Paddock-proven
Original screw-in design offers secure retention in a variety of shoe materials.
Precision-machined threads minimize loosening and make repeated installs reliable.
$80-200 CAD
Borium Blue Level 3 Tips
Borium Blue Level 3 Tips represent the technical flagship for borium/tungsten-carbide style traction, engineered for maximum penetration and extreme wear resistance on ice and abrasive surfaces; their higher upfront cost is offset by markedly longer service life, making them the economically sensible choice for high-hour, high-impact use. In contrast to DrillTek's road-focused tungsten studs and to consumer-grade Mustad studs, Borium Blue is optimized for professional equine and industrial applications where grip longevity and cutting performance are decisive.
Maximum bite
Road-durable
Maximum bite
Road-durable
Review Summary
"Long-term users say Borium Blue Level 3 Tips deliver exceptional, lasting traction on ice and frozen ground, but they are relatively expensive and can increase wear on paved surfaces."
Blue-coded boost
Level 3 borium tips deliver exceptional abrasion resistance and long-lasting traction.
Blue-coded boost
Level 3 borium tips deliver exceptional abrasion resistance and long-lasting traction.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Borium Blue Level 3 Tips represent the technical flagship for borium/tungsten-carbide style traction, engineered for maximum penetration and extreme wear resistance on ice and abrasive surfaces; their higher upfront cost is offset by markedly longer service life, making them the economically sensible choice for high-hour, high-impact use. In contrast to DrillTek's road-focused tungsten studs and to consumer-grade Mustad studs, Borium Blue is optimized for professional equine and industrial applications where grip longevity and cutting performance are decisive.
Maximum bite
Road-durable
Blue-coded boost
Level 3 borium tips deliver exceptional abrasion resistance and long-lasting traction.
Engineered for aggressive grip on rock, ice, and mixed terrain without rapid wear.
Maximum bite
Road-durable
Blue-coded boost
Level 3 borium tips deliver exceptional abrasion resistance and long-lasting traction.
Engineered for aggressive grip on rock, ice, and mixed terrain without rapid wear.
$150-350 CAD
DrillTek Tungsten Road Studs
DrillTek Tungsten Road Studs are a market-leading option for vehicular and roadway traction, offering a robust tungsten composition and mounting format tailored to pavement and trail hardpack rather than hoof or footwear use. They provide a technical advantage in heavy-duty environments—better impact and abrasion tolerance than general-purpose studs—while typically being more cost-effective than borium tips when specified for road maintenance and industrial applications.
Tungsten toughness
Long-wear edge
Tungsten toughness
Long-wear edge
Review Summary
"Owners find DrillTek Tungsten Road Studs extremely hard-wearing with consistent grip on icy roads and trails, though they can be noisy and accelerate pavement wear; upfront cost is higher than basic studs."
Asphalt grip
Tungsten carbide construction provides outstanding wear life on hard surfaces.
Asphalt grip
Tungsten carbide construction provides outstanding wear life on hard surfaces.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
DrillTek Tungsten Road Studs are a market-leading option for vehicular and roadway traction, offering a robust tungsten composition and mounting format tailored to pavement and trail hardpack rather than hoof or footwear use. They provide a technical advantage in heavy-duty environments—better impact and abrasion tolerance than general-purpose studs—while typically being more cost-effective than borium tips when specified for road maintenance and industrial applications.
Tungsten toughness
Long-wear edge
Asphalt grip
Tungsten carbide construction provides outstanding wear life on hard surfaces.
Low-profile road geometry reduces hoof interference while maximizing bite on slick roads.
Tungsten toughness
Long-wear edge
Asphalt grip
Tungsten carbide construction provides outstanding wear life on hard surfaces.
Low-profile road geometry reduces hoof interference while maximizing bite on slick roads.
$120-300 CAD
St. Croix Ice & Trail Studs
St. Croix Ice & Trail Studs are positioned as a versatile, user-friendly choice for recreational and light-professional users who need reliable traction on mixed terrain; they strike a practical balance between price and performance. Compared with specialized offerings like Borium Blue or DrillTek tungsten studs, St. Croix prioritizes ease of use and broad compatibility, making them a sensible middle-ground option for hikers, anglers, and trail crews who do not require extreme wear characteristics.
Versatile traction
Trail-to-ice
Versatile traction
Trail-to-ice
Review Summary
"St. Croix Ice & Trail Studs are commonly praised for good value and dependable traction on packed snow and trails, but they don’t match tungsten tips for longevity on hard surfaces."
Smooth stride
Designed for mixed-use: effective on both icy surfaces and softer trail terrain.
Smooth stride
Designed for mixed-use: effective on both icy surfaces and softer trail terrain.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
St. Croix Ice & Trail Studs are positioned as a versatile, user-friendly choice for recreational and light-professional users who need reliable traction on mixed terrain; they strike a practical balance between price and performance. Compared with specialized offerings like Borium Blue or DrillTek tungsten studs, St. Croix prioritizes ease of use and broad compatibility, making them a sensible middle-ground option for hikers, anglers, and trail crews who do not require extreme wear characteristics.
Versatile traction
Trail-to-ice
Smooth stride
Designed for mixed-use: effective on both icy surfaces and softer trail terrain.
Moderate-wear alloy balances grip with reduced damage to pavement and hard ground.
Versatile traction
Trail-to-ice
Smooth stride
Designed for mixed-use: effective on both icy surfaces and softer trail terrain.
Moderate-wear alloy balances grip with reduced damage to pavement and hard ground.
$50-140 CAD