regarding grips, I've run in Yaktrax and while they do work, they feel so odd that they affect my gait, and I end up with achilles pain afterwards from having to run funny as I go from pavement to snow and back. and they do get pretty chewed up after not too long, especially if there's dry spots along your route.
I'll be trying out the Vibram Arctic Grip tech this winter. right now it looks like it's only licensed to Saucony, which is available in either this polio looking monstrosity:
or these more conventional ones from the Peregrine line:
