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

Initial Report: Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced

Jennifer Koles

January 23, 2006

 

  Get-A-Grip Advanced on Hiking Boots        Bottom of Get-A-Grip Advanced              

Get-A-Grip Advanced on Hiking Boots                

 

Reviewer Information

 

Name:  Jennifer Koles

Age:  31

Gender:  Female

Height:  5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)

Weight: 140 lb (64 kg)

Email address: jennksnowy@yahoo.com

City, State, and Country:  Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

 

 

Backpacking Background

 

I started taking overnight backpacking trips this past summer in the Uinta Mountain Range in Utah.  I found myself taking entirely too much gear.  I am finding out slowly how to minimize my needs and not require extra luxuries. My previous outdoor experiences consisted of 4 wheel-drive camping in primitive areas and day hiking.  I have some backpacking gear I purchased over the past few years.  I enjoyed my backpacking experience this summer.  I plan to take more trips, increase my duration, and reduce my pack weight from 45 lb (20.4 kg).

 

Product Information

 

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

 

Manufacturer: Sure Foot Corporation

Year of Manufacture: 2005

Manufacturer’s Website: http://www.surefoot.net/

Listed Weight: not listed on manufacturer web site

Weight as Delivered: 7.68 oz (218 g) size medium

MSRP:  $24.99 US currency for traction device.  $5.99 US currency for 6 replacement spikes.

Color Available:  Black

Color Tested:  Black

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)

 

Sizes Available: 

Small

Medium

Large

Women’s 5-8

Men’s 4-7

Women’s 8-11

Men’s 7-10

Women’s 11 +

Men’s 10-14

 
 

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."

 

 

Product Description

 

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."

 

 

Key features noted by the manufacturer: 

  • Replaceable Ice Diamond carbide spikes are integrated into the new bi-directional rubber tread for superior 360 degree traction on even the most treacherous ice.
  • Special rubber compound and form fitting design retains elasticity and fit in all temperatures.
  • Quick fit support rings and holes provide easy adjustment-easy to put on and take off.
  • Wide and thick heel strap provides superior grip, durability, and longer wear.

 

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.

 

 

The packaging for the replacement spikes notes how to replace the spikes, a short product description, appropriate use, and contact information for the manufacturer. 

 

Inside the packaging of the traction device no instructions were found on how to care for the device or the mounting/removal process.  It was easy enough for me to figure out how to put the device on and remove it from my running shoes.  There is an illustration of the support ring that is to allow for easy on and off of the device.  The support ring is a piece of rubber molded into the device in which the user could place his or her fingers inside to assist with the application and removal of the device over the heel of the footwear.

 

The device appears well constructed with thick rubber. There was a distinct unpleasant smell of rubber after the device was removed from the packaging. The rubber is pliable allowing me to roll and fold the device for storage. 

 

 

Support ring

Support Ring

 

Testing Strategy

  • The testing activities will include general walking in my neighborhood and at the local ski resorts on icy and snow packed surfaces.  Just to get to my mailbox in the winter can be treacherous.  The sidewalk on the north side of the building is usually icy with hard packed snow present. 
  • Running with a small hydration pack on packed snow and possibly icy surfaces in the Wasatch Mountain Range.
  • Hiking on packed snow and icy surfaces with a small backpack in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges.  Around the camp during winter backcountry camping trips.
  • I am planning a bike tour of Yellowstone National Park in early April.  Last year I transported an extra pair of shoes to hike on some of the trails.  The trails were snow covered and icy.  This will be a great place to test the Get-A-Grip Advanced.  I will need to stow them in my pack that is fastened to my rear bike rack.  I will test if I can wear them with my biking shoes, or will I still need to transport an extra pair of shoes. 

Testing Locations

  • This item will be primarily tested in the mountainous region of northern Utah.  Most elevation ranges in the Utah Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges are between 9,000-10,000 ft. (2700-3000 m).  The average temperature in these mountain ranges during the winter months is 25 F (-4 C). The average amount of snowfall is 500 in (13 m) in the Wasatch Mountain Range.  
  • The Salt Lake City Valley area with an elevation of 5500 ft (1700 m).  The average temperature in Salt Lake City during the winter months is approximately 40 F (4 C).
  • Yellowstone National Park in early April of 2006. A cycling tour starts in West Yellowstone, Montana (elevation of 6667 ft (2000 m)) and ends at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (elevation of 8850 ft (2700 m)).  There are many trails that are open and accessible during this time of year.  However they are usually snow packed and icy.  Some of the trails that I intend on hiking are the Norris Geyser Basin Trails and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Viewpoints.  The average daytime temperature in the park in April is 35-40 F (1.67-4 C).  The temperatures during the night are below freezing. The park averages 150-400 in (4-10m) of snowfall per year.

Test Plans

 

How easy is it to put on and take off the Get-A-Grip on various types of shoes?  How time consuming is it?

How well do the Get-A-Grip Advanced fit?  Test if there is any pressure areas noted.

How well do they fit on various types of shoes?  Boots, casual shoes, approach shoes, running shoes, and biking shoes.

How easily can they be stowed?  Test if they are easily fit into a small pocket, pack, or with cycling gear. 

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.

Is it easy to remove and replace the spikes?

Do I slide while hiking, running, walking?  Test each individually.

How effective is the lateral grip and bi-directional tread? Test on various terrain surfaces:  hills, flats, steep. Test by traversing various hill types in packed snow. 

Is the rubber material durable? Does the support ring break?

Do the spikes break? How long before I notice wear on the spikes? Do the spikes wear out?

Does the rubber smell go away?

 

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 test.

 

 

Read more reviews of Sure Foot Corporation gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Estrella

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



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