Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced > Jennifer Koles > Field Report

Field Report: Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced

Jennifer Koles

April 5, 2006

Height:  5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)

The Get-A-Grip Advanced comes packaged with 12 replaceable carbide spikes. Additional carbide spikes can be purchased as needed.

Dimensions: 9.5 in x 5 in (24 cm x  13 cm) (for size medium, not placed on shoe)

Ice Diamond Carbide Spike Length: 3/32 in (2.4 mm)

Warranty Information: The packaging states "Sure Foot makes no warranties beyond that expressly stated on this package, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness. For use on ice and snow.  Can damage certain surfaces."

Per the manufacturer: 

"Get-A-Grip increases traction and helps to prevent falling.  It helps to reduce possible pulled muscles, fractures, back problems caused by a quick slip or fall.  With a snug fit, footwear and product become one.  There are no snaps, straps, or buckles."

"The Ice Diamond carbide spikes last 10 times longer than steel.  They are technically designed to give and release from undo [sic] stress without tearing the rubber."

Initial Impression

 

The product was contained in a rectangular clear plastic package with 12 Ice Diamond carbide spikes in place on the device.   Also included as an added bonus from the manufacturer was a clear small package of 6 replacement Ice Diamond carbide spikes.  The parcel package contained a letter from the manufacturer stating the key features of the product and an informational brochure of Sure Foot’s other Get-A-Grip products.

The packaging for the Get-A-Grip Advanced notes how to replace the Ice Diamond carbide spikes.  There is also a description of the product, illustrations, key features, manufacturer contact information, and available sizes.

Field Usage

Testing Performance

Tested Performance Areas	Results
How easy is it to put on and take off the Get-A-Grip on various types of shoes?  How time consuming is it?	The Get-A-Grip Advanced is not difficult to put on and take off various types of footwear.  I attempted to put them on my footwear in a standing and sitting position.  I find it much easier when on the trail to don and doff them while standing on one leg.  I can don and doff  both  traction devices in under one minute.  I place my foot into the toe cup of the device making sure it is centered. Then I put two of my fingers in the support ring, pull the support ring towards my heel, then while holding onto the support ring I lift the device over my heel.  To remove the device I place two fingers in the support ring and lift it off over my heel, then I pull the device off my footwear by pulling on the toe cup.  I found another way to remove the device by first removing off my heel using the support ring.  Then I place the ball of my foot into the snow or ice and I kick my foot back toward myself. I have placed them on several types of footwear:  tennis shoes, snow hiking boots, backpacking boots, trail running shoes, lightweight hiking boots, and casual shoes. I found that is takes slightly more time to place them on my snow hiking boots. This is due to the fact that the boots are slightly larger and have a wider toe area.
How well do the Get-A-Grip Advanced fit?  Test if there are any pressure areas noted.	The traction device fits well on all the appropriate types of footwear that I have tested so far: tennis shoes, snow hiking boots, backpacking boots, trail running shoes, lightweight hiking boots, approach shoes,  and casual shoes.  I did don them on a pair of dress shoes and they did not fit well due to the heel of the shoe. The device fit snug on the appropriate footwear that was tested. No air pockets were noted between the device and the footwear. There were no pressure areas noted while wearing the device on any of the types of footwear.
How easily can they be stowed?  Test if they are easily fit into a small pocket, pack, or with cycling gear.	The device can be folded and stowed into a jacket pocket and a small pocket in a backpack.  When folded for storage the device measures 5 in x 4.5 in (13 cm x 11 cm). I turned the device inside out to stow it.  By doing this the spikes did  not dig into my pocket and my skin. Also I found that this protected my hands from cuts  when handling and placing the device into storage. Before storing the device in my pocket or my pack I found it difficult to get all the snow and water off the device while out in the field.  When I stored the devices in my pocket or backpack; my pants, jacket, and the backpack  became wet.
Evaluate if they keep their elasticity and shape in various temperatures. Is the rubber still pliable after being exposed to cold temperatures?  Do they actually not stretch out?  Test this with different types of shoes and temperatures.	There has been no stretching noted with various footwear types and no change in elasticity  in below to above freezing temperatures.  The product appears to be retaining its shape. The rubber is pliable after being exposed to snow, ice, and in below freezing temperatures.  I had no difficulty folding the device for storage in below freezing temperatures.
Is it easy to remove and replace the spikes?	I struggled minimally while attempting to remove the spike from the traction device. The directions note how to remove the spike, but not how to replace it. To remove the spike the objective is to pop it out of the rubber from the inside of the device. To inset the spike I  turned the spike to its side and pushed it into the hole in the rubber.
Is the rubber material durable? Does the support ring break?	After two months of testing, the support ring did not break.  The rubber material appears to be durable, no tears or breakage noted.
Do the spikes break? How long before I notice wear on the spikes? Do the spikes wear out?	The carbide spikes have not seen any wear.  They still measure at 3/32 in (2.4 mm).  I did break a piece of the plastic device that holds the spike in place on the inside of the device.  I noticed that the plastic piece was broken after removing the traction device from my footwear after a hike.  I am uncertain how long this was broken.  I did not notice any change in the performance of the device with the plastic piece broken. This is noted in the picture below.
Does the rubber smell go away?	After two months a slight rubber smell remains.

Things I Like

• The portability and light weight
• The ease of donning and doffing
• The traction it provides on terrain that is not steep
• I feel more confident while walking and hiking on snow and ice while wearing the device

Things I Do Not Like

• The rubber smell
• The traction that is not provided on steep surfaces
• They are difficult to dry in the field before storing in a pocket or a backpack

Remarks

Thank you Sure Foot 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 final testing period.

Reviews > Snow Gear > Traction Aids > Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced > Jennifer Koles > Field Report