Ice cleats save your trip to Niagara Falls.

Bring them. The walkways get glazed with ice from the freezing mist, and even waterproof boots won’t keep you upright. Those cheap slip-on cleats with metal coils work fine and cost fifteen bucks.

Everything else is standard winter gear: waterproof boots (not just warm ones), a jacket that repels water (mist soaks through down fast), and thin gloves you can wear under waterproof mittens. A face mask or balaclava helps, too—the mist feels like tiny needles on skin.

You can skip the fancy insulated pants if you’re just standing at the rail for a few minutes. But if you’re walking the whole rim trail, wear a base layer under waterproof pants.

One thing nobody warns you about: the mist freezes on your camera lens. Keep a lens cloth handy and tuck your phone in an inside pocket.

Ice cleats are the one thing you won’t find in a gift shop.