| |
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
|
Long Term Report: Sure Foot Get-A-Grip Advanced
Jennifer Koles
May 22, 2006
|
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
at yahoo dot 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
The
Get-A-Grip Advanced is a thick rubber snow traction device with 6
carbide spikes on the bottom of each device.
Additional information on my testing experience and the product
description can be found in my Initial
Report and Field
Report .
Field
Usage
During the past four months I have tested the Get-A-Grip Advanced in
various locations in the state of Utah. The Field
Report describes the majority of the locations, conditions,
and the results of testing this device.
I indicated in my initial report that I was going to test the
Get-A-Grip Advanced on a cycling tour of Yellowstone National Park in
April. The trip was postponed due to snow in the forecast.
The conditions would have been perfect for testing the traction device
but, not for riding my bicycle.
| Date |
April and May 2006 |
| Location |
Millcreek Canyon, Utah (various trails) |
| Length
of Trip |
Approximately 5 mi (8 km)
Multiple day trips (the device was not worn the entire
time due to the lack of snow)
|
| Temperature |
Daytime Temperature: varied greatly (well above freezing)
|
| Elevation
Information |
Elevation: 7000 ft (2134 m) - 9200 ft (2804
m) |
| Conditions |
Slush
Some packed snow on north facing slopes and shady areas
Mud
|
| Footwear Used |
Backpacking boots, X-Country Ski Boots, Vasque light
hiking boots |
| Performance |
The device performed well in slush and in mud.
I still had difficulty managing steeper slopes of 25-30
degrees. On the steeper slopes I found myself sliding and lacking
adequate traction. I was able to intentionally glissade in softer snow
on the steeper
slopes. This enabled me to descend the steeper slopes in an
energy saving and fun manner. I knew from previous experiences
that I was going to slide by walking on the steep terrain, so I thought
I would give glissading a try.
The performance in mud was good, at times I could
hear a suction like noise when I was lifting my foot out of the mud.
I believe that the device prevented me from falling in the
mud.
The manufacturer suggests to wear this device only on snow and icy
surfaces so while hiking I found it annoying and cumbersome to
continuously remove the device when approaching hard packed dirt and
rocks (I only encountered this issue during the spring months when the
snowpack was less abundant).
|
Testing Performance
More testing performance results can be found on the Field
Report. Listed below is a summary of the testing results.
| 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 have placed them on several types of footwear: tennis
shoes,
snow hiking boots, backpacking boots, trail running shoes, lightweight
hiking boots, x-country ski boots, and casual shoes. |
| How well do the
Get-A-Grip Advanced fit? Test
if there are any pressure areas noted. |
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). |
|
| 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. |
| Is it easy to remove
and replace the spikes? |
I
struggled minimally while attempting to remove the
spike from the traction device. I experience no difficulty while
inserting the new spike. |
| Is the rubber
material durable? Does the support ring break? |
After
four 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). Early in the testing phase I did break a piece of the
plastic device that
holds
the spike in place on the inside of the device.
This is noted in the picture below. |
|
| Does the rubber smell
go away? |
After
four months the rubber smell is almost gone. |
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 (it is almost gone)
- 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
- Needing to remove the device when I encounter rocks and
dirt on the trail
Summary
I am very pleased with the Get-A-Grip Advanced. I will
continue to use this item as weather permits and when I deem it
appropriate. I have been the envy of many hikers (on icy
terrain) while wearing this device. I was approached by many
individuals inquiring about the performance of this item. This device
is durable, easy to use, easily portable, and provides adequate traction
on various surfaces and on slopes that are less than 25 degrees.
In steeper terrain crampons would be a more ideal gear
choice. I felt more confident walking, running, and hiking on
various wintery surface conditions with this device. I am
positive it prevented me from falling and possibly prevented me from
encountering any injuries this winter season.
Remarks
Thank you Sure Foot Corporation and Backpack Gear Test for
providing me with the opportunity to test the Get-A-Grip Advanced.
Read more reviews of Sure Foot Corporation gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Estrella
|
