Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced > Eric Palmer > Initial Report

Initial Report: SureFoot Get-A-Grip Advanced
Eric Palmer
February 21, 2006

Personal Biographical Information:
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

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.

Product Information:

The Get-A-Grip Advanced comes packaged with 2 replaceable carbide spikes.

Initial Impression

The product arrived USPS Priority Mail within two days of shipping from the manufacturer in North Dakota. Included was a clear small package of 6 replacement Ice Diamond carbide spikes, as well as a letter from the manufacturer stating the key features of the product and an informational brochure of SureFoot's other Get-A-Grip products. Inside of the actual product packaging were two replacement spikes, bringing the total number of replacement spikes to 8. It was very simple to figure out how to put the traction device on and take off my hiking boots. The Get-A-Grip Advanced appears well-built with thick rubber. The rubber is easily bendable allowing to roll and fold the device for storage. At the initial look, the product looks like a cheap product you would purchase from a television shopping network, but after further inspection, the Get-A-Grip Advanced appears to be a worthy traction device that is very easy to use.

I did try the product out in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Saturday, January 28, 2006. My wife and I hiked about 2 miles round-trip on a packed-snow trail. We hiked up to Nymph Lake (9,700 feet/2 956.56 meters), which was frozen over. I walked across the lake and still felt cautious, but after a few steps, I began to feel secure. I decided to try running because the manufacturer states that this product is good for outdoor exercise in the winter. Running on the frozen lake with the Get-A-Grip Advanced was not successful; I took a hard fall to the ice. I recommend that the Get-A-Grip Advanced not be used to run on frozen lakes. I have yet to test the product out on frozen sidewalks.

The Get-A-Grip Advanced fit on all pairs of my shoes very nicely. They are compatible with most types of footwear.

As for the spikes, themselves; there are only 6 spikes and they measure about 2 mm. There are 4 spikes on the front part of the device and they are placed in a diamond pattern. The two remaining spikes are side-by-side on the heel. If I were to step on someone's bare foot, they would most likely not feel very much at all.

Test plan: I will spend significant time testing the Get-A-Grip Advanced in Northern Colorado during the winter months. I will do at least three trips in the before the field report phase and at least 6 for the long term report phase. Guesstimated total mileage is approximately 50 miles (80 km).

This gear would come in handy when walking from my car in a parking lot to a trail head. I plan on taking the Get-A-Grip Advanced out on packed down trails in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Cache la Poudre River Canyon. I will also use them when on recess duty at the elementary school that I teach at. I plan on wearing the Get-A-Grip Advanced while walking or jogging around my neighborhood.

I am also going to be testing how easy to put on and take off they really are. The company claims that they are compatible with almost any shoe or boot. I wear a variety of footwear to and from work and also while at home. I will be wearing the Get-A-Grip Advanced with mocs, slip-on dress shoes, laced dress shoes, tennis shoes, and hiking boots. This should allow me to test the compatibility.

Remarks: Thank you SureFoot Corporation for providing me with the opportunity to test the Get-A-Grip Advanced. I will test the above stated factors and any other issues that may arise during the test.


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Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced > Eric Palmer > Initial Report