On a club hike Sunday some members had installed Stabilicers on their shoes for the snowy hike. The conditions were snow on ground with a slushy dirt trail with hills and some with short steep areas plus a bit of hard surface. There was no ice or black ice. Does anyone have any experience with these in various situations? What effect might they have on a dirt trail maybe making them even muddier?, Damage exposed tree roots? Might they get packed with wet snow, ice and become ineffective and heavy?

I use a pair of trekking poles with great effect.

Any thoughts?