SUREFOOT GET-A-GRIP ADVANCED
Field Report by Eric Palmer
Date: April, 2006

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Name: Eric Palmer
Age: 25 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8'' (173 cm)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
Email address: ericj_palmer@yahoo.com
City, state, country: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

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Backpacking Background: I started backpacking when I was seven years old, on family summer vacations to Estes Park, Colorado, which my dad took my brother and me hiking on. Since then I have moved to Colorado and have been hiking hardcore for five years now. I completed a Hikemaster’s Course in the Rocky Mountain National Park and have led numerous groups on hikes, both short and long, dispensing information on the various ecosystems in the area. My backpacking style is mostly ultralight or light.

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Year of manufacture: 2005
Manufacturer: SureFoot
URL: http://www.surefoot.net
MSRP: $24.99 US currency for traction device. $5.99 US currency for 6 replacement spikes.
Listed Weight: not listed on manufacturer web site
Weight as Delivered: 8 oz (227 g)
Size: Large

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Introduction: The SureFoot Get-A-Grip Advanced are a rubber shoe-slip with small spikes on the bottom for grip on icy surfaces. More information is available in my Initial Report.

Test Experience:

Since the Initial Report was written, I have taken 3 trips with the SureFoot Get-A-Grip Advanced. On February 11, 2006 I hiked on a snow-packed trail to Teddy's Teeth (9,553 feet/2,912 meters) in Estes Park.

The weather here on Teddy's Teeth was about 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees C) and a small breeze with absolute clear skies. I had the traction aid on my Asolo hiking boots. Teddy's Teeth trailhead is reached by climbing a steep gravel road with many switchbacks for 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers). This road had many icy spots on it and there was no way around them. The SureFoot Get-A-Grip Advanced proved worthy on these icy patches. Once on the trail and in the trees, the traction devices were of little use, but I kept them on anyway. I was solo on this hike and unable to compare foot traction with other people.

On March 28, 2006 in the Beartooth Mountain Wilderness in Montana, I ventured out alone to Mystic Lake. Mystic Lake is the largest lake in the Beartooths, covering more than 430 acres. A 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) hike brings you to 7669 ft/2337.5 meters. The weather was partly cloudy, just above freezing (32 degrees F/0 degrees C). There was no wind. The trail was gradual in elevation gain until the last .75 miles (1.2 kilometers). I had the traction aid on my Asolo hiking boots. I had on the Get-A-Grips, but I could have functioned without them. They did help on a few spots where the snow was still crusty on top and slipping could have occurred. I did not slip. I was alone, so I did not have the chance to compare my foot grip with those without the Get-A-Grips Advanced.

April 1, 2006. Some friends and I went back-country sledding at Montgomery Pass in the Colorado State Forest State Park. The weather was ferocious as well. Strong winds with snow blowing off the surrounding peaks and bitter temperatures. I did not know the temperatures, but it was definitely below freezing and with the wind, colder. I had the traction aid on my Asolo hiking boots. This 1.85-mile (2.9 kilometer) one-way trail is a popular way to get back to the pass where you can find some of the best backcountry bowl skiing or sledding. The hike was brutal, as there is a huge elevation gain in less than two miles. At 10,808 feet/3,294.2 meters, there is plenty of snow and ice. The Get-A-Grips came in handy until we reached the bowl where we going to be sledding. My companions did have a few icy spots where it was hard to ascend the trail. I had no problems getting up these slick spots.

I have also been testing out the SureFoot Get-a-Grip Advanced on the sidewalks around work and home when there is ice (which has been rare this winter). They performed quite well on frozen pavement and concrete, where I would most likely have slipped if I had worn only shoes. I was satisfied with their performance. I was able to have a normal gait and walk with the assurance that I would not slip. I had the traction aid on my Merrell Mocs and various dress shoes.

Efficiency:

As noted in my Initial Report, I did slip once on a frozen lake while using the Get-A-Grips. Other than that isolated incident, I have not slipped while using this product. After a few walks around the neighborhood, I have gained confidence in walking on ice with these traction aids. I would not recommend this product for heavy ice fields or thick ice layers with rough surfaces because the spikes on the bottom of this device seem to made for more residential use, not backpacking use. The are very short and do not have the ability to dig into thick, uneven ice. While on the frozen lake, crampons or snowshoes would have done a better job of gripping the ice, in my opinion.

I have found this piece of equipment is quite hard to destroy. I have turned and twisted it, bent it and rolled it up with no apparent damage done. They are also hard to tear or rip. The Get-A-Grips are very compact. I had no problem finding space for them in my pack. I have found that they are best packed by rolling them up from heel to toe. No straps, snaps or buckles are needed on this product because of the stretchable rubber that is compatible to almost any shoe or boot. I have not had to replace the spikes, a good thing. Since I have not had to replace the spikes as of yet, I do not know how easy they pop out from the rubber piece. The rubber is still bendable after being used in below freezing temperatures.

Comfort:

The SureFoot Get-A-Grip Advanced is very comfy on all of the shoes/boots I have used them on. I could still roll my feet and my movement was very easy and controllable with this product. These traction devices are still easy to put on/take off.

PRO:

The compactability and compatibility with various footwear.
The secure feeling and confidence it provides while on concrete/paved surfaces that are flat or of little steepness.

The limited use. Not made to replace crampons or snowshoes when hiking on icy trails that are steep.

Thank you Sure Foot Corporation and BGT for providing me with the opportunity to test the Get-A-Grip Advanced. I look forward to completing the final testing stage.