Get a grip!

 

Running on icy surfaces is not much fun but it was possible with these pull-on studs. They dramatically reduce the surface area on which my weight acts. Pressure = force/area so same weight on smaller area means increased pressure. More pressure means more damage - the studs go into the ice and give me something to push against. I know that with ice skates, the pressure is enough to melt the ice. I wonder if that happens with these studs, and if so, how would I tell?