My GF has been walking to work for the last few days but it's hard work. I've seen mini crampons but they look a bit severe so does anybody make something to make walking on patch ice easier that doesn't make you look like you're off to the Eiger? She already has proper boots and they are crampon compatable.

I wish I had some cross country skis! Keep seeing people on the news and I'm very jealous.

nice pair of spivvy golf shoes with spikes ? (or cricket even?)

Kahtoola microspikes

Search for 'crampons' on Amazon, there are quite a few clip on ones for shoes.

I just bought some of these from Action Outdoors.

pair of socks over normal shoes is supposed to be very good.

I sugested rnning shoes.

Those microspikes look nice.

My SO has a pair of Olang boots that have a flip over studded bit in the sole. They seem alright not heard any complaints about slipping!

Places that sell snow chains for cars also sell snow-chain-like appendages for shoes

I use these. Theyre brilliant, but I cant remember what theyre called.
I got them in the trespass shop in covent garden.

or maybe these that are a little less hardcore

Icebug shoes if you can track them down in the UK. Basically running shoes with carbide studs embedded in the soles, Swedish things, work really, really well, even on hard water ice.

http://www.icebug.se/Default.aspx?m=4

pull out the insoles, grab your screwdriver and a few 15mm screws!

Be wary of something called Yak Tracks as I have been looking for anti skid shoe wear and although they get some good reviews, a lot of people seem to find they break or things get trapped in the springs. The microspikes mentioned seem to do lots better in internet reviews.

Chris Townsend (well respected long distance walker/journalist/author) did a review of microspikes:
http://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/gear/winter-gear/crampons/kahtoola-micro-spikes-40-1.989884

Everywhere I tried had sold out of everything and one company said it had a waiting list of 40 people for the microspikes.

http://www.climbers-shop.com/3126400/products/Grivel_Spider_.aspx

or

http://www.climbers-shop.com/255899/products/Petzl_Spiky_Plus_Antislip_Sole.aspx