If there are spikes at all, why don't they scratch the floor?
If you walk normally and don't shimmy your feet there is no problem. And you have to exercise some common sense in that you wouldn't wear them while walking on finished hardwood floors. But on floors like those in the grocery or drug store, or the marble in many train stations you're completely OK. And you're infinitely safer stepping down onto that metal bus step or waling in the subway.
Click here to see a bigger picture... |
Is a small 1mm spike effective at preventing falls on ice and snow?
Yes. I wore them exclusively last winter and they did a great job. Customers have given them very favorable reviews.
Do you guarantee that I won't slip on ice or on indoor surfaces?
No. No one can guarantee you won't slip of ice. No one can guarantee you won't slip indoors whether you're wearing an ice traction device or not. I can guarantee that Altragrips-Lite are excellent for reducing the chance of slipping on ice and that they are the best ice traction device I know of for minimizing the chance you'll slip on indoor or any smooth dry surface while you're wearing them.
Are they as effective at preventing slips on the ice as devices with longer spikes?
No. Given that the spikes are intelligently spaced the more aggressive the spike the better the traction.
But the goal is to prevent injuries from slips and falls and you have to look at the overall risk. If you're willing to constantly be putting your ice traction device on and off... and physically can do it... and you pay strict attention to where you're stepping 100% of the time you should go with the more aggressive device. If you're like the vast majority of people Altragrips-Lite Low Profile ice cleats make more sense and minimize your overall risk of slipping and falling.
Do the 1mm spikes wear out quickly?
The spikes are tungsten carbide and extremely durable. But obviously how long they last depends on how far you walk, how often you walk wearing them, the amount of exposed non-ice covered surface you walk on and how much you weigh. I have reports from a seeing impaired customer who wore them
almost every day for a 2 mile walk last winter and had no noticeable wear.
Why are they so expensive?
AltraGrips Lite are an industrial grade ice traction device manufactured in the USA. The good news is that for many of you they will last for several years whereby other traction devices may have to be replaced several times over the same amount of time.
The materials are heavy duty. The spikes are made if tungsten carbide.
Why are they called Low Profile?
AltraGrips Lite are available with two lengths of spikes: 2mm, or High Profile; and 1mm, or Low Profile. The High Profile don't allow you to walk on smooth interior floors because of the length of the spike.
What is the advantage of tungsten carbide spikes?
Tungsten carbide is about three times stiffer than steel and much denser than steel. So they won't bend and they are extremely durable. Most consumer class ice traction devices use stainless steel or carbon steel spikes primarily to reduce costs.
Why haven't I heard about AltraGrips before?
AltraGrips Lite are on of several industrial grade products manufactured here in the USA by a manufacturer with over 35 years of experience in slip resistant footwear and distributed primarily through industrial supply houses.
Only now have they decided to sell their products through a very limited number of select stores where they know MAP agreements will be strictly followed.
Can I walk on any type of floor?
No. You have to exercise common sense from the standpoint of damaging the floor because you're still wearing spikes. While you're OK to walk on floors like those found in grocery store or train station you certainly wouldn't wear it while walking on a hardwood floor. You'd be safe but not very popular with the owner of that floor.
Can I run wearing AltraGrips Lite Low Profile Ice Cleats?
I would not recommend running with AltraGrips Lite Low Profile Ice Cleats. You want the most aggressive traction available when jogging or running. Consumer grade alternatives that will work for running include Yaktrax Pro and Spare Spike Ice Cleats. High end alternatives would include AltraGrips Lite High Profile Ice Cleats and Grip-X Ice Cleats both sold on my SlipResistant.net online store.
Are AltraGrips Lite good for shoveling or plowing snow?
The answer totally depends on your situation. You have to be extremely careful no matter what ice and snow traction device you're wearing when you're "leaning into" the shovel or struggling to turn your snowblower. Is your driveway on a steep angle? Is you snowblower self propelled? I use my AltraGrips Lite while snow blowing and I don't have any trouble. But I am extremely cautious. And it's a plain fact that the longer the spike the better the traction. So if you try it and you see you're having trouble you should get an ice traction device with the longer spikes to clear your sidewalk and driveway. But remember that if you only have ice cleats with the longer spikes you are exposed to all the other inconveniences and risks associated with wearing that type of ice traction device. You have to be the judge depending on your particular situation.
|
